Arms and the Men

Peter has come to Hollywood with his Aunt May to try and explain to Mary Jane why he wasn’t able to meet her during one of her day trips to New York.[1] She gives Peter two minutes to explain himself and he manages to explain how, as Spider-Man, he had to save street children who were sent to the Astral Plane by the criminal known as Shade. However, time moved slower in the astral plane and he missed their meet. He concludes by explaining that he went to the airport in his astral form and saw he leave but she couldn’t see him.[2] Mary Jane understands Peter needs to do what he does as Spider-Man, but can’t be part of his life if their relationship is optional. Peter insists that she is not an optional part of his life and wants them to get back together.[3] It’s in the middle of this discussion that Mary Jane realizes that they are discussing Spider-Man in front of Aunt May and realizes that May knows Peter’s secret.[4] That’s when Mary Jane’s co-star, Rick Turk, arrives in his Amazing Lobster-Man costume. This leads to a very embarrassing round introductions by Mary Jane.[5] Mary Jane realizes that this is going to be a longer conversation than she thought and allows Peter and May to hang out on set until after shooting wraps up for the day. After Mary Jane leaves, Aunt May admits that this could have gone better but at least they have made a start.

Meanwhile, the con-man known as Carlyle has just used the money he got from robbing a bank with his new mechanical arms to get the penthouse room at the hotel. He is in the middle of ordering some escorts when room service arrives. After the bellhop leaves, he goes downstairs and confirms to Doctor Octopus that Carlyle is upstairs. Otto then uses his mechanical arms to climb up the side of the building and attack Carlyle. The two come to blows, and Otto admits that Carlyle is faster and is using newer technology, Octavius will win because he has more experience.[6]

Back at the movie studio, Mary Jane and Rick Turk are in make-up talking about their roles. Rick figures his character’s central motivation as a hero is to always do the right thing. That’s when Mary Jane suggests that he come up with a deeper motivation. Thinking of Peter Parker’s motivation for being Spider-Man, she suggests that maybe Rick’s character is atoning for failing a loved one.[7] When she asks what Rick thinks her character would be like. Rick says that anyone who would be in love with a superhero would have to have really low self-image and no self-respect. This hits a little to close to home for Mary Jane. While not far away, Peter and Aunt May are deciding what to do while they are waiting for Mary Jane, when Peter catches a news report of Doctor Octopus’ battle at the Embassy Crown Hotel and he leaves to change into Spider-Man.

When Spider-Man arrives on the scene he quickly realizes — to his horror — that Doctor Octopus isn’t on a rampage, but is in the middle of a battle with someone who also has mechanical arms and realizes he’s screwed. The two Octopi tells Spider-Man to butt out but when the wall-crawler doesn’t leave, they both attack him. As the battle rages, Aunt May sits in the cafeteria of the movie studio watching from the television. When she can’t watch anymore she has the janitor turn off the TV. Back at the hotel, the battle rages on until police arrive on the scene. Deciding that it is time to go, Carlyle upsets the structural integrity of the room threatening to crush the innocent bystanders that are still around. Spider-Man tries to brace the collapsing roof and is surprisingly helped by Doctor Octopus. However, once the innocent people are cleared, Doctor Octopus takes off, allowing the roof to collapse on Spider-Man.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Mary Jane Watson, Doctor Octopus, Doctor Octopus (Carlyle), Aunt May, Rick Turk

Continuity Notes

1. At the time of this story, Peter and Mary Jane have been separated since Amazing Spider-Man Annual 2001.

2. Peter does a fairly decent summary of Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #40-42.

3. Aunt May thinks she sees actor Pierce Brosnan walking around the studio. This should be considered a topical reference.

4. May learned that her nephew was secretly Spider-Man in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #35.

5. Mary Jane states that Peter is her husband here. However, not long after this, Peter and Mary Jane’s marriage is erased from existence by Mephisto in Amazing Spider-Man #545. As such, in the new timeline, she would refer to Peter as her fiancee.

6. Doctor Octopus states he’s been a super-villain for years. He has been active in Amazing Spider-Man #3. Per the Sliding Timescale, Octavius has been active as Doctor Octopus for roughly 11 years.

7. Looks like we’re using that Tobey McGuire Gif again since Mary Jane is talking about Uncle Ban’s murder from Amazing Fantasy #15.