Summary

• According to one reading of Marvel's Civil War, including the events leading up to and following the crossover, Iron Man selfishly ruined Spider-Man's chance at a fresh start, knowing the potential consequences for Peter Parker but still asking him to unmask in of the Superhero Registration act.
• Peter's loyalty to Iron Man early in Civil War led to the tragic mistake of revealing his secret identity to the world; though Spider-Man subsequently went over to Captain America's side, the lasting damage was done.
• Iron Man's actions directly caused harm to come to Aunt May, which in turn led to the dissolution of Peter and MJ's marriage, impacting Spider-Man's life forever; while Tony Stark couldn't have known the specifics, he could have forseen the negative impact unmasking would have on Peter.

Iron Man arguably ruined Spider-Man's life during Marvel's Civil War – and he knew it at the time, but did it anyway. Peter Parker started the event fighting alongside Tony Stark and his government-appointed heroes, he soon ed Captain America's freedom fighters — though not before revealing his secret identity before the world. This unmasking destroyed Spider-Man's life, and Stark knew exactly what he was getting Peter into.

The Amazing Spider-Man #528 came at the end of an event called The Other, which found Peter having just returned from the dead, after a seemingly fatal battle with Morlun. After getting a check-up with Iron Man, Tony revealed that Peter's body had essentially regenerated itself entirely, granting him a new lease on life.

Soon after, Tony enlisted Spider-Man into his Civil War, where Peter unmasked himself in front of the world and went on the run. Given what Tony knew about Peter's miraculous second chance, it can be argued that Iron Man effectively ruined Spider-Man's fresh shot at life.

After telling Tony he had his back no matter what, Peter realized the moral failings of Team Iron Man in the superhero Civil War. This change, sadly, did not come before Iron Man convinced Spider-Man to reveal his secret identity.

Iron Man Ruined Spider-Man's New Chance at Life

The Amazing Spider-Man #528 – By J. Michael Straczynski, Mike Deodato Jr., & Joe Pimentel

The Spider-Man crossover storyline The Other featured Peter Parker reckoning with his own mortality, as the spider-based radiation coursing through his veins appeared to be marching him closer and closer toward death. Though Peter met with a number of superheroic geniuses like Black Panther and Mister Fantastic, he found no way to prevent his seemingly inevitable demise. Before the radiation killed him, Peter was confronted by Morlun, who left Spider-Man with apparently fatal injuries after a series of attacks. After appearing to die, Peter was later reborn from a cocoon with new powers and a clean slate for his body.

Iron Man later assessed Peter's condition, telling Spider-Man he'd been blessed with "what every human being has asked for: a fresh start, a clean slate, every cell brand new and undamaged." After years of suffering, it was a welcome gift for Peter; he could start a new day with old pain behind him. This gift, however, would quickly be squandered. After telling Tony he had his back no matter what, Peter realized the moral failings of Team Iron Man in the superhero Civil War. This change, sadly, did not come before Iron Man convinced Spider-Man to reveal his secret identity.

Peter's unmasking directly caused Aunt May's death – which in turn led to the dissolution of Peter and MJ's marriage to bring her back to life. Even Captain America, who died in Civil War, was brought back; Spider-Man's marriage has never returned.

Iron Man Was Responsible For Breaking Up The Parker Family

Civil War Led Directly To One More Day

Though Spider-Man certainly made his own choices during Civil War, they were largely prompted by his loyalty to Iron Man, following all Tony had done for Peter and his family. Iron Man's decisions during the war left the Parkers in a far worse position than they were in before, giving them no time to enjoy Peter's gift. By pressuring Spider-Man to be a figurehead of superhero registration and reveal his identity, Iron Man changed Peter's life forever, painting targets on his loved ones' backs. Tony insisted Peter should enjoy his new lease on life, but his actions ensured the opposite.

Though Iron Man was only trying to mitigate the fallout of the Stamford incident, he knew the potential ramifications of pressuring Spider-Man into revealing his identity. After playing both sides, Spider-Man paid a greater price in Civil War than any other hero. Peter's unmasking directly caused Aunt May's death – which in turn led to the dissolution of Peter and MJ's marriage to bring her back to life. Even Captain America, who died in Civil War, was brought back; Spider-Man's marriage has never returned. After witnessing Spider-Man receive a new lease on life, Iron Man's decisions in Civil War left this chance unfulfilled.

The Amazing Spider-Man #528 is available now from Marvel Comics.