The Show Must Go On

In his dressing room, the Chameleon puts on a record of “Vesti la Giubba” and looks over a series of newspaper clippings of Spider-Man’s exploits as well as photos of Peter Parker and his family.[1] At first be begins painting his face up like a clown. Then he thinks about his first encounter with Spider-Man, and writes “Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep” on the mirror before breaking down in tears.[2]

Later, Peter Parker is walking through Central Park and thinking of how much his life changed ever since he was bitten by a radioactive spider.[3] Being Spider-Man has always complicated his life, but never as much as now since he has also secretly going into action as the wall-crawler after promising his wife Mary Jane that he would retire.[4] His thoughts are interrupted when a street mime pretends to take his picture with an invisible camera. Peter initially suspicious of this, but dismisses it as nothing.

Back at his hideout, the Chameleon has a conversation with himself by changing back and forth between his true form and that of a clown he has named Eugene. He explains that he is disappointed in “Eugene’s” failure. In tern “Eugene” begs for his “life”, but the Chameleon says there is no turning back and then blows up a trailer at a nearby circus. By this time, Spider-Man is swinging across the city when suddenly his spider-sense begins to go off.[5] He pulls his cellphone out and calls home and gets the voice mail. He tells his Aunt May to call him as soon as she can and let him know everything is okay.

However, the message is deleted by… Peter Parker? After having a meal with Aunt May, Peter excuses himself to go to the bathroom. Aunt May admits it is so good to see Peter smiling again. Once in the bathroom, the Chameleon drops his disguise and decides the Aunt May will be perfect for his plan. Seeing himself in the mirror, the Chameleon changes form into Spider-Man and begins playing around with his reflection. When Aunt May asks what “Peter” is doing in the bathroom, the Chameleon tells her it was nothing.

Meanwhile, Spider-Man continues to patrol the city with a sense of unease. That’s when his cell phone rings and answers it thinking it’s Aunt May. It’s actually the Chameleon who tells Peter to come and visit him at the Lark Building, saying they have a lot to catch up on. Unaware of who is calling him, Peter hands up and fratically thinks about who could be coming at him. That’s when he notices that the constant buzzing of his spider-sense is actually a signal. He suddenly remembers the last time that happened shortly after he became Spider-Man and correctly deduces that he’s dealing with the Chameleon.

Rushing to the Lark Building, Spider-Man crashes through the skylight and goes to confront what he thinks is the Chameleon sitting in a swivel chair. However, when he spins it around it is only a manequin. It is dressed in the newspaper clippings of Spider-Man and photo of Peter and his family. Written across its chess is “WAS IT GOOD FOR YOU?” In it’s outstretched hand is a pearl neclace taken from the Parker home. Taped to the chest is a photo of Peter Parker from earlier that day in Central Park with the word “CLICK” printed on it in red lipstick.

Realizing that the Chameleon has been in his home, Spider-Man frantically calls to make sure everyone is okay. Aunt May answers the phone and says she is fine. When Peter asks if Mary Jane is home, Aunt May reminds her that she had an appointment to go to this evening. At that very moment, Mary Jane is walking to her appointment unaware that the Chameleon is stalking her from behind.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Chameleon, Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson

Continuity Notes

1. The Chameleon discovered Spider-Man’s secret identity during the events of Spectacular Spider-Man #241-243.

2. The Chameleon first fought Spider-Man waaaaay back in Amazing Spider-Man #1. All of the dialogue in the flashbacks presented here are taken directly from that issue. Needless to say all of the Cold War era terminology used in those flashbacks should be considered topical references.

3. Do I need to remind you that Peter was bitten by a radioactive spider in Amazing Fantasy #15? I didn’t think so either.

4. Peter promised to retire as Spider-Man following the end of the Final Chapter story arc. However, he recently started wearing the webs again in Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #2. Peter and Mary Jane are referred to as husband and wife here. However, years later, their marriage is erased from existence by Mephisto in Amazing Spider-Man #545. As such they should be considered a common-law couple here.

5. The original twin towers of the World Trade Center are seen in the New York City skyline here. This should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616. The twin towers were destroyed in a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 and the Freedom Tower has since been built in their place.