The Amazing Spider-Man: What If? Issue 1
Page 1
Panel 1
It is nothing but darkness and nothing can be seen. Only voices echo this dark page of nothingness.
Demonic voice
Come on, Parker. Don't you want your life back? Your mother by your side? Her taking care of your children? Don't you want her forever?
Panel 2
Darkness continues
Panel 3
A flicker of light is seen.
Panel 4
The light in the middle of darkness is a tear in the middle of the blackness.
Panel 5
A hand appears in the darkness closing in towards the tear.
Demonic voice
Enter Peter. Do it… make your decision. My final offer. Your heart or the future.
Panel 6
The hand enters the tear with the demonic voice screams over and over.
Demonic voice
Yes… enter!
Page 2
Panel 1
Legs can be seen walking on a slab of concrete.
Panel 2
He walks closer and closer to the edge of this gargoyle—the buildings glowing with lights in the background with the night sky.
Panel 3
Spider-Man, aka Peter Parker, is seen fully standing in front of the edge of a gargoyle. His head down, slouching with pain and confusion.
Spider-Man
I told you my wife and I have made our decision Mephisto. There is no deal.
Page 3
Panel 1
From the point of view of the back of his head, Spider-Man looked down from the gargoyle at the cars driving by each other.
Mephisto
I hope you understand, Parker, that if you jump, the deal is off. Your Aunt dies, the future is changed, and you will live forever knowing that the death of your mother was all because of your reckless ignorance.
Panel 2
Spider-Man looks up at the sky and the bright stars that occupy it. The lights brighten the skies.
Panel 3
The stars realign into memories as Peter sees memories of him and May from his childhood to the most recent moments. Peter graduating, Peter and her dancing, May and Peter conversing after discovering his identity, and going to LA to see MJ. Every single critical moment is seen.
Spider-Man
You may be right. But my Aunt has also suffered enough. My allies and even a god has reminded me of one thing, she has had a good life. She did everything, she has sacrificed so much for me, and she has always been there through thick and thin. She will always be my mother, and I do not want her to suffer anymore.
Panel 4
Peter looks at his hand.
Spider-Man
It's…
Panel 5
His hand clenches into a fist.
Spider-Man
It's over.
Page 4
Panel 1
Spider-Man runs to jump off the gargoyle.
Panel 2
He jumps
Panel 3
He skydives down into the city's streets from the top of the Chrysler building with the air blow by him and gravity bringing him down.
Spider-Man
Goodbye, Aunt May…
Page 5 and page 6 double spread splash page
Spider-Man web slings in the middle of the day with a big bank robbery occurring down the street. He is in such a pose as birds flock by him, and the cars and people all roar behind him. His red and blue costume shines brightly.
Spider-Man
I better hurry. The Legacy is robbing the biggest bank in New York.
Title: Welcome to a brand new world
Page 7
Panel 1
Spider-Man slings across blue and red buildings
Panel 2
His hand shoots another web.
Panel 3
Spider-Man web slings between a space inside the crane
Panel 4
Peter lets go of his web line and lands down toward the street.
Panel 5
Peter runs side by side with other vehicles of various colors and people. Spidey zooms by many.
Panel 5
Spider-Man jumps high from a specific point from the middle of an intersection.
Page 8
Panel 1
Spider-Man shoots a web line as he is in the middle of the air.
Panel 2
He swings off as another chopper passes by him this time; it is a news anchor's helicopter as he slings past them.
Panel 3
Spider-Man lands towards the bank crowded with swat teams, news teams, and police officers surrounding the perimeter.
Spider-Man
Yes! I'm here.
Panel 4
Spider-Man lands in the ground, crashing hard, leaving a crater with many getting startled from his presence.
Panel 5
Spider-Man jumps towards the main entrance of the bank. The cops scream towards Spider-Man angrily.
Random cops
Spider-Man, what the hell are you doing? We haven't even let our men enter!
Spider-Man
Then it's my turn!
Page 9
Panel 1
The Legacy a Goblin masked henchman grabbing a bag of cash, another holding a gun to a woman's head, and another goon trying to open up the sizable safe door.
The legacy goon 1
Hey, did you get the cash?
The legacy goon 2
Yeah, fool, I got it, I got it!
Panel 3
One of the legacy henchmen is trying to burn open the entrance to the vault grinning at his victory.
The legacy Thug 1
Green, oh green. My favorite color.
Panel 4
The legacy goon has a shotgun close to a woman's head, laughing maniacally, enjoying every bit of this moment.
The legacy goon 3
(holding a shotgun)
How's the feel of metal toward your head feel, little lady?
Young woman
Please, I have a child. Please
Panel 5
The legacy goon pulls the trigger and gives off a nasty smile; no remorse is seen.
Panel 6
A loud crash is heard, startling all The Legacy goons. They are now frightened.
Page 10 single splash page
Spider-Man is seen grabbing two goons on his left and right hand, defeated, and blood comes out of their nose. Spidey stands firmly straight and looks at the thugs.
.
Spider-Man
Sorry, am I late for the party?
Page 11
Panel 1
The thugs push away whatever they're doing with screams the legacy members begin to sweat.
Panel 2
One of The Legacy members cocks his gun with his trigger finger, ready to snap.
Panel 3
all of them begin to shoot with bullets spreading side to side and all over like a barrage of violent bee's all attacking with their stingers
Panel 4
Spider-Man dodges left and right, swaying away from the shots being hurdled toward him as the bullets hit the wall.
Page 12
Panel 1
Spider-Man reaches out and webs the gun, completely covering it as the thug is about to shoot another bullet.
Panel 2
The gun explodes, burning his right arm completely.
Legacy Thug 3
My god, my freaking arm! Oh my god!
Panel 3
Spider-Man lunges toward him, punching him and comforting him in his own way.
Spider-Man
You'll live. Now be quiet.
Panel 4
The last couple of Legacy members grab the money bag and try to run off panicking as Spider-Man draws near.
Panel 5
The two morons grab their bags.
Legacy thugs
We gotta go forget this!
Page 13
Panel 1
Spider-Man does a small leap and swings off to capture the last two remaining robbers. Focused, nothing else distracts him; it's all about the job.
Panel 2
Spider-Man jumps right in front of them as both thugs gasp and are paralyzed by fear. They cannot move, and their eyes only widen as it's visible even with their masks on tightly.
Spider-Man
You're not going anywhere.
Panel 3
The one thug lets go of the bag and grabs and attempt to punch Spider-Man
Panel 4
Spider-Man quickly dodges him without noticing him in a flash; the legacy member almost trips.
Legacy Member 1
Whoa! I didn't even see you move.
Spider-Man looks at him without saying anything but chuckles.
Spider-Man
You really are new.
Panel 5
Spider-Man punches him with his tooth flying across the room and his fist making such an impact that the room shakes.
Spider-Man
Typical
Panel 6
Spider-Man turns around to see the last member try to flee once again.
Peter's inner thoughts
I do not back down. I used all force as long as they are still breathing; that is all that matters. The moment you even point a gun at innocent people, all the cards are off the table.
Page 14
Panel 1
The thug is running out as he's in the back alley carrying the white money bag. The sounds of police sirens are heard in the front, and the city's liveliness is felt. The Legacy member feels freedom and even a sense of relief.
Panel 2
He smiles and walks in a cheerful manner without issue.
Panel 3
A loud thud is heard as his smile soon turns to worry
Panel 4
Spider-Man lands down in front of him as he collapses onto the floor.
Page 15
Panel 1
Spider-Man stands firmly over him like a tower as the man tries everything to get out of the sticky situation he is in.
Legacy Member 2
Come on, man! Please, aren't you like the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man?
Peter's inner thoughts
Another pathetic idiot trying to get out of the situation he put himself in. Every decision you make has a consequence.
Panel 2
Spider-Man grabs the member holding him with one arm.
Panel 3
Spider-Man brings him closer and closer.
Spider-Man
I am sick of being called that. And you're going to tell me everything you know about The Legacy.
Panel 4
Peter's phone begins to ring and vibrate.
Page 16
Panel 1
Spider-Man lets the man go dropping him in the ground.
Spider-Man
The cops will take you away and also trim your fingernails. Come on.
Panel 2
Spider-Man swings off with grabbing onto the web line with one hand, and on the other, his cell phone as the crowd of people all see him and point to him, some in fear and others with curiosity.
Peter's inner thoughts
Damn, I'm late for class!
Panel 3
The Legacy Member is left strung up on a lamp, crying and weeping like an overgrown child who didn't get what he wanted. Everyone around him begins to mock him, almost like he was put there to be mocked.
Page 16
Panel 1
Peter's stomps running straight at the door to enter the school running late to his job teaching a new generation about the miracles of science and the broad nature of it. In a way, this is his dream. Papers fly out of his folder, and his hair is messy and unprofessional.
Panel 2
He just keeps running and running as he runs by principal Williams yelling at Peter and then slowly nodding left and right with annoyance.
Principle Williams
Peter! What the hell… damn.
Panel 3
Peter opens the door, finally arriving over an hour late, sweating bullets smelling of nothing but sweat with his suit all wrinkled and his shirt sticking out.
Panel 4
All the students are chattering away talking about a variety of things they all are in their own worlds, but also their faces light up as Peter enters the classroom, but many of them mention Spider-Man.
Panel 5
One student asks Peter about Spider-Man and his actions of the previous night and past few hours.
Random student 1
Hey teacher, did you hear about Spider-Man?
Another student responds and interrupts rudely.
Random student 2
Spider-Man? You mean that lunatic in a red and blue costume?
Page 17
Panel 1
Peter answers the student as he sets his folders down and catches his breath.
Peter Parker
No Morrison, I haven't. What happened?
Panel 2
A student named David Morrison, a huge fan of the wall-crawler, begins to talk about Spider-Man to Peter in detail.
David Morrison
Well, teacher, they said he took down all the bad guys so quickly that the cops are picking up scraps. He's so cool!
Another kid named Mike Rivera
discusses Spider-Man adding to the conversation
Mike Rivera
Yeah, I even heard crime is down because of him.
Panel 3
Rachel Maguire starts talking about the negatives of Spider-Man and continues on to be on the opposite side of the whole conversation.
Rachel Maguire
I mean, cool, I guess, but he's such a weirdo. I mean, he left those dudes with broken ribs and bruises. I do not think that's in any way something we should praise
Panel 4
All the kids look to Peter and ask him about Spider-Man as they remember he was once his photographer. They all beg for him to talk about his past and about his encounters with him.
David Morrison
Didn't you take pictures for the Bugle? I mean, what is he like anyway?
Page 18
Panel 1
Peter sits down and begins to quickly bring up his past encounters as he fans himself with his own folders as papers begin to fly out but does not realize it as he is in too much of a tired state to care.
Peter Parker
Well, Spider-Man… Spider-Man is just like you and me. He's a man trying to go day by day. But he makes mistakes and does his job, but that's the real world because-listen kids in the real world, things aren't so black and white; we all gotta try because whatever decisions we make aren't always the right ones. Nothing is easy.
Panel 2
The students quietly stop talking and are intrigued. It's almost as if they are surrounded themselves near a campfire, all wanting to listen to the main person telling a story. The children are all fascinated by their teacher.
Panel 3
One student does ask a pivotal question, and it is one that Peter knows the answer to.
Gerry Willams
So, does he have a weakness?
Panel 4
Peter puts his head down for a quick second.
Panel 5
Peter chuckles, and his head comes up as he answers his bright young student.
Peter Parker
Yes, but I think I will keep that to myself. Now enough talking about the wall-crawler and open your textbooks to page 54.
All the students groan as they flip the pages of their brick-sized textbooks.
Page 19
Panel 1
Peter arrives at his apartment, and as he arrives at his front door, he takes out his keys to enter his apartment, where his wife awaits him.
Panel 2
Peter's hand grabs the doorknob twisting it entering his lavish apartment. It is a brown and white apartment with pieces of art and plants. There are photos of Peter's family and the same goes with MJ. It is a lovely apartment filled with memories and beautiful little collections.
Panel 3
Mary Jane is watering her beautiful plants wearing her green shirt, luxurious red hair. Her beautiful smile is recognizable.
Panel 4
Mary Jane turns around and sees Peter; she happily runs towards him, yelling with excitement. She is so happy to see her husband, her true love.
Mary Jane
Peter, honey!
Panel 5
Peter and Mary Jane hug Peter tightly; nothing else matters to the both of them; she doesn't even care that he is a sweaty mess; she is just happy.
Peter Parker
Hey, sweetheart!
Page 20
Panel 1
Peter and Mary Jane kiss and lock lips tightly.
Panel 2
Peter holds onto MJ and asks her what she wants for dinner or what they are going to do at night. Peter drops all his stuff to the ground and without care.
Peter Parker
So, what do you want to eat? I was thinking about Chinese.
Mary Jane
That sounds good. How about a movie as well?
Peter Parker
Sounds perfect.
Panel 3
Mary Jane goes over to get her coat and is off to the door until she hears the news station talking about an incident that is occurring. She stops to walk over and to listen to the big story.
Panel 4
MJ puts her hand over her chin and watches and listens attentively. The News station quickly talks about a significant conflict occurring in another part of New York. MJ is hypnotized and worried because she knows what is going to happen next.
(News Anchor)
We're getting word that a big explosion is occurring at the FEAST shelter. Five are injured, and over twenty people are killed. It is a blood bath. We will turn to our reporter that is on the scene.
Page 21
Panel 1
Mary Jane turns around to tell Peter what is going on and that something is happening at the FEAST shelter and that he must go.
Mary Jane
Peter! There is something happening-
Panel 2
As she turns, Peter is in his full-on costume, nearing the window mask on and everything. Peter has heard the news of what is going on and that he must leave MJ.
Panel 3
Mary Jane nods, and so does Peter a mutual agreement between two adults, two lovers they do not argue or apologize. MJ understands that Peter must leave.
Panel 4
Peter slides out the window and jumps out.
Page 22
Panel 1
The streets are covered in destroyed vehicles with dead bodies scattering the area fires are erupting from the destroyed vehicles. The entrance to the feast building is destroyed, and the food left for the homeless is all over the floor, with the area having the stench of soup and bread buns. A colossal creature with tendrils walks over a corpse of a dead homeless person.
Panel 2
Spider-Man swings down in the midst of the late-night chilling cold wind blows by Peter.
Panel 3
Spider-Man is shocked to see who the creature is baffled and in shock.
Panel 4
Spider-Man sees Venom sucking on a dead corpse smiling and grinning. The giant creature is feasting on the dry bones of these innocent civilians, and Spider is mortified. He yells his name in disbelief.
Spider-Man
Eddie!
Page 23
Panel 1
Venom stops munching on the civilian and recognizes that Peter is here; his attention entirely shifted to Spider-Man. Nothing else matters; the hunger is taking over as well as the anger.
Venom
Parker
Panel 2
Spider-Man jumps to quickly punch him. The punch connects quickly to Venom's face as the symbiote reacts to the pain, with the symbiote spiking up like a nerve.
Panel 3
Venom punches Peter with him flying across the street, hitting the wall hard as a pile of bricks falls on him.
Panel 4
Spider-Man get's up and begins to walk over screaming in anger.
Spider-Man
What have you done!
Panel 6
Venom looks at Spider-Man with a huge psychotic grin; there are no emotions until he speaks.
Venom
It's good to see Parker. It's been a while
Page 24
Panel 1
Peter recognizes that it's not Eddie Brock from his attitude to his voice. He acknowledges something is off and that there is an ulterior motive. Peter just looks at Venom and stands firmly still in the middle of the destruction.
Spider-Man
Who are you? Where is Eddie Brock?
Panel 2
Venom walks closer to Spider-Man, talking and talking; his presence envelops the area. His tendrils weave left and right his tongue drips of slime.
Venom
Brock? I killed him and sucked all his knowledge leaving nothing, but his crumbling bones. His cancer left him open for the kill. And now I am feasting.
Panel 3
Spider-Man listens to the symbiote as he only comes closer and he begins to spit blood.
Spider-Man
You, you son of a bitch. All these people you murdered!
Panel 3
Venom interrupts Peter as he closes in on Peter.
Venom
Now, now parker. I have traveled the cosmos and have seen the galaxy; this world is microscopic, it is nothing to my eyes, but of all the things I have come to encounter, you're one of the strongest beings I have ever attached myself to.
Panel 4
Venom knees Spider-Man in the gut
Venom
You're a god, yet you choose to conform to humanity. You're not at the level of these insignificant insects; you're beyond that. You can beat the world's mightiest heroes with one punch, yet you choose to be a teacher for a race that has merely a few decades left. Frankly, it is pitiful.
Panel 5
Venom backhands him across the street.
Venom
I am embarrassed to have once loved you. Now I feel nothing.
Panel 6
He lunges forward toward Spider-Man.
Page 25
Panel 1
Venom comes in for a quick and heavy final punch.
Panel 2
Spider-Man grabs his fist in which a loud crack is heard.
Spider-Man
I'm no god; I am just a human being!
Panel 3
Spider-Man uppercuts Venom with the smashing of his fists right onto his fist as he flies up into the air with his teeth scattering.
Panel 4
Spider-Man jumps within the few seconds he has till the symbiote lands right onto the ground.
Panel 5
With both his fists, he slams the symbiote to the ground.
Page 26
Panel 1
Spider-Man lands down and goes in for an uncontrollable beatdown.
Panel 2
Peter goes in and starts trading punches with Venom to the point his fits begin to bleed.
Panel 3
Venom gains control and grabs Spidey's head, slamming it to the ground.
Panel 4
The alien kicks Peter toward a nearby convenience store with his full strength.
Panel 5
Spider-Man lands inside the store's crashing in quickly with Peter feeling every bruise and even feels a possible broken rib. His stamina down, and his anger at the whole level; he is determined yet is almost defeated.
Peter's inner thoughts
Broken bones, a possible rib, yet my costume is still intact. I am shocked I have still been able to last this long. But then again, I'm seconds away from passing out.
Page 27
Panel 1
The thundering stomps of Venom are heard. The area shakes as items in the store such as water, beers, fridges, and chip stands to collapse. Peter looks around, trying to find a way to stop the symbiote.
Panel 2
Peter finally gets up, looking around the small store, and sees a propane tank.
Peter's inner thoughts
Let me see, I'm in a convenience store. How am I going to stop him? Wait a minute
Panel 3
Spider-Man runs over the counter and grabs a metal lighter
Panel 4
He fumbles with the trigger.
Panel 5
His finger flicks the trigger till he finally sees a flame.
Venom enters the store's cracked open entrance losing energy, and breathless He stomps around looking for Spider-Man.
Panel 6
Spidey hides behind the counter, waiting for him to get closer to the propane.
Panel 7
As the symbiote finally gets to it, Peter finally steps out and puts his finger on the trigger of a crappy lighter and throws it straight at the propane tanks.
Page 28
Panel 1
Spider-Man hurdles out of the shop without thinking.
Panel 2
A vast, loud explosion occurs, destroying the entire store as nothing else is left aside from the higher levels of the building.
Panel 3
Spider-Man looks at the explosion as it reflects off his eyes. It is almost of no fear, but of sadness yet of relief.
Spider-Man
Eddie…
Panel 4
Spider-Man looks right, knowing he couldn't save Brock.
Spider-Man
Damn.
Page 29
Panel 1
A terrified man looks around at the destruction that has occurred. He comes out of his hiding spot of a cabinet inside the FEAST shelter.
Panel 2
The man grabs a broom and starts cleaning everything to the best of his abilities, but he knows his shelter is in need of repairing. But Martin Li being an optimist, does not care and knows it will be alright.
Martin Li
(Grabs a broom)
Well, I better start cleaning. At least I hope the insurance will pay for some of the damage.
Panel 3
Martin brooms all the broken glass and cleans up the big mess left by Venom.
Panel 4
A giant black portal opens up; there is no sound emanating from it.
Panel 5
A hand with a knife comes out, closing in on Martin Li.
Page 29
Panel 1
Martin Li just keeps cleaning and cleaning as the knife and portal come closer and closer to him.
Panel 2
The hand with the knife comes around Li, slitting his throat as blood splurts out. His eyes open up as the cold feel of metal slides by his throat.
Panel 3
The hand goes straight into the portal.
Panel 4
The portal disappears, going back to wherever it has come from.
Panel 5
Martin Li's body is left onto the destroyed remains of a once hopeful place. Blood is splattered, nothing is heard, and nothing will be the same.
Panel 6
Spider-Man swings off into the night as the buildings light up like Christmas trees going to one more place so he can take a little break. It is another place for him to rest.
Peter's inner monologue
I thought I was tired, and I am, but I also remember there is one more thing I got to do.
Page 30
Splash page
Spider-Man hunches in full costume to look at both Uncle Ben and Aunt May's graves. He talks to them as if they are there, but it is only for comfort. He misses them, and this is his time with them.
Peter Parker
Hey mom and dad, how was your day?
To be continued next issue.