Spider-Man's powers and equipment

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Spider-Man's powers and equipment are used by Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man in tandem to combat his many foes. He receives most of his powers when he is bitten by a radioactive common house spider. (Amazing Fantasy #15) He uses his technical skill to develop equipment and weapons to complement his powers, and wears a number of costumes, many of which have special properties.

In 2004 and 2005, he mutates further and gains even more spider-like abilities.

Contents 1 Original abilities 1.1 Generally enhanced physiology 1.2 Wall-crawling 1.2.1 Enemies able to cancel ability 1.3 Superhuman strength and durability 1.4 Spider-reflexes and agility 1.5 Spider-sense 1.5.1 Enemies immune to the spider-sense 1.6 Further mutations 2 Powers after "Disassembled" and "The Other" 2.1 Arthropod communication 2.2 Organic webbing 2.3 Night vision 2.4 Eyes, teeth and stingers 2.5 Spider mutation and cocoon 3 Equipment 3.1 Web-shooters 3.2 Webbing 3.3 Spider-tracers 3.4 Utility belt and spider-signal 3.5 Camera 3.6 Spider-Mobile 4 Costumes 4.1 Original costume 4.2 Black costume 4.3 Extemporaneous substitutes 4.4 Captain Universe and Daredevil 4.5 Ben Reilly's costumes 4.6 Protective wear 4.7 Identity Crisis 4.8 Stark Armor 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Original abilities

When Peter Parker was bitten by a lethally irradiated spider, radioactive mutagenic enzymes^{[issue # needed]} in the spider's venom quickly caused numerous body-wide changes. Immediately after the bite, he was granted his original powers: primarily superhuman strength, reflexes, and equilibrium; the ability to cling tenaciously to most surfaces; and a subconscious precognitive sense of danger, which he called a "spider-sense."

[edit] Generally enhanced physiology

Spider-Man's overall metabolic efficiency has been greatly increased, and the composition of his skeleton, connective tissues, muscles, and nervous system have all been enhanced. It is now safe to say that Spider-Man may have a healing factor, and not just fast healing. He can, and has, recovered from broken bones and much bodily damage in a matter of hours. During the recent unmasking of Spider-man in "Civil War," Spidey is ambushed by the Rhino, receiving heavy bodily damage, only to heal before the issue was over, without medical attention. He even mentions to Aunt May that 'he knows he has always been a fast healer, but lately it seems even more so.' Also when Spidey is heavily beaten and drugged, suffering multiple fractures and blood loss by the Jack O' Lantern and Jester in "Civil War," he is almost completely healed in the next issue. Like many superhuman powers, the effectiveness of Spider-Man's abilities varies based on the author and the needs of the story.

His accelerated metabolism increases his tolerance to drugs (meaning a larger dose is needed to cause the usual effect), and he can recover from the effects rapidly. During an encounter with the bee-based villain Swarm, Spider-Man was incapacitated by thousands of bee stings, but he fully recovered in less than 24 hours.^{[issue # needed]} His resistance to other toxins varies, but is typically significantly higher than normal. However, Spider-Man has normal human tolerance to the effects of alcoholic beverages and is rarely shown drinking, since it affects his balance, reflexes and coordination. In one battle with the Hobgoblin, in Web of Spider-Man #38, he nearly loses his life after unknowingly consuming spiked punch at a party. As well as regular diseases, Spider-Man's unique physiology even allows him to recover from the effects of vampirism ("Blade" vol. 3 #1).

Several accounts depict Spider-Man as able to hold his breath for eight minutes or more.^{[issue # needed]}

After getting his powers, he soon discovered that he no longer needed glasses and his vision was actually more acute without them. His eyesight has since been at least better than average.

Spider-Man is still vulnerable to disease, and has fallen ill due to flu many times (including "The Amazing Spider-Man" #87), which affects the reliability of his powers. He also has a certain susceptibility towards ethyl chloride, which is a commonly used pesticide against insects and arachnids. This chemical was used frequently as a weapon in the Spider-Slayer robots.

[edit] Wall-crawling

Spider-Man is capable of crawling on walls and ceilings. He has conscious control over this ability, and it is simple and instinctive for him to use—he first uses it in Amazing Fantasy #15 before realizing he has the ability. Originally, Spider-Man is able to stick to surfaces using his hands and feet (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1), but later he is shown to be able to cling with his back (The Amazing Spider-Man #528). The strength of attraction between himself and the surface he is clinging to is considerable, with an upper limit of several tons per finger. If Spider-Man does not willingly detach, but is pulled off by force, the surface usually breaks still attached to his body.^{[issue # needed]} However, it has been shown that a significant shock can cause him to lose control of his power and fall off a surface. If a surface is too slippery, he has problems sticking to it.^{[issue # needed]} He can also use his clinging ability to lift or hold objects; for instance, he can catch a thrown ball simply by touching it with one fingertip.

The ability works through thin layers of cloth, such as the fabric of his costume, but not through materials such as the soles of shoes. When Peter Parker needs to crawl without changing into the costume, he removes his shoes first.^{[issue # needed]}

Spider-Man's wall-crawling ability has increased with time, most notably after 2005's "Spider-Man: The Other" story arc. As a result of further mutation, nearly every part of his body has gained or increased in attraction to other surfaces, and he can stick to people or objects on his back, or keep his mask firmly fixed to his face.

Spider-Man's wall crawling abilities have been explained in several ways. The most notable explanations include:

• minuscule damp barbed hairs on fingertips (as in the film) — this is how most real spiders climb. [1]
• suction from his pores
• glue-like adhesion to surfaces on the subatomic level
• self-telekinesis
• localized gravitational attraction (although gravity is by far the weakest of the four fundamental forces)
• localized flux of the inter-atomic attraction between molecular boundary layers.
• bio-electricity. Spider-Girl's similar power is referred to by Reed Richards as "bio-magnetism,"^{[issue # needed]} but her ability is somewhat different.

[edit] Enemies able to cancel ability

• Electro had a revelation during a battle about Spider-Man's clinging ability and can disrupt this power somehow, claiming that it was based on some sort of electromagnetic bonding.^{[issue # needed]} It is unknown whether he still can after the events of "The Other".
• Many enemies have used lubricants to prevent Spider-Man from sticking.
• The villain, Paste Pot Pete used a type of grease to cancel out Spider-Man's wallcrawling.

[edit] Superhuman strength and durability

Spider-Man's strength varies widely due to artistic license, but is significantly higher than that of a peak-condition Olympic athlete and well into the superhuman range of strength. Early in his career, Spider-Man was frequently said to have the proportional strength of a spider, although his current level of strength has been shown to be much greater. He is able to throw objects as heavy as a car with ease (Spider-Man #72, 1996). When in combat, Spider-Man must pull his punches unless fighting someone of similar or greater durability and power. Otherwise, his punches would kill a normal person (Spider-Man vs. Wolverine, 1987).

Spider-Man's bodily tissue is somewhat harder and more resistant to injury than an ordinary human. However, Spider-Man is far from invulnerable. While his body is tougher than an ordinary human, he can still be injured in ways comparable to an ordinary human. For example, Spider-Man can be injured by bullets or knives composed of conventional material and from impacts of sufficient force. However, if injured, his body is capable of repairing itself somewhat faster than an ordinary human is capable of. A doctor told Spider-Man that it would be impossible for a normal man to survive the punishment that he has endured. (Spider-Man Unlimited #6, 2005).

Spider-Man can leap several stories vertically or the width of a city street (The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1). He can run at superhuman speed for short sprints, fast enough at least to outrun a car, but prefers using his weblines to travel (The Amazing Spider-Man #267).

[edit] Spider-reflexes and agility

Spider-Man's reflexes and agility are considerably greater than those of an ordinary human. In combination with his spider-sense, the speed of his reflexes allows him to dodge almost any attack, or even gunfire, if he is far enough away. Spider-Man has even been documented dodging a bullet after it has been shot (Peter Parker: Spider-Man #28). Due to the events of "The Other," the speed of his reflexes increased and they begin responding directly to his spider-sense and instinct, making him even faster, but also making him lash out at negligible threats.(Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4)

Spider-Man has the ability to maintain his equilibrium on any surface that he can stick to. For example, he can balance on one finger on a high wire (The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1), or stand upright on a wall, parallel to the ground^{[issue # needed]}. Additionally, he is able to flex his body like a contortionist, assuming postures that would be impossible or harmful for most normal humans. His tendons and connective tissues are at least twice as elastic as the average human being's. This ability is often demonstrated by the unusual poses Spider-Man would assume while webslinging or dodging enemy attacks.

[edit] Spider-sense

Spider-Man's "spider-sense" manifests in a tingling feeling at the base of his skull, alerting him to personal danger in proportion to the severity of that danger. It appears to be a simultaneous, seemingly clairvoyant response to a wide variety of phenomena. Though the exact mechanism of this ability is unknown, his original spider-sense clearly has at least two aspects in addition to sensing potential or immediate danger:

• A psychological awareness of his surroundings, similar to the radar-sense of Daredevil. When he is temporarily blinded in The Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 1 #26-28, Spider-Man learns to emulate this ability and navigate without his eyesight. Even under normal conditions, his spider-sense helps him navigate darkened rooms, instinctively avoiding obstacles or hazards, or potentially noisy or unstable floorboards, walls or ceilings that may betray his presence.
• An ability to detect certain radio frequencies. Spider-Man's technical skill is such that he has designed spider-tracers that broadcast a signal detectable by his spider-sense.

Using his spider-sense to time his enhanced reflexes, Spider-Man can casually dodge attacks up to and including automatic-weapons fire, provided there is sufficient distance. His spider-sense is sufficiently well-linked to his reflexes, even before "The Other" storyline, that a threat can trigger them even when Spider-Man is asleep or stunned, as in Amazing Spider-Man #141, where a narcotic gas released by foe Mysterio caused him to lose his balance and fall from a building. Though barely conscious, a combination of spider-sense and reflex caused his arm to seize a fire-escape ladder, saving his life.

When Spider-Man swings across a city on his weblines, his spider-sense guides his aim, allowing him to travel at high speeds hundreds of feet above street level with minimal concentration, confident his weblines will find secure anchor points. ^{[issue # needed]}

Spider-Man's spider-sense is directional and can guide him to or away from hidden weapons and enemies. Sudden and extreme threats (such as the Beyonder observing Earth before the first Secret Wars or the predatory Morlun) can cause his spider-sense to react with painful intensity. ^{[issue # needed]}

Spider-Man can also sense and dodge attacks directed randomly or by a computer. His spider-sense has helped him preserve his secret identity since it alerts him to observers or camera when changing into or out of his costume.^{[issue # needed]} though this has been rendered moot by his voluntary unmasking in the Civil War storyline. The spider-sense doesn't react to those whom Peter does not deem a threat, such as Aunt May.^{[issue # needed]}

Spider-Man can choose to ignore his spider-sense, and distraction or fatigue diminish its effectiveness.^{[issue # needed]}

After the "Disassembled" and "The Other" storylines, Spider-Man gains the ability to feel vibrations and currents in the air or in his web lines, much like a real spider.^{[issue # needed]} He also develops a psychic connection to insects, spiders, and other arthropods (see below).

In the first Spider-Man film, the first time his spider-sense triggers, he seems to become aware of every potential danger in his surroundings, even those that pose no real threat, such as a fly or a paper spitball. In the Spider-Man 2 novelization (ISBN 2-265-07939-1), the spider-sense is described as a general slowing-down of his perception of time (e.g. one second would feel like a minute).

[edit] Enemies immune to the spider-sense

When deprived of his spider-sense, Spider-Man becomes vulnerable to surveillance and attack and traveling by web-line requires most of his concentration.

• The Green Goblin developed a gas that can temporarily deaden spider-sense in Amazing Spider-Man #39. This same gas was later enhanced and used by Roderick Kingsley, in his guise as the villain Hobgoblin, in Amazing #250.
• Venom is undetectable to Spider-Man's spider-sense, because the symbiote was mentally linked to him. His descendant symbiotes, including Carnage and Toxin, have inherited this trait. (Amazing Spider-Man #300) In Secret Wars issue #8, Spider-Man first comes in contact with the symbiote. His spider-sense goes off but is quickly dampened as the symbiote flowed over Spider-Man's body and established the mental link that allowed it to generate webbing and respond to Spider-Man's thoughts. Interestingly, although a clone of Spider-Man, Ben Reilly was able to use his spider-sense to anticipate the attacks of Venom. This may be related to the fact that the clone was created prior to Peter's bond with the symbiote.
• Mysterio has developed a gas that can neutralize the sense.
• The clones Kaine and Ben Reilly were also undetectable, and he is undetectable to their spider-senses as well. As they share the same DNA, their spider-senses recognize the others as "self."^{[issue # needed]}
• Kraven the Hunter once used a jungle scent that dulled Spider-Man's spider-sense.^{[issue # needed]}
• The Jackal once succeeded in attacking Spider-Man from behind, without triggering his spider-sense. The Jackal explained it to be due to him always being Peter Parker's (Spider-Man's alter ego) friend, meaning that the spider-sense wouldn't regard him as a threat/enemy. The Jackal then took off his mask, revealing himself to be Dr. Miles Warren, one of Peter Parker's teachers (inapplicable, contrary to modern continuity). ^{[issue # needed]}
• Iron Man has created a device that can send false spider-sense signals. He has also incorporated the device into his armor to grant him his own version of the Spider-Sense. However, this mechanism is apparently imperfect since Iron Man was unable to detect the presence of Vision (Civil War #7).

[edit] Further mutations

On several occasions, Spider-Man takes on more spider-like forms—at the extreme even transforming into a gigantic spider.

In The Amazing Spider-Man #100-103, he uses an untested formula to try and rid himself of his spider-powers. It backfires: he grows four extra arms instead, which extend from his sides. With help from Dr. Curt Connors, and a blood sample from Morbius, he is able to return to normal.

In Marvel Fanfare vol. 1 #1-2, he is transformed by the Savage Land Mutates into a monstrous, predatory form that comes to be called "Man-Spider." In this form, his normal human consciousness is submerged, and he attacks like an animal. However, his conscience is able, barely, to stop him from killing. He is transformed into Man-Spider several other times.

In the Avengers Disassembled crossover event, Spider-Man encounters an enemy called the Queen, a woman capable of controlling insects. She triggers another transformation in him: first, he grows extra eyes and hair covering his body; second, he changes into a Man-Spider-like form (however, with his human mind still intact); and finally he transforms into a giant spider. In that form, he seems to die, but instead emerges in human form, but with enhanced powers. (See below.)

[edit] Powers after "Disassembled" and "The Other"

In addition to his original powers, Spider-Man gains the following abilities after he fights the Queen in "Disassembled" (The Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 2 #15-20, 2004), and also after apparently dying at the hands of the vampire Morlun and being reborn ("Spider-Man: The Other," 2005). It is apparent that his powers gained from "The Other" are only available because a voice inside him says that he is "embracing the Other".

[edit] Arthropod communication

After Disassembled, Spider-Man can mentally communicate with arthropods (at least insects and spiders), though he does not seem to be capable of controlling them like Ant-Man. He can sense their presence, or glance at any spider and instantly know what kind it is (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4). It is possible that this is an extension of his spider-sense. Spider-Man used this mental capacity to communicate with all of the Queen's followers, humans with an "insect gene," and learned how to deactivate a bomb (The Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 2 #20).

[edit] Organic webbing

In "Disassembled," Spider-Man develops the ability to shoot organic webbing from his wrists, making his web-shooters redundant.

[edit] Night vision

After "The Other," Spider-Man develops night vision, allowing him to see in the dark. (The Amazing Spider-Man #528)

[edit] Eyes, teeth and stingers

Overcome by rage in "The Other," Spider-Man's spider side overrules his human qualities. His eyes turn glowing red, and he develops fanged teeth and sharp stingers, (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #3). The stingers are within his arms, protruding from his wrists (he quips that the stingers are a form of "Logan envy"). They are coated in a venom that inflicts temporary paralysis. Spider-Man cannot consciously control these stingers yet, so they are only triggered in overwhelming situations (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #6).

[edit] Spider mutation and cocoon

During "Disassembled," Spider-Man mutates into a giant spider, and then emerges from the spider's body with a new ability to communicate with arthropods and organic webbing.

In "The Other," Spider-Man seemingly dies and molts his dead body. He creates a cocoon, and emerges with all his bodily damage healed: lost teeth, broken bones, his lost eye (which Morlun had torn out), scars, and even lost tonsils. In the words of Tony Stark, Peter's "odometer's been reset." Since some species of spiders shed their skin once in a lifetime, this may be a one-time occurrence. (The Amazing Spider-Man #527, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4)

[edit] Equipment

Although he is usually of limited financial means, Spider-Man develops personal equipment that plays an important role in his superhero career.

[edit] Web-shooters

Spider-Man's web-shooters were perhaps his most distinguishing trait, after his costume. Peter had reasoned that a spider, (even a human one), needed a web. Since the radioactive spider-bite did not initially grant him the power to spin webs, he had instead found a way to produce them artificially. The wrist-mounted devices fire an adhesive "webbing" (see below) through a threaded adjustable nozzle. The trigger rests high in the palm and requires a double tap from the middle two fingers to activate, giving Spider-Man a distinctive hand position when he fires them (resembling the sign for "I love you" in American Sign Language or the horned hand heavy-metal gesture) eliminating the chance of accidental discharge. (Amazing Fantasy #15)

Spider-Man must steadily replenish his webbing supply, reloading his web-shooters with small cartridges of web fluid, which is stored under high pressure. In early stories, he carries his extra supplies in a utility belt worn under his costume (Amazing Spider-Man #2). Later on, he equips the web-shooters with a bracelet-like carousel that automatically rotates a new cartridge into position as he empties them ^{[issue # needed]}. When in use, a steel nipple in the carousel pierces the seal of the cartridge, and allows the fluid to travel through an air-tight channel toward the nozzle. Pressing down on the palm-trigger of the web-shooter causes the valve in the nozzle to open wider, expelling the fluid out. Releasing the trigger causes the valves to close, cutting off the web-line or fluid. If Spider-Man creates any variation to his normal web formula that's too strong for the pinch valves to sever, he might end up being tangled up or tied to the object he attached his web to. This has happened on more than one occasion. His web-shooters require constant maintenance and on more than one occasion suffer jams or malfunctions ^{[issue # needed]}.

Occasionally, the web-shooters are modified to expel other liquids. After he develops organic webbing, Spider-Man gives the web-shooters to his wife Mary Jane as a Valentine's Day present, after having them changed into bracelets, to use for self-defense.

Ben Reilly, as the Scarlet Spider and later as Spider-Man, uses modified web-shooters that can fire fast-acting sedative "stinger" darts, and "impact webbing," balls of webbing that explode on impact and envelop the target. The impact webbing and stingers are activated by certain wrist movements, rather than using a double-tap on a palm trigger. They use larger web cartridges than Peter's web-shooters and worn on the outside of his costume. Peter's alternate future daughter Spider-Girl uses modified versions of these web-shooters. ^{[issue # needed]}

[edit] Webbing

Shortly after getting his powers, Peter Parker (established early on as being extremely intelligent and creative) develops a special synthetic polymer adhesive that has spider web-like properties, as well as wrist-worn launching devices (see Web-Shooters). Upon release, the webbing dries into an extremely tough, flexible, adhesive fiber. One account described a single strand as stronger than piano wire^{[issue # needed]} and it is perhaps as strong as real spider silk or Kevlar. (Spider-Man has used web-shields on several occasions to protect himself from small-caliber bullets). According to recent volumes of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, the tensile strength of the webbing is equivalent to 120 lbs per square millimeter in cross-section and is comparable to nylon with extraordinary adhesive properties. Its exact composition is unknown, but after about an hour, the webbing breaks down, loses strength and eventually evaporates (Sensational Spider-Man #8, 1996), since Spider-Man never intended to hold his captives forever. Its instability is the reason Peter Parker is not able to sell his miraculous invention.^{[issue # needed]}

Spider-Man can do many things with his webs:

• Firing a thin strand at a nearby tall building, then swinging on this "webline". Doing this in rapid series allows Spider-Man to quickly travel through well-developed urban areas. His travel speed has not been officially stated, though the Sins Past storyline depicts his crossing the city of Manhattan in under 11 minutes.
• Firing a thicker "rope" of webbing, Spider-Man can bind captured criminals (even those with superhuman strength) to be later picked up by police officers ^{[issue # needed]}.
• Covering a small area with an extremely sticky blob. Spider-Man can cover an opponent's eyes, blindfolding them ^{[issue # needed]}, or smother a handgun or a small bomb ^{[issue # needed]}. On one occasion, he told a criminal whose weapon and hand had been so covered: "I should warn you about the tensile strength of my webbing, but considering your likely IQ, let's just say that if you fire that gun again, the backfire will take your hand off. Comprende?"
• Casting a large web across a street or alley to snare rapidly-moving persons or vehicles ^{[issue # needed]}.
• Improvising small structures, such as parachutes, statues or dummies, baseball bats, full-size operational gliders, trampolines, gloves (for fighting the likes of Electro), nets, air-proof domes (for underwater breathing), bandages, slings, bulletproof shields, plugs, patches, and even hammocks.
• In his early adventures, Spider-Man sometimes fired the fluid as a straight liquid to use its maximum adhesive strength.
• To defeat the Blob, he once intentionally broke a web cartridge, exposing the fluid to air, rather and channeling it through his webshooter. By exposing it to air, the webfluid immediatedly expanded, covering the Blob in a large mass of webbing. Though expanded, it did not appear to lose any of its strength, as it was able to contain the Blob until the police arrested him^{[issue # needed]}.

Spider-Man can modify his webbing when anticipating combat with a specific threat. These modifications include non-conductive webbing (typically for battling Electro), flame-retardant webbing (against the Human Torch or out-of-control fires) and even acid webbing that can eat through the Rhino's tough hide.

In 1994's Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Parker explains that when he became Spider-Man, he also became subconsciously aware that a combination of certain enzymes would create a strong, sticky fluid reminiscent of a spider's webbing. In the 2002 film, Peter Parker develops biological web-shooters on his forearms. This biological, rather than synthetic, approach has since been adopted by the comic book version.

In the "Disassembled" storyline (Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 2 #15-20), Parker undergoes a transformation that results in the ability to produce organic web fluid from his wrists. The effectiveness of the new webbing is dependent upon his health and nutrition. The specific properties of this new organic webbing are unknown, but it can be safely assumed to be comparable to his artificially-created web mixture. After gaining this ability, he begins using the bio-webbing instead of his traditional mechanical web-shooters.

[edit] Spider-tracers

Spider-Man uses small electronic "spider-tracers" of his own design that allow him to track objects or individuals ^{[issue # needed]}. Typically, Spider-Man plants one on a departing enemy, or throws one to adhere to an escaping enemy, then follows the target to their hideout for later attack. Spider-Man sometimes also uses a launching device in his web-shooters for better range and accuracy. ^{[issue # needed]}

A tracer's outer casing is shaped like a spider, with legs for aerodynamic flight. The tracers are small enough to remain unnoticed, in general, but sometimes a target finds a tracer and destroys it.

In early stories, Spider-Man uses a small electronic receiver to follow the signals of his tracers, but eventually he modifies the tracers to emit a signal he can follow with his spider-sense. According to what he once said to Hank Pym, he is able to sense the tracer within a 100-yard radius. The receiver, however, offers better range. The Amazing Spider-Man #267 (Aug. 1985) shows Spider-Man unable to sense a tracer that had been taken out of Manhattan. The receiver, however, allows him to follow it to the town of Scarsdale, New York, some 20 miles away. It is not yet established if the changes to his spider-sense documented in "The Other" storyline have affected Spider-Man's ability to sense the tracers.

In several stories, enemies use the tracers to lure him into a trap ^{[issue # needed]}. Enemies with sufficient technical knowledge can reprogram the tracers into overloading his spider-sense (Spider-Man Team-Up #2).

His clone Ben Reilly can also pick up the signal from Peter's tracers. Ben also developed a modified version of the original tracer into a simpler 'Micro-Dot' form. Like Peter's, these devices can be fired from Ben's web-shooters and can adhere to most surfaces. They fly like miniature Frisbees. ^{[issue # needed]}

Following her rescue from an obsessed kidnapper, Mary Jane Watson wears an amplified version of a spider-tracer in a necklace pendant. It carries a boosted signal so Spider-Man can follow it over a longer distance. ^{[issue # needed]}

[edit] Utility belt and spider-signal

Spider-Man keeps his regular field equipment in a utility belt that can carry extra web fluid cartridges, spider-tracers, and his camera. The belt's buckle contains a small but powerful light, which is filtered through a lens decorated with a stylized likeness of Spider-Man's mask. This spider-signal is mostly limited to intimidating weak-nerved criminals and acting as a wide-beam flashlight. It is sometimes used to call for help, as well. ^{[issue # needed]}

[edit] Camera

Peter Parker gains employment as a freelance (and sometimes staff) photographer through most of his teen and young adult years. He sells pictures of himself in action as Spider-Man, takes any assignments offered, or, sometimes, uses his powers to help him photograph special events where normal press access is limited or denied, for the New York newspaper The Daily Bugle.

His first camera, originally his father's, has an extended rear metal plate that allows him to use his web to secure it to a wall or other fixed object without interfering with its functions. Typically, Spider-Man positions the camera before intervening in a crime or emergency ^{[issue # needed]}. Spider-Man gradually improves on the camera's simple timer, including adding a motion sensor that triggered the camera whenever he, as Spider-Man, moved in front of it. He has updated and replaced the camera (they are occasionally destroyed during battles) as necessary over the years.

Partly due to the stinginess of Bugle editor/publisher J. Jonah Jameson, Parker never earns much money as a freelancer. The Bugle, legal owner of his submitted work, eventually publishes a book of his photographic images (Webs) which helps improve his finances. He wins a Pulitzer Prize for his picture of the Sentry, but the Sentry's earlier adventures and their consequences are later wiped from human memory, probably including this award. Parker does, however, win other photography awards over the years.

Peter Parker publicly reveals his secret identity during the Civil War crossover. The Bugle staff (particularly Jameson), are shocked to learn that Parker had been selling them photographs of himself for years and is taking legal action for the fraud.

[edit] Spider-Mobile

In Amazing Spider-Man #126 (November 1973), Corona Motors approaches Spider-Man through the advertising agency Carter & Lombardo, offering him use of a new nonpolluting motor they had invented and wished to promote, to be installed in a "Spider-Mobile" of his design. Initially reluctant but tempted by the promised endorsement fees, Spider-Man enlists the aid of Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in creating the vehicle; a heavily customized dune buggy with web-launchers and a spider-signal. It debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #130. It proves useful for a time but is quickly wrecked (Spider-Man having not yet learned to drive, not uncommon among residents of New York City). The Tinkerer (with support from the Kingpin), salvages and modifies it further to allow it to drive itself and drive up walls, and he uses it against Spider-Man, who barely manages to disable it. Spider-Man returns the heavily-damaged vehicle to Carter & Lombardo, suspending it with webbing outside the window of their 14th-story offices (Amazing Spider-Man #160, June 1976). Spider-Man, who had never been enthused by the project, looks back on the entire affair with some regret, repeatedly calling the Spider-Mobile "hokey".

Most recently, the Spider-Mobile made a brief cameo appearance in the Marvel Knights Spider-Man series, and an appearance in the flashback series Spider-Man and Human Torch.

[edit] Costumes

[edit] Original costume

Although the details change somewhat over the years, Spider-Man's costume, with a few notable exceptions, remains fairly consistent. The standard is a form-fitting bodysuit, which from the waist down is blue, except for mid-calf boots with a black web pattern on a red background. From the waist up, the fabric is a red-and-black web pattern, except for his back, sides, and insides of his upper arms, which are blue. There is a large red spider outline on his back, and a smaller black spider emblem on his chest. The mask has white one-way mirror type lenses rimmed with black. In addition to covering his entire head, thereby leaving no distinguishing features, the mask also muffles his voice, making it unrecognizable. The boots are composed of a thin material that allows Spider-Man's adhering ability to work through the soles of his feet. The boots, mask, and gloves can be folded up and stored inside a pocket while the remainder of his costume can be worn under his civilian clothes.

This standard costume varies in the details depending on the artist: he is sometimes depicted with "underarm webbing" connecting his arms to his torso; the eyes of his mask vary from barely larger than human eyes to extremely large; the blue portions of his costume vary from light blue to black (the usual standard is dark blue); and the density of the web design varies.

His costume completely conceals its wearer, revealing no clues as to identity, even skin or eye color; a physical allusion to the psychological questions of identity and alienation which made the comic unique when it was created.^{[citation needed]}

Spidey's original costume was featured in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance as "Classic Spidey" and Spider-Man's main game costume.

[edit] Black costume

One of the most significant alterations to Spider-Man's costume takes place during the Secret Wars crossover event, in which Spider-Man begins to wear a black costume. The costume first appears in Amazing Spider-Man #252 (May 1984), several months before its origin is revealed in Secret Wars #8. This costume has large white spider emblems on the chest and back and white web-shooters on the backs of the hands. Upon discovering that the costume is actually an alien symbiote, Spider-Man rejects the creature, and he wears a non-living version of the costume for a while. He stops wearing this costume, however, when Mary Jane is viciously attacked by Venom, the symbiote's new incarnation. Since then, Peter only uses the black costume on occasions when stealth is required.

In an interview released by Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada (via newsarama) & Spider-Man editor Axel Alonso (CBR.com) stated that Spider-Man will be going back to his classic "Black" costume immediately after Civil War ends (Amazing Spider-Man #539 - February 2007). Marvel's February solicits confirm this, featuring Spider-Man returning to his black costume across all of his titles.^[1].^[2] In Sensational Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #35, the Black Costume is first shown with underarm webbing like the original costume

A variation on the black costume will be featured in the film Spider-Man 3, only it will resemble Spider-Man's actual red & blue costume with a black colouring and a slightly altered spider symbol, both on his chest and back.

The game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance features Spidey's black costume or "Symbiote" as the second unlockable costume.

[edit] Extemporaneous substitutes

When Spider-Man first rids himself of the symbiote, he finds himself without clothing across town from his home. The Human Torch gives him an old Fantastic Four uniform, a paper bag to conceal his identity... and a "kick me" sign on his back (The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 #258). Years later he again uses a paper bag as an impromptu disguise, calling himself the "Bombastic Bag Man." (Spectacular Spider Man 256)

If he has no costume and Spider-Man is needed, he will use webbing, street clothes, or whatever else is available to hide his identity.

[edit] Captain Universe and Daredevil

Captain Universe possesses Spider-Man for a time, beginning in The Spectacular Spider-Man #158, during the "Acts of Vengeance" storyline, giving him cosmic-level abilities and awareness. As a result, all of his natural spider-powers were enhanced to a mind-boggling degree. For example, Spider-Man's strength was amplified many times, making him stronger than the Hulk while his spider-sense became so heightened that the tingling was regularly painful. However he did not become aware of the actual 'possession' until much later on because of the powers being partially suppressed by a machine devised by one of Parker's teachers at Empire State University. In the aftermath of the Acts of Vengeance, the suppression is removed in time to battle and defeat the Tri-Sentinel. Both Spider-Man's costume and the traditional Captain Universe attire were merged into a single uniform after Spider-Man gained awareness.

Spider-Man once wore Daredevil's costume in order to convince people that Daredevil and Matt Murdock were in fact two different people. ^{[issue # needed]}

[edit] Ben Reilly's costumes

Main article: Ben Reilly

When Ben Reilly first returns to New York City, he wears an improvised costume consisting of a red bodysuit and mask, a sleeveless hooded sweatshirt, and belts for carrying supplies. Daily Bugle reporter Ken Ellis dubs him the "Scarlet Spider." ^{[issue # needed]}

When he replaces Peter Parker as Spider-Man, he alters the traditional Spider-Man costume so that the chest spider pattern covers the entire upper torso. Instead of a large red spider on his back, the web pattern and spider emblem repeat there. The gloves have enhanced web-shooters on the outside, and the web design on the boots and gloves is partially replaced with dark blue (The Sensational Spider-Man vol. 1 #0). (This costume is the first one worn by Spider-Girl as well, in the MC2 alternate continuity.)

Ben Reilly's costume is one of the unlockable costumes in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

[edit] Protective wear

On a few occasions, Spider-Man has altered his costume for specific purposes. He uses a very short-lived, silver-colored armored suit in Web of Spider-Man #100, made out of webbing material.

In The Amazing Spider-Man #425, he creates an electrically insulated costume to fight Electro.

[edit] Identity Crisis

Main article: Spider-Man: Identity Crisis

In 1998, Parker created four distinct costumes during the "Identity Crisis" storyline, for the identities Dusk, Ricochet, Hornet, and Prodigy. Four other people later used these costumes and identities in the Slingers comic book series.

[edit] Stark Armor

After Spider-Man's newer powers developed in "The Other", Tony Stark (Iron Man) developed a new suit for Peter, which he began wearing in The Amazing Spider-Man #529. Nicknamed the "Iron Spider" costume, it is red and gold: according to Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada, "Stark's design, Stark's color!" The suit was designed by Quesada, based on a sketch by Chris Bachalo.^[3] The suit's appearance has had a mixed reception from fans.^[4]

Supported by a system similar to that of Stark's classic Iron Man design, it features many gadgets, including three mechanical spider-arms, or "waldoes," that can be used to see around corners (via cameras in the tips) and to manipulate objects indirectly. Stark describes them as too delicate to use in combat, yet Spider-Man shortly afterward uses them to smash through the sensors in Titanium Man's helmet. Later on during the Civil War storyline, he uses them, (reluctantly), during his fight with Captain America.

Other features include short-distance gliding capability, limited bulletproofing, built-in fire/police/emergency scanner, audio/visual amplification (including infrared and ultraviolet), cloaking device, carbon filters to keep out airborne toxins, and a short-range GPS microwave communication system. It grants the ability to breathe under water, and can morph into different shapes due to its "'smart' liquid metal" form. It can also "more or less disappear" when not needed. The new costume is able to look like other styles of costumes Spider-Man has worn over the years or turn into his street clothes. Part of the costume can detach it self from Spider-Man to cover an object too dangerous to touch, such as a radioactive asteroid. All these features are controlled by a computer system in the chest piece. The suit responds to mental control (The Amazing Spider-Man #530).

The armor also has a secret override that can be activated by Iron Man in case of emergencies or if Spider-Man ever switches sides, (which he does in Civil War #5). However, unknown to Stark, Peter was already aware of the safety measure and had bypassed it with his own override, Password Surprise. Perhaps most sinister, Stark discovered a way to give his own Iron Man armor a "spider-sense" based on Peter's, and the ability to give Spider-Man's sense red herring.

Peter wore this suit as Spider-Man's official costume until writer J. Michael Straczynski choose to revert to the older costume. It was used symbolically to show Peter's divided loyalties during the current Civil War event at Marvel Comics.

In Civil War #6, Spider-Man is in his classic costume, apparently rid of this costume since he will be returning to his black outfit in early 2007, as seen in Civil War #7.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance features the "Iron Spidey" costume as one of the four unlockable costumes.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Tension on Spider-Man's webs (Movie Version)
• 411 on Spider-Man
• List of Spider-man's powers
• More on Spider-man's powers
• Marvel Directory
• List of equipment
• Information on the Spider-Mobile
• Comprehensive list of costumes Spider-Man wore

v • d • e Spider-Man
Publications	Main continuity: Amazing Fantasy • The Amazing Spider-Man The Sensational Spider-Man (vol. 2) • Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man • Astonishing Spider-Man • Spider-Man Family Other continuities: Ultimate Spider-Man • Marvel Adventures Spider-Man • Spider-Girl • Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Spider-Man: Reign
Television	Spider-Man (1967) • Spidey Super Stories (1974, live action) • Amazing Spider-Man (1978, live action) • Supaidāman (1978 - Japanese) • Spider-Man (1981) •Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981) • Spider-Man (1994) •Spider-Man Unlimited (1999) • Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003) • The Amazing Spider-Man (2008)
Films	Spider-Man (2002) • Spider-Man 2 (2004) • Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Other topics
Fictional history of Spider-Man • Spider-Man supporting characters • Spider-Man villains • Spider-Man's powers and equipment • Video games • Alternate versions of Spider-Man • Spider-Man in other media