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Appearing in "Skin Deep, Part Four"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #518

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Synopsis for "Skin Deep, Part Four"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #518
  • Synopsis not yet written

Appearing in "The Sting of Conscience!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Spider-Man Unlimited #13

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Synopsis for "The Sting of Conscience!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Spider-Man Unlimited #13

The Scorpion has taken J. Jonah Jameson prisoner, and when the newspaper publisher calls the villain by his real name, the lunatic loses his temper insisting that MacDonald Gargan is dead and that there is only the Scorpion left. The Scorpion explains that he has new poison in his stinger. A single sting will cause agony, a second will cause paralysis and death within 24 hours, a third sting will kill instantly. Suddenly afraid for his life, Jonah tries to bargain with the Scorpion, however, no amount of money can top what his current employers are giving him for this job. When Jameson calls him Gargan again, the Scorpion stings him for the first time, warning him that there will be more if he continues to call him by his former name.

At that moment, at the Daily Bugle, the newsroom is swarming with rumors about who captured J. Jonah Jameson and why. When a photographer tries to gain access to Jonah's office to take photos, he is stopped by Joe Robertson, who informs his staff that nobody is going into Jonah's office until Jonah is back safe and sound. Ben Urich offers the theory that Jonah has been kidnapped in order to scare the Bugle from continuing their investigation into Rand/Meachum, although Joe can't believe this unless they have evidence. That's when they are informed that Jonah's wife, Marla Madison, as well as the authorities and both are on the way. Urich questions if the police are going to be able to do anything, Joe points out that they have nowhere else to go.

Meanwhile, in Time Square, Luke Cage returns to the Gem Theater, where his career as a "Hero for Hire" all began.[Continuity 1] Going up to the Gem's office he discovers a surprise party has been put together for him by his friends D.W. Griffith, Colleen Wing, Misty Knight, and Toby -- a homeless man who frequently helped Luke on cases over the years. As he catches up, he learns that D.W. is struggling to keep the Gem open. When Colleen offers him the position in Knightwing Restorations now that Misty is working for Nelson, Murdock, and Sharpe.[Continuity 2] However, Luke turns down the offer, intending to be his own man and using his powers to help those in need. That's when a fateful call comes in offering Luke Cage a job.

Soon, Luke Cage is at a press conference at the Daily Bugle, confirming that he has been hired by the newspaper to find their missing publisher. It's in the middle of this press conference that Ben Urich gets a call back from the police lab who have determined that the Scorpion has kidnapped J. Jonah Jameson.[Continuity 3] When Ken Ellis questions Luke Cage's ability to stop the Scorpion, Cage takes offense to this. In front of the live television cameras, Cage reiterates that he is as strong as Spider-Man and as mean as the Hulk and has what it takes to take down the Scorpion. This live broadcast is caught by Ben Reilly at the Daily Grind, who thinks Cage is crazy for taking the Scorpion on alone and rushes out to see what he can do to help. Quickly changing into Spider-Man, Ben goes to the Daily Bugle to look for clues in Jonah's office that the police may have missed. There he is caught by Jonah's wife Marla Madison, who, instead of blaming Spider-Man for her husband's kidnapping asks for his help.[Continuity 4] She gives him a piece of evidence that she did not give to the police, a warning sent to her husband telling him to end investigations into Rand/Meachum. As he takes the note, the wall-crawler's spider-sense begins going off warning him of the arrival of the Scorpion, who has returned to the scene of the crime. The villain has come because he warned Marla not to go to the press about Jonah's kidnapping. While Spider-Man is busy fending off his foe, Marla rushes off to try and get some help. In the middle of the struggle, Spider-Man is tagged by the Scorpion's stinger, causing him a great deal of pain. When Gargan tries to strike Marla, the wall-crawler leaps in the way, getting stung a second time. That's when the Scorpion explains how his new toxin works and how Spider-Man will die within a day if he doesn't get the antidote. However, Gargan isn't going to give the wall-crawler the chance and prepares to go in for the third, lethal sting. With his remaining strength, Spider-Man grabs Marla and swings to safety on the street below. With NYPD's Code: Blue arriving on the scene, the Scorpion wisely flees the scene.

That evening, at the Mason Building, Luke Cage visits Misty Knight at the offices of Nelson, Murdock, and Sharpe. He has come because he has heard that Rand/Meachum might be involved in Jameson's kidnapping and needs Misty's help to get in touch with his old friend, Danny Rand. Misty can't help him there, saying that Danny hasn't been uncommunicative recently and she doesn't know why. Still, this doesn't dissuade Luke, who decides to make a personal visit to their mutual friend. He then goes to the Rand/Meachum Building where he forces his way into Danny's office. There he witnesses the Contemplator floating over Danny, but the being quickly vanishes.[Continuity 5] When Cage asks Danny what's going on, Rand explains that he hasn't been well of late and that the specter of something evil looms over him. Luke doesn't buy it, but Danny points out that while Luke has spent his time in Chicago working for a sleazy tabloid, he hasn't used his money or influence to do any good for the world either.[Continuity 6] Although Danny is willing to give up on his heroic past, but Luke won't hear anything of it. When he tells Danny about potential corruption in the company, Danny wouldn't know anything about it, deferring Cage to Jason Quartermaster -- the man who deals with Rand/Meachum's day-to-day operations. Before leaving to question Quartermaster, Luke tells Danny that he's got to choose to be a hero, that nobody can make that decision but him. Thinking to himself, Danny can't help but think that Luke is right, but after so many years of leaving the land of K'un-Lun, he feels lost.[Continuity 7] While downstairs, Luke Cage questions Quartermaster, who scoffs at the idea his company is involved in illegal activities. Still, Luke is not convinced and is not convinced and warns Quartermaster that he will keep a close watch. After Luke leaves, Jason contacts the Scorpion and tells him to deal with Luke Cage.

When Luke returns to the Gem Theater he finds the Scorpion waiting for him inside the office. The villain offers him a briefcase full of money in order to stop his investigation. When Cage refuses the money, the Scorpion lays into him, easily overpowering the hero for hire. However, Spider-Man soon comes crashing in to lend Cage an assist. Unfortunately, the venom in Spider-Man has greatly weakened him and the Scorpion easily overpowers the wall-crawler. Even though he has defeated both Spider-Man and Luke Cage, the increasingly unhinged Scorpion flees the scene anyway. After comparing notes, Spider-Man informs Luke that he is not going to stop until he finds Jonah and gets him to safety, even though he has 12 hours left to find an antidote. However, he has deduced that the Scorpion would need access to a gigantic lab to create the toxins he uses. Luke knows just the place to start searching, but they are interrupted by the arrival of Code: Blue, who arrives on the scene too late to do anything. Later, Spider-Man goes back to the Daily Bugle to look through their morgue files in the hopes of finding some clue as to where the Scorpion is hiding Jameson. However, he is shocked to discover that all of the files on his foe have been removed. The wall-crawler is about to give up when he thinks about how he let down his Uncle Ben years earlier and made his Aunt May a widow, something he doesn't want Marla Madison to experience.[Continuity 8] He is found by Marla Madison, who questions why the wall-crawler is still looking for her husband instead of trying to find a cure for himself. However, Spider-Man refuses to give up, which reminds Marla of her husband. When Marla remarks that the Scorpion was ranting about how J. Jonah Jameson murdered Mac Gargan, Spider-Man finally realizes where his foe has been keeping Jonah this whole time and leaves.

Meanwhile, Luke Cage breaks into the Rand/Meachum Building to search for a cure for Scorpion's toxin. He finds Jason Quartermaster waiting for him. Armed with a solvent cannon that sprays a highly corrosive chemical. This keeps Luke on the defensive until Misty Knight interrupts the battle. This distracts Quartermaster long enough for Luke to strike the mad scientist across the face with the chain that serves as Luke's belt. This causes Jason to lose his balance and fall into a vat of chemicals below them. With the facility about to go up, Luke tells Misty to help him find the antidote that will save Spider-Man's life. At that same moment, on Roosevelt Island, the Scorpion continues to hold Jameson prisoner. He has chosen this site because it is where Jameson and Farley Sitwell conducted their experiment that turned him into the Scorpion. Still seeing that day as the day his alter-ego died, the Scorpion reflects on his past life. How he became a private eye in the hopes of doing some good in the world, but only found himself wading through the underbelly of society. Falling into despair, Gargan gave up on life until the day that Jameson approached him for a job. Before he can eliminate Jameson once and for all, Spider-Man comes crashing into the room. However, despite his best efforts, the poison in his system is still doing its work and the wall-crawler begins to falter again.[Continuity 9] However, before the Scorpion can eliminate the wall-crawler, he is stopped by the sudden arrival of Luke Cage, Misty Knight, and Iron Fist. While the Scorpion is distracted, Misty tosses Spider-Man the antidote he needs to survive.

While Spider-Man is recovering, Luke Cage and Iron Fist tackle the Scorpion, but even their combined might and the power of the Iron Fist, aren't enough to take the villain down. Still, he is weakened by the barrage that when Spider-Man joins the fight, he easily overpowers the Scorpion. Suddenly, the Scorpion drops dead, making Spider-Man believe that he accidentally killed Gargan. However, he quickly realizes that the Scorpion injected himself with his own toxins rather than allow himself to be captured. Meanwhile, J. Jonah Jameson is given the antidote by Misty Knight, however, he is none too happy to have been rescued by Spider-Man. Still, Jameson refuses to believe that Spider-Man wasn't involved in his kidnapping. Annoyed that Jonah still can't admit that Spider-Man saved his life, he leaves him in the care of Luke Cage, telling him to enjoy the fee that the Bugle will get charged for hiring Cage to help find him. In the aftermath of the battle, Luke suggests that he and Iron Fist work together again, however, he politely declines. He tells Luke and Misty that he has lost his way and must get back on the correct path.[Continuity 10] Eventually, Code: Blue arrives on the scene, late once more. When they recover the Scorpion's body and put it on transport, they discover that the villain is still alive. Before the officers can contain him, the Scorpion manages to break free. That's when a truck pulls up and men order the Scorpion to get in as their mutual employer seeks to make improvements to his suit so he won't be defeated by Spider-Man again.

Back in Manhattan, Lue Cage has decided to restart his business, finding it more fitting to work out of his old office at the Gem instead of a stuff office like Misty Knight. While at the Daily Grind, Ben is briefly upset when he watches a news report by J. Jonah Jameson, blaming Spider-Man for the kidnapping, saying that a glove that Spider-Man left behind in his office is proof of his claims.

Appearing in "Game's End"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Spider-Man Unlimited #14

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Synopsis for "Game's End"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Spider-Man Unlimited #14

A man wakes up strapped to the side of a building dressed in a Scarlet Spider costume. Struggling to get free, he tries to swing to safety, only to have his "web-line" cut by a sniper's bullet. The phony Scarlet Spider then falls to the street below dying on impact. The shooter is informed that they have earned two thousand points for the kill, but the still are required to recover the mask from their kill. The shooter assures his master that this will be the easiest part.

When the body is shipped to the morgue, Peter Parker joins Ken Ellis to investigate the story. When Peter learns that the person in the Scarlet Spider costume was Asian, he is relieved to know that it isn't his "brother", Ben Reilly. Returning to the Daily Bugle to report their findings, Peter Parker is ordered by J. Jonah Jameson to get pictures of the murderer. When Peter points out that they don't know who the killer is, Jameson immediately accuses Spider-Man of the killing. That's when Spider-Man arrives to cause Jonah some grief. Assuring the publisher that he will catch the real killer, the wall-crawler departs after playing one of his trademark pranks: webbing Jonah to the seat of his chair. Later, Ben Reilly meets up with Peter Parker to compare notes about the death of this Scarlet Spider impostor.[Continuity 11] From what Peter has learned, Ben figures that this is the work of the Great Game, a group of super-human who battle each other to the death based on wagers made by the obscenely wealthy.[Continuity 12] At first, Ben isn't overly worried about the members of the Great Game killing each other for money, but Peter points out that someone dressed up like Ben's former costumed identity was murdered and deserves justice.[Continuity 13] Their discussion is interrupted by Betty Brant who has come to join Peter for lunch. Having met Peter's "cousin" previously, Betty accepts it when Ben asks her out on a date.[Continuity 14] With Ben gone, Peter asks Betty if she can get him access to the Bugle's computers so he can look up some information.[Continuity 15]

Back at the Bugle, Betty does a search for James Johnsmeyer, one of the men Ben stated was involved with the Great Game. Peter learns that Johnsmeyer is a wealthy businessman who, most recently, has attempted to purchase Morelle Pharmaceuticals following the death of its founder Damon Morelle.[Continuity 16] However, the company's current chairperson has refused to sell. When Peter decides to go and pay a visit to Morelle Pharmaceuticals, Betty insists on tagging along. When they arrive there, Peter tries to convince Betty to call off her date with Ben, and she suspects that he might be getting jealous. There they meet with Ashley Croix, who tells them that her company has discontinued "Project: Sharkskin" following the death of her husband. As she tells Betty about the current status of the company, Peter peaks into a room and sees Ashley's son Nolan using his technorganic enhancements to play basket ball. Ashley catches Peter and tells him that area is off limits when suddenly the building is attacked by Polestar, one of the members of the Great Game. He takes Nolan hostage and demands that Ashley turn over the details of Project: Sharkskin. Peter tries to leap at Polestar, but without his powers he is easily swatted away. That's when the masked vigilante known as Nightwatch comes crashing in to stop Polestar. Although Polestar's weapons are no match for Nightwatch's enhanced costume, he is soon joined by his teammate El Toro Negro. With Polestar using his magnetic powers to interfere with Nightwatch's costume, El Toro Negro manages to gun down Nightwatch, apparently killing him.[Continuity 17] With Nightwatch dead, everyone is horrified when El Toro Negro then turns his gun on Polestar and blows his head off. Still dazed from the blow he received from Polestar, Peter wonders where Spider-Man could be.

The next day, Ben Reilly is working at the Daily Grind when Peter comes to show him the front page news about Nightwatch's death.[Continuity 18] Peter asks Ben to speak in private and they go into back of the Daily Grind. There, Peter expresses his disappointment in Ben, had he been at Morelle the night before, Nightwatch might still be alive. However, Ben points out that he has his own life and is not at Peter's beck and call whenever there is trouble. Still, Peter is upset that he couldn't do anything himself, and Ben can empathize telling Peter he'll look into the Great Game now.

Later that day, James Johnsmeyer is telling his boss that he has yet to acquire Morelle Pharmaceuticals when, suddenly, Cardiac comes crashing into his office. James runs for his life, leaving his assistant to try and deal with the vigilante. Cardiac easily knocks the woman aside, but then Spider-Man arrives to stop him. The battle between the two take them outside where Spider-Man learns that Cardiac is not part of the Great Game, but is seeking to rescue Nolan Croix and avenge the death of Nightwatch. After hearing about how El Toro Negro is a rogue player in the Great Game, Cardiac takes off, warning Spider-Man to stay out of his way. In the aftermath of the battle, Spider-Man grabs a piece of paper that is swirling in the air. It mentions a company calls Chi-Huan Associates and decides to investigate this lead. Breaking into the building, he sneaks into the president's office unaware that someone has spotted him. The wall-crawler's search is interrupted by Joystick who thinks that Spider-Man has tracked her down and attacks him. During the fight, Joystick lets slip that Chu Chi Huan -- the owner of the company who is missing -- is her sponsor and after hearing that El Toro Negro might be involved, she makes her escape. As he recovers from the attack, Spider-Man realizes that he almost forgot about his date with Betty Brant.

Quickly running home to get changed, Ben arrives at Betty's apartment late and is surprised that she is dressed so formally. As it turns out they are going to a Bugle fundraiser for the Century Club. At the party, Ben is introduced to J. Jonah Jameson and his wife Marla. As they mingle among the crowd, Betty points out James Johnsmeyer. She tells Ben that her research discovered that his company filed for bankruptcy only to be revived as a holding company for Justin Hammer. Reilly then listens in on a conversation between Johnsmeyer, J. Jonah Jameson, and George Vandergill. Johnsmeyer offers Jonah the opportunity to lessen the financial burden on the Daily Bugle and finally be rid of Spider-Man. This is an interesting proposition to Jonah, but his wife reminds him of the trouble he has gotten into by bankrolling both the Spider-Slayers and the Scorpion.[Continuity 19] This prompts Jonah to politely decline, which makes Marla very proud of him. Jonah then bumps into Roderick Kingsley, who has renounced his citizenship and only comes into the United States every three months to conduct business. He overheard Vandergill's offer and tells Jonah that he was stupid not to take up the offer.

Later that evening, Ben and Betty are on their way back home when he spots the Prowler in a brawl with the Rocket Racer. Betty hopes that Ben isn't going to be like his "cousin" Peter and run off when there is trouble, telling him things are just about to get interesting. Before Reilly can say anymore about the issue, Betty kisses him. As it turns out, the Prowler and Rocket Racer are pretending to fight each other. They are interrupted by the Great Game who is insulted that the pair would sully the traditions of the Great Game. El Toro Negro fires a rocket at the pair. Although they manage to dodge the missile, they are injured by the blast. When Spider-Man learns about their injuries he visits them in the hospital. The Rocket Racer got off easy with only a broken arm, the Prowler on the other hand is in a coma. The Racer explains that the pair have not been getting a lot of work from Silver Sable lately, so they decided to sign up for the Great Game and try and earn some extra money.[Continuity 20] Asking who their sponsor was, Spider-Man pay a visit to Paris Scott only to discover that someone murdered him. Interrupted by one of Scott's assistants, the wall-crawler convinces him that he had nothing to do with Scott's death and get access to Scott's files in order to get a master list of sponsors in the Great Game. Reading the names, Spider-Man is disappointed to see J. Jonah Jameson's name on the list.

Sure enough this makes him a target of El Toro Negro who attempts to gun down Jameson with a sniper rifle as he is in bed with his wife, Marla. Spider-Man arrives just in time to save Jonah's life. However, as Spider-Man tries to take down El Toro Negro, he is interrupted by Chance. The two are about to attack the wall-crawler when he is saved once again by Cardiac. Although he is grateful for the save, Spider-Man doesn't want another death on his conscience, he lures Chance and El Toro to the Johnsmeyer building where they go crashing through the roof that is still under repair.[Continuity 21] It's there that things get more complicated as Joystick arrives to take down El Toro again. However, Toro easily overpowers her and reveals that his defeat at her hands, was all part of a deception. James Johnsmeyer convinced him to take a dive and then pretend to go rogue. This was a two fold plot: Not only did Johnsmeyer put in wagers that resulted in better odds, but for every sponsor that El Toro killed, Johnsmeyer scooped up their companies. However, this secret deception is exposed thanks to Spider-Man activating the monitor feeds in Johnsmeyer's office giving all the Great Game sponsors a front row seat to El Toro Negro's exposition.

After Spider-Man webs up El Toro Negro, Chance and Cardiac arrive on the scene. Chance grabs El Toro and flies away, prompting Spider-Man to order Cardiac to go after them. However, Cardiac is only concerned with rescuing Nolan and leaves El Toro to his own fate.[Continuity 22] When El Toro wakes up he finds himself bound in the presence of Justin Hammer. Hammer has decided that El Toro is a failure and seemingly kills him.[Continuity 23] The next day, Ben meets with Peter who apologizes for dictating to Ben what he should be doing as Spider-Man. However, after what happened to Hobie Brown, the Prowler, Reilly has learned Peter's point the hard way. Peter has also decided that he overstepped his boundaries with his feelings about Ben dating Betty Brant. He then suggests that Ben should go be with her because he she likely needs a shoulder to cry on after Ken Ellis beat her to the front page on the Daily Bugle. He finds Betty at a nearby park where he encourages her not to give up on being a reporter. That evening, J. Jonah Jameson receives a payment check from Justin Hammer for his involvement in the Great Game. Spider-Man soon arrives and scolds Jonah for his decisions, telling him that he would be wise to use the money to pay the medical expenses of Hobie Brown, who is still in a coma after his involvement in the Great Game.

Appearing in "To Smash the Spider!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #91

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Synopsis for "To Smash the Spider!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #91

It is the funeral of George Stacy and everyone close to the late police captain is in attendance. Peter Parker is there to support Gwen during this time, however, he begins to consider what would happen if Gwen, who blames Spider-Man for her father's death, ever found out that Peter is Spider-Man. Also in attendance is Sam Bullit, a man who was competing with George for the job of district attorney. When Gwen later asks to aid on Bullit's campaign, it's another advantage to Bullit. Bullit then seeks the support of the Daily Bugle in exchange for this promotion, he promises to bring in Spider-Man, something which Jonah instantly signs up for even though Joe Robertson has his reservations about Bullit.

With the help of Jameson, Bullit puts on a media campaign that focuses on vilifying Spider-Man, and the press works, everyone is so frightened of the wall-crawler the streets are deserted at night. Deciding that he's pushing his luck out as Spider-Man, Peter changes back to his civilian guise. He is then confronted on the street by Bullit and his men confront Peter wanting all the information he knows about Spider-Man. When Peter refuses and likens Bullit to Adolf Hitler, he is beaten and left in the streets. Quickly recovering, Peter changes into Spider-Man and goes after them.

When he fails to track down Bullit, he finds some of Bullit's men on the street. He then chases after them and strings one of them up as a "message" to his employer. Spider-Man then heads back to his apartment. Entering he is suddenly startled when the lights are turned on by Bullit who had come there with Gwen Stacy because he knew there was a connection between Parker and Spider-Man.

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