WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads #2, available now from Marvel.
Symbiote Spider-Man, a series of connected flashback miniseries, has taken readers back to one of Peter Parker's most famous eras, when he ore the symbiote suit that would eventually become Venom. While the suit and its powers weren't enough to keep him from being exiled to the Crossroads by the Asgardian villain Karnilla, he was able to steal the artifact she was after, the Norn Stones.
Thanks to Karnilla's magic, Spider-Man has been given another major power-up, and this time it's made him strong enough to take on the Hulk while teasing the symbiote's future as Venom in Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads #2 by Peter David, Greg Land, Jay Leistein, Frank D'Armata, and VC's Joe Sabino.
When Black Cat and Spider-Man showed up to stop the villain Moondark from stealing ancient artifacts under the cover of night, neither of them expected to get caught up fighting an Asgardian, either. But after Karnilla's power sends Peter into another dimension, all Black Cat can do now is search for help while Spider-Man is lost to the series titular Crossroads dimension. However, he isn't the only hero trapped in this place between places, though, and in the Crossroads he's come face-to-face with the then-recently exiled Hulk. Despite their shared history, the Hulk was still furious at his fellow Avengers for casting him out in his time of need. However, the power of the Norn Stone gives Spider-Man exactly what he needs to stop the Hulk's rampage.
First introduced to the Marvel Universe back in 1965's Journey into Mystery #116 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Norn Stones are some of the most powerful artifacts in Asgard. Their first appearance saw them used by Loki in a plot against Thor, something which has happened many times in the years since. Not everyone can use the Norn Stones' power, however, and those who can are rarely imbued with the same abilities as others.
In this case, the Norn Stones may not even be empowering Spider-Man; they could be lending their strength to the Venom symbiote that he's wearing. When it flies into his forehead, the Venom symbiote envelopes it entirely, and Spider-Man's visage changes to something more closely resembling the symbiote's Venom look. He isn't just more menacing. He's strong enough to take a haymaker straight to the jaw from the Hulk without moving. After letting out a small "ow," Spider-Man strikes back with a punch that sends the Hulk reeling.
The Norn Stones might not be a Captain Universe level upgrade, the fact that they've made Peter and his symbiote this strong is equally incredible and unnerving. Although he has the Hulk on the ropes, there's also no telling how far Spider-Man is willing to take this fight under the influence of both the Norn Stones and the living darkness.