Orphaned
as a young boy when his parents were killed overseas
in a plane crash as U.S. government spies, only child
Peter Parker was raised by his elderly Uncle Ben and
Aunt May. Academically gifted, Peter displayed an
uncanny affinity for science that was nothing short
of genius. Socially, however, he was painfully shy
and the target of much cruelty by his peers at Midtown
High School. Attending a public science exhibit when
Peter was 15-years old, he was bitten on the hand
by a radioactive spider accidentally irradiated by
a particle beam, empowering Peter with the arachnid's
proportional strength and agility, and the ability
to cling to almost any surface. Most incredibly, he
had gained a sixth sense that provided him with early
warning of impending danger. Disguised, Peter tested
his newfound abilities defeating professional wrestler
Crusher Hogan in the ring, and earning some cash.
Using his scientific prowess, he constructed a pair
of artificial web-shooters that attached to his wrists.
With an agent, a costume, and a new name, Spider-Man
became an overnight sensation on television. Unconcerned
with the rest of the world, he vowed to use his powers
only to take care of himself and his aunt and uncle.
After his first TV special ended, he allowed a burglar
that he could have easily restrained to run past him
and escape. A few days later, Peter returned home
to find his beloved Uncle Ben had been shot and killed.
When Spider-Man confronted the killer hiding in the
old Acme Warehouse at the waterfront, he discovered
to his horror that his uncle's murderer was the burglar
he apathetically allowed to pass. Consumed with guilt,
he became aware at last that with great power comes
great responsibility, just as his beloved uncle had
once said.
Powers
Peter can cling to most surfaces, has superhuman
strength and is roughly 15 times more agile than a
regular human. He has been able to lift 15 tons under
optimal conditions, but his current strength level
after his rebirth has yet to be determined. The combination
of his acrobatic leaps and web-slinging enables him
to travel rapidly from place to place. His spider-sense
provides an early warning detection system linked
with his superhuman kinesthetics, enabling him the
ability to evade most any injury, provided he doesn't
cognitively override the autonomic reflexes. His powers
have recently been enhanced after his transformation
from the Queen to include a stronger psychic alignment
with his environment, especially with other arachnids
and insects. He can now create organic webs limited
by his body's health and nutrition. Recent new abilities
resulting from his rebirth after battling Morlun include
night vision, increased sensory awareness via vibratory
patterns transmitted on his web lines, and twin retractable
stingers within his forearms. He can use the hairs
on his body to detect subtle changes in the wind.
His skin's adhesive ability, previously concentrated
mainly on his palms and soles of his feet, is now
more greatly present throughout his body including
his face (previously used to prevent undesirable mask
removal) and back.
Abilities
Peter is an accomplished scientist, inventor and photographer.
Paraphernalia
Spider-tracers that he can follow with his spider-sense;
the spider-signal light; Spider-Man's new costume
is equipped with filters in the mouth area to keep
out toxins and allow him to breathe underwater, audio
amplification, visual amplification, including infrared
and ultraviolet, and a short-range GPS microwave communication
system, a built in fire, police, and emergency scanners,
and retractable webbing at his armpits that allow
short bursts of gliding. The costume is made of a
material that can serve as a bulletproof jacket against
small caliber bullets. Formerly, Spider-Man used artifical
web shooters.
For the first upgrade to the costume, Stark added
three mechanical waldo arms, which can grab and move
objects as well housing cameras which transmit images
back to the costume's eyepiece. The waldoes also can
be used offensively in combat. The costume is now
built out of a liquid metal nanofiber material allowing
it to quickly change in appearance upon mental command
into anything from Spider-Man's civilian clothes to
his former costumes, as well as providing camouflage
by blending with the surrounding colors.