Cover art courtesy by JetXPegasus
On the wrist of a gloved hand stood an eight-legged jet black spider, motionless. Its eight eyes gazed upwards at the human who peered down upon it. The center of the arachnid's round abdomen bore the inscription of two zeroes. Anticipating the ideal opportunity to strike at anything it perceived as a threat, its dagger-like fangs twitched with eagerness.
In the palm of their hand, the founder and CEO of Oscorp, a man by the name of Norman Osborn, held the radioactive arachnid. With a smirk, he regarded it as perhaps his greatest creation.
When Norman was a kid, he exhibited exceptional academic performance, which was recognized by his educators who observed his brilliance surpassing that of his peers. Leading to his advancement through several grades. However, his personal life was not as fulfilling. His father, an unsuccessful entrepreneur and inventor, subjected his wife and son to regular abuse, which may have contributed to Norman's increased focus on his academic pursuits.
Norman enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he graduated at the age of 18, setting a new record as the institution's youngest graduate. His academic achievements instilled in him a sense of destiny, and he subsequently established Oscorp Technologies. Initially, his endeavors were successful, and he relocated to New York City, where he acquired a grand residence with his early profits. Additionally, he entered into matrimony with a woman named Emily.
Norman was destined to follow in his father's footsteps, as evidenced by certain indicators. Last year, the company experienced a downturn, and Norman was compelled to mortgage his residence and exhaust all available lines of credit to maintain the company's solvency. It didn't take long for the scientists employed at Oscorp to privately expressed doubts regarding Norman's capacity to manage his own company. Some were apprehensive that their own careers were in jeopardy as the company's future remained uncertain. Norman devoted two entire workdays to persuading board members against staging a boardroom coup.
Sometime later, Norman met a fellow scientist in Otto Octavius and befriended him. Norman helped fund Otto's work through Oscorp. In June of 1984, Harry was born but his wife died later on. Leading up to where he is now.
"You a fan of Greek, mythology, Justin?" Norman inquired, his smirk unwavering.
"Can't say I have, Mr. Osborn." Justin replied.
"Ever hear the myth, Arachne?" Norman added. "The story goes that Athena—you know Athena, right? Seems she heard there was this woman on earth, a mere mortal, like you and me - who happened to be a better spinstress than she was."
"Spinstress?" Justin repeated with bewilderment.
"Athena wasn't happy to hear this," he continued. "And she came down to earth to destroy the woman's creations."
"Sounds like a woman." Justin commented.
"When this mortal girl saw what had happened - that she had insulted the Gods and that her life's work had been destroyed - she hanged herself."
Norman rubbed his finger above the spider's head.
"Athena took pity on the poor girl, and touched her on the forehead with magic liquid and said: 'You shall not die, Arachne. Instead you shall be transformed and weave your own web forever.' At Athena's words, Arachne shrank and blackened. First her nose and ears fell off. Then her fingers turned into legs. What was left of her became her body, out of which she spins and was left to spin her own web."
Norman handed the radioactive spider to an employee in a hazmat suit. The hazmat man carefully placed the spider back into its enclosure before sealing the top shut. The spider observed Norman and Justin walking away into the depths of the laboratory.
Just as the pair left, the arachnid quickly noticed the lid wasn't closed over and slowly climbed up. Its legs twitched as it could feel its own venom sparking from within. The arachnid understood that in order to be free from this altered, radioactive venom coursing through its being, it needs a host. The arachnid hissed and hopped off.