Ultimate Spider-Man 1
From Ultimarvel
"Powerless"
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Co-Plot: Bill Jemas
Pencils: Mark Bagley
Inker: Art Thibert
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Publication Date: October 2000
• At Osborn Industries main laboratory (in Long Island, New York) Norman Osborn is shown working on OZ experiment S6, with the test subject being a spider. He receives a call from his lawyer about the progress of the OZ experiments and excuses himself from the lab. He hands the test spider to an assistant who places it in a container but does not seal it, allowing the spider to escape. Norman is trying to obtain the go-ahead to move the OZ testing to human subjects.
• Peter Parker is shown at the Westwood Mall in Queens where he attempting to do homework in the food court. During this attempt he is picked on by Fred “Flash” Thompson and Kenny “Kong” MacFarlane who throw food at him from across the court. Also present here are Liz Allan and Mary Jane “MJ” Watson. Liz leaves to go study and leaves MJ behind. Peter is met by Ben Parker, his uncle, who calls MJ over to Peter’s table and discusses the science project that MJ and Peter have been working on together.
• The following day in school, Peter is further terrorized by Flash and Kong throughout the day. He is defended by Harry Osborn. Peter and Harry make plans to work on biology homework at Peter’s house later that night. During this homework session, Peter reveals that his father was working on a patent for a molecular adhesive.
• Harry returns home. His father is involved in a phone conversation. Harry interrupts him long enough to remind him that his science class is touring the Osborn labs the next day.
• Peter’s science class visits Osborn Industries. During the tour, the test spider from the OZ experiment attacks and bites Peter on the hand. He throws the spider on to MJ and it then falls to the floor where Kong stomps on it. Peter then passes out. He is later taken to the hospital by May Parker, his aunt.
• Norman Osborn is informed of the accident. He fires the floor manager that was working at the time and opts to pay Peter’s hospital bill and decides to keep an eye on the boy.
• The next day in school, Kong attempts to kick Peter. Peter catches Kong’s foot and flips him onto his face in view of several students. He then passes out. He wakes up in the hospital, where a blood test is taken. The blood sample is switched out with a fake by an unnamed bald man (later identified as Shaw). This man brings the sample to Norman where he examines it and determines that the OZ is killing Peter. Norman orders Shaw to kill Peter.
• The next day, Peter is walking to school and Shaw attempts to run him over with a SUV. Peter senses the danger and leaps overtop of the approaching vehicle to safety. He then attempts to check to see if the SUV driver is ok and senses something wrong (this is Peter’s spider sense alerting him that Shaw has a gun). Peter then retreats home. Norman Osborn then aborts the order to kill Peter and decides to study him instead.
• Peter returns home and does some research on spiders and on Osborn Industries. He spends the whole day researching and does not go to school. He is questioned about this by May and Ben. During this encounter he leans against a wall, when he pulls away from the wall, several bits of plaster adhere to his fingertips and come off. Peter is sent to his room by his aunt and uncle for skipping school. Later that night, he discovers that he can adhere to the walls and climbs up the walls and across his ceiling.
Notes:
- First appearances of Ultimate Peter Parker (Spider-Man), Mary Jane Watson, May Parker, Ben Parker, Kong McFarlane, Flash Thompson, Liz Allan, Norman Osborn, and Harry Osborn.
- It is later revealed that the OZ experiments are part of Oscorp’s attempt to obtain S.H.I.E.L.D.’s contract to replicate the Super Soldier project.
- The Parker residence is in Forest Hills in Queens, New York.
- While studying, Harry makes a reference to Peter that he bets “that Watson girl gets all hot and bothered down here”. It is later revealed in Ultimate Spider-Man 72 that Harry and MJ were dating at this time period in secret.
- Peter reveals that his parents died in a plane crash.
- Osborn Industries will eventually be called OsCorp in later issues. The company has been operating since 1973.
- A teacher refers to Kong as “Kong Harlan” though it is later revealed that Kong’s last name is McFarlane.
- Peter reveals that he is 15 years old.
Forward to Ultimate Spider-Man 2
