Sensational Spider-Man #1

"No Respect" part 1 of 5

Story and Script by: Richard Gutierrez

Spider-Man TM and copyright Marvel Entertainment Group 1998

High above the city streets, a lone figure swings with the grace of Tarzan through his native jungle. He is Peter Parker, AKA The Amazingly Spectacular, and don't forget Sensational, Spider-Man. This is his jungle. The concrete jungle that is the high-rise buildings of New York City. Let's peer into his thoughts to see what he has on his mind on this glorious morning.

Spider-Man (to self): Yuck! I think a bug just smashed into my mask.

Ok...so it's nothing profound. Hey, you try contemplating the meaning of life as a bug smashes into you at 25 mph! Sheessh, some people.

Spider-Man (to self): I hope Mary Jane didn't run out of that special "Super Hero Bug on the Mask Solvent". If she did this is going to be a...

Just then, Spidey's concentration is thrown off by that all too familiar tingling feeling in the back of his head. His Spider Sense warning him of danger.

Mugger #1(grabbing purse): Come on lady! Just give me the f#%$ing purse so I can go! Can't you see I'm in kind of a hurry.

Spider-Man (perched on nearby light pole): In a hurry for what? Basket weaving lessons? Snorkel class? Wait a minute I know now, beauty school.

Mugger #2 (pulling out a knife): Marty, it's that Spider dude. I say we waste 'im!

TWIPP TWIPP

Spider-Man (webbing up the mugger's knife): "Spider dude"? "Spider dude"? It's Spider-Man. Come on repeat after me "Spider-Maaaannnn".

Mugger #1 (pulling out a gun): Here you spider freak! Dodge this!

BLAM! BLAM !

Spider-Man (dodging the shots): "Spider freak"? You guys just aren't listening to me are you. It Spider-Man" I think I'm going to have to knock some sense into you two.

Spider-Man webs up the mugger's gun and then bounds over and kicks both the muggers in the face. He then wraps them up in webbing against a light pole for the police.

Spider-Man (reaching down and picking up the lady's purse): Here you go, madam. I hope those two ruffians didn't scare you too much.

Lady (hitting him with her purse): Them scare me? Just go away! Police! Police!

Spider-Man (to self , swinging away) I think I'll change my name to Rodney Dangerfield, cause I get no respect, sheesh!!

Later that day at the friendly offices of the Daily Bugle. The lovable publisher tells everyone how he feels about them on this lovely afternoon.

J Jonah Jameson (screaming, as usual): What am I paying you for! To stand around here with blank looks on your faces? I don't think so! Would somebody, anybody, get me the story on those church explosions in Hell's Kitchen!* Don't make me get my pad and paper and do it myself! Move!

*For more on this story…see Punisher #1 Gute Says…

JJJ goes into his office.

SLAM!

At his bellow, the office is alive with activity. Is it the motivation of a job well done? Of civic responsibility? Nah, just good old fashion fear. Oh well, whatever gets the job done.

Spider-Man (as Parker, to self): I've heard about those churches. I think it's up to three now, maybe I should look...what..why's Ben Urich running by me and why has my spider sense started ringing in my ears?

As Spider-Man looks on, his long time friend and Bugle staff reporter, Ben Urich runs out of the office toward the elevator.

Ben (shoving people out of the way): Move people! I've got places to go! Move!

Spider-Man (to self): That's not like Ben. I think I'll follow him, not as Peter Parker but everyone’s favorite friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

Peter ducks into an empty room and changes into his Spidey costume and watches Ben's car speed out of the Bugle parking lot.

Casting a shadow over all it sees, Fisk Towers is a building with many stories, literally and figuratively. On the top floor a massive figure is in the middle of his daily workout. He is Wilson Fisk, aka The Kingpin of Crime.

Attacker#1 (crashing to the floor): Oooff!!

Attacker #2 (arms breaking): Aaaarrggghhhh!!

Kingpin (squaring off against last attacker): It's just you and me. Show me what you've got.

Before either man can move...

CREECCKK

Kingpin (glancing toward the opening door): What the..?

As he turns, the final attacker summons the rest of his strength and lands a thunderous kick to side of the Kingpins head.

WHAM!!

The force of the blow knocks down the Kingpin. He calmly looks up at the attacker and then turns his glaze to the intruder who walked thorough the door.

Kingpin (slowly getting up from the ground): Yes...

Sheepish man: Mr. Fisk...I'm Mr. Wendell. You sent me to check on...

Kingpin (walking slowly over to Mr. Wendell): I know what I sent you for. I also told you NEVER to disturb me while I'm training. Report.

Mr Wendell: Well, sir, I have photographs...of a new player who has...set up shop on the docks. He's looking to...take over the gun running operation. He's been flooding the streets with these.

Mr Wendell reaches into a rather large bag that he drug in with him and pulls out a gun the size of The Kingpin's arm. With The Kingpin weighing over 400lbs, it's a big gun! The Kingpin takes the gun from Mr. Wendell.

Mr Wendell: We had the lab run...some test. They can't identify what the gun is made of...or how it works.

Kingpin : Is there anything else?

Mr Wendell: No, sir that's it.

Kingpin (pointing the gun at Mr. Wendell): Mr. Wendell I can tell how it works. You point it and pull the trigger.

Mr Wendell: Nooo!!!

BLAM!!!!!

The Kingpin pulls the trigger on the massive gun and a beam of pure energy erupts from the nozzle. Mr. Wendell is instantaneously reduced to a pile of burnt dust.

Kingpin: See how easy that was. Now for you.

The Kingpin turns and faces the last attacker. The attacker tenses for battle.

Kingpin (throwing the gun on the floor, walking toward the attacker): Don't worry, I won't shoot you. Your attack on me was ruthless and unforgiving. You used my momentary distraction to deliver a crushing blow. I applaud you. Nicely done.

The attacker loosens up.

KRAK!!!

The Kingpin quickly grabs the attackers neck and in his huge hands snaps his neck.

Kingpin (dropping the body): Yes, nicely done.

THUD!

He walks over to his desk and picks up the phone.

Kingpin: Hello, I have a job for you. Stop by my office I have a...toy that I believe YOU will like.

Spider-Man has followed Ben to the docks. He sees Ben's car screech to a halt, Ben jumps out and runs into a nearby warehouse.

Spider-Man (to self): My spider sense has been going crazy ever sense we arrived here. I'll sneak around the back and see if I can get a better look inside.

Spider-Man crawls along the roof and finds an open window to enter. He sets up shop on top of a stack of crates overlooking the warehouse floor. Spidey looks down and sees Ben running toward a large man in a black trenchcoat.

Ben (running at man): What have you done with her? Where's my wife?

Man (low gravelly voice): Your wife will be fine. Calm yourself. (under his breath) You humans have always been so sensitive about their mates..

Ben : What did you say?

Man: Nothing that need concern you. You need to concern yourself with burying any mention of my little operation in that paper of yours. I am trying to keep a low profile and any attention by thecostumed marvels of the area would greatly hamper my plans. Understand?

Ben: Why me? Why pick me?

Man: Your wife was easy to capture and you usually handle the "underground beat" from what I've told. Now, has anyone been nosing around?

Ben: No. No one has asked anything. Please, let me see my wife.

Man: Sure.

The man reaches up and pulls a sheet off a stack of crates to reveal Ben's wife bound and gagged in a steel cage.

Ben: Baby are you OK?

Man : I told you she was fine. She will continue to be as long as you continue to do as I say. Is that clear?

High above, Spider-Man has seen enough.

Spider-Man (to self): I was waiting for him to tell me where Ben's wife was located. Now..

Click Click.

Spidey, reacting to the sound, turns around and sees a large man holding a large gun to his head.

Shotgun: I think you should hold it right there web-slinger.

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