Shed Part One

Spider-Man and the Black Cat are chasing after a truck of stolen goods driven by mobsters. Spider-Man is trying to come up with a funny one liner when the Cat’s bad luck powers kick in. Although the driver spots Spider-Man in the side-view mirror, and begins shooting at them. This distracted him from the road and he suddenly has to swerve when he notices an old woman trying to cross the street. As they all narrowly avoid getting hurt in the ensuing crash, Spider-Man tells his joke about the crooks falling off the back of a truck, and it doesn’t land. With the danger over, the Black Cat suggest they celebrate their victory by having some “private time” together. However, the Cat’s quip about this being a victory for J. Jonah Jameson’s New York because Peter is still smarting over the fact that he got fired from the mayor’s office where Felicia now currently works.[1]

When the Black Cat asks if he’s got another date lined up, but insists that he just wants to get the injured crooks to a hospital. She reminds him that she doesn’t care that he has a date, reminding them that they are in an open relationship and if something better comes along to go for it, saying that she wouldn’t if their roles were reversed. With that, the Black Cat swings off, leaving Spider-Man to deal with the mess.

Meanwhile, Curt Connors is having a visitation with his son Billy. Billy is sullen and ignore that his father is there and, when he tries to hug his son, the social worker reminds Curt that he’s not allowed to touch the boy. Curt tries to convince his son that the Lizard is gone for good and he’s got a good job and will be working hard to find a lawyer that will help him win back custody of his son. However, the way he says this comes off as manipulative so the social worker steps in and asks Billy if his father is making him uncomfortable. The boy looks up from his tablet and tells the social worker that he is uncomfortable and the session is ended. As Curt is walked out of the room the voice of the Lizard calls out Billy’s name softly in Curt’s mind.

At this same time, Peter Parker calls his Aunt May for some advice on his girl problems. May is unusually rude and dismissive because she is more concerned about the repairs that need to be made to her house after it was damaged while on her honeymoon.[2] Sensing that his aunt is in a bad mood, Peter tells her she’ll call her back and she abruptly hangs up on him. That’s when Harry Osborn arrives and can tell by the look on Peter’s face that he is having girl troubles.[3] He tells her how he has been having a fling with a woman who told him that their relationship won’t go any further than having fun and that it is the reason why he hasn’t asked Carlie Cooper out on a proper date yet. Harry then grabs Peter’s phone and texts Carlie to ask her out for him. Peter asks what he’s doing, and Harry points out that Peter doesn’t like to just “have fun” with anyone, let alone another woman and that Carlie Cooper is perfect for him for just that. Harry knows his friend well enough Peter is either ignoring that or seeing this other woman because he does and is avoiding taking the plunge.

While at Phelcorp Industries, Curt Connor’s assistant is impressed that the iguana they have been working with seems to be affectionate toward her. Curt reminds her that reptiles are incapable of forming attachments to others, even females of their own species. They view any female that wanders into their territory as nothing more than property. As he says this, the Lizard begins speaking to him in his mind, telling him that he and Marissa must mate. That’s when they are interrupted by Curt’s boss, Brian King enters the room. Curt finds himself suddenly aggressive, but reverts to his meek personality and tells King that he shouldn’t be in the lab because it agitates his lizards. King tells him that he’s in charge and Curt doesn’t get any say on the rules until he produces a product that the company can market. He then asks to speak Marissa privately so he can ask her out to the opera.

At that same moment, Madame Web is being forced to tell Sasha and Ana Kravinoff what her visions see. She speaks of the coming conflict between Spider-Man and the Lizard and how the cries of Curt Connor’s son, Billy, will tame the beast. This doesn’t satisfy the Kravinoff’s who decide to nudge events into their favor.

Later, Peter Parker stops by the fifth precinct to bring Carlie Cooper some lunch to make up for running out on her the last time the went out. When she tells him that this doesn’t qualify as a date, Peter agrees, but tells her he’ll tell everyone that it was. This makes Carlie smile and she says that’s fine.

The following morning, Curt Connors arrives at work to find Marissa has arrived early for work. When Marissa says she stayed in the city over night, he can smell Brain King on her as the Lizard begins amping up his rage. He gets upset and runs to his office. There he is confronted by Brain King who tells him to grow up. As he begins chastising his subordinate, Brain King notices Curt going for a serum on his desk. He assumes this is the Lizard formula and tries to stop him from taking it. That’s when Curt goes berserk and begins savagely attacking him. As he begins transforming, Curt tells Brain that the serum doesn’t let the Lizard out, it is used to keep the creature in. It’s too late to do anything now and Curt Connors undergoes an even more horrifying transformation than in the past. This new, massive, Lizard then slaughters Brain King, ripping him to shreds in the his massive maw.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Lizard, Black Cat, Aunt May, Carlie Cooper, Harry Osborn, Sasha Kravinoff, Ana Kravinoff, Billy Connors, Brain King, Marissa, Madame Web, Spider-Woman

Continuity Notes

1. The Black Cat started working for J. Jonah Jameson under the identity of Ashley Moon in Amazing Spider-Man #612. Meanwhile, Peter got fired from his job as staff photographer for doctoring a photo in Amazing Spider-Man #624.

2. There are a lot of things going on in the life of Aunt May that are referenced here they are:

   • Aunt May had just married Jay Jameson in Amazing Spider-Man #600.

   • While she was gone, she allowed her sister’s children to stay at her home in Queens. They were joined by Harry Osborn in Amazing Spider-Man #604 after he was cut off from his family fortune and was left homeless.

   • May’s home was damaged when the Raptor and Kaine attacked Peter at the house in Amazing Spider-Man #610.

   • May came back from her honeymoon in Amazing Spider-Man #618 and stumbled upon the secret that her employer, Martin Li, is actually Mister Negative. To cover this up, he affected May with his corrupting touch, which has turned her into a total bitch.

3. Mention is made about how Harry Osborn is now living with Mary Jane Watson. After May kicked him out of her home, Harry moved in with MJ in Amazing Spider-Man #621.

Continuity Errors

• On page 11, Curt Connors is depicted as having two arms as he tries to reach out and touch Marissa from behind. This is clearly an artists error since Curt Connor’s lost his arm years ago.