A conclusion, of sorts, to the storyline in which Aunt May has been kidnapped (going on three months now) by somebody who has learned Spider-Man's identity. He learns the truth when Mac Gargan, the Scorpion, seeks him out to inform him that this is Norman Osborn's plan, to force Spider-Man to break him out of prison before he is killed by agents of the government who wish certain knowledge he has of clandestine doings to go to his grave. Spider-Man reluctantly agrees, and with the Black Cat's help, he breaks Osborn out. There is a double-cross in the works, though, and Spider-Man and Black Cat face a last stand against nearly all of his old foes. They are bailed out, however, by the Avengers, whom Mary Jane has called. Spider-Man goes to rescue May in the nick of time, but is racked by guilt over her near-death and resolves to quit. In the book's best moments, May talks him out of it, saying "Mary Jane said you throw a hissy-fit about this job every couple of years, but you eventually see sense again". Which he does, but leave it to wise May to call him on it. The least successful aspect of the book is the muddied and uninspiring artwork in a line which has become known for fine work in this area. ( )

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