Spider-Man just discovered that he is far more powerful than he and his fans ever suspected. This revelation came as he tested the limits of his powers with a longtime ally. However, it remains to be seen just how Peter Parker will act on this new knowledge.
The discovery came in Amazing Spider-Man #29 by Joe Kelly and Pete Woods. Peter Parker has returned to Earth following several months in deep space after he was teleported off-world by the villain Hellgate. This fuels a newfound need within Peter, both to push the limits of his powers and become a better hero.
To that end, Spider-Man seeks out the help of Daredevil, who knows something about special senses and coaching other heroes. Making use of the weapons in a Punisher cache, the Man Without Fear sets out to push Spider-Man to new extremes. However, he also tries something unorthodox, which leads to a surprising revelation regarding Peter Parker’s Spider-Sense.
How Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense is more powerful than ever
Before breaking out the guns, Daredevil tries to get Spider-Man to dodge light beams. Peter points out that this won’t work, as his Spider-Sense only reacts to immediate danger. Even if he tried to pretend the lights were being used to track him, it wouldn’t work in a simulation setting. Matt Murdock challenges him on this, asking how Peter could dodge lasers but not other forms of light.
Daredevil later notes that he sensed Peter tensing slightly before he was caught in a light beam. Matt suggests that maybe Peter’s Spider-Sense is more like Daredevil’s Radar Sense than they ever suspected. He proposes that Peter is continually scanning his surroundings subconsciously, with his inner alarms only going off when he finds trouble. Theoretically, the only thing stopping Peter from being able to react to more stimuli is whatever limits he sets on himself.
Logically, this would explain several occasions where Peter’s Spider-Sense didn’t go off when it should have. Many comics have shown that Spider-Man could be ambushed when he was overly tired or otherwise ill. Additionally, given how Peter consciously holds back from fully applying his strength for fear of hurting people, it makes sense that he might develop a subconscious block that prevents him from fully using his passive powers as well. Whatever the cause, it is clear that Spider-Man is far more powerful than previously suggested.
Amazing Spider-Man #29 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
