*(c) 2009 Marvel Characters}, In Ch

> All rights reserved.

7 — \NWIWV:MARVEL.COM
"_ BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
sTORY |
PENGILER INKER se COLORISTS LETTERER LC
i EDNOR wat
 1D ON’T
MINUTE,
JUST--

A SECOND,
PLEASE?

FIRST il
QUESTION. |--HHUCHHH FIRST QUESTION.
y DO YOU THINK...CAN
Denne HE..MEPHISTO...REALLY
DO WHAT HE SAYS
HE CAN? BUT THIS
IS ALL WE

DON’T TOUCH ME. I’M

NOT...IT’S NOT THAT
‘M as ..I NEED
TO KEEP IT TOGETHER,
ND I CAN'T IF
YOu--

oH

SS
 I DON’T...I‘'M GOING %
TO ASK YOU SOMETHING,
PETER...L‘M GOING TO BE
VERY SELFISH AND I'M GOING
TO ASK YOU SOMETHING, AND I
DON’T...L DON’T WANT YOU TO
HATE ME FOR ASKING THIS.

MAY'S LED A GOOD

LIFE, PETER, A
LONG LIFE. &

YOU'VE KEPT HER

ALIVE, KEPT HER GOING,
FOUGHT FOR HER EVERY
MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE,
ESPECIALLY THESE LAST
FEW WEEKS...

--WHAT IF
THIS IS JUST
HER TIME?
YOU'VE ALWAYS
TRIED SO HARD TO
DO THE RIGHT THING
BY HER...

«YOU'VE DONE AS WHAT IF THIS

MUCH AS ANYONE COULD EVER HOPE WE ALL DIE, \ ZA mit ie eer
TO...YOU'VE HONORED HER AND PETER, IT’S WHAT ; HIN nl oe IN
YOU'VE LOVED HER, BUT SOONER WE DO, AND \ \ ?
: OR LATER WE ALL... a WHAT IF-- KA
 Y YOU'RE NOT SAYING
ANYTHING I HAVEN’T

IF THIS WAS A CASE OF NATURAL

CAUSES, A HEART ATTACK, OLD
AGE, THAT WOULD BE ONE
THING.
I THINK...
THINK I COULD EVEN BUT
ACCEPT THAT. | THAT'S NOT WHAT
HAPPENED.

SHE
GOT HIT WITH THAT WOULD
A BULLET MEANT NEVER HAVE BEEN
FOR ME. FIRED IF NOT FOR
THE THINGS I'VE
DONE.

I'M RESPONSIBLE,
MJ. EVEN IF I’M NOT,
EVEN IF WE ARGUE ALL
THE LOGICAL WAYS I’M NOT...
IN MY HEART, I AM. AND
IF THAT'S WHAT KILLS HER--

--I COULDN'T LIVE WITH \

=\ THAT, MJ. I JUST COULDN’T
» LIVE WITH MYSELF. I'D
BREAK IN TWO.
 } OH, WELL,
THAT'S JUST
GREAT--
Real A
SO IF I SAY WE eT Biy..
LET HER GO, THEN I’M f Sig Bi)
RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT We
AND “BREAKING YOU J
IN TWO"!

DON'T DO ~~
THAT TO ME,
PETER, DON’T
PUT ME IN THAT
POSITION. 4

IF IT MADE THAT \
DECISION ALONE, NO,
I COULDN'T LIVE WITH {
MYSELF. BUT IF WE
MAKE IT, TOGETHER,
THEN--

THINK YOU
COULD OR KNOW
YOU COULD?

I KNOW I COULD.
IF THAT'S WHAT WE

UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
LESS THAN TWENTY-
FOUR HOURS.
f}

=
\

»
NOTHING WILL EVER
TAKE THAT AWAY
FROMMi

Porat
iaSi an. «
 XS

TELL ME
EXACTLY.

HOW
DOES THIS
WORK?

YOU SHOULDN'T
WORRY YOURSELF
OVER SUCK
DETAILS, MSTER
PARKER, BUT SINCE
YOU ASKED. WITH
YOUR CONSENT, IT
REALLY IS QUITE
SIMPLE.

YOU TWO WILL

NO LONGER BE IT SIMPLY
MARRIED. BECAUSE NEVER
YOU TWO WILL haPPened.
NEVER have
BEén MARRIED.

WHAT? JUST NOT a LIFETIME,

LIKE THAT-- NO. YOUR MARRIAGE
A LIFETIME IS BUT @ STITCH
ERASED? In TIME...
--- ChAT I
WILL SIMPLY,
PAINLESSLY...
REMOveE.
ALL ELSE
—e WILL REMain
The Same.
’
ID
UNDERSTAND.

YOU DON'T NEED

TO. ALL YOU NEED TO
UNDERSTAND IS THAT
YOUR AUNT WILL
LIVE.

(ig

DID YOU hEAR

THAT? ThaT'S ThE
SOUND OF YOUR
AUNT DYING, TIME
1S NEARLY UP!
 YOU DO REALIZE THAT NONE OF
THIS, NOT A STITCH OF THIS
RESOLVES ANYTHING! sO YOU

=é —
SAVE MAY, THEN
WHAT?

Cree FY
LoeCte
ee
OTHER LUNATIC
eS
At aza
FROM SHOOTING
HER AGAIN?

LET ME —
€XPLain
SOMETHING
TO YOU, MRS.
PARKER.

have YOU THOUGHT IT'S BECAUSE a LOVE LIKE YOURS COMES

FOR a SECOND TO ASK YOURS IS ThE ABOUT BUT ONCE IN a MILLENNIA
YOURSELVES WAY? WAY RAREST LOVE and TO TAKE THAT allay
I ChOSE YOU TWO OUT OF ALL. FROM AIM...
OF ALL PEOPLE?
PURE, UNCONDITIONAL
anD MADE HOLY in ThE
EYES OF hE WHOT
hace MOST.

---CO DENY

VICTORY LIKE
NOne OTHER
IMAGINABLE.

THE ANSWER
IS YES, YOU
MONSTER!

THEN, WE
SHOULD--
YOU'RE GOING TO PUT BECAUSE OF
HIS LIFE BACK JUST AS WHAT I CAN
IT WAS. YOU'RE GOING OFFER YOU.
TO GIVE HIM A CHANCE
AT HAPPINESS.

and what,
PRAY TELL
MGC THAT
Be?

MJ, WHAT Ss \\ 1
DID YOU--

ShE'S BIGRT,
TIME 15 BUNNING OUT
anD YET ONLY ONE OF
YOU haS AGREED TO I Can't GO
MY TERMS. ANY FARTHER WITH
TRIS. WHAT SAY YOu,
MR. PARKER?
 IT’S OKAY, IT’S OKAY.
IT’S ALL GOING TO BE
OKAY. GO ON NOW,
SAVE MAY.

now THAT OUR

DEAL IS SEALED,
I MUST ADMIT, SURPRISED YOU
I am a BIT FORGOT TO ASK
SURPRISED. ABOUT ME.

SURPRISED?

SOMETIMES ALL IT ,
TAKES TO ChanGe
ONE BIG THING IS TO
ChAanGée One LITTLE
THING...
and TURN a
POSSIBILITY INTO
a PROBABILITY INTO
@ FACT.
THOSE YOU MET
YESTERDAY WERE SUCH
POSSIBILITIES.
I'MA
as I've Sap, I THOUGHT POSSIBILITY YET
BUT THAT'S
WITHIN SPECIFIC YOU MIGAT FIND IT COME.
A DISCUSSION
LIMITS, I HAVE THE INSTRUCTIVE TO FOR ANOTHER
POWER TO ChANGE MEET ThEM. yes, I'M TIME.
CERTAIN THINGS. SURPRISED...

OH MY GOD!!!
THE LITTLE GIRL,
WHO WAS THE
LITTLE GIRL? y
) THE LITTLE
GIRL.

RAaTheR Than
BRINGING a
POSSIBILITY
FORWARD, T
BROUGHT a FACT
BacKwWwarD.
 I’M THE CHILD YOU TWO wit % I WOULD HAVE BEEN THE
WILL NEVER HAVE NOW THAT . BEST OF BOTH OF YOU. NOW
YOU'VE DECIDED TO SAVE i THAT YOU'VE OPTED TO
THE LIFE OF YOUR ms SAVE YOUR AUNT...

«eZ WILL
NEVER BE.
 JUST A FEW (
SECONDS MORE...
LISTEN TO ME,
PETER, LISTEN
TO ME.

I KNOW, IN MY
HEART OF HEARTS,
THAT YOU AND I
WERE ALWAYS
MEANT TO BE
TOGETHER.
WHATEVER
HE THROWS AT US,
WHATEVER HE DOES,
WHATEVER HE UNDOES,
IT DOESN'T
MATTER.

BECAUSE WHATEVER HE DOES TO

PULL US APART WOULD HAVE TO BE
BIGGER AND STRONGER THAN WHAT
BROUGHT US TOGETHER AND KEPT
US TOGETHER, NO MATTER
WHAT HAPPENED.

f AND THERE’S NO
POWER IN THE UNIVERSE
BIG ENOUGH FOR A JOB
LIKE THAT. NOT THE DEVIL,
NOT GOD, NOT
ANYBODY.
 WE’LL FIND EACH
OTHER AGAIN, AND
WE'LL BE TOGETHER
AGAIN, I KNOW WE
WILL. AND I’M ALWAYS
RIGHT ABOUT THESE
THINGS, RIGHT?

MARY JANE
PARKER.
AND I LOVE
YOU, PETER
PARKER.
 *,.YOU
JUST HIT THE
JACKPOT."
ee,
 GOOD
MORNING--3UHRRM+
RATHER, GOOD
AFTERNOON,
TIGER!
 I DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART
TO WAKE YOU, YOU'VE
NEVER LOOKED MORE
PEACEFUL.
I WISH YOU
WOULD HAVE.

YOU
OU ‘CAUSE YOU'RE
‘CAUSE YOU'R "" sire, : RUNFET MAY ij
SO DARN CUTE. ~ mee oor oe. RUNNING LAFFTE.
Ow, OW, OW, HOT
MMMWHAA! 3 \” HOT, HHHHHOT!

BIG WELCOMFF
AND I’LL FORGIVE YOUR a f HOMFF, SURPRITH PARTY TODAY,
CHEEKINESS IF YOU SIT YOUR EVERYONE'S GOING TO BE THERE. I WANFF
TUSH DOWN AND HAVE A DECENT 1 TO GET THERE BEFORE EVERYONE YELLTH
: BREAKFAST FOR A CHANGE. wi “THURPRISE!” THATH THE BESFF PART.

PETER
PARKER!
 FEELIN’ GROOVY!
, : : LA LA LALA LALA
Bf, e - : LA LA LA! @,
crow DOWN, YOU
MOVE TOO FAST, YOU
GOTTA MAKE THE MOMENT \
LAST, JUST KICKIN’ DOWN — jy
THE COBBLESTONES,
LOOKIN’ FOR FUN

i
Aw, a

3 ELEVATOR ON N
THE RIGHT, PUSH
PENTHOUSE. YOU
BETTER HURRY OR
YOU'LL MISS THE
"SURPRISE "--THAT'S
THE BEST PART.
 Se
hON
AM e
Wohl.

A)

WHERE THE
ECK HAVE YOU
BEEN?!

YOU ALMOST MISSED YIKES, AWKWARD!

THE “SURPRISE,” . ‘ THINGS STILL FROSTY
AND THAT’S THE ms} i WITH MJ, HUH?
BEST PART. a4 f I .
YEAH, I GUESS
YOU CAN SAY THAT.
I DON’T KNOW IF
SHE'LL EVER
FORGIVE ME
FOR--

AA
TTA
tp

SHHHHHH,
EVERYBODY!
 SHHHHHH,
SHHHHH, QUIET,
THEY'RE HERE,
THEY'RE HERE!

Sen! \\
{ B

aone.
aw

ALL THIS
FOR LITTLE
OL’ ME?
 WUZZUP, BOYS! T
WANT TO INTRODUCE
YOU TO MY GIRLFRIEND,
LILY. GIRLFRIEND,
LILY , THE BOYS. g@&>

CARLIE
COOPER!

1 OH, SORRY.
MM, YOU WERE
| SAYING? b
a >

aie a
 A MAN DOESN'T LIVE c
IN EUROPE FOR AS LONG
AS I DID AND NOT GET
TO TOAST WITH HIS

YOU KNOW THE WORST YE

THING ABOUT REHAB,
5 FELLAS?

HARRY, SPEAK
OF THE DEVIL
AND HE
APPEARS.

TO FRIENDS
NEW AND OLD,
 . y.TS,
\
U I
—. R
Ww
4
= 7
: 1/TOWMS!
. ee
}
BE \ : MAR WELIGANG!

WN 1.——
 SPIDER-MAN:

5 GMAZING SPIDER-MAN #545 <6

PART 4 of 4
STORY: J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada
PENCILER: Joe Quesada
INKER: Danny Miki
INKER: PAGES 22-31: Joe Quesada
COLORISTS: Richard Isanove with Dean White
LETTERER: Chris Eliopoulos
VARIGNT COVER ARTIST: Marko Djurdjevic
PRODUCTION: Anthony Dial
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Daniel Ketchum
EDITOR: fixel Gilonso

<5 AUNT MAY PROFILE

WRITERS: Jonathan Couper-Smartt, Mike Fichera
and Peter Sanderson
EDITOR: Cory Levine
reserved.
rights
All
Inc.
Characters,
Marvel
2009
(c)

@& AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #21 &

PLOT: Jim Shooter
SCRIPT: David Michelinie
PENCILS: Paul Ryan
INKS: Vince Colletta
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COLORS: Bob Sharen

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Joe Quesada

PUBLISHER: Dan Buckley

SPECIGL THANKS to Tom Brevoort, Yana Chapkis, Susan Crespi,

Justin Gabrie, and Raphael Rodriguez
 MAY PARKER
HISTORY: May Reilly was a strikingly beautiful but naive young REAL NAME: May Reilly Parker
woman who lived with her parents in Brooklyn during a nationwide ALIASES: May Morgan; formerly May Reilly
depression. When May’s father walked out, her mother raised her IDENTITY: No dual identity
begrudgingly— not bothering to conceal the fact that she saw May as OCCUPATION: Retired; former landlady, housewife
nothing more than an unwelcome burden. CITIZENSHIP: USA
PLACE OF BIRTH: Brooklyn, New York
When May was a young woman, two men vied for her affection. KNOWN RELATIVES: Ben Parker (husband, deceased), Albert and
One was a flashy, wealthy man named Johnny Jerome; the other, a Claire Reilly (parents, deceased), Peter Parker (Spider-Man, nephew),
carnival barker named Ben Parker. May believed she was in love with Mary Jane Watson-Parker (niece-in-law), Richard and Mary Parker
Johnny, whom she thought offered her more promise during the time (brother-in-law and sister-in law, deceased), Horace Reilly (paternal
of economic hardship than did Ben. Ben warned May that Johnny uncle, deceased)
was actually a criminal, but she dismissed Ben's warnings as jealous GROUP AFFILIATION: Forest Hills Public Library; formerly Gray
slander. One day, however, Johnny unexpectedly proposed to May, Panthers
saying he wanted them to leave together right away. May heard the EDUCATION: High school graduate
police on the street, and realized something was wrong. Ben stormed FIRST APPEARANCE: Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962)
in, telling May that Johnny had just robbed a jewelry store, and had
shot a man who tried to call for help. May then realized Johnny was
indeed a criminal, and rejected his proposal. Johnny was captured by
the police and convicted for murder and burglary.

May Reilly set aside her fantasies about marrying someone well-to-do
financially and began to make decisions about the direction of her life.
Coming to appreciate Ben Parker, and his devotion to her, May fell in
love with him. She married Ben, and their life together was peaceful
and happy.

During their time dating, they were often saddled with Ben’s much
younger brother, Richard. So after Ben and May married, they chose
to remain childless — free from the worries youngsters can bring.
Richard and his wife, Mary, however, brought a son into the world
named Peter.

Unexpectedly, Ben and May doted on their nephew; the young boy
particularly captivated Ben. When Richard and Mary — secretly
government agents — were called overseas on an assignment, Mai
and Ben happily took Peter into their home until his parents cou os
return. When word arrived that Richard and Mary had been killed
in a plane crash in Algeria, they were designated as Peter's legal
guardians. Since Richard and Mary were secret agents, Peter was
temporarily held while Ben and May’s backgrounds were thoroughly
investigated; they were given full custody of Peter at the memorial
service for Peter's parents. At first May was overwhelmed with the
responsibility, even angry with Richard and Mary for dying and
leaving her and Ben with the challenge of bringing up Peter at such
a late stage in their life. Yet her heart could not help but be touched
by how kind and thoughtful Peter grew to be. May became like an
overprotective mother to sensitive Peter and together, the three
became a true family.

As he matured into his teens, little did May or Ben realize that the
science-loving, socially awkward Peter had, by way of a radioactive
spider-bite, become the daring and colorful Spider-Man they watched
on television. As Spider-Man, Peter had become an overnight
sensation in the entertainment world. After a television appearance,
Spider-Man saw a guard chasing a thief in the studio building. Though
the guard asked Spider-Man for help, the costumed youth ignored
him and allowed the burglar to get away.

One fateful night at the Parker residence in suburban Forest Hills,

Queens, that same burglar came seeking hidden assets worth
millions of dollars belonging to a previous owner of the Parker
home, gangster “Dutch” Mallone. While in jail, the burglar had been
a cellmate of the elderly Mallone, and learned of the treasure from
Mallone’s mumbling while he slept. Ben and May had a small quarrel
that night, and Ben left the house to take a walk, leaving the front door
unlocked. In his absence, the burglar easily entered the Parker home.

Art by John Romita Jr.

 Ben returned home and discovered the burglar, who manhandled nefarious ends. But the intervention of Hammerhead resulted in the
May for the exact location of the cache. When Ben furiously ordered destruction of the island and the apparent death of May’s groom-to-
the burglar to unhand her, the burglar panicked, fatally shot Ben, and be. Later, the Green Goblin (Harry Osborn) captured a confused May
fled to a warehouse where he was ultimately caught by Spider-Man. after he uncovered Spider-Man's secret identity, but May was rescued
Before May could call for an ambulance, Ben told May he loved her unharmed, none the wiser as to her nephew’s exploits.
and died. It was this incident which initially aggravated May Parker's
weak heart condition which has caused her serious health problems The shock of seeing the apparent return of Peter's murdered girlfriend,
over the years. Guilt-ridden for previously allowing the burglar to pass, Gwen Stacy (actually a clone created by Professor Miles Warren, the
Peter's attitude towards life and his superhuman abilities radically Jackal) sent May back to the hospital. There she was confronted by
changed after that night, devoting his life to selfless heroics. For years the Scorpion (Mac Gargan) whom the Jackal, knowing Spider-Man's
afterwards, May too harbored guilt thinking had she not argued with identity, directed to May; May indignantly scolded the Scorpion after
Ben, perhaps her husband would still be alive. Spider-Man defeated him. While Peter and Mary Jane grew closer
than ever during this time, the apparent return of “Gwen” derailed their
May was left to continue her romance. May supported Mary Jane, encouraging her to fight for her
life without Ben’s strength man, much the way May had to be assertive while dating shy Ben
— a life further complicated by Parker to bring about their engagement. Mary Jane, however, later
| financial woes, her own ever- rejected Peter when he proposed to her, and moved to Florida.
| failing health and the strange
new secrecy with which Peter Despite her nagging ill health, May maintained an iron will. However,
conducted his affairs. To help while taking part in a rally at City Hall with senior citizen activist group,
his aunt pay the bills, including the Gray Panthers, she suffered a mild heart attack and was sent to
the escalating costs of her Newhope Memorial Hospital. As she continued her convalescence at
various medications, Peter the Restwell Nursing Home, the burglar who had killed her husband
| took a job photographing was freed from prison. Still seeking the treasure hidden in the Parkers’
himself as Spider-Man for the home, the burglar forced the head of the nursing home (Mysterio
Daily Bugle. May was worried posing as Doctor Ludwig Rinehart) to fake Aunt May's death so she
Chen
Sean
by
Art y VILE about her fragile nephew, could be interrogated without the interference of her doting nephew.
taking pictures so close to the most dangerous of super-powered When Peter discovered the truth, his fury was so terrifying that
battles. For Peter, lying to his aunt became a painful — yet seemingly the burglar died of a heart attack. More tragic was the fact that all
necessary — way of life. May's suffering was over nothing: silverfish had long since eaten the
treasure.
Merely by being in the company of Daily Bugle secretary Betty Brant,
May was kidnapped by Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius) during the May returned to Forest Hills after recovering sufficiently and set up her
first attack of the Sinister Six. Though Betty was Doc Ock’s intended home as a boarding house, taking in half a dozen paying houseguests.
target, he treated May so well she never realized the charming During this time, Peter and May’s relationship hit a low point. When
scientist was actually a deadly villain. Peter decided to drop out of his graduate studies at Empire State
University, May was so upset she stopped speaking to him for a time,
Soon after Ben's death, May became seriously illand was hospitalized, but the two eventually reconciled. Among May’s borders was Nathan
requiring a blood transfusion. Though not a blood relative, Peter was Lubensky — a charming, wheelchair-bound gentleman she had met
a suitable match for May; after a moment of hesitation, uncertain at the nursing home. The two were engaged until May witnessed a
what his radioactive blood would do to his aunt, Peter agreed to give cold, cruel side to Nathan who caused the death of a mugger who had
May the transfusion. May was restored to health, and recuperated in invaded their house after Spider-Man had already webbed the crook;
Florida. Sometime later, the radioactivity in her bloodstream began to May called off the wedding. Despite this, Nathan’s final act proved his
kill May. Aided by Dr. Curt Connors, Peter overcame many obstacles affection for May: he died to prevent her from becoming a hostage of
through the underwater headquarters of Doctor Octopus in order to the Vulture (Adrian Toomes).
deliver a serum, ISO-36, which stopped her blood from deteriorating,
and saved her life. Mary Jane returned to New York, and May was overjoyed when she
and Peter were married. While the newlyweds lived in Manhattan,
For a long time, May’s neighbor and best friend, Anna Watson, May decided to close the boarding house and live alone. She shared
conspired with May to introduce Anna's niece, Mary Jane Watson, to INN
SS =
ey
YY.
Peter, but both teenagers resisted. Finally, Peter could put off meeting
Mary Jane no longer, and was attracted to her at first sight. Thus
began the courtship of Peter and Mary Jane.

Peter greatly reduced his need to deceive his aunt when he relocated
to an apartment in Manhattan, while Anna Watson moved in with May.
Though Peter and May now lived farther apart, many of Spider-Man's
battles still took place dangerously close to May. The wall-crawler’s
web seemed to be inextricably woven into May’s life. The Beetle
(Abner Jenkins) took May as a random hostage, and Spider-Man
again rescued her.

Just when life had begun to quiet down, May inherited a Canadian
island that was the site of a uranium mine and small commercial
reactor. Doctor Octopus charmed May into a sudden wedding, with
the aim of acquiring the island’s valuable atomic resources for his own Buckingham
Mark
by
Art
 a few dates with mailman Willie Lumpkin during this time. May was Jane from the sniper's bullet, but May was struck instead. In a coma,
astonished to be reunited with Richard and Mary Parker, Peter's May was hospitalized under her maiden name. In the same hospital
parents. While they were convincing to Peter, May's doubts were as the cancer-stricken Eddie Brock (formerly Venom), May was nearly
confirmed; they were actually replicoid duplicates, created by the murdered by the deranged Brock. With May still in a coma, Peter
Chameleon as part of Harry Osborn’s complex revenge schemes. discreetly offered May another transfusion of his blood, but the effort
failed. Hoping to revive his aunt, Peter contacted the comatose May
Shortly thereafter, Peter believed he had lost his aunt when she via the psychic Madame Web, but May seemed complacent about
seemingly died of old age. However, he was unaware of the depths to her fate. As the police investigated the suspicious nature of May's
which the original Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, had sunk. Norman gunshot injury, Peter and Mary Jane were forced to break the law to
had kidnapped May and replaced her with a genetically adapted move May to another hospital. After Peter violently demanded Tony
actress. While Norman lost what remained of his sanity — taking part Stark help pay for May's hospital bills, Stark remorsefully sent Jarvis
in the mystical ceremony, the Gathering of Five — his former agent, to deliver two million dollars. Still, May’s doctor offered little hope for
Alison Mongrain, aided by Joseph “Robbie” Robertson, revealed her recovery. Desperate to prevent the death of another loved one
May’s location to Peter. Peter rescued his aunt and defeated the due to his life as Spider-Man, Peter seeks any and all means to save
crazed Green Goblin, whose plans for the real May were never fully the life of his precious aunt.
revealed.

After May returned, she struggled to regain her place in Peter's life.
It was with Mary Jane’s reported death (though secretly kidnapped
by the mysterious “Stalker”) that Peter again realized the strength he
and May could give to each other. Though Mary Jane was rescued,
she and Peter separated for a time; Peter relied on May to help him
through the difficult times of loss — as they had helped each other
many years before.

Arriving at Peter's apartment one afternoon, May finally learned the

truth her nephew had so long concealed. Battered and bruised, Peter
was asleep in bed with his Spider-Man costume and equipment
tossed on the floor. After spending a whole day dealing with her
newfound knowledge, May finally confronted Peter and began to
break through a lifetime of deception. Seemingly stronger than ever,
May was driven to improve Spider-Man's public image and determined
to understand Peter's alter ego. With the lies behind them, May and
Peter's relationship deepened like never before — reborn through a
new level of honesty and trust. Mary Jane returned to Peter, and she
and May were partners caring for Spider-Man.

When Norman Osborn was finally jailed, publicly revealed to be the

Green Goblin, he had May captured by the Scorpion and buried in
a sleep-like state as ransom for his liberation from jail. Spider-Man
complied, freeing Osborn and rescuing May. More tragedy struck May
as her home in Forest Hills was burned down by Charlie Weiderman,
a vengeful former classmate of Peter's. While Spider-Man joined
the Avengers, May was invited to move into the luxurious Stark
Tower to live with Peter and Mary Jane. There she befriended and
began dating Edwin Jarvis, the Avengers’ butler. During a date with
Edwin, her beloved husband reappeared. This Ben Parker was, in Garney
Ron
by
Art
fact, taken from an alternate universe (Earth-6078) by the Hobgoblin HEIGHT: 5’5” EYES: Blue
(Robin Borne) of an alternate Earth in the year 2211. Rejected by WEIGHT: 110 lbs. HAIR: White (formerly blonde)
the horrified May, Ben fled and
was ultimately killed. ABILITIES/ACCESSORIES: May Parker typically possesses the
normal human strength of a woman her age, height and build
May supported _—Peter’s who engages in occasional mild exercise. She is currently in a
decision to publicly unmask feeble condition.
for the sake of Tony Stark and
the Superhuman Registration
Act. Peter later regretted his POWER GRID 1234567
decision, and withdrew his INTELLIGENCE
support for Stark. A fugitive STRENGTH
from the law, Peter moved SPEED
into a seedy motel with May DURABILITY
and Mary Jane. When the
ENERGY PROJECTION
incarcerated Kingpin (Wilson
FIGHTING SKILLS
Fisk) learned of Spider-Man’s
~ 2 a el el ed el a es”
identity, he dispatched a sniper
Jr.
Romita
John
by
Art to the motel. Peter saved Mary
SPECIAL BONUS: REPRINTING THE WEDDING OF PETER PARKER AND MARY JANE WATSON
 THAT'S RIGHT. I TAUGHT
y PARKER EVERYTHING
ANNA SHOWEDO ME THE HE KNOWS /
GOWN; MR, SMITH. IT'S seat Te
STUNNING’ ae 3
ny

PLEASED Wy
AS PUNCH! J NY ,

Y
I OON'T UNDERSTANC2 I CALLED/ SAME
PETER--THERE WAS NO ANSWER. [| WITH aed
ANE.

VW Bs
YT CON'T KNOW,
DEAR. L
THOUGHT PARKER
WAS MADE OF
STERNER STUFF.

SORRY I'M LATE,

HAD TO MAKE SURE ZI WAS
PERFECT FOR YOU TovA--
_— 1IGERF
GOSH, M.J.,I-IM SORRY I’M I, UH, HAP WELL, BEING LATE /S LADY, I'VE
SURE THERE'SA RUNNING ALITTLE FASHIONABLE, SOL NEVER BEEN
REASON FOR-- BEHING! TROUBLE FORGIVE YOU -- /F MORE READY
GETTING YOU'RE READY NOW! FOR ANYTHING
DRESSED! IN MY LIFE!

ANC WALL-
CRAWLING
WITH AY
SHOES
ON!

THUS THE CEREMONY BEGINS, ool NY ~-TO HAVE AND TOHOLP, FOR
TIME- HONOREP ANC TRUE. CRY GY WY YA TAKE THIS MAN, PETER F4RKER, RICHER OR FOR POORER, IN
EYES TURN MISTYAS WORPS LA, TO BE YOUR LAWFULLY WECVED SICKNESS ANDO IN HEALTH, TO
ARE SPOKEN, PRAWING TWO HUSBAND -~ a LOVE AND TO CHERISH FOR AS
LIVES TOGETHER IN A SACREL, | LONG AS YOU BOTH SHALL
UNSEEN BOND. ANP ATLASTAS : LIVE Z
THE JOYOUS OCCASION NEARS (TS |
INEVITABLE, MAJESTIC CON-
CLUSION...

T WILL TAKE THIS MAN-- THIS SHE KNOWS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE WHAT
VERY SPECIAL MAN--TO BE THE SHE'S GETTING INTO-~ANO SHE S7/LL WANTS
MOST IMPORTANT THING IN MY ME £ HOW COLILD T POSSIBLY TURN DOWN
LIFE. BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY
WHAT Z'VE REALIZEC HE
ALREADY /s.

THEN BY THE POWER VESTED IN ME BY

THE SOVEREIGN STATE OF NEW YORK--
 <a.
“I NOW PRONOUNCE —
P akan (==) Padus
ANO SO. A SHORT WHILE LATER ATA EAT, DRINK, ANC BE MERRY WHY, Z'P WANT You
NEARBY RESTAURANT, AFTER SUITABLE [J FOLKS! THE DALY BUGLE IS TOHAVEA GOOD TIME
RICE HAS BEEN THROWN AND CONGRATLI- I PROUD TO BE SPONSORING EVEN IF THIS SHINDIG
LATORY KISSES HAVE BEEN LIBERALLY : THIS RECEPTION/. WASN'T FULLY DEDUC-
ASTRIBUTEC, — ; TIBLE UNCER THE
NEW TAX LAWS!

YOU'RE KINC OF SAGGING AT ( OF course NOT, ) / LT Sust WISH ZL COULC

THE EDGES, PETE. NOT HAVING } \ MARY SANE. J eee | AFFORP A HONEYMOON
REGRETS THIS SOON, ARE “a 4 » \ RIGHT NOW. T’M REALLY
\ YOU ? Af F3—~ 4 , \ SORRY WE'LL HAVE TO

AH, BUT WE WONW'TY I JUST HAPPEN IT WAS A

TO HAVE A PAIR OF FIRST- CLASS TICKETS WEDDING
TO FARIS HERE --AS WELL 4S THE ang al
. KEYS TO A PRIVATE VELA IN THE FRO,
‘BURBS, FRIEN?

SEEMS HE
WASN'T GOING
TO BE USING THEM
AFTER ALL...
 YLOGLUE: TWO WEEKS LATER, ASACHECKER| |MMMMM, I ALWAYS DREAMED f -- BUT WITH OVE HANO?
Be PULLS AWAY FROM THE ENTRANCE TO 4/0 ABOUT BEING CARRIED OVER THAT'S CLASS/
CHELSEA STREET... THE THRESHOLD- - :

ae

‘COURSE, DOING OTHER sr ZL KNOW. (T'S SURE

UNEWLYWEC
”THINGS, LIKE iG MADE ME THINK
UNPACKING AND THINKING ry at A BIT. I MEAN:
ABOUT WHAT TO FIX FOR ae
DINNER, ARE GOING TO
SEEM SORT OF MUNDANE
AFTER THAT HONEYMOON
WE HAD’

WOW! WHAT AN
AQVENTURE!*

* READ ALL ABOUT IT--IN SPECTACULAR ¥

SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #71--F5.
-- AFTER TWO WEEKS IN THAT LIVING HAPPILY
FABULOUS VILLA, WHAT THE EVER AFTER.”
HECK ARE WE COING IN A DUMP
LIKE THIS 7

THAT’S EASY, TIGER. WE'RE

DOING EXACTLY WHAT WED BE
DOING ANYPLACE:

reserved.
rights
All
Inc.
Characters,
Marvel
2009
(c)

VWuFF SAID!
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (ISSN #0274-5232) No. 545, January, 2008. Published Monthly except semi-monthly in January, February and March by MARVEL PUBLISHING, INC., a subsidiary of MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT,
INC. OFFICE OF PUBLICATION: 417 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NEW YORK, NY AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. © 2007 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. All
characters featured in this issue and the distinctive names and likenesses thereof, and all related indicia are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc. No similarity between any of the names, characters, persons, and/or institutions
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 “J.M.S. had the brave heart to take an icon in new uncharted waters from the moment he took the book. All-new
characters, villains, scenarios and controversy on an almost monthly basis. From the on-his-sleeve emotions of 9/11, to
Aunt May and Peter finally having it out, I do believe this will be remembered as one of the
great runs, not only of Spider-Man, but of all of comics.”
- Brian Michael Bendis

“T remember when he was just “J.S.” Then he got the spider book, and all of a sudden he’s “J.S.M.” -- Joe Spider-Man.
Which is clever, but they would not cash his checks. So he settled on J.M.S. That’s a true story. What’s also true is that
J.M.S. is the hallmark of a true professional. Dedicated. Loyal. And talented. Buckets of talent as his great run on
Spidey will attest, and his current run on Thor is furthering the legend. My favorite thing about him? He’s a friend of
mine. And it doesn’t get any cooler than that. Congrats, J.S.M.!
- Jeph Loeb

“There are many more eloquent quotes before mine, and Iwon’t attempt to compete with the authors of
them. I can come up with two semi-intelligent words that can be construed as a compliment of Joe’s
run on the Amazing Spider-Man: Sales tripled! Thanks, Joe.”
- John Romita, Jr.

“Joe has always been capable of The Big Surprise, but his run on Amazing Spider-Man shows that unique
flair to mature, full-blown uniqueocity. You go, Joe!.”
- Harlan Ellison

“T read (almost) every Marvel comic that is published each and every week. For me, it’s homework, research, and, of
course, fun. I usually organize my pile of ‘to read’ based on what films we are currently developing and what character is
undergoing a renaissance in the comics. For the past six years, Joe’s run on Spidey has been the one on top. I would sit
and read it the moment it landed in my inbox. Joe’s creative daring is an inspiration and his imaginative
storytelling transcends all forms of media. My favorite J.M.S. Spidey moment also happens to be my
favorite Spidey moment period: Aunt May discovers Peter’s secret. It has become my mission to
put that moment up on screen. Someday we will. I promise.”
- Kevin Feige
Producer/President of Marvel Studios

“In case you need reminding, Joe picking up the writing duties on Amazing Spider-Man was a seismic moment in modern
comics. He, together with Daredevil writer Kevin Smith, showed Hollywood that far from slumming it in comic books,
these guys were having the time of their lives. Joe not only doubled the sales of Marvel’s flagship book, but has been
responsible for the most radical and inventive Spider-Man stories in a generation. It’s true he has a silly, virtually
unpronouncable name that sensible people like to reduce to three letters, but as far as Spider-Man
goes I think he’s up there with Stan.”
- Mark Millar

“T may have difficulty spelling his name, but there’s nothing difficult about praising the terrific job that Joe Straczynski
has done in his truly unforgettable eight-year run of Spider-Man scripting. Of course, from where I sit, an eight-year run
is like -- what’samatter, you didn’t have the patience to stay with it for a while?

But, despite his dawdling, for Joe to have been so inventive and creative and just plain exciting during so many issues of
Spidey is beyond remarkable. His stories made the web-spinner’s mag sell better than ever and his far-out themes and
unexpected concepts kept the readers totally hooked for all those years. Of course, my biggest regret is that I never really
got to work with the guy so it’s hard for me to take any credit for what he’s done.

Hey, I'd like to add a lot more compliments and laudatory remarks, which Joe certainly deserves but, as I’m sure he’Il
understand, it’s too difficult when you’re consumed by envy!”

Excelsior!
(that’s “Straczynski’ spelled backwards)
- Stan Lee