The Private Life of Peter Parker Part Ten

Coming to the rescue of the Spider-Girls — teenagers who volunteer their time after being inspired by Spider-Man — from a hostage situation, Spider-Man discovered that this was a trap set by the NYPD’s Anti-Spider-Man Squad. After defeating two of the kidnappers, Captain Gannon takes Becky hostage in order to force Spider-Man to surrender. He tells Becky to beg for her life so Spider-Man surrenders but knowing that a police officer wouldn’t actually kill her Becky calls his bluff, telling him that her friends —Leila and Emma — are recording the whole thing. When Ganon turns to look it creates the distraction Spider-Man needs to leap across the room and disarm him. After they web up Captain Gannon they blackmail him into resigning after the police find him. threatening to release the footage if he doesn’t. Ganon agrees, pleading with them not to release the video because some of his officers have families. When the girls consider still going after the officers for kidnapping them, Spider-Man reminds them that they’ll earn the ire of J. Jonah Jameson who will never leave them alone afterward. The girls agree to let the issue go and they web-sling along with Spider-Man to Meg Ridgeway’s party.

Leila and her friends are treated like celebrities as is Spider-Man. However, the party takes a turn when the next guest is announced and suddenly the spectrum of color in the room begins to change. Spider-Man already knows this is the work of Spectrum, a brand new super-villain he has tangled with recently. Covering the lenses of his mask with webbing, he is able to filter out the effects of Spectrum’s powers and is able to see him. He webs up Spectrum ending his influence over the party. That’s when Meg Ridgeway’s father tells Spider-Man that he hired Spectrum to entertain the kids at the party, giving them an alternative to getting high on drugs. That’s when Spectrum explains he gave up on being a super-villain and use his powers as an entertainer. This is something that Spider-Man can relate to since he attempted a career in show business when he first started his career.[1] However, the partygoers get upset when they learn that Spider-Man’s webbing will last for a few hours. Meg tells Spider-Man to get lost and Leila and her friends escort the web-slinger outside. They all kiss Spider-Man on the cheek and remind him that he’s their hero.

Spider-Man then swings off and decides to go by Club 59, the place where Teri Hillman wanted to meet Spider-Man for dinner and give him charity money. He’s amused to see Hillman being asked to go outside and deal with all the men who showed up dressed up in Spider-Man costumes. Instead of kicking them all out, Teri has an impromptu dance party. Spider-Man leaves, glad that at least some people are going to have a good night.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Spectrum, Leila Goldberg, Becky, Emma Paley, Meg Ridgeway, Teri Hillman

Continuity Notes

1. Spectrum entering showbiz reminds Spider-Man how he got his start in the same business. Check out Amazing Fantasy #15 if you don’t believe me.

Topical References

• One of the teens at the party says he understands why Spider-Man doesn’t have a Myspace page but tells him to get on Facebook. These should be considered topical references since these are real-world social media platforms. Particularly Myspace which was already waning in popularity around the time this comic came out.