Spider-Man is well-known to comic readers as the fun-loving, fast-talking Web-Head of the Marvel Comics universe. He’s colorful, quick-witted, and always ready with some deep-cutting remarks for his super powered, villainous opponents. But Spidey also has some of the worst luck of any comic book character.
No matter the man behind the mask – be it Peter Parker, Miles Morales, or anyone else to own the mantle of Spider-Man – tragedy has always followed the Web-Slinger. Spider-Man has endured 60 years’ worth of bad luck and hardships. And it seems as though each passing year brings new ways for Spidey to break his readers’ hearts.
10/10 Spider-Man’s Journey Began With Heartbreak
Amazing Fantasy #15 By Stan Lee And Steve Ditko
Most superheroes owe their origins to some sort of tragic incident. It’s no different in the case of Peter Parker, who devoted his life as Spider-Man to protecting the innocent and fighting crime after the death of his Uncle Ben.
In Spider-Man’s first appearance, the young hero to be first used his powers for personal profit as a wrestler. When the promoter refused to pay Spider-Man, the Web-Head chose to let a robber get away with the promoter’s money. Later that night, the same criminal murdered Peter’s Uncle Ben, giving Spider-Man his greatest lesson: with great power must also come great responsibility. For readers, the young boy losing his father figure because of his own choices was a tough moment to experience.
9/10 Octavius Vows To Honor Peter Parker
The Amazing Spider-Man #700 By Dan Slott And Humberto Ramos
When a dying Doctor Octopus used his scientific knowledge to swap bodies with Spider-Man, the classic villain couldn’t have known just how life-changing the choice would be. As Octavius took over Spider-Man’s body, he also lived through Peter’s memories and learned the same lesson Spider learned from his Uncle Ben’s death.
As he watches his own body die, Doctor Octopus has a moment of clarity, realizing he’s used his gifts to ruin lives. With a measure of Peter’s subconscious still inhabiting him, Doc Ock understands that he too has a responsibility to use his gifts for the betterment of others, promising to become a Superior Spider-Man. It was heartwarming to see Peter pass on his great lesson but heartbreaking that it took a tragedy for Octavius to learn it.
8/10 The Death Of Gwen Stacy Continues To Shape Peter Parker
The Amazing Spider-Man #121 By Gerry Conway And Gil Kane
When Gwen Stacy died during a battle between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, it changed Peter Parker’s life forever. Indeed, few deaths in comic book history have had the lasting impact on its world’s characters than the tragic death of Gwen Stacy.
Most heartbreaking of all was the revelation in the letters column of The Amazing Spider-Man (Vol 1) #125. Replying to a reader, editor Roy Thomas declared that it was the whiplash from the very web Spider-Man slung to save Gwen that broke her neck. For readers, this revelation became the most tragic aspect of Spider-Man’s life.
7/10 Ultimate Gwen Stacy’s Death Was Heartbreaking And Disturbing
Ultimate Spider-Man #62 By Brian Michael Bendis And Mark Bagley
In the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man, Gwen Stacy had become something of a daughter to Aunt May and a sister to Peter, having moved in with the two after her father was murdered. There were few people that Gwen trusted, and Peter was among them.
When Gwen met her death at the hands of the mindless Ultimate Carnage, the malevolent symbiont conjured Peter’s face. Not only was Gwen’s death brutal as she is left an empty husk, but it’s heartbreaking that the last thing she saw was the person she trusted most.
6/10 Jameson Was Heartbroken By Peter’s Deception
Amazing Spider-Man #533 By J. Michael Straczynski And Ron Garney
Historically, J. Jonah Jameson is no fan of Spider-Man, and the publisher of the Daily Bugle made it one of his missions in life to turn the public against the Web-Slinger. JJJ is also known for giving his young freelance photographer Peter Parker a hard time.
But after Peter makes his secret identity as Spider-Man known to the public during Civil War, the depth of Jameson’s feelings for Parker becomes apparent. Jameson, who considered Peter Parker “the one honest guy in town,” feels personally betrayed by the Parker, who he has known for years. And as heartbroken as J.J.J. is, the reader is heartbroken to only learn at that point that Jameson truly cared about Peter.
5/10 Curt Connors Loses His Battle With The Lizard
Amazing Spider-Man #631 By Zeb Wells, Emma Rios And Chris Bachalo
The Lizard is one of Spider-Man’s most horrific foes. But underneath the scales and the sharp teeth is Dr. Curt Connors, a dedicated scientist and devoted father. His transformations into the Lizard always put Dr. Connors’ son Billy at risk, but Spider-Man was always able to keep Billy safe.
But when the stress of Billy’s cancer diagnosis drove Dr. Connors to become the Lizard again, there was nothing Spider-Man could do to help. The reader is let in on Dr. Connors’ heartbreaking inner monologue as he tries to regain control, but he’s helpless as the Lizard actually eats young Billy.
4/10 Miles Morales Loses His Uncle
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #12 By Brian Michael Bendis And David Marquez
One of the earliest and most difficult revelations in the early career of Miles Morales as the Ultimate Universe’s second Spider-Man was that his beloved Uncle Aaron was the villainous Prowler. Miles did his best to reconcile this, and Aaron did his best to repair their relationship. Just when that seemed possible, tragedy struck.
After a fierce battle when it seemed Aaron was fighting on the side of the right in, one of his electrified gauntlets exploded. The explosion caused severe burns and Aaron’s apparent death. While he eventually turned out to be alive, it was heartbreaking watching Miles get his uncle back only to lose him all over again.
3/10 Peter And Mary Jane Lose Their Baby
Spider-Man (Vol 1) #75 by Howard Mackie And John Romita, Jr
Spider-Man and Mary Jane have had a rocky relationship almost from the start. Things became particularly hectic during the widely-panned “Clone Saga,” as Peter was dealing with not only Ben Reilly but a host of other clones born from his DNA. All the while, MJ was pregnant with the Parkers’ first child.
But tragedy never strays far from the Parkers, and Mary Jane lost the baby during a difficult and complicated birth. The loss of a child is heartbreaking in and of itself, but perhaps more heartbreaking is that this event was all but erased as a result of the events of “One More Day.”
2/10 Ultimate Peter Parker Gave His Life
Ultimate Spider-Man #160 By Brian Michael Bendis And Mark Bagley
Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley were a pivotal creative duo in Spider-Man’s history, helming almost the entirety of Ultimate Spider-Man starring Peter Parker. However, their joint stewardship came to a close with the heartwrenching death of Peter Parker.
Superhero deaths are usually hard to take seriously, but the heroism and grace with which the teenage Peter Parker met his end was truly heartbreaking. His final moments with Aunt May and Mary Jane, remarking how “cool” it was that he saved the day, driving home the reality that Ultimate Spider-Man was just a boy trying to do some good.
1/10 Captain Stacy Was A Surrogate Father To Peter
Amazing Spider-Man (Vol 1) #90 by Stan Lee And Gil Kane
Police Captain George Stacy was the father of Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s first true love. While most of the NYPD wanted Spider-Man arrested for his vigilantism, Captain Stacy understood Spidey’s message and was one of his few supporters on the force. In Spidey’s private life, though, Stacy had become something of a surrogate father to Peter.
Having already lost Uncle Ben, Captain Stacy was an integral part of Peter’s life. This made it all the more heartbreaking when Stacy died in Spidey’s arms. Captain Stacy’s final words are a plea for Peter to take care of his daughter, confirming that he knew about Spider-Man’s secret identity.
