Summary

• In Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 , Spider-Man demonstrates surprising speed by catching a bullet, a feat that showcases his potential power.
• Peter Parker's training with Captain America teaches him the importance of concentration and calculated action, which he puts into practice against a new villain, Tracer.
• Spider-Man's reliance on his instincts, rather than formal training, limits his effectiveness as a superhero, but he has always displayed incredible potential, and only needs discipline and focus to better himself.

While Superman clearly outclasses Spider-Man in a great many respects, the two superheroes are actually closer than some fans might think in certain power levels. One Spider-Man story showcases Spider-Man proving that he, like one of Superman's famous descriptors, is also "faster than a speeding bullet." At least, he's faster than some speeding bullets.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 – by Peter David and Mike Wieringo – finds Peter Parker encountering a new villain, Tracer, as the rogue is robbing a bank. Tracer manages to fire two shots at Spider-Man, both of which lock onto him as a target.

Realizing that there's no way to avoid the bullets, Peter thinks back to his recent training with Captain America, recalling a lesson in concentration. In a moment of extreme skill, Spider-Man stops running and manages to actually catch one of the bullets; the other, unfortunately, travels through Peter's hand and into his shoulder.

Spider-Man's Reflexes Aren't Quite On Superman's Level

Spider-Man's attempt to catch a bullet in mid-air follows a decision to begin training with Captain America, during the Webslinger's time living in Avengers Tower. With Peter moving up to one of the world's premiere superhero teams, Mary Jane Watson asks Captain America to begin training Spider-Man, who has had too many near-brushes with death to rely on his friendly neighborhood habits. In their first lesson together, Steve Rogers attempts to teach Peter about his chi, telling the younger hero that he needs to quit acting on his instinct alone.

As the two bullets come flying at Peter, he heeds Steve's advice. Rather than always relying on strength, Captain America says, "Sometimes you need to stop. Take a deep breath. Focus your energy... your chi..." Peter then stands on the sidewalk, turns around, and faces the bullets head-on. It is a moment of surprising clarity for Spider-Man, a hero known for letting his mind – and mouth – travel a mile a minute. Unfortunately for the Wallcrawler, he only catches the first bullet.

Sometimes, Spider-Man Works Better Without His Spidey Sense

In their training, Steve raises a valid point to Peter, addressing the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man's habit of letting his strength, agility, and reflexes do all the hard work. Spider-Man is an exceptional superhero, and one with reflexes that rival nearly any other character in the Marvel Universe. Still, he has a notable history of letting his instincts take the reins over any formal training, even after his formative teenage years. When Captain America points out that being reactive isn't always better than being calculated, Peter responds with fear: "Steve, if I can't rely on my instincts... I've got nothing."

Even if Peter only managed to catch one of the two bullets, that single feat shows a level of speed and concentration rarely demonstrated by the hero before. With more training, in fact, he likely would've caught both. By focusing on Captain America's advice, Peter proves that he could likely be a much more effective hero if he only relied on his Spidey Sense when necessary, focusing on calculation more than luck in all other cases. He may not be Superman, but Spider-Man proved he can be faster than a speeding bullet – if only he would try.