Featured here is a chronological list of story arcs in the comic book series Ultimate Spider-Man, created by Brian Michael Bendis and Bill Jemas, and drawn by Mark Bagley until Stuart Immonen replaced him. Ultimate Spider-Man is a teenage drama, in background contrast to the adult Spider-Man in the Marvel continuity.
Ultimate Spider-Man "Power and Responsibility" (#1–7) Published: October 2000 – May 2001 Creative Team: Brian Michael Bendis (writing) / Mark Bagley (art) Plot outline: During a field trip to Osborn Industries, Peter Parker is bitten by a genetically mutated spider. The spider was part of the scientific experimentation there and had been injected with a formula that Norman Osborn had created called OZ. Kong, one of Peter's classmates kills the spider before anyone could retrieve it. Osborn decides to track Peter's progress as he now has the last of the formula in his blood. After several instances of fainting and displaying extraordinary strength and reflexes, Peter realizes the bite gave him spider-like powers. On one occasion, Peter accidentally breaks Flash Thompson's hand when he tries to fight him, a bully who has been tormenting Parker for years. When Flash's family attempt to sue, Peter becomes part of a local wrestling circuit as the masked "Amazing Spider-Man" to anonymously pay for his Aunt May and Uncle Ben's legal fees. Peter also gets his Spider-Man suit courtesy of the wrestling organization, although it is not finished yet. Peter does not reveal this secret double-life to anybody, not even his friends Mary Jane Watson and Harry Osborn. Peter flees the wrestling organization after being accused of stealing. Peter returns home where his aunt and uncle berate him for his failing academic grades and for his change in attitude. Angry and confused, Peter runs away and spends the night at Kong's home before going to party, where Ben finds him and tries to take him home. Ben informs Peter of the "with great power, comes great responsibility" ethos that Peter's father abided by. Peter is angered that his father was never there to tell him that himself, and runs off to contemplate Ben's words. More angry and tired, he allows a burglar to escape after robbing a deli owner, but upon returning home, he finds that Uncle Ben had been murdered. Peter tracks down Ben's killer, subdues him, only to find out he is the same burglar he had let get away earlier. He ties him to a rope and leaves the killer to the police. Understanding Uncle Ben's words, Peter is galvanized to using his powers for good, and begins to establish himself as the superhero known as Spider-Man.
Meanwhile, Norman Osborn injects himself with the OZ formula, gaining confidence by tracking the effects the spider formula had on Peter. As a result, Norman is transformed into a monstrous goblin-like creature. The Goblin destroys the lab, kills several scientists and leaves Dr. Otto Octavius, another scientist, for dead. All this is seen by Harry Osborn who runs home to find his mother dead and his house in flames, noticing his father's goblin form leaving the scene. Peter, having now invented web-shooters for his alter-ego, Spider-Man, goes back to school to find the Goblin destroying it. After a small skirmish in the school, Spider-Man leads the Goblin to the Brooklyn Bridge, where the NYPD confront him. The Goblin is shot off the bridge, falling into the East River, assumed dead. The NYPD also turn on Spider-Man who retreats. Peter goes back to the school, using the excuse that he had been stuck under a chalkboard. Harry is sent elsewhere by the authorities, later revealed to be S.H.I.E.L.D., to presumably relatives of his family. First appearances: Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Mary Jane Watson, Uncle Ben, May Parker, Flash Thompson, Kenny McFarlane, Liz Allan, Norman Osborn/Goblin, Harry Osborn, Otto Octavius, Captain Stacy, J. Jonah Jameson, Robbie Robertson, Betty Brant, Ben Urich Deaths: Uncle Ben
"Learning Curve" (#8–13) Published: June 2001 – November 2001 Creative Team: Bendis / Bagley Plot outline: Peter takes a few photographs of Spider-Man to help Aunt May's financial woes. Peter shows the photographs to Daily Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson, who gives him the minimum pay. Peter then fixes an internet problem which encourages Jameson to offer Peter a part-time job as a computer technician. Peter uses the Bugle's website to locate who the criminal that shot uncle Ben had been working for. He finds that he is part of a larger criminal organization that is led by Wilson Fisk, The Kingpin. He then finds a criminal group called the Enforcers who also work for the Kingpin. Spider-Man tracks and defeats the Enforcers which forces Mr. Big to tell Spider-Man about Fisk's important gala the next night. The FBI interrupt and Spider-Man barely manages to escape. The next day, Mary Jane asks Peter on a Friday date. Peter moves it to Saturday instead. That Friday, Spider-Man goes to Fisk's penthouse but trips the alarm and is overpowered by Fisk and subdued by Electro. Spider-Man is then unmasked by Fisk who, realising Spider-Man is just a boy, throws Peter's unconscious form through a window but opts to keep Spider-Man's mask. Peter survives the fall but is badly injured, cancelling his date with Mary Jane, who becomes angered by this.
Later, Fisk murders Mr. Big after discovering he had sold him out to Spider-Man. Fisk pulls Spider-Man's mask over Mr. Big and crushes his skull. The body is discovered and the news report that Spider-Man is a murder suspect. At school, Peter creates a false e-mail and through it, discovers Fisk's security system has CCTV footage on CDs. Spider-Man quickly invades the penthouse again and bags as many CDs as possible. After a skirmish with the Enforcers, Electro and Fisk, Spider-Man escapes victorious and gives the CDs (apart from his unmasking) to Ben Urich, a reporter for the Daily Bugle. The published story forces Fisk to leave the country. Peter then reveals to Mary Jane that he is Spider-Man and the two become a couple. First appearances: Kingpin, Enforcers, Patsy Walker, Electro, Shocker Deaths: Mr. Big / Frederick Foswell
"Double Trouble" (#14–21) Published: December 2001 – June 2002 Creative Team: Bendis / Bagley Plot outline: Peter Parker's teacher offers an assignment where you have to dress up and be a superhero which divides the class. Peter defends his alter-ego which tips Kong off that Peter is Spider-Man. To disprove this theory, Peter allows Kong to kick him and becomes emotional; Kong is ridiculed for believing his theory. New girl Gwen Stacy earns a school suspension when she threatens Kong with a knife over his bullying. Meanwhile, Doctor Octavius, attached to his metal arms, violently escapes S.H.I.E.L.D. custody after having forgotten what exactly happened prior to the incident at the laboratories. Octavius blames Justin Hammer, whom he had worked for while spying on Osborn Industries. Elsewhere, Kraven the Hunter, an Australian television reality show star, promises to kill Spider-Man for his next show. Spider-Man attempts to clear his name of villainy by going to Justin Hammer's nuclear power facility which is being attacked by Octavius. Despite stopping Octavius, Spider-Man is badly injured. Kraven the Hunter visits Peter's school to track the webslinger's scent.
Later that night, Spider-Man approaches Hammer informing him he was trying to save Hammer's life. Hammer attempts to recruit Spider-Man but is turned down, however Spider-Man does follow Hammer's limo to a press conference hosted by Octavius, now dubbed Doctor Octopus. Octavius throws the limo, killing Hammer. Spider-Man manages to defeat Octavius and also protect the press from the fighting. Kraven arrives and attacks Spider-Man who simply knocks Kraven out with one punch. Spider-Man gives a short interview before heading back to Queens. He arrives late and his aunt grounds him for being out too late and lying about his whereabouts. Meanwhile, back in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody, Octavius figures out Peter Parker is Spider-Man after recovering from his amnesia. First appearances: Gwen Stacy, Kraven the Hunter, Justin Hammer, Sharon Carter, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Nick Fury Deaths: Justin Hammer
"Legacy" (#22–27) Published: July 2002 – November 2002 Creative Team: Bendis / Bagley Plot outline: At school, Peter reveals to Mary Jane that his aunt has grounded him before they reunite with Harry Osborn, who has recovered from the "Power and Responsibility" arc. Aunt May allows a reluctant Peter to go to Harry's where he meets Norman Osborn, who demonstrates his Goblin form after injecting OZ. Norman claims Spider-Man is part of his legacy because the spider was part of his work, therefore Spider-Man will do what Norman desires otherwise Aunt May and Mary Jane die. A shaken Peter returns home but Gwen Stacy turns up needing a place to stay, which the Parkers allow. At school the next day, Parker is covertly introduced to S.H.I.E.L.D. chief Nick Fury. Fury advises Peter to turn down Norman's offer and promises Peter they will capture Norman when he commits a crime as the Goblin. Grudgingly trusting them, Spider-Man confronts Norman telling him he will never work for him. The Goblin captures Mary Jane, dropping her off Manhattan Bridge. Spider-Man leaps after her, just managing to save her life. After ensuring Mary Jane is safely transported away, a rage-fuelled Spider-Man severely beats the Goblin but S.H.I.E.L.D. gunships interrupt. Goblin returns to his apartment, consuming more OZ formula. Spider-Man battles the Goblin but the Goblin overpowers and begins choking an unmasked Spider-Man. A watching Harry Osborn impales the Goblin, knowing it's his father, with a piece of debris. S.H.I.E.L.D. airships then shoot the Goblin to the brink of death. Peter reveals he is Spider-Man which causes Harry to faint. Fury reveals Harry was hypnotised to forgive his father. Fury praises Spider-Man for handling Goblin but warns Peter that he will be part of S.H.I.E.L.D. when he turns 18. Spider-Man flies to meet Mary Jane. She expresses her fear of being romantically involved with Peter.
"Public Scrutiny" (#28–32) Published: December 2002 – February 2003 Creative Team: Bendis / Bagley Trade paperback appeared: January 1, 2003 Plot outline: While at school, Mary Jane alerts Peter to an attack on the city by new villain, Rhino. Peter is distracted by Aunt May and an emotional Gwen Stacy, whose mother has left home. Eventually, Spider-Man arrives on the scene but Iron Man has defeated Rhino first. Peter then discovers through the news that a Spider-Man imposter is turning the city against the real Spider-Man. When Peter discovers the imposter is robbing a nearby bank, he arrives as Spider-Man but is shot at by police and wounded, who mistakenly believe him as the criminal. Spider-Man barely escapes arrest and collapses in a deserted alleyway. He rings Mary Jane where they change him out of his Spider-Man costume and get him to a hospital. There he receives overnight treatment and coupled with his accelerated healing factor, recovers in a few hours and flees.