Unsafe Passage

 In: Rave > 2022
 Posted: May 2022
 Staff: Dave Sippel (E-Mail)

I'm not a religious person but I can see the appeal of seeing meaning in coincidences. When weird things happen it's easy to see a deeper explanation. When the 616 world gets supernatural, it's not unreasonable to get a little paranoid. The metaphor of constantly attempting to prevent death (and sometimes failing) on a bridge isn't subtle. Then again, there is nothing supernatural about enemies using past trauma against you. Still, it's strange how events in Peter's life circle back to the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s almost like he has been condemned to relive Gwen’s death by a higher power. (*cough*writers room*cough*)

"The Menace of...Mysterio!'

During their first meeting, Mysterio led teenage Spider-Man to the Brooklyn Bridge, calling him a thief. The guy in the glass helmet had more tricks than Spider-Man expected, from gas that dissolved his webbing in midair to a fog that silenced his spider-sense. Mysterio hid in a fog and pummeled the teen, making him jump from the bridge to escape. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #13)

"The Night Gwen Stacy Died"

The story that needs no introduction. The Green Goblin kidnapped Peter Parker's first true love and took her to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge. During the fight, the Goblin shoved Gwen over the edge, and Spider-Man made the fateful mistake to stop her suddenly by catching her with his webbing. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #121)

"Best of Enemies"

Harry Osborn decided that his father had been a good man, murdered by Peter Parker after Gwen's death. He became the second Green Goblin and took a very scared Mary Jane Parker to the bridge, leading her to think she was going to die. Harry promised her he'd never hurt her but confided that he often came to the bridge to think. He would always protect MJ but her husband was going to die. (Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #200)

"Lives Unlived"

During the clone saga, Peter and Ben Reilly were confused which of them was the clone. Peter had found the address of the original Gwen Stacy clone and her husband, Warren Miles. They escaped from him but Miles crashed his car...on the Brooklyn Bridge. Worse, Gwen's clone was grabbed suddenly by a mysterious new Green Goblin, who took her to the top of the bridge. Miles fired his gun wildly at the Goblin, which made Gwen fall off the parapet. Peter/Scarlet Spider saved her by swinging down to slow her, not stop her. (Web of Spider-Man (vol. 1) #125)

"The Span of Years"

Paul Stacy, cousin of Gwen, had joined an anti-mutant hate group called the Friends of Humanity. When the leader of the Friends ordered a hit on Paul, the Shocker came to collect. Paul ran to the bridge and Spidey had a tough time against the newly enhanced hitman. Paul was knocked towards the river but was caught by the webhead. They started to get to safety when Spider-Man was beaten by the cooperating Shocker and Trapster. (Peter Parker: Spider-Man #86)

"Revenge of the Green Goblin"

Norman Osborn had been driven insane after the Gathering of Five ceremony and he was restored to "health" by Dr. Albert Bendix. As thank you for his hard work, Dr. Bendix was dressed in a Spider-Man costume and beaten to death by Osborn's followers. His body was then thrown from the Brooklyn Bridge by the Green Goblin, who was a mind controlled Peter Parker. (Spider-Man: Revenge of the Green Goblin #3)

"Off the Deep End"

The Chameleon had learned that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. He had already impersonated Peter to have dinner with his aunt, to send a message. Chameleon had investigated every aspect of Peter's life, and had learned the details of Gwen's murder. He kidnapped MJ and took her to the bridge, waiting for Spider-Man. The trick was that MJ wasn't there, the woman that Chameleon held hostage was an illusion. Chameleon told Spider-Man that learning his life story had made him understand his enemy and in a way, love him. Spider-Man burst out in laughter, as did Chameleon. He then threw himself off the bridge. His suicide failed. (Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #11)

”Sins Past”

In this oh-so-beloved story, Peter found out that Norman Osborn slept with Gwen and she had twins. She refused to turn them over to him, and that was the real reason that he killed her. The Goblin formula in their DNA accelerated their aging and they had been told by Norman that Peter was their father and had killed Gwen. They were trained to be killers and went after him...at the Brooklyn Bridge. (Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #513)

***

There have been a few stories that also follow the formula of saving someone at a bridge, but they take part at the Queensboro bridge.

”The Last Stand”

Spider-Man had escaped from the Sinister Twelve and found the Green Goblin with Mary Jane at the top of the Queensboro bridge. Norman even told Spider-Man that he chose a different bridge. Mary Jane saved herself as the two fought, by shooting the Goblin with a pistol she had with her. The Goblin was defeated after fighting a mind controlled Doctor Octopus, both of whom were struck by lightning. (Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #12)

”The Evil That Men Do”

Francis Klum took the Black Cat to the Queensboro bridge. They both had been assaulted in their pasts and Cat wanted to help him. They were met by Spider-Man, Daredevil and Nightcrawler, who didn’t understand the situation. Klum fell from the bridge and was nearly saved by Spidey and Cat. He later emerged from the river in bad shape and bought one of Mysterio’s costumes from the Kingpin. (Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #6)

 In: Rave > 2022
 Posted: May 2022
 Staff: Dave Sippel (E-Mail)