Spider-Man is one of the most popular superheroes ever, known for being a fun character and someone who sticks strongly to his principles and ideals. However, there have been many times when the web-slinger went too far with his principles or emotions.
Spider-Man’s principles have interfered with his hero work, often making the situation worse. The webhead has also given in to his guilt and anger many times, allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment. Spider-Man may be a capable superhero, but he isn’t immune to taking things too far, whether it be his ideals, guilt, or anger.
10/10 Peter Was Frightened & Scared For Mary Jane
In the Ultimate Spider-Man continuity, Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson went through harsh trials together. Peter’s double life as Spider-Man interfered with their love life, putting Mary Jane in danger. After Gwen Stacy died, Peter’s fears and anger reached a boiling point.
After learning Mary Jane had kept a big secret of her own, Peter started screaming at her, unleashing his anger and claiming that her reckless actions would get her killed. However, Mary Jane saw through Peter’s anger, realizing that he was incredibly worried about her safety. Still, Peter’s emotions prevented proper communication and led to more anguish for him and Mary Jane.
9/10 Spider-Man Refused To Kill During A War
It is common for superheroes to refuse to cross certain lines, especially killing a person. The “no killing” rule is infamous in superhero comic books because the heroes will abide by it to ridiculous degrees.
Spider-Man is extremely guilty of this, to the point that he refused to kill during an active war. In the Spider-Verse crossover event, the Inhibitors were committing genocide, murdering hundreds of Spider-People throughout the multiverse. However, Spider-Man frustratingly still kept to his no-killing rule, acting more idealistic instead of pragmatic.
8/10 Spider-Man Had To Take A Thug To The Hospital
In Ultimate Spider-Man, after Peter’s argument with Mary Jane, he went out on patrol as Spider-Man. However, Peter was so pent-up in anger that he wasn’t fighting correctly, forgetting to pull his punches.
Spider-Man encountered thugs harassing people and tried to stop them. So upset by everything, Spidey ferociously punched a thug straight through a windshield, almost killing him. This managed to shock Spidey back to his senses, and the Web-Slinger was ready to turn himself in to the police after taking the thug to the hospital.
7/10 Flash Thompson Killed Peter Parker
In an alternate reality, Flash Thompson became Spider-Man instead of Peter Parker. Unlike Peter, Flash was incredibly arrogant and violent, beating up villains to a pulp and scaring civilians. Despite his achievements as Spider-Man, Flash’s poor choices put his civilian life after high school in disarray.
However, Flash refused to take responsibility, shifting the blame on Peter Parker and other smart people. So consumed with rage, Flash punched Peter with super strength, killing him. This mistake led to Flash changing as a person, but it is a frightening reminder of what can happen if Spider-Man was over-emotional.
6/10 Peter B. Parker Made Some Poor Financial Decisions
In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Peter B. Parker made some very irresponsible choices, which lead to depression and severe tension in his marriage with Mary Jane Watson. One of Peter B.’s poor decisions was investing in a Spider-Man-themed restaurant, which did not pay off.
Peter B.’s restaurant, TGI Spideys, was given a negative review from the Daily Bugle and most likely other companies as well. The restaurant was soon shut down and Peter B. was left with severe financial problems, showing how a person can go too far with irresponsible life decisions.
5/10 Spider-Man Accidentally Killed Charlie
In the 616 continuity, Wolverine’s friend Charlie was an agent who had worked for the KGB. However, she knew too much and the KGB was determined to torture and murder her. So, Wolverine and Charlie agreed to have him kill her quickly and mercifully to escape the KGB.
However, Spider-Man interfered, with his principles not allowing Wolverine to kill his friend, even if it was an attempt to spare her from a harsher fate. Spider-Man and Wolverine constantly butt heads over their differing principles. In the end, Spider-Man’s actions led to him accidentally killing Charlie anyway, showing that his ideals can lead to a negative outcome.
4/10 Spider-Man Assaulted The Police After Gwen Died
In the 616 world, after the death of Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man became wracked with guilt and anger. When the police arrived, Spidey furiously threatened them, demanding the cops not to touch Gwen. Spider-Man acted recklessly and was putting his life in danger, as well as his public perception.
Although the web-slinger’s anger was understandable, he could’ve gotten himself killed. The police were frightened and justifiably thought Spidey was a danger after the way he treated them. Even after the cops were calmer, Spider-Man physically assaulted them, not caring at all about his reputation with the police or the public.
3/10 Spider-Man Became Too Obsessed With Making Sure No One Died
In the Amazing Spider-Man continuity, after Marla Madison’s death, Spider-Man became troubled and made a vow that no one near him would die. This is a huge and asinine vow, because heroes, super or not, must be prepared to face the possibility that they may fail to save someone.
This vow also became one of the reasons why Spider-Man’s no-killing rule became particularly strenuous. Whether they were bystanders, fellow heroes, or villains, Spider-Man went to absurd lengths to prevent death. Eventually, Spider-Man realized that his vow to ensure no one near him would die was quite haphazard, so he no longer burdens himself with that unrealistic standard.
2/10 Spider-Man Forced Calypso To Give Him A Cure
In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Spider-Man discovered that he had a mutagenic disease. If he wasn’t cured soon, then he was going to transform into something inhuman and potentially dangerous. Spider-Man turned to Dr. Mariah Crawford for help, hoping she can make a cure for him.
Although Dr. Crawford was able to make something, she also stated that it would be best to withhold taking the serum yet. However, Spider-Man grew impatient and let his fear get the better of him, trashing her lab and demanding that she give him the “cure.” As a result, Spider-Man hastened his mutation instead of curing it.
1/10 Peter Parker’s Criminal Actions Lead To Him Becoming The Hulk
In the Bullet Points continuity, Peter Parker didn’t have Uncle Ben to teach him the importance of morality and responsibility. As a result, Peter grew up to be a delinquent and his poor choices ultimately ruined his life.
Peter’s irresponsibility was so great that he snuck onto a military base and stole a jeep. His actions led him to a testing site where a gamma bomb went off and turned him into that world’s version of Hulk. Not only did the Hulk give Peter’s Aunt May a heart attack, but the Hulk also led to the deaths of Steve Rogers and Peter Parker himself.
