1 Spider-Man Power Was So Hard to Control He Almost Didn't Become a Hero (2024)

Summary

  • Peter Parker struggles with controlling his super strength in Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #1.
  • Spider-Man had to go through a tough adjustment period to control his strength, even as a teenager.
  • Doc Ock learns the hard way about the challenges of super strength in Amazing Spider-Man #700.

Warning! Contains spoilers For Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #1!When Peter Parker first got his powers, the young Spider-Man was so afraid of his new strength that he almost gave up being a hero. People don't often consider just how absurdly difficult it would be to suddenly have superpowers. One day, the force required to gently open a door could be enough force to rip the door off its hinges. This isn't a problem that comics often talk about, but it's one that Spider-Man had to deal with in his early years.

Spider-Man's early years were full of learning and making mistakes. Peter tried his best to make a difference, but as a 15-year-old kid, he struggled with the choices he had to make, as well as learning his powers. While some fans might think web-slinging would be the hardest thing to learn, it was his super strength that took the most getting used to. In Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #1 by J.M. DeMatteis and Michael Sta. Maria, set just a month after Uncle Ben's death, Spider-Man admits that he struggles to control his increased strength.

1 Spider-Man Power Was So Hard to Control He Almost Didn't Become a Hero (1)

Still in his early career, Peter accidentally puts a young criminal in the hospital after punching him too hard. This is such a scary thing for Peter that he admits he doesn't know if he's a hero or a monster.

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Peter's Wild Strength Nearly Killed Someone When He Started Out

1 Spider-Man Power Was So Hard to Control He Almost Didn't Become a Hero (3)

Having super strength certainly sounds like a fun power to have, but it would completely ruin most aspects of life. With super strength, it would be difficult to do things like open a jar without instantly shattering it. Spider-Man's strength is pretty great, allowing him to lift absurd amounts of weight in times of peril. The most famous example of this is seen in 1965's Amazing Spider-Man #33 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko,when he is trapped in Doctor Octopus' collapsing base and manages to lift a huge amount of concrete that's fallen on him. But it took years of training and getting used to his strength for Spider-Man to be able to do this.

Doctor Octopus Learns The Hard Way Just How Strong Spider-Man Is

1 Spider-Man Power Was So Hard to Control He Almost Didn't Become a Hero (4)

Years later, in Amazing Spider-Man #700 by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos, Doc Ock has taken up his role as the Superior Spider-Man when he accidentally learns just how hard super strength can be to control. During a fight, Doc Ock, while in Spider-Man's body, punches Scorpion. What follows is a horrifying realization that Peter has been restraining himself all these years, as Octavius ends up punching Scorpion's jaw clean off. As brilliant as Doctor Octopus is, he still needs to go through an adjustment period to use Spider-Man's strength correctly, and he is a full-grown man. Peter had to go through this adjustment as a teenager.

Even characters like Superman have commented on the drawbacks of super strength, once stating that he feels like he lives "in a world of cardboard." This is especially true of Spider-Man. The majority of criminals that Peter Parker fights are just street thugs, some of whom only resort to crime out of desperation. Accidentally putting someone in the hospital by breaking all of their bones is a massive excessive use of force, and it's one that almost made Spider-Man reconsider being a hero.

Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!

Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #1 (2024)

1 Spider-Man Power Was So Hard to Control He Almost Didn't Become a Hero (5)
  • Writer: J.M. DeMatteis
  • Artist: Michael Sta. Maria
  • Colorist: Chris Sotomayor
  • Letterer: Joe Caramagna
  • Cover Artist: Paulo Siqueira and Rachelle Rosenberg
  • Comics
  • SpiderMan
  • Spider-Man

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1 Spider-Man Power Was So Hard to Control He Almost Didn't Become a Hero (2024)

FAQs

What did Spider-Man do to become a hero? ›

He wants to make a difference. There are a myriad of ways he could have gone about doing those things, but he chose to fight crime and save damsels in distress. These motives are what put him on the path to becoming a superhero, and they're the same motives that carried him through all the rough patches.

What did Uncle Ben say before he died? ›

"With great power comes great responsibility" is a proverb popularized by Spider-Man in Marvel comics, films, and related media. Introduced by Stan Lee, it originally appeared as a closing narration in the 1962 Amazing Fantasy #15, and was later attributed to Uncle Ben as advice to the young Peter Parker.

What is Spider-Man's true power? ›

Like his namesake, Spider-Man's strength and agility stand far above those of the average human, allowing him to lift nearly 10 tons and to leap and move at incredible speeds with high accuracy. He also heals faster than normal when injured, though he is not completely immune to viruses and other human ailments.

What is Spider-Man's greatest power? ›

Spider-Man's greatest asset is his Spider-Sense, which allows him to dodge fatal attacks and detect threats when he's out of his costume. Venom's emergence proved the importance of Spider-Man's Spider-Sense, as the villain was somehow immune to it.

Why is Spider-Man so powerful? ›

Spider-Man's super strength is based on the idea that a spider can lift many times its own weight. Therefore, if a human possessed the abilities of a spider, they too could lift many times their own weight.

What is Spider-Man's secret power? ›

Peter Parker's gifts from the spider bite include enhanced strength, stamina, and agility, as well as the ability to cling to nearly any surface by his hands and feet, and an internal “alarm” of sorts that warns him of impending danger.

What are Spider-Man's powers weak to? ›

Ethyl Chloride and water are unexpected weaknesses for Spider-Man, hindering his abilities and rendering him vulnerable.

Is it possible to get Spider-Man powers in real life? ›

Most spider venoms aren't very dangerous to humans and even those which are, usually aren't fatal. At worst, they're likely to cause painful reactions or tissue death around the site of the bite. They do not, unfortunately, transmit any superpowers or modify your DNA in any way.

Does Spider-Man use his full power? ›

When stopping a runaway train, the wall-crawler used his full strength and numerous webs to gradually bring it grinding to a halt. This famous scene shows that when not holding back, Spider-Man is extremely physically strong, and he'd only use this level of strength when necessary.

Is Spider-Man the most powerful Hero? ›

When it comes to powerful superheroes, Spider-Man may be one of the most overlooked. Although he's not on the same level as, say, Thor and the Incredible Hulk, the web-slinger is, nevertheless, a powerhouse in his own right in terms of physical strength.

What is Spider-Man's strongest form? ›

Peter Parker is the classic Spider-Man, known for his nobility and strength, and remains a fan-favorite superhero. Cosmic Spider-Man is the most powerful variation, gaining god-like abilities after absorbing the Enigma Force.

Who is more powerful than Spider-Man? ›

The Lizard is a potent foe, and his bestial strength is greater than Spider-Man's.

How is Spider-Man heroic? ›

Whenever he is confronted with dangerous situations, Spider-Man willingly sacrifices his safety in order to protect the innocent. However, he is often presented with the choice of either saving those he cares for or the innocent bystanders whom his foes inevitably place in danger.

What makes Spider-Man such a good hero? ›

Spider-Man is known for his commitment to doing what's right, even when it's difficult, and for standing up for those who cannot defend themselves. His sense of responsibility and integrity drives his actions as a superhero, making him a relatable and inspiring character for many people.

When did Spider-Man become a superhero? ›

The wall-crawling crime-fighter was introduced to the world in August 1962, debuting in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy #15. Created by the collaborative team of writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, Spider-Man was an instant sensation with readers.

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