Issues 14-21

Double Trouble

Kenny Kong, friend of high-school bully Flash Thompson starts to believe Peter is Spider-Man, and decides to test his theory. Peter fakes an emotional outburst, which results in new girl Gwen Stacy threatening Kong with a knife. Meanwhile, Otto Octavious awakens from his coma, discovering that the accident that turned Norman Osborn into the Goblin has also fused his arms to his body. With his memory unavaliable, he blames CEO Justin Hammer for his condition, believing he sabotaged the experiment due to Otto's corperate espionage with Hammer.

Dr. Octopus attempts to kill Hammer, suceeding on the second try, but Spidey is able to take him down. Immediately, reality TV star Kraven the Hunter arrives and attempts to kill Spider-Man to increase his popularity, only to be taken down in a singe blow. Spider-Man does a short press interview and returns home, only to be grounded by his aunt for being out so late. Imprisoned, Doc Ock recovers his memories and realizes Peter Parker is Spider-Man.

Did You Know?

• This issue marks the first appearance of Nick Fury, who’s apperance was based on Samual L. Jackson, with the actor later portraying him in the MCU movies. His first apperance in the Ultimate universe doesn't resemble Jackson at all, rather resembeling his Earth 616 counterpart. Fury was originally going to be modeled after Morgan Freeman.
• Another character in this arc, Dr Octopus, would later inspire his movie appearance in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2, specifically his design for the movie and the scene where he wakes up in the hospital.
• Kraven The Hunter appears as a minor recurring villain, with his background being a parody of Steve Irwin, an Austrailian conservationist who starred in "The Crocodile Hunter" show. Irwin died in 2006 after being stabbed by a stingray.