Spider-Man Unlimited (Vol. 3) #13 (Story 2)

Background

Spider-Man Unlimited seems to focus on stories that aren't important to current continuity, but may (or may not) be worth telling anyway. Written and drawn by guest writers and artists.

Story '24 Hour Bug'

For reasons unbeknownst to we, the readers, Spidey is involved in a tussle with the Vulture that ends abruptly when the Vulture hacks a lungful of phlegm into Spidey's face. Spidey falls from the aerial battle and the Vulture flies off, hacking away.

Back at home, Peter tells the story to Mary Jane over dinner. Then he follows up with a crack on MJ's cooking and, coincidentally, runs off to the restroom to vomit. It appears our hero has caught something from the Vulture.

Mary Jane comes home from the store with medicine and movies for Peter to find him decked out in his Spidey costume, weakly attempting to crawl out the window. Mary Jane orders him to stop, reminding him that he's sick. He explains that he's got a responsibility and argues that he has to catch the Vulture, but Mary Jane won't have it. Suddenly, Pete's spider-sense begins to tingle...just before he yarfs (or is that a really phlegm-y sneeze?) into his mask.

Pete and Mary Jane watch movies together until bed, and every time Peter sneezes, his new organic web-shooters fire webbing into his face. In the middle of the night, Peter sneaks again over to the window, only to find it webbed shut. Mary Jane surprises him by revealing a web-shooter on her wrist.

In the morning, Peter makes his way to the kitchen and whines about how terrible he feels for a little while. Mary Jane gives in and says she'll call someone, and later, when Peter tries to go out as Spider-Man AGAIN, that someone steps in. Aunt may shakes her finger at Peter and hauls him back to bed.

With Peter in bed, Aunt May begins talking to Mary Jane. MJ says she wishes she'd met Peter before he got his powers and still had the sense to stay home with the flu. Aunt May explains to her that Peter takes after his Uncle Ben in that they wouldn't let themselves take a break, and that he's always been like that.

That night, Mary Jane tells Peter that the Human Torch has captured the Vulture, and that since his fever has broken, she and Aunt May think it would be good for him to get some fresh air. Peter has a more romantic idea in mind, and the two get close...until Mary Jane runs to the bathroom, sick.

General Comments

I'm not exactly sure where to start. It's a good story...again, nothing epic, but it doesn't have to be. I have to say it struck me a bit cliché...it reminded me a bit of every OTHER time I've seen Spidey sick and Mary Jane telling him not to go out. However, some things do stick out about this story:

1. I've never seen a more graphic representation of someone with a mask on getting sick before.
2. This is only the second or third time that I can remember Pete's organic web-shooters being mentioned after Spectacular Spider-Man #20. Thank the lord someone cares.
3. If I lived with Spider-Man, I would totally steal his web-shooters all the time and cause mischief. I'm glad MJ does it in this issue.

While I enjoyed those little gems, I did find the ending a bit predictable. Again, the story seemed cliché, but it had its moments.

Overall Rating

Two and a half webs. It was another fun story from SMU, but easily forgettable.