“With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.” That phrase is synonymous with Spider-Man and his beloved Uncle Ben. However, in the new Ultimate Universe, an entirely different character who imparts that lesson to Peter Parker in Ultimate Spider-Man #4.
Written by Jonathan Hickman with art by David Messina, Ultimate Spider-Man #4 shows the first friendly contact between Peter Parker and Harry Osborn. In this reality, the two are relative strangers, rather than best friends since college and roommates, and Harry Osborn is revealed as a heroic version of the Green Goblin.
This leads the two heroes to meet for dinner with their wives, Mary Jane and Gwen. It is hinted that Gwen knows that Peter is Spider-Man over the course of the evening. She makes repeated references to the need for heroes. She also criticizes The Daily Bugle, who employs Peter, for how they portray masked vigilantes. This leads to the revelation that Gwen is privy to her husband’s double life.
Harry Osborn Gives “With Great Power” Speech
When Harry figures out that Mary Jane doesn’t know Peter is Spider-Man, he is quick to criticize him for keeping secrets from his wife. Peter defends his actions, saying he needs to insulate his family from the consequences of his double-life. Harry says this attitude is naïve, though he does admit he has no right to tell Peter how to live his life.
However, Harry does leave Peter with one thought. Modestly describing himself as “just a guy in a suit,” Harry claims, given the superpowers at his disposal, that Peter should be saving the world instead of taking on muggers. “You have great power, Peter,” states Harry. “And with great power, comes great responsibility.”
The speech clearly has an effect on Peter, who seems to be mulling over Harry’s words at the issue’s end. However, he still does not come clean with Mary Jane about his double life. Doubtlessly the reveal will be coming in a future issue of Ultimate Spider-Man. For now, however, it is interesting to see how the classic story plays out in another reality.
Ultimate Spider-Man #4 is now available on-line and at comic shops everywhere.
