Pro-Death

Spider-Man monitors his spider-bots and their work dealing with crimes that Otto Octavius has deemed beneath him.[1] He then notices a bank robbery where the thieves are using purple smoke to cover their escape. He decides to get involved directly. Rushing into the bank he is surprised to see that the bank is filled with alien creatures and monsters. Deducing that this is a trick, Otto uses his lenses to filter out the illusions which turn out to be holographic projections. He quickly determines that this is the work of his old ally, Mysterio.

However, the crooks is a crook calling himself Mysterion. Unaware that this is a different man, Spider-Man attacks him, demanding to know how Quentin Beck escaped from his prison in another universe.[2] Mysterion panics but manages to get away by spraying Spider-Man in the face with purple smoke. Mysterion then tries to call his employer as he attempts to escape from the roof but is ambushed by Spider-Man. It’s when Otto interrogates him, Spider-Man realizes that he’s been attacking the impostors. As he berates Mysterion for posing as his former ally, a bullet is shot through Mysterion’s fishbowl helmet. Looking over his shoulder, Spider-Man sees that the Punisher is the shooter.[3] Luckily, the bullet just missed Mysterion’s head and the web-slinger pushes him to safety as the Punisher opens fire with an automatic weapon. In fear for his life, Mysterion decides that this is too much and disappears in a puff of smoke.

Furious over the Punisher’s interference, Spider-Man attacks him. However, Frank Castle is ready to deal with the web-slinger. After blinding him with a bunch of flashbangs, the Punisher knocks Spider-Man to the ground. After hearing about Spider-Man’s recent activities, the Punisher admits that he is surprised to see the web-slinger cross the line.[4] Castle then warns Spider-Man to turn back from the edge before it consumes him. Recovering from the attack, he discovers that the Punisher is gone. However, he managed to tag both Mysterion and the Punisher with his nano spider-tracers and his goggles are already picking up their locations. As Mysterion tries to flee through the city the Punisher is in hot pursuit on his motorcycle.

Fleeing for his life, Mysterion calls the man who provided him with his eqiupment and begs for help, telling him that both Spider-Man and the Punisher are trying to kill him. As Spider-Man and the Punisher begin closing the gap, the web-slinger is ambushed by Mysterion’s supplier, the Hobgoblin.[5] After a brief battle, Spider-Man manages to snare the Hobgoblin in a web net. However, he is forced to allow the Hobgoblin to escape in order to stop the Punisher from killing Mysterion.

Spider-Man manages to save Mysterion from getting shot by the Punisher a second time. He then quickly incapacitates the vigilante. Spider-Man then gives Frank a harsh warning. He points out that the line he crossed also means he will also deal with the Punisher with lethal force from now on and warns Castle against crossing him again. As Spider-Man leaves, the Punisher admits that he is approved with this new Spider-Man but is prepared to deal with him if he takes things too far.

By the time Spider-Man returns to where he captured the Hobgoblin he discovers that his foe has already fled. Still, he managed to capture Mysterion and has decided that he has a use for the novice after all. He then takes Mysterion back to his old hideout where he has been keeping Sandman, Elector and the Chameleon prisoner. He has spent the last while getting a measure of Spider-Man’s allies and realizes that he cannot take them all down at his own. Looking over his prisoners, Otto decides that it is time to take things to the next level.

This story continues in Superior Spider-Man Team-Up #1.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Punisher, Hobgoblin, Mysterion, Sandman, Electro, Chameleon

Continuity Notes

1. In case you haven’t been paying attention, this story takes place when Otto Octavius has control of Spider-Man’s body post-Amazing Spider-Man #700. This will remain the status quo until Superor Spider-Man #31. Otto started using spider-bots to patrol the city in Superior Spider-Man #2.

2. Prior to this story, it was learned that Mysterio was using technology to commit crimes in the Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610) using a robotic proxy. Prior to having his body stolen by Doctor Octopus, Peter Parker worked with that reality’s Spider-Man, Miles Morales, to bring Mysterio to justice. After his defeat, Mysterio was incarcerated in that other reality. See Spider-Men #1-5.

3. Otto states that he has encountered the Punisher in the past. This was in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #15.

4. The Punisher specifically mentions Spider-Man’s recent battles with Massacre as well as Screwball and the Jester. Spider-Man killed Massacre in Superior Spider-Man #4-5 and savagely beat Screwball and Jester in Superior Spider-Man #6.

5. The Hobgoblin has been selling super-villain franchises to criminals looking for an upgrade since Amazing Spider-Man #697.