Meanwhile, one of Spider-Man's most potentially vocal champions doesn't get to discover new layers. Those enemies may now find New York City a far easier city to terrorize, putting additional pressure on the other vigilante heroes of the city. His loved ones may soon find themselves the targets of his enemies, as they became in stories like 'Back in Black' - making Gwen's rescue potentially all for naught. If anything, this timeline is now poised to suffer for Peter's predicament. In a timeline where Peter did everything right, he still can't win.

The story ends with Peter contemplating the violence he'll have to use to get his gear from his own apartment, and if this will turn him into a menace. His entire orbit is irrevocably damaged in the process as the shock forces May to seemingly experience a seizure, and Robbie quits the Daily Bugle in disgust over Jonah's glee at exposing Spider-Man. In an instant, Peter's entire life comes crashing down, and he's forced to flee arrest. As one last act of revenge, before he was caught, Osborn had sent proof of Peter's dual identity to the Daily Bugle.

During the wedding ceremony, Peter and Gwen are confronted by J. This gives him and Harry the chance to let Norman Osborn back down and seek professional help.īut even if the Green Goblin was defeated, this wasn't a world where Spider-Man could win. Spider-Man hunts down the Green Goblin but given more time and less grief confronts him with empathy. Peter reveals his identity to Gwen, who makes peace with it and accepts his wedding proposal. Spider-Man was able to pull off the rescue this way, sparing Gwen her life. In this timeline, Spider-Man's desperate attempt to save Gwen played out differently, with the hero throwing himself after her instead of just trying to web her.

What If? Classic by Tony Isabella