Nick Peron

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Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #16

Black Out Part 2

While trying to rescue a young girl from the Vulture during a series of robberies, Spider-Man finds himself hunted by the police who are able to track the wall-crawler. This is because he is covered in a infared chemical that the villain was using to create blackouts to cover a series of brazen jewel robberies. With the police presence, Spider-Man decides that the Vulture would use one of the tunnels to get out of Manhattan. Getting up to higher ground, Spider-Man tries to figure out which tunnel he’ll take and finds himself talking himself into a circle instead of coming to any conclusions. By this point, an APB has gone out for Spider-Man to all officers in Manhattan. Hearing this is officer John Douglason who happens to like Spider-Man and decides that he and his partner are going to help the wall-crawler and speed off.

Meanwhile, the Vulture has arrived at the home of Jill DeMarley’s ex-husband to collect the Saphire Garden jewel. Although he promised to turn return their daughter, Tamara, once he had the jewel, the Vulture reneges on his promise when he notices police helicopters circling the area. A short time later, Spider-Man had decided to gamble on the possibility that the Vulture will use the Holland Tunnel to escape the island. His luck plays out as he spots his foe as he arrives on Canal street. Unfortuantely, a police helicopter also spots the Vulture and tries to follow him. This prompts the villain to use his talon to rip the chopper apart, forcing Spider-Man to break up his persuit to save the officers in the helicopter, sending the web-slinger falling into Hudson River. Getting back up to the rooftops, Spider-Man’s spider-sense begins warning him of danger. Unfortunately, Spider-Man is unable to prevent the Vulture from ambushing him when the villain uses a billboard to cover his attack. Spider-Man discovers — first hand — that the Vulture has also equipped himself with razor sharp wings. Adding to his problems, Spider-Man runs out of web-fluid in the middle of battle and is forced to retreat.

The Vutlure manages to force Spider-Man to come out of hiding by threatening to kill Tamara DeMarley. As Spider-Man begins winnning the fight, the Vulture tries to convince Spider-Man to leave him be and flies away. Spider-Man then takes a leap at the Vulture and lands on top of him. Toomes panics and tells him that he stashed the girl near the Holland Tunnel and asks Spider-Man to let him go. When he refuses, the Vulture tries to use his electrified talon to kill the wall-crawler, forgetting that Spider-Man was doused with checmicals that react to an electrical charge. The resulting jolt shorts out the Vulture’s wings and send them crashing into the warehouse where Tamara is being held prisoner. With a fire started, Spider-Man scrambles to save the little girl but she is too scared of him to listen. Taking off his mask, Spider-Man shows Tamara that he’s a normal guy, convincing the toddler to come with him. Once outside to safety, Spider-Man puts his mask on just as John Douglason arrives and hands the girl over to him so she can be reunited with her mother. Later, Spider-Man sends a prayer to his Uncle Ben, glad that he was able to save the girl even though the Vulture got away.[1]

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Vulture, Tamara DeMarley, John Douglason, Jill DeMarley

Continuity Notes

  1. Uncle Ben. Dead. Amazing Fantasy #15. Blah blah blah.