WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Spider-Man: Bloodline #5 by J.J. Abrams, Henry Abrams, Sara Pichelli, Elisabetta D'Amico, Dave Stewart and VC's Joe Caramagna, on sale now.
The name Spider-Man is synonymous with several things. Great power, great responsibility, and great tragedy all come to mind when considering the character's history, with many of the franchise's most memorable moments inciting great controversy on top of everything else. Occasionally, there is an arc that brings all of the best out in Spider-Man while still cutting the wall-crawler down to his very core. The finale of Spider-Man: Bloodline might be one of the worst fates that Peter Parker has suffered, but it's also at the top of the list when it comes to showcasing his heroism.
While Peter Parker hangs upside down, trapped in a web cocoon spun by the maniacal and monstrous Minka Tross who herself is currently a giant spider, he looks back on the choices he's made. Years before, when Minka's grotesque and villainous partner Cadaverous killed Mary Jane, Peter retired from the superhero lifestyle to take on his journalism work full-time, leaving his son Ben in the care of Aunt May and giving up any chance at a normal relationship with his child. Now, captive and without hope of saving himself, all he can do is reflect on this and watch as the world around him becomes a waking nightmare.
Ben Parker isn't in any better of a position himself, currently being held captive by Cadaverous and his twisted, cybernetic "children." The villain has decided to use Ben's blood in order to synthesize the Key, a compound that Cadaverous and Minka had developed years that could bring the dead back to life. Ben questions the villain about his motives, wondering if the Key could save his own father and driving Cadaverous mad. Before he can harm Ben, one of his own minions takes the villain down and helps the young hero escape, giving him time to grab the Key on their way out.
With a perfectly timed assist from Iron Man, Ben and his new friend are delivered to the bridge where Peter is being held, and the father and son are reunited with the literal Key to their future together in hand. The moment is interrupted by an unfortunately timed attack by Minka, sending everyone scattering and the Key flying out of Ben's grasp. She grabs him, shrieking for the Key, only to be screamed back at that her assault left it lost in the fray. Minka is enraged by what she believes to be deceit but doesn't notice that Cadaverous' minion has retrieved it, bringing it to Peter who lies broken on the battlefield and revealing herself to be none other than Mary Jane. She offers Peter the cure, but before she can give him the treatment, his spider-sense goes off and he pushes them both out of the way of Cadaverous who has come crashing down from above.
In Cadaverous' clutches, Peter reveals with a smile that he no longer has the Key, having injected Mary Jane with it just seconds ago and giving her a second chance at the life she never should have lost. Now that the only dose is gone, Minka goes on a rampage, first against Cadaverous for his failure before turning her attention to the heroes, only to be struck by a now superpowered and restored Mary Jane. Cadaverous returns with his children, turning on Minka and buying the Parker family some time to reunite. After so much time apart, the three are overwhelmed by seeing each other, sharing a tender moment while Peter catches his breath. Just before they can leave, all three of their spider senses ignite, and Peter sends his wife and son flying off of the bridge and into the water below, just as it is engulfed in a massive explosion.
The heroic sacrifice of Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Bloodline might leave a lot of readers thankful that it doesn't take place in the primary Marvel universe, if only for the sake of longevity. It's a shocking end to what has been a thrilling series, one that serves as a phenomenal reminder of just who Spider-Man is. With any luck, it won't be too long before the next chapter in this particular story is told.