Despite the best efforts of J. Jonah Jameson to paint him as a menace, Spider-Man has always been one of the most inspiring heroes in the Marvel Universe. Whether it's motivating newcomers like Miles Morales or assisting in the redemption of former enemies, like Eddie Brock, Peter Parker has proved time and again that his greatest superpower might be his ability to bring out the best in others. However, not everyone Spider-Man inspired has gone on to do bigger and better things. One of the best, and worst, examples is Oliver Osnick, later known as Spider-Kid.

A young man who Spider-Man weened away from a life of crime, Oliver, unfortunately, took his adoration for the web-slinger too far. That led him down a path to self-destruction that ultimately cost him his family, his future, and a limb.

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How Spider-Man Inspired Oliver Osnick to Become Spider-Kid

Oliver Osnick as Spider-Kid, Spider-Man's worst sidekick

Oliver originally admired Doctor Octopus, with whom he felt a kinship due to their shared backgrounds as intelligent but unpopular children. Constructing a set of mechanical tentacles, Oliver led a group of supervillain-inspired kids on a short-lived crime spree, until Spider-Man stopped him. Instead of turning him in, however, the wall-crawler gently lectured Oliver, and encouraged him to put his extraordinary intelligence to better use. Inspired by Spider-Man's words, Oliver modified his mechanical legs, assumed the alias "Spider-Kid," and dedicated himself to fighting crime like his new idol.

Spider-Kid Often Did More Harm Than Good

Spider-Kid, a version of Peter Parker from another world, from Spider-Force #1

Unfortunately, Oliver's inexperience resulted in him doing more harm than good. That repeatedly forced Spider-Man to drop whatever he was doing, and bail Oliver out of trouble. Eventually, Spider-Man convinced Oliver he was too young to be a superhero, and that he should slow down and enjoy his childhood. Heeding his advice, Oliver spent the next few years as an ordinary young man, taking the time to get into better shape, and even forming a romantic relationship with his childhood crush, Jane Lane. An attack on Jane by a group of muggers briefly drove Oliver back to super-heroics, but Spider-Man once again convinced him to not give up the opportunity for an ordinary life.

For the next few years, Oliver lived peacefully in Arizona with Jane, who was paralyzed from the waist down by a stray bullet during the mugging. However, circumstances changed when the Superhuman Registration Act became law, triggering the events of Civil War. Seeing Spider-Man publicly defy the Registration Act, even after he unmasked himself, reignited Oliver's passion to be a superhero. Dusting off his old tech, Oliver leaped back into the world of crime-fighting, this time under the alias "Steel-Spider."

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Steel-Spider's Obsession Blinded Him From Reality

Oliver Osnick as Marvel's Steel Spider

Right from the start, there were disturbing signs that Oliver took his desire to be like Spider-Man too far. Oliver was overzealous, viciously taking down any criminals he came across, and bluntly defying the Registration Act. His relationships with his family and loved ones also became strained, particularly after it was revealed he used his family's savings to pay for the upgrades to his equipment. After Norman seized control of S.H.I.E.L.D., and turned the agency into H.A.M.M.E.R, things only got worse for Oliver, who responded by doubling down on his obsession with being a hero.

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By the time the Thunderbolts finally tracked him down, Oliver had completely given up on his civilian identity, deciding that emulating Spider-Man was more important to him than his family is. Among the Thunderbolts was the Venomized Mac Gargan, who ripped off and devoured Oliver's arm when he refused to be taken into custody. He was then incarcerated in Negative Zone Prison 42. However, Oliver's status is unknown following Osborn's fall from grace after his siege of Asgard. While it can be assumed that Oliver was released, like all the other heroes Osborn imprisoned, there wasn't much of a life left for him.

Oliver is a sad example of a promising young hero losing himself to his own desire to help others. Oliver's admiration for Spider-Man blinded him to the realities of being a superhero, and he ultimately chose to throw away everything the wall-crawler tried to teach him in his attempts to emulate his idol.