Spider-Man Makes Huge Sacrifice in Secret Empire

Spider-Man takes responsibility for his power.

By Jesse Schedeen

Peter Parker faced a difficult decision in the latest chapter of The Amazing Spider-Man.

Warning: this article contains spoilers for The Amazing Spider-Man #31!

This issue wrapped up the series' Secret Empire tie-in storyline, with Spider-Man confronting the Hydra-affiliated Superior Octopus at the Shanghai headquarters of Parker Industries. While Otto Octavius had already succeeded in destroying the other three branches of the company, his ultimate goal was to steal Parker Industries' research and reclaim the company he started (back in the days when his mind was occupying Peter Parker's body).

Faced with the choice of seeing his company destroyed or allowing it to fall into the hands of one of his greatest enemies, Peter chose the former. He ordered his employees to wipe all servers and destroy all their research, effectively killing Parker Industries in the process.

Art by Stuart Immonen. (Marvel Comics)

Needless to say, Otto wasn't pleased. But when he tried to retaliate by destroying Peter's armored Spider-Man suit, Peter showed another ace up his sleeve. He was wearing his old Spider-Man spandex underneath. That's right, the classic costume is back.

Art by Stuart Immonen. (Marvel Comics)

Ultimately, Spidey was able to defeat Otto by taking control of his mechanical arms and sending the villain running back to his Hydra masters. But that may be cold comfort for Peter and the thousands of employees now left to deal with the ruins of a once mighty corporation.

This development adds new context to recent reveals about the future of Amazing Spider-Man during the Marvel Legacy relaunch. We know that the series is reverting to its classic numbering beginning with October's Amazing Spider-Man #789 and beginning a new storyline called "The Fall of Parker." With Spidey's company in ruins and Norman Osborn itching for a rematch, it's looking as though that pesky Parker Luck is back with a vengeance.

The Amazing Spider-Man #789 cover by Alex Ross. (Marvel Comics)

Let us know what you think about these major developments and whether you're glad to see Spidey back in his classic costume in the comments below.

Jesse is a mild-mannered writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.

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