Spider-Man Just Became One of Marvel’s Richest Heroes… & It’s Going to Destroy Him

Summary

• Spider-Man becomes one of Marvel’s richest heroes but at a huge cost – danger looms.
• Green Goblin’s sinister plan puts Peter Parker in jeopardy despite newfound wealth.
• Previous villain Doc Ock made Peter rich, but Norman Osborn’s scheme is far more dangerous.

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Amazing Spider-Man #52!Spider-Man is probably the most financially insecure superhero in the Marvel Universe, as he’s famously always broke and looking for ways to make a quick buck – indeed, he resorted to selling photos of himself that actively hurt his superhero reputation for years. But now, all that is about to change, as Peter Parker has just become one of Marvel Comics’ richest heroes. Unfortunately, in this case, that’s not a good thing.

In a preview for The Amazing Spider-Man #52 by Zeb Wells, Ed McGuinness, and Todd Nauck, readers are seeing the true threat-level of the Spider-Goblin. The Green Goblin-corrupted Spider-Man is engaged in an epic battle to the death against the Prowler, all while Kraven the Hunter cowers on the sidelines.

While the fight against the Prowler is a clear standout in this preview, it’s certainly not the most significant moment featured. As Spider-Goblin is taking on the Sinister Six, the original Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, gives Peter Parker complete control over Oscorp and all the company’s subsidiaries. Parker is now the head of a multibillion-dollar company, making him one of the richest heroes on the planet – too bad it’s going to destroy him.

Why Being Exuberantly Wealthy will End Up Destroying Spider-Man

While having a great deal of money would effectively solve all of Peter Parker’s problems, the way he’s getting it in this issue is only going to create problems for him the likes of which he’d never expect. Norman Osborn is only putting the company in Peter’s name because he is using company resources to do something villainous (yet to be fully explained), and when the authorities take Oscorp down as a result, it won’t be Norman who will be going to prison, but Peter.

Parker will technically be one of the richest people in Marvel Comics once he officially takes over as head of Oscorp, but it seems his stint as a one-percenter will be terribly short-lived. And the worst part about it is that Parker won’t even be able to see Osborn’s schemes coming, since his mind has been lost to insanity following his transformation into the Spider-Goblin. Indeed, things are not looking great for Spider-Man, even if he is about to be exuberantly wealthy.

Green Goblin Isn’t the First Spider-Man Villain to Make Peter Parker Rich

Doc Ock (as Superior Spider-Man) Founded Parker Industries in Superior Spider-Man #20

The idea that a villain would make Spider-Man obscenely wealthy may seem unique, but interestingly enough, that exact thing has happened before. When Doc Ock took over the body of Peter Parker and became the Superior Spider-Man, he founded Parker Industries, which quickly went global and reached a level of success akin to Oscorp. After Doc Ock was expelled from Spider-Man’s body, Peter was left with the company Octavius founded in his name. However, somehow, Doc Ock’s scheme wasn’t nearly as sinister as Norman’s, despite the fact that Octavius literally possessed Peter in order to make him wealthy.

The Green Goblin is about to make Spider-Man the fall guy for whatever evil plan he has concocted involving Oscorp. Therefore, Peter Parker may be incredibly rich, but he is also in imminent danger, as the fallout of becoming one of Marvel’s wealthiest heroes may, indeed, destroy Spider-Man.

The Amazing Spider-Man #52 by Marvel Comics is available June 19, 2024.