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Warning! Preview pages ahead for The Amazing Spider-Man #66!Aunt Many, and virtually everything that Spider-Man has ever cared about, is meaningless to Marvel’s usually plucky hero. Peter Parker has faced a grim reality that’s not only sapped his will, it has absolutely broken him in a way no villain could.
Selected as a champion by the Marvel Universe’s new Sorcerer Supreme, Peter has gone up against several Scions of Cyttorak, each embodying an aspect of life. Despite faring well against each Scion, Cyra, the Scion that embodies the inevitability of death, showed Spider-Man that despite his best efforts, he’d eventually lose everyone he cared about. Now that message is taking a deep toll on Marvel’s web-slinger and driving him away from those he loves.
Spider-Man’s Latest Test Has Made Peter Parker a Nihilist
Marvel’s Greatest Hero Has Officially Given Up
In a preview for The Amazing Spider-Man #66 by Justina Ireland, Andrew Broccardo, and Marcio Menyz, Cyttorak meets with his children in his throne room in the Crimson Chaos. A dispute is breaking out after Callix claims he defeated Spider-Man, but Cyottorak glares at his offspring in disapproval. Cyra puts an end to Callix’s claims by stating that he failed, and now it’s their brother Cradios’ turn, while Callix fumes about how his accomplishments are continually overlooked by his siblings and father.
On a building, a disheveled and depressed Peter is eating lunch with a bunch of pigeons. He muses about how he’s given up everything after witnessing his friends and family dying in horrifying ways. Flashbacks show that Randy Robertson tried to get Peter to show up for a meeting with a gallery owner, only for Peter to abandon him, unable to stop thinking of Randy being trampled to death. Peter later met with Aunt May to get him to help with a community event, but the thought of Aunt May dying from illness caused Spider-Man to distance himself from her.
Peter finishes his meal and reflects on how it feels freeing to not have any responsibilities anymore and how he has fewer problems now that he’s abandoned his loved ones. Peter makes his way off the building and walks down the street, unaware that he’s being observed. Cyra, the Scion who showed Peter the potential futures of Aunt May and others. Cyra has brought along Doctor Strange to ask him about her encounter with Peter. Cyra notes that when she fought Strange, he’d detach. But Spider-Man grieved for every single death he witnessed, even those of people he didn’t know.
Spider-Man is in a Dark Place, But Can He Recover?
Death Has Never Hit Spider-Man So Hard
Few heroes have lost as many loved ones as Peter Parker. From Gwen Stacy to Uncle Ben, Spider-Man has had to learn over and over again that no matter how good a hero he is, he’s never going to be able to save his loved ones. And while he’s accepted that, Cyra’s challenge has fundamentally changed something in Peter. It’s not just that he became aware that those he loved would die, he felt each and every one in a short amount of time. And thanks to Spider-Man’s big heart, he couldn’t help but be absolutely shaken by the experience.
It’s not that Peter doesn’t love Aunt May or Randy or anyone else he’s close to. Peter has been traumatized in a way that most couldn’t comprehend. So it makes sense that he’d try to protect himself by distancing himself from others in a misguided attempt to protect himself. Of course, what he should be doing is talking things out with those he loves instead of retreating inward. But such a shocking and upsetting experience is going to alter one’s outlook. But is Spider-Man actually going to give up on everyone he’s ever cared about?
The obvious answer is no. Peter has been in bad places before. But while this depression has been fueled by witnessing and feeling the deaths of so many people, he’s going to need a lot of love and support to bring him out of this funk. He’s also going to be reminded of his ultimate purpose as Spider-Man (after all, what gives him the motivation he needs more than Uncle Ben’s parting words)? It’s not going to be easy, but with the right help from the right people, Spider-Man can be pulled back from the brink before it’s too late.
Spider-Man Needs Aunt May Now More Than Ever
He May Want Distance, But Help is What Peter Needs
It’s often when people pull away that they need help the most. Spider-Man may think he’s doing the right thing staying away from his loved ones, but he’s only hurting them and himself. Hopefully someone, whether it’s Aunt May or one of his superhero friends, can give him the words of support he needs to hear. Because Spider-Man is too good of a hero to abandon the family who has cared about him for years.
The Amazing Spider-Man #66 is available on January 22nd from Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
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