In this feature, I spotlight five scenes/moments from within comic book stories that fit under a specific theme (basically, stuff that happens frequently in comics). Here is an archive of all the patterns we've spotlighted so far.

Today, in honor of this week's Amazing Spider-Man #700 (where Peter Parker's tenure as Spider-Man comes to an end), we take a look at some other instances where Peter Parker decided to no longer be Spider-Man!

Enjoy!

In 1964's Amazing Spider-Man #18, Steve Ditko and Stan Lee gave us the first time Peter Parker quit being Spider-Man. An issue earlier, Spider-Man had to leave during a fight with the Green Goblin because Aunt May was sick. This action had branded him a coward in the media as well as on the streets. Amazing #18 was unique in the sense that it spent the entire issue devoted to whether Peter should continue to be Spider-Man. There were a lot of sequences like the following...





It all culminates with Peter quitting being Spider-Man (note: this is the shortest Peter stays gone in all of the Spider-Man: No More! stories)...



only for him to change his mind on the next page...





Three years later in Amazing Spider-Man #50, Stan Lee and John Romita (inks by Mike Esposito) gave us the most famous "Spider-Man...No More!" story, as Peter decided it is time for him to grow up and quit being Spidey...





However, later in the issue, he is inspired by an Uncle Ben-esque watchmen...



He recalls his origin and realizes that he HAS to keep being Spider-Man.

Stan Lee's last take on Peter Parker quitting came four years later in Amazing Spider-Man #100 (art by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia), as Peter decides he has to quit being Spider-Man to be with Gwen Stacy...







While unconscious, Peter has hallucinations that convince him to keep being Spider-Man, but when he awakes, he discovers that the serum has given him six arms!!!

In 1986's Amazing Spider-Man #275, Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein show us Peter once again deciding to quit...





After explaining his origin to Mary Jane (via a reprint of Amazing Fantasy #15), Peter explains why his sense of responsibility won't let him continue as Spider-Man...



Later on, though, Mary Jane uses that sense of responsibility to convince Peter to return to being Spidey...



In 1995's Spectacular Spider-Man #229, Tom DeFalco once again has Peter willing to quit, only this time it is to allow Ben Reilly to take over as Spider-Man (art by Sal Buscema and Bill Sienkiewicz)...







(NOTE: Since both Amazing #100 and #275 have Peter change his mind before he actually gets rid of the costume or anything like that, I decided to give you a BONUS example of Peter quitting!).

In 1998, Howard Mackie, John Romita Jr. and Scott Hanna have Spider-Man face off against the Green Goblin, who has revealed that Aunt May is actually alive! After Spider-Man holds up a heavy object (this time the Daily Bugle building), he decides to quit...









When Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 begins after this issue, Mattie Franklin (who had gained powers in one of the later issues of Amazing Spider-Man Volume 1) is impersonating the missing Spider-Man. She eventually compels Peter to return to being Spider-Man.

If you have a suggestion for a future Drawing Crazy Patterns, e-mail me at bcronin@comicbookresources.com!