The bite of an irradiated spider granted high-school student Peter
Parker incredible, arachnid-like powers. When a burglar killed his
beloved Uncle Ben, a grief-stricken Peter vowed to use his amazing
abilities to protect his fellow man. He had learned an invaluable
lesson: With great power, there must also come great responsibility!
Real name: Peter Parker
Occupation: Adventurer, freelance photographer, high-school teacher
Group affiliation: None, formerly a reserve Avenger
Base of operations: New York City area
First appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962)
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 165 lbs.
Eye color: Hazel
Hair color: Brown
Powers: Spider-Man possesses superhuman strength, reflexes and
equilibrium; the ability to cling to most surfaces; and a sixth sense
that warns him of impending danger.
Weapons: Spider-Man's wrist-mounted web-shooters discharge thin strands
of web-fluid at high pressure. On contact with air, the long-chain
polymer knits and forms an extremely tough, flexible fiber with
extraordinary adhesive qualities.
History: Orphaned when his parents were killed in a plane crash, Peter
Parker went to live with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Although extremely
bright, his shyness and studious nature often caused him to be branded a
social outcast. Ironically, just such a scholastic pursuit made possible
Peter's transformation into a wall-crawling, web-slinging extrovert.
During a public exhibition on radiation, an irradiated arachnid fell on
his hand, bit him and died. Peter left the demonstration in pain; soon
he began to manifest strange, spider-like abilities. Rather than put his
talents to just use, the teenager followed a path dictated by his late
20th-century upbringing: He created a costume and capitalized on his
newfound powers to pursue TV stardom as the Amazing Spider-Man.
Leaving the TV studio after a taping, Peter chose to mind his own
business when he encountered a burglar fleeing the scene of a robbery.
Though he could have stopped the man easily enough, Peter allowed him to
pass -- arrogantly believing that it was not his responsibility to chase
criminals. He returned home only to discover that an intruder had
murdered his uncle. Learning that police had cornered the hoodlum in a
nearby warehouse, Peter donned his Spider-Man costume and rushed off to
seek vengeance. Employing his amazing abilities to capture the burglar,
he realized that it was the thug he had allowed to escape at the studio.
Filled with remorse, Peter finally understood that with great power,
there must also come great responsibility -- and he vowed never to shirk
his responsibilities again.
Ben Parker's death left Peter and Aunt May without a regular source of
income, save Social Security. Peter attempted to pursue a career in show
business, but was unable to do so because of a smear campaign mounted
against Spider-Man by J. Jonah Jameson, influential publisher of the
Daily Bugle newspaper.
Making good on his vow, Peter began to use his powers to fight crime.
Meanwhile, he would earn a living selling photographs of Spider-Man in
action to the Bugle. Jameson's attempts to influence the public's
perception of Spider-Man have waned due to positive word-of-mouth
support for the wall-crawler's activities. Although he remains a
controversial figure, Spidey has faced and thwarted a vast number of
costumed criminals in the New York City area -- including the Kingpin,
the Vulture, Electro, the Sandman, Mysterio, Dr. Octopus, the Green
Goblin, Kraven the Hunter, the Scorpion, the Rhino, Venom and Carnage.
Peter's costumed career has had its share of ups and downs. His first
love, Gwen Stacy, died during a battle between Spider-Man and the Green
Goblin. Peter has lost other friends, as well -- including Harry Osborn,
son and successor of Norman Osborn, the original Green Goblin; and
police Captain George Stacy, Gwen's father. Peter's marriage to Mary
Jane Watson often was troubled by his crimefighting actives, and the two
have separated. But through all his trials, he has remained steadfast in
his determination to use his powers for the benefit of all.
Bio can be found at Marvel.com