The Amazing Spider-Man has many spectacular powers, but his strength often goes understated. Over the years, this strength has fluctuated, but it’s remained very impressive. When Peter Parker was first bitten by the radioactive spider, back in 1962’s Amazing Fantasy #15 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he inherited the proportional strength of a spider. As a teenager, Peter took some time to develop into his full strength. By the time he reached adulthood, the web-slinger could regularly lift ten tons, exceeding these limits under moments of intense stress.
Most famously, in 1966’s Amazing Spider-Man #33, by Lee and Ditko, Peter freed himself after being trapped under countless tons of steel. In the comic, Spider-Man noted how the steel machinery probably weighed more than a locomotive. Despite the daunting weight of the machinery, the wall-crawler summoned all of his strength to lift it off his back.
Similarly, in 1998’s Peter Parker: Spider-Man #98, by Howard Mackie and John Romita Jr., Spider-Man was able to support the foundation of the Daily Bugle building. When the Green Goblin’s pumpkin bombs detonated, the building nearly collapsed. It was Peter’s incredible strength that held up the building long enough for him to plant support beams underneath and web the building in place.
Spider-Man’s strength also extends to his fighting ability. Usually, Peter has to hold back in a fight, for fear of seriously injuring someone. The web-head faced his worst nightmare in 1987’s Spider-Man Versus Wolverine #1, by Christopher Priest and Mark Bright. Mistaking a dying woman for Wolverine, Spider-Man punched her at full strength, killing her. This was a particularly haunting moment, but it was also a true demonstration of the web-slinger’s full strength.
Spider-Man was already insanely strong, but it was 2004’s Spectacular Spider-Man #20, by Paul Jenkins and Paco Medina, that took his powers to a new level. After the Queen transformed Peter into a giant spider, he died and emerged from the husk as a human being. As a result of this strange metamorphosis, Spider-Man discovered that his powers were enhanced, including his strength. Now, Peter could regularly lift fifteen tons, rather than just ten.
One notable display of this strength came in 2005’s Amazing Spider-Man #522, by J. Michael Straczynski and Mike Deodato. In this issue, Peter threw Wolverine out of Stark Tower, through a window that was allegedly unbreakable. The strength of Peter’s throw, combined with Wolverine’s heavy adamantium skeleton, proved too much for the glass, however. Clearly, Spider-Man was stronger than ever.
Still, in 2005’s Amazing Spider-Man #527, by J. Michael Straczynski and Mike Deodato, Peter’s strength continued to increase. After dying at Morlun’s hands, Spider-Man accepted a spider-totem called the Other, which brought him back to life and enhanced his abilities even further, once more increasing his strength. Now, Spider-Man was capable of lifting twenty tons.
This new strength came in handy during 2007’s Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #4, by Jeph Loeb and David Finch. The web-slinger beat the Rhino in direct combat, much quicker than he had before, showing how much stronger he’d become.
In 2007’s Amazing Spider-Man #545, by Joe Quesada and J. Michael Straczynski, the effects of “One More Day” returned Peter’s strength to its original limit of ten tons. Even so, Spider-Man performed some incredible feats afterward. In 2012’s Amazing Spider-Man #694, by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos, Peter supported the weight of a private jet to help it land.
When Doctor Octopus took over Peter’s body in 2012’s Amazing Spider-Man #700, by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos, he was surprised by Peter’s strength. With one blow, Octavius punched off the Scorpion’s jaw. Spider-Man’s strength is one of his most underestimated powers, making him much stronger than he looks…literally.
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