To top things off, in the Marvel Knights Spider-Man series, Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, incarcerated at Riker's Island for his crimes, hired Mac Gargan, the Scorpion, to kidnap Aunt May and, in turn, Gargan convinced a reluctant Peter to help Norman escape from jail in exchange for releasing Aunt May. With a little help from the Black Cat, Peter, as Spider-Man, did just that, but the whole thing was revealed to be but a small part of a greater evil scheme. In the end, there was no real winner and the two arch-nemesis parted ways.

In the recent New Avengers series, several hundred super-powered criminals escaped from The Raft (i.e. a prison for super powered criminals), although some were stopped by Spider-Man and the likes of Daredevil, Captain America, Luke Cage, Spider-Woman (i.e. Jessica Drew), Iron Man and the Sentry, a new super hero with amazing (but deadly) abilities. In the aftermath of the prison breakout, Captain America asked Spider-Man and the others to become a member of the New Avengers. At first resilient to join them, Spider-Man finally accepted and moved, along with Mary Jane and Aunt May, into Stark Tower, which is where the New Avengers Headquarters is located. That pretty much sums it up so let’s move right along.

ACT 1: The story opens up at a penitentiary located somewhere in the desert, where we find two security guards putting drugs in the food served to the super-powered inmates. The two guards, who are delivering meals to the detainees, are making their way towards the cell of Crusher Creel, the Absorbing Man, who possesses the amazing ability to transform his body into whatever substance he comes in contact with. Just as the guards reach his cell door, Creel breaks free from his cell and escapes from prison by using said abilities.

ACT 2: Meanwhile in New York City, Peter Parker's day at school is over so he makes his way back towards Stark Tower. Along the way, he picks up a newspaper, which reports on the Absorbing Man escaping from prison. He then makes his way up the elevator and into his new digs, where he finds Aunt May conversing with Jarvis, longtime butler to the Avengers. Peter feels awkward with having him hanging around in his place and subtly tries to tell him about it. Feeling uncomfortable about the whole situation, Peter goes out in search of Mary Jane, whom he finds a few minutes later hanging out with Wolverine. Peter immediately accuses Wolverine of flirting with his woman, which somewhat enrages Wolverine but Mary Jane intervenes between the two and reassures Peter that he is the only one she is attracted to, though Peter still resents having Wolverine hang around his pad.

ACT 3: Peter is making his way to Midtown High School aboard the subway when it suddenly comes to a halt, sending all passengers to the floor, except Peter, who simply stands still, a result of his spider-like powers. Outside the subway, at street level, the Absorbing Man appears to be causing a scene and is throwing cars around at the police, who are trying to arrest him. Unseen by the other passengers, Peter dons his Spider-Man costume and confronts the miscreant. The two nemesis battle it out – the Absorbing Man transforming from one substance to the other – and the most unexpected thing suddenly happens: the Absorbing Man burps and starts puking rock and tar all over Spidey, as nearby bystanders watch in awe. The Absorbing Man then reverts to his human form and takes off. Seconds later, Spidey emerges unscathed yet grossed out from the tar and rock pile. The Absorbing Man is long gone so Spidey decides not to pursue him and continues making his way to Midtown High School. But when he finally gets there, things go from bad to worse when the principal (?) informs him that he's had enough of him showing up at work late and that, as a result of overestimating their staffing needs for the summer and Peter being the last teacher to arrive at school, his services will not be required until the following fall. Furious, Peter storms out.

ACT 4: Later that day, in another part of the City, the Absorbing Man has broken into a drug store to steal pills to feed his jailhouse habit. As he downs bottles after bottles of pills, a blonde woman completely dressed in leather suddenly shows up. As he passes out from downing the pills, she tells him that her employer wants to hire him.

ACT 5: With no job lined up for the summer, Peter reluctantly decides to head over to the Daily Bugle to beg J. Jonah Jameson for a full-time job. When he enters the newsroom, he notices that Jonah has hired a new secretary. He sets out to introduce himself to her when Jonah hollers at him to get in his office. Peter goes to enter Jonah's office but a giant man approximately 8 foot tall stands in the door blocking the way in. The man apologizes to Peter and moves out of the way. Jonah introduces the man to Peter. His name is Ethan Edwards and he is the new Daily Bugle star reporter. Joe "Robbie" Robertson, who is also in Jonah's office, explains to Peter that Jonah wants him and Ethan to work together on a story about Spider-Man. Putting his arms around Peter, Jonah goes on explaining that he wants to write a positive story about Spider-Man, one of the many unsung heroes residing in Manhattan (Jonah still believes that John, his son, is Spider-Man, as seen in Marvel Knights Spider-Man #8). Peter tells Jonah that he will agree to his proposition if and only if he is given a full-time position with the Daily Bugle with full benefit package. At first resilient, Jonah finally accepts after briefly discussing with Robbie. Ethan tells Peter that he is looking forward to working with him. Peter replies that the feeling is mutual, yet his spider-sense kicks in as they shake hands. Peter leaves Jonah's office and makes his way back to Stark Tower.

ACT 6: Meanwhile, in another part of town, the Owl gives the Absorbing Man – his new henchman – his first assignment, which is to kill, in 72 hours, every person whose names are written on a list in exchange for the pharmaceutical grade narcotics he desires. Displaying great confidence, the Absorbing Man agrees.

ACT 7: A short time later, at Stark Tower, Captain America splits the New Avengers into two teams as part of a fighting drill. Team A consists of Peter/Spider-Man, Luke Cage and Captain America, while Team B consists of Iron Man, Wolverine and Spider-Woman. Iron Man takes on Luke Cage; Captain America, Spider-Woman; and Wolverine, Spidey. Wolverine launches himself at Spidey who dodges his attack, snags him with a web-line, and throws him against a wall, catapult-style. Furious, Wolverine slices and dices through the webbing, then leaps at Spidey and stabs him in the chest, as the other heroes watch in terror.

To be continued.