In Chinatown, a newly rejuvenated and restored Hammerhead arrives at his meeting with mob boss Mr. Negative. Hammerhead has apparently just gotten back from a "vacation", where he’s spent some time coming up with ideas. Mr. Negative points out to Hammerhead that he didn't save his life to have ideas but to break things for him. Hammerhead responds that he'll break anything for Mr. Negative but indicates that a hammer can be used to build things too and he wants to build something for him.

In Brooklyn, at the offices of the independent newspaper Front Line, Ben Urich is giving his employees a pep talk when a late Peter Parker, trying to join the meeting unnoticed, is shoved into the spotlight by new reporter Norah Winters. Ben dismisses everybody and asks Peter to his office. Ben cuts to the chase and tells Peter that he wants him covering Bill Hollister's next interview. Peter is rather reluctant about doing so but Ben reminds Peter that he told him that his relationship with Lily Hollister would not compromise his work on the mayoral race. Having recently swapped spit with Lily (see Amazing Spider-Man #573), Peter appears agitated when Ben mentions the words "relationship" and "Lily" in the same sentence. Peter tells Ben that there is nothing compromising about their friendship and goes on explaining that he's been busy with Norah on a different story. Ben knows what story that is – the Bronx outreach education fair – and he cannot believe Peter feels that it is more important than the mayoral race. Peter sarcastically argues that if they don’t reach out to young people, nobody will.

Somewhere in the bowels of the Bronx, gang-bangers are about to "brand" new recruit Dunk, whose finally earn his place as a member of the "Gangsta Fo' Life 2k" by stealing three hundred bucks and sending someone to the hospital. But before the branding can take place, Hammerhead crashes the party. He issues the gang-bangers an ultimatum: they either join him and Mr. Negative or else. One of the members is unfazed by Hammerhead's threats and prepares to take a swipe at him but Hammerhead breaks his face apart by head-banging him. Turning to the other gang members, he restates his offer.

Peter and Norah are at the Bronx outreach education fair when they run into Aunt May, who is volunteering. Peter introduces her to Norah and the two hit it off immediately, though at Peter's expense. As Peter continues walking around, taking picture of the fair, he runs into a young black man named Anthony who has quite an interest in math and science, something Peter can relate to. Peter engages into a discussion with Anthony when his older brother Harold shows up to take him home (?). Anthony wants to stay and sign up for the outreach program but his brother forces him to follow him. Peter intervenes in the matter but Harold pushes Peter away, sending him crashing into a nearby science display. While Peter gets help from Norah to get back on his feet, Harold and his younger brother Anthony take their leave.

Later that night, in a Bronx apartment, members of the GFL2k gang are readying themselves for the impending arrival of Hammerhead. Anthony, who's never shot a gun, is rather nervous at the thought of having to do such a thing. One of the gang-bangers tells Anthony that he should learn how to use it if he wants to survive the night. Anthony joins his brother Harold, who is guarding a window in the nearby room. He asks Harold who the "Hammer" is, prompting Harold to respond that he’s no one they cannot handle. Anthony leaves the room, unaware that Harold is crying, seemingly scared of dying. Suddenly, a noise is heard and, before he can even react, Harold is snagged by a web-line and dragged outside the window. Trapped in Spider-Man's web, Harold is issued an ultimatum by the wall-crawler: he either chooses to live as a man or die a gangster. Harold explains that he never wanted to join in the first place but that's what you have to do if you don’t want to get beat up every day. Harold admits to being scared every time he puts the gang's colours. Just then, screams are heard coming from inside the apartment. Spidey races in to find all of the gang-bangers dead, with the exception of Anthony, who is told to deliver a message to his brother. Before Hammerhead can deliver his message, Spidey attacks him. In the ensuing battle, Spidey quickly finds out that he’s not fighting good old Hammerhead here. He's fighting a brand new Hammerhead how is practically unstoppable. No matter what Spidey does, it amounts to nothing. Hammerhead remains unscathed. As the issue concludes, Spidey is lying on the ground, severely bruised and battered.

To be continued.