Spider-Man has always been one of Marvel’s most resilient and adaptable heroes, but what happens when he gains the power of an unstoppable force? In this incredible storyline, Spider-Man takes on the power of the Juggernaut, becoming one of the most overpowered versions of Spider-Man ever seen. This transformation puts him in a battle of cosmic proportions, where he must confront a force known as the Rot, an entity that corrupts everything it touches. Alongside Doctor Strange, Doctor Doom, and even the original Juggernaut, Cain Marko, Peter must navigate his new abilities and make the ultimate sacrifice to save the universe.
Spider-Man vs. The Rot: A Cosmic Threat Emerges
This story picks up right after the previous issue “AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #69” from “8 Deaths of Spider-Man”, where Spider-Man is engaged in a battle with a villain named Callix, who is possessed by a force known as the Rot. This cosmic energy corrupts the souls of those it touches, turning even the strongest heroes against each other. The only way for Peter to defeat this overwhelming force is by embracing the power of the Juggernaut, gifted to him by the daughter of Cyttorak, the entity that traditionally empowers Juggernauts.
The stakes are incredibly high. Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom watch from the sidelines, knowing that while Doom may be the new Sorcerer Supreme, there is a larger plan at play—one that even Strange cannot fully grasp at first. As the battle unfolds, the weight of Peter’s new power becomes clear, and he is faced with the ultimate test of endurance and willpower.
Learning to Wield the Juggernaut’s Power
Cain Marko, the original Juggernaut, understands his abilities better than anyone. He knows what it means to be truly unstoppable, but for Peter, this power is entirely new. As the battle rages on, Spider-Man insists on staying behind to help protect civilians and stop those who have been corrupted by the Rot. However, Marko knows that the true fight lies ahead.
In a dramatic moment, Marko executes a “fastball special”—a move typically associated with Colossus throwing Wolverine—by hurling Spider-Man directly at Callix. This visually stunning moment showcases Peter’s raw power and sets him up for the final confrontation.
Can Spider-Man Defeat a Cosmic Entity?
The real challenge lies in the fact that the Rot is not an enemy that can be punched into submission. It is a cosmic force, an embodiment of entropy and corruption that cannot be destroyed by physical strength alone. As Peter rushes toward battle, he begins to realize that his usual tactics won’t be enough.
Doctor Strange starts piecing together the true nature of this conflict. He realizes that Callix is just a vessel—the true enemy is the Blight, a force that has infected this dimension. The only thing that had kept it at bay before was a mystical casket created by Cyttorak, which had acted as a barrier between dimensions. However, with Callix now possessed, that barrier has been broken, and the Blight is free to spread its corruption.
Peter’s Ultimate Sacrifice
Despite his newfound power, Peter knows that he is not invincible. He comes to a heartbreaking conclusion: the only way to stop the Blight is by constantly recasting the spell that created the original casket. This means dedicating his entire existence to an endless magical struggle—one that will ultimately cost him his life.
Doctor Strange understands now why Doom chose Peter for this mission. Unlike other heroes, Spider-Man never gives up. His life has been defined by loss—his Uncle Ben, Aunt May (multiple times), his marriage to Mary Jane, and even his own body when Doctor Octopus took over his mind. Yet, despite these tragedies, Peter always finds the strength to keep going.
As Peter prepares to make this ultimate sacrifice, Cyttorak himself enters the battle. For the first time in his existence, Cyttorak experiences grief. He has lost six of his children to the Blight, and he finds himself paralyzed by emotions he has never encountered before. His daughter, who had given Spider-Man the power of the Juggernaut, confronts him, forcing him to face his own fear and sadness.
A God Learns to Feel
Cyttorak’s daughter explains that what he is experiencing is grief, a human emotion that has rendered him powerless. She urges him to act, telling him that his inaction has allowed destruction to spread. In a moment of clarity, Cyttorak makes a decision—one that changes the Marvel Universe forever.
Instead of allowing the Blight to consume everything, Cyttorak chooses to become the Crimson Casket himself, permanently sealing away the Rot and protecting the universe. This means that he will no longer be a free entity in the Marvel Universe, effectively writing him out of future stories. In doing so, he proves that even gods can learn from mortals.
The Meaning of Spider-Man’s Fight
Before Cyttorak makes his final decision, he asks Peter why he fights. Peter’s answer encapsulates everything that makes him a hero:
“Most of the time, life is hard. It’s not fair. Sometimes, it flat-out sucks. But it is my life. There’s not another one anywhere like it. It’s beautiful exactly because it is so fragile.”
This powerful moment underscores the essence of Spider-Man’s character. He doesn’t fight because he expects to win every time—he fights because life matters, even if only for a moment. Even knowing that he cannot permanently defeat the Blight, he still chooses to stand against it, because that’s what heroes do.
The Aftermath: Back to Being Peter Parker
With Cyttorak sacrificing himself to seal away the Blight, Spider-Man loses the Juggernaut’s power and returns to his normal life. Doctor Strange acknowledges that Peter has been through an ordeal that no one else could have endured, and Peter, exhausted from his experience, swears off magic forever.
In the final moments, Peter takes time to mend relationships that had suffered due to his struggles. He makes amends with Aunt May, reconnects with Felicia Hardy (Black Cat), and takes a moment to mourn those who were lost in the battle. Callix is imprisoned, and his sister steps up as the new ruler of the Crimson Cosmos, ensuring that the balance is maintained.
This storyline, while seemingly a temporary power boost for Spider-Man, has lasting consequences for the Marvel Universe. Cyttorak’s absence means the Juggernaut’s power may change in unforeseen ways, and the cosmic balance has been altered forever. Yet, in the end, Peter remains who he has always been—a hero who never stops fighting, no matter how impossible the odds.
Final Thoughts: A Worthy Addition to Spider-Man’s Legacy
This arc is more than just a fun “what if” scenario where Spider-Man gains immense power. It’s a deep, introspective story about resilience, sacrifice, and the nature of heroism. Joe Kelly masterfully crafts a narrative that explores emotional intelligence and the human capacity for perseverance in the face of overwhelming darkness.
While the story ultimately returns Peter to his normal self, it leaves behind an important message: the fight is always worth it, no matter how small or temporary the victory may be. In a world where everything is fleeting, the choices we make today define who we are. And for Spider-Man, today is always worth fighting for.
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