Spider-Man #24
Double Infinity
This story takes place during the events of Infinity War #1...
Peter Parker awakens from nightmares about some of his foes including Demogoblin, Hobgoblin, the Green Goblin, and Venom. Unable to got back to sleep, Peter decides to go out web-slinging in order to clear his head. Before leaving, he leaves a note for his wife Mary Jane telling her where he went so she doesn't worry.[1] As Peter changes into his Spider-Man costume he wonders if he's Peter Parker or his alter-ego, considering how often his costumed identity has creeped into his personal life. As he swing across the city, Spider-Man spots a mugger about to attack someone from behind and snatches them off the street before they can accomplish this. As the hero swings onward, he is unaware that something is lurking in the shadows watching him. Elsewhere in the city, Jason Macendale also tosses and turns in his sleep. He is haunted by the memory of his time possessed by a demon during his attempt to gain more power and how he was recently separated from the creature.[2] Waking up, Jason begins training his skills to get it off his mind. He ultimately puts on his Hobgoblin costume and heads out looking for the Demogoblin, unaware that his would-be prey is following after him.
By this time, Spider-Man is swinging through Times Square, considering the idea that hanging up his costume since most of his foes only exist because their vendetta against Spider-Man. Suddenly, Spider-Man's spider-sense goes off and he narrowly dodges the body of the Hobgoblin. It has been hurled into one of the digital signs over Times Square by the Demogoblin, who has come to punish his former host for his past sins. In order to protect the innocent bystanders down on the street, Spider-Man tries to shut down the fight before someone gets hurt. Suddenly, the streets begin to become misty and Spider-Man is ambushed by a creature that looks like a warped version of himself. It is wearing what looks like a Spider-Man costume, but it has segmented eyes, razor sharp teeth, and six arms. As Spider-Man struggles to get the creature off of him, the Hobgoblin recovers his glider and tries to escape. As soon as Hobgoblin tries to get away, he is pursued by the Demogoblin who begins tossing burning razor bats and pumpkin bombs in an attempt to destroy Macendale. At that moment, Spider-Man tosses his evil doppelganger off of a rooftop. Unfortunately, it survives the fall and climbs back up after Spider-Man. Deciding he has to stop this fight immediately, Spider-Man knocks Demogoblin to the ground with a single kick. When the Hobgoblin tries to flee, Spider-Man attaches a web-line to his glider in the hopes of taking him down as well.
That's when the Spider-Doppleganger begins firing web-lines at them. The creature's webbing is razor sharp and cuts through Spider-Man's web-line and slices open the Hobgoblin's shoulder. Both men fall into a nearby alley where they are penned in by their attackers. Fed up of his demonic double coming after him, Hobgoblin pulls out a ray gun and begins blasting him while Spider-Man deals with his evil twin. By the time Spider-Man knocks out his double, Demogoblin has fled, leaving the wall-crawler under the barrel of the Hobgoblin's gun. However, as the villain pulls the trigger, the Spider-Doppleganger leaps at the hero. Spider-Man's spider-sense allows him to duck in time, leaving the evil twin to take the shot meant to for the hero. The blast sends the doppleganger flying backward, impaling itself on a fencepost. In the confusion, the Hobgoblin manages to escape. Thinking his evil twin is dead, Spider-Man decides to go to the Four Freedoms Plaza to see what Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four can make of this strange encounter. After Spider-Man leaves, Demogoblin returns to the scene. Deciding that the Spider-Doppleganger can be a useful tool in his war against evil, the demon infuses it with some of his magic and carries the body away.
Infinity War continues in Infinity War #2...
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Mary Jane Watson, Hobgoblin, Demogoblin, Spider-Doppelganger
Continuity Notes
Peter and Mary Jane are referred to as husband and wife here. However, years later, their marriage was erased from history by the demon Mephisto in Amazing Spider-Man #545. As such they should be considered a common-law couple here.
The narrative glosses over Macendale's career as Jack O'Lantern, then as the Hobgoblin, and his demonic possession. These milestones started in Machine Man #19, Amazing Spider-Man #289, and The Spectacular Spider-Man #147 respectively. The demonic portion of him was exorcised from his body in Web of Spider-Man #85.
Infinity War Reading Order
Infinity War #1, Alpha Flight #109, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #7, Fantastic Four #366, Spider-Man #24, Captain America #408, Deathlok (vol. 2) #16, Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #42, Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #67, Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #43, Infinity War #2, Fantastic Four #367, Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #68-69, Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #44, Guardians of the Galaxy #27, Quasar #37, Infinity War #3, Marvel Comics Presents #108-111, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #8, Fantastic Four #368, Alpha Flight #110, New Warriors #27, Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #4, Marc Spector: Moon Knight #41-42, Wonder Man (vol. 2) #13, Nomad (vol. 2) #7, Quasar #38, Daredevil #310, Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #45, Infinity War #4, Alpha Flight #111, Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #5, Guardians of the Galaxy #28-29, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #9, Wonder Man (vol. 2) #14, Marc Spector: Moon Knight #43, Quasar #39, Infinity War #5, Sleepwalker #18, Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #46-47, Fantastic Four #369, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #10, Wonder Man (vol. 2) #15, Infinity War #6, Fantastic Four #370, Marc Spector: Moon Knight #44, Alpha Flight #112, Quasar #40
