Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #48
A Spider’s Tail
Following Spider-Man’s battle with Shanthra, Ezekiel Sims finds the web-slinger sleeping off Shanthra’s venomous sting in a spider exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. Getting on the phone, Ezekiel tells his assistants to get a helicopter ready.
As Spider-Man dreams, he has a vision of Kwaku Anansi, a man who lived in Ghana centuries ago. The legends speak of how Anansi traveled all over the world by swinging on strong web strings. Eventually, he saw everything there was to see and yearned to see more. One day he decided to climb to the very sky itself where he was found Nyame the sky-god who also knows every story that exists in the world and other worlds beyond it. When Anansi was offered the opportunity to know everything Nyame knows he agreed to give up everything except for abandoning those who are in need of help. Nyame considered this sufficient and transformed Kwaku Anansi into a spider who then gave birth to all the spiders in the world who weave all the stories that were passed down to them in their webs. Not only this, but Anansi became the god of spiders and it is said that whatever spiders see, Kwaku sees. The dream then changes focus to the life of Peter Parker, saying that his getting the powers of a spider wasn’t an accident. That the spider being irradiated was all part of a grand design and a fusion of the spider and science.[1]
That’s when Spider-Man wakes up and sees Ezekiel standing over him, confirming his suspicions that Sims was still alive.[2] He thanks Ezekiel for saving his life and decides to get going before Shanthra catches up with him. That’s when he discovers that Sims had him transported to Ghana. Ezekiel tells Peter that they are among the Ashanti tribe who were the first tribe to tell the story of Kwaku Anansi. That’s when Peter realizes he wasn’t just dreaming, but Ezekiel talking to him while he slept. Ezekiel then takes Peter to the ancient spider temple that his people unearthed recently. Sims explains that it is similar to the one in South America where he got his own spider-powers. Although Peter doesn’t entirely believe that his powers are mystically based, he asks Sims to explain why he was brought here.[3] Ezekiel explains that this place isn’t a safe haven, in fact, Shanthra can easily sense him here and is likely on her way. Ezekiel goes on to say that this temple is spider turf, giving Peter the home-team advantage. Ezekiel then tells Peter to get ready for Shanthra’s arrival and warns him not to go into the temple after him. Down in the catacombs of the temple, Sims uses a ceremonial knife to cut open the palm of his hand and bleed on the floor, this cut attracts a spider.
Above ground, Shanthra arrives just as Spider-Man puts on the rest of his costume and the two begin trading blows. During the fight, Spider-Man weaves a massive web over the top of the temple and allows his instincts to kick in. As the two fight, they are unaware of the horde of spiders start emerging from the temple. The spiders then swarm Shanthra. Shanthra is soon incapacitated by the spiders and then dragged into the temple below. When Ezekiel emerges from the temple. Spider-Man tells him he would have killed Shanthra if the spiders hadn’t intervened, Ezekiel knows this assuring Spider-Man that she wasn’t really human or alive for that matter. Although the reality of the situation doesn’t make him rest easier at night.
Meanwhile, Mary Jane is watching the news coverage about Spider-Man’s alleged lover.[4] As she watches the news personalities trying to make sense of the creature, Mary Jane is arranging for a car to take her to the airport so she can catch a flight back to New York City.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Shanthra, Ezekiel Sims, Mary Jane Watson
Continuity Notes
Peter’s origins are recounted as they were originally told in Amazing Fantasy #15.
Ezekiel seemingly perished battling Morlun in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #34.
Ezekiel tried to convince Peter that his powers were mystical in nature in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #30.
Mary Jane is depicted as watching Fox News. This should be considered a topical reference.
