In Amazing Spider-Man #531, Spider-Man defeats the Titanium Man, though the latter escapes. Facing the Metahuman Investigations Committee of the U.S. Senate, Tony Stark uses a video recording of the battle, taken from Spidey's new costume, to support his argument to not force superheroes to register their secret identity. Tony hopes that this will allow the whole process of the superhuman registration act to be delayed for a while. Peter Parker, who accompanied Tony in Washington, is suspicious that Tony may have had something to do with the Titanium Man's attack on Capitol Hill. Tony categorically denies his involvement so Peter abandons the notion. Later that night, Tony, as Iron Man, meets up with the Titanium Man and pays him for the earlier attack, thus revealing that he was actually the mastermind behind the attack. At issue's end, back in New York City, Peter watches a breaking news report on TV about a disaster in Stamford, Connecticut, that claimed the lives of at least six hundred people and countless more badly wounded. According to the authorities on the scene, the person responsible for all the devastation is a super-hero known as Speedball.

The story about what happened in Stamford Connecticut takes place in Civil War #1, the mega Marvel crossover for the year 2006. Speedball and fellow members of the New Warriors: Night Thrasher, Namorita and Microbe, are partaking in a TV reality-show in which they must battle super-villains. They arrive outside a house in Stamford, where four villains, Coldheart, Nitro, Speedfreek and Cobalt Man, are presumably hiding. The villains notice the young heroes and a battle naturally ensues. All but Nitro are taken down by the New Warriors. The latter tries to escape but Namorita corners him. Nitro retaliates by unleashing a devastating explosion that obliterates the small town of Stamford, and leaves but a few survivors. In response to this unforgettable event, the government decides to reopen the debate forcing super-powered beings to register their secret identity with the government or else face prosecution.

Superheroes gather together in Stamford to help find survivors and generally clean up. Iron Man informs Captain America that Nitro was spotted fleeing the scene in the back of a pick-up truck but Cap could care less for now, as he is too upset with the amount of lives that were lost for a reality show. The X-Men and a squad of Sentinels are there as well. Witnessing first-handedly such destruction and devastation leads the superhero known as Goliath to declare that this is the straw that broke the camel's back.

Tony Stark attends a memorial service for the Stamford victims and is blasted by an angry mother whose child perished in the explosion. The whole superhero community in general feels the backlash of the incident and many of them are blamed for the incident. Due to this, many superheroes, most notably Johnny Storm (a.k.a. the Human Torch), are attacked in public by angry civilians. To try and deal with the uprising of the population, heroes meet at the Baxter Building to discuss the Superhero Registration Act. Under the Act, the heroes would be given assignments by the government along with salaries and benefits. The major drawback of this is that heroes would also have to give up their secret identities. Obviously, the heroes are split on the issue.

Meanwhile, on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, Commander Maria Hill tries to entice Captain America to join them on a team that will force superheroes to register by tracking them down and arresting them. Taken aback by Hill's proposal, Cap refuses so Hill orders her men to take him down. Cap fiercely defends himself and makes his way out of the Helicarrier, supposedly going underground, perhaps to become the figurehead of the Anti-registration movement.

Back at the Baxter Building, Uatu, the Watcher arrives. Obviously, his arrival does not bode well because the Watcher usually only appears when events of universal proportions are about to take place.

At issue's end, Iron Man shows up at a meeting with the President of the United States and tells him and the other attendees to push ahead with the Superhero Registration Act and that, he, Mister Fantastic and Yellowjacket will take care of Captain America.

In Amazing Spider-Man #532, Peter Parker is given an ultimatum by Tony Stark: whether he joins him in his support of the Superhuman Registration Act, thus being forced to reveal his identity, or he is going to be hunted down like a criminal, as will Mary Jane and Aunt May, who will be considered accomplices. Peter spends the entire issue trying to make up his mind. After a lengthy conversation with his wife and aunt, Peter comes to a decision and flies off to Washington DC to partake in a press conference alongside Tony Stark. As Spider-Man, Peter joins Tony on stage and tells the media assembled that he has an announcement to make.

This is where this issue picks up.

ACT 1: For the whole world to see, Spider-Man takes off his mask and reveals that he is Peter Parker and that he's been Spider-Man since he was fifteen years old. Once this news hits the television networks, thirty million people go online and simultaneously use Google to do a search on Peter Parker, causing the entire Internet to crash.

ACT 2: At the Daily Bugle, Robbie Robertson rushes into J. Jonah Jameson's office. Jonah informs Robbie that he's quit smoking and proceeds to tell him that Peter was like a son to him and that he gave him his start as a photographer, even when the composition of his pictures sucked. He goes on telling that, in a world of lies, Peter was the only one who was always straight to him, the "last honest guy in town". However, it was all a lie and Jonah is disappointed and furious with Peter. Point in fact, he is so mad that he throws his ashtray into a nearby armoire. He then asks Robbie if he knew that Peter was Spider-Man. Robbie replies that he did not know and that he doubts Peter made fun of the fact that Jonah did not know. Jonah then mentions to Robbie that since they've vouched for his photos over the years, they are going to have to make some kind of statement to the Daily Bugle readers; Robbie agrees. Jonah then tells Robbie that Spider-Man was a thorn in his side and that he embarrassed and humiliated him but it was Peter who finally succeeded in hurting him, and there is one hell of a price for that.

ACT 3: Back in Washington DC, Peter has locked himself in a bathroom and is puking his guts out. Tony Stark waits outside and comments trough the door that the Washington press corps were stunned like he ever saw before when he revealed his identity. When Peter comes out of the bathroom, Tony mentions that he knows what he is going through. Peter turns to Tony and replies that he does know what it's like because he's never had a family to worry about, unlike he, who has Mary Jane and Aunt May. Tony apologizes and concurs with what Peter is saying. Peter then tells Tony that he did not have a family until right now; therefore, if something happens to him, he wants his word that he will take care of MJ and May. Tony tells Peter that he has nothing to worry about. Peter is glad to hear that because if anything happens to them because of his revealing his identity, Tony will be the one who is going to have something to worry about. As they make their way towards the exit, Tony tells Peter that he's had his men bring the car around back and that his plane is waiting to take him back to New York, while he stays behind in Washington, until such time as he is going to need him. As Peter opens the door to step outside, he comes face-to-face with dozens of protesters who are ticked at him for some strange reason. Peter rushes inside the waiting limousine and it takes off.

ACT 4: Grabbing his cell phone, he calls MJ and Aunt May, who tell him that they are both very proud of him and offer words of support. As he talks with them, he gets a call from Reed Richards, Mister Fantastic, on the car phone. Reed tells him that he watched the press conference and that he is to be commended for what he did. He then tells him that if there is anything he can do, he should not hesitate to ask. Reed's wife, Sue, picks up another phone and asks Peter how he is holding up after the big revelation. Reed answers for Peter and tells his wife that he is handling it well. Sue replies that she knows he can handle it but still wants to know is how he is feeling, since he is going through a terrible experience. Reed somewhat agrees, though he tends to want to argue with his wife. While all these conversations take place, Peter relays to MJ and May what Sue and Reed are saying. In turn, May and MJ use Peter as a messenger to exchange pleasantries with them. Peter starts to get fed up with all of them and webs his cell phone and the car phone to the ceiling so that Reed, Sue, MJ and May can continue the conversation without him.

ACT 5: A short time later, Peter lands in New York and upon leaving the airplane, he is accosted by a lawyer representing the Daily Bugle. The lawyer hands him a letter confirming the intent of the Daily Bugle to initiate a suit against him for misrepresentation, fraud, breach of contract and several other related charges. Peter asks if they want their money back for his pictures. Walking away, the lawyer confirms that they do, plus punitive damages; hence they will be seeking damages of no less than five million dollars.

ACT 6: Some time later, Peter arrives at Avengers Tower, which is surrounded by hundreds of reporters, photographers, and cameramen. Peter goes inside without answering any questions. Elsewhere, Flash Thompson watches this on TV and refuses to believe that "Puny Parker" is Spider-Man. He figures that it must be some kind of trick and that Spidey is trying to fool one of his enemies. Flash is not the only one interested in this recent revelation. Somewhere in a hospital, Eddie Brock (a.k.a. Venom) lies in bed and watches the news. So does Doctor Octopus and the Vulture in their respective lair. This will probably mean big trouble for the web-slinger.

ACT 7: Later that night, Peter and MJ are spending some time together when Aunt May shows up and tells them to come see what is on TV; they rush in. Tony Stark is on the screen and tells the Washington press corps that he commends those who have come forth to cooperate with the government in regard to their private identities. He then goes on telling that many others have made clear their decision not to cooperate. As such, it is to that group that he addresses his comments. Tony explains that over the last ten years, he gathered information as to the identities of 137 heroes and the names of those heroes is on the list he has in hand. He goes on explaining that the registration deadline has passed and that, starting the following day, anyone on the list who has not come forward to register, or who gives aid and comfort to those who refuse, will be hunted down, arrested and imprisoned, without exception. One reporter asks Tony if that includes Captain America. Tony replies that it does and that without exception means without exception. Another reporter asks how he intends to apprehend these individuals. Tony replies that they will use whatever means are necessary. The reporter clarifies his question and asks Tony if he intends to arrest them himself or have other signed out to help out. Tony replies that they are adding more names every hour, as heroes do the right thing and sign up, but initially, the strike team will consist of himself, Reed Richards, Hank Pym and Spider-Man. Hearing his name mentioned by Tony, Peter is totally taken aback. MJ asks Peter if he knew about this, to which he replies that he had no idea. Aunt May asks if this means that he will have to fight Captain America. Peter responds that he hopes not and tells MJ that he needs to get out and get some fresh air. MJ replies that she'll accompany him and the two of them head downstairs and exit the building through the service entrance out back. As they stand in an alley, they are suddenly surrounded by a herd of reporters, their cameras flashing and microphones out. Peter's spider-sense suddenly kicks in, warning him of danger. Just then, a man wearing a Captain America tee shirt emerges from the crowd and yells at Peter that he is Captain America's number one fan and accuses Peter of being a traitor to everything he stands for, as he pulls a gun on him. Thinking quickly, Peter shoves MJ behind him and webs the man’s gun to his hand, just as he pulls the trigger. The gun explodes in the man’s hand, as a half-dozen nearby citizen jump him to try and subdue him. The man continues yelling at Peter and threatens to sue him. Peter tells the man to get in line and makes his way back inside Avengers Tower.

ACT 8: The next day, Peter, as Spider-Man, meets up with Tony, as Iron Man and confronts him about adding his name to his strike team without first consulting with him. Tony replies that there wasn't enough time and adds that Peter had promised he would have his back, no matter what. Tony asks Peter if he’s changed his mind. Peter replies that if he is to go up against other heroes – heroes that he trusts and respects – he'd like to be included in the process so he is not blindsided like he was the night before. For a second, Tony is speechless and proceeds to apologize to Peter. Peter accepts his apology. The two of them then make their way into a building where Tony introduces the other members of his strike team: the Fantastic Four, minus the Human Torch, the Wasp, Doctor Samson, She-Hulk, Yellowjacket, Ms. Marvel, and the Thunderbolts, which consists of Baron Zemo, Songbird, M.A.C.H. IV, Fixer, Radioactive Man, Atlas, Joystick, Smuggler, Swordsman and Blizzard.

To be continued.