Partners in Crime

Agreeing to work together on a mutual case, Spider-Man and Carlie Cooper break into the 18th precinct so they can look over the evidence of the dead man recently found in Washington Square Park.[1] When they get into the morgue, Carlie warns Spider-Man to be cautious because her career is on the line doing this. When Peter takes off his mask, Cooper insists that he put it back on because she isn’t comfortable seeing Spider-Man without his mask.

Meanwhile, in the office at the Wake night club, the Vulture goes over the plans to rob a helicopter in midair with his newly trained gang of vulture wannabes. Before sending them off, the Vulture has a stern warning for their newest recruit, Michael. He tells the youth about how fishermen would train cormorants to help catch fish by forcing them to wear rings around their throats that prevented them from swallowing what they caught. This is all to warn Michael not to pocket anything, promising the boy he will get his fair share after they turn everything over to him.

On their way out, the Vulture’s Flock complain about the Vulture’s story, but they prefer their new lives of indentured servitude because it allows them to fly. On the way out, Michael makes eyes at Glory Grant for the second time that night. Her date doesn’t take kindly to this and gets defensive. When the Flock threatens him, Mary Jane suggests that they all back down because this group is out of their league. When Glory’s date backs down, Mary Jane says this is the wise choice because they look like tough customers and assures them that she has a friend to call on to deal with them.

Back at the morgue, Spider-Man and Carlie find the body they are looking for. Carlie takes the opportunity to complain about Captain Pratchett who has been giving her a hard time since her friend, Yuri Watanabe, went on leave.[2] When Peter tires to turn this into a conversation about their relationship, Carlie makes him focus by finding a light. Spider-Man uses his spider-signal to provide the light they need. While examining the body, Spider-Man’s ultra-violet light reveals a stamp from the Wake and they note that the victims piercings have been magnetized. This second clue gives Spider-Man and idea as to who they are dealing with. As they continue their investigation, the Flock manage to rob the helicopter and blow up the chopper. Moments later, Carlie gets a call about the attack and Peter gets a call from Mary Jane who tells him about her encounter with the Flock. This allows them to connect the dots and conclude that Adiran Toomes is involved and his hideout is at the Wake night club. It’s during this call that Carlie learns that Mary Jane knows Peter’s secret as well. He explains to her that Mary Jane has known since the beginning and it was because of his double-identity that the broke up.[3]

Spider-Man then takes off, telling Carlie that it is too dangerous for her to investigate this further. However, Carlie heads for Wake anyway, as she won’t stand on the sidelines on this one.

Moments later, the Flock is making their way back but Michael is struggling to keep up. Seeing this from the rooftop, the Vulture decides that he doesn’t make the cut and deactivates his wings. However, instead of falling to his death, Michael is saved by Spider-Man who weaves a web to catch the troubled youth. Spotting the web-slinger, the Vulture orders his Flock to attack the web-slinger. Meanwhile, Carlie manages to flag a cab. Three blocks later she is at the scene of the battle and tells Spider-Man what she has figured out about the Flock’s wings. She shouts up at him and tells him that the Vulture has control over the wings and that they are constantly giving off and “on” signal. She tells him to change his webbing and quick thinking he loads his web-shooters with his magnetic webbing and uses it to wrap up the Flock.

Spider-Man then goes after the Vulture but he covers his escape by using his augmented strength to toss a water tower at Carlie. Spider-Man swings down and pushes her to safety. In the aftermath of the battle, Carlie tells Peter that he has earned back her trust, as Spider-Man at least. When Captain Pratchett arrives on the scene a team of officers, Spider-Man decides to leave. Pratchett is unhappy to learn that Cooper was working with Spider-Man, but she reminds him that he is an Avenger and helped solve the case. Pratchett decides to let it go, but warns her that he’s going to keep an eye on her.

Later, Peter Parker is back at his apartment making more web-fluid. He wonders if this is really the end of his relationship with Carlie Cooper. Meanwhile, Carlie has paid a visit to Mary Jane Watson so they can talk about Peter’s secret identity. Mary Jane is glad to see her as she knows that Carlie knows the truth and goes to put a pot of coffee on because there is a lot for them to talk about. Suddenly, Peter Parker perks up because he has a strange feeling that something bad is happening.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, the Vulture, Carlie Cooper, Mary Jane Watson, Glory Grant

Continuity Notes

1. There is some Spider-Man lore dropped all at once. Here are the details:

   • Spider-Man mentions his clone. That would be Kaine, the first Spider-Clone who first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #119.

   • He mentions how Kaine stole his stealth suit. This suit was created in Amazing Spider-Man #650, allowing Spider-Man to render himself completely invisible to detection. It was worn by Kaine during Spider-Island and he decided to keep it after. See Amazing Spider-Man #666-673.

   • Mention is made how Peter and Carlie used to date. They go together in Amazing Spider-Man #647 and broke up in issue #673 when Carlie figured out he was Spider-Man.

2. Mention is made as to how Yuri was operating as the new Wraith and how Carlie stumbled upon her secret identity. See Amazing Spider-Man #663-664.

3. Peter details his history with Mary Jane:

   • He states that she knew his identity from before they met. As revealed in Marvel Graphic Novel #46, Mary Jane has known since the night Peter went to capture the burglar who murdered his Uncle Ben circa Amazing Fantasy #15.

   • Peter and Mary Jane didn’t actually meet until Amazing Spider-Man #42. They dated on-and-off for years. However, Mary Jane did not reveal that she knew his secret until Amazing Spider-Man #257.

   • Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship was always rocky by they broke up circa Amazing Spider-Man #545 as detailed in Amazing Spider-Man #638-641.

Topical References

• Dated pop-culture references: The Harry Potter movies,