10 Spider-Man Moments Guaranteed To Make You Cry

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Spider-Man is arguably one of the most tragic heroes in comic book history. For decades, he’s faced constant misfortune, losing people he cares about and enduring immense hardship. Though he often appears strong, Peter Parker carries deep pain and guilt. These tragedies fuel his determination to become a better hero, making him a uniquely relatable and heartbreaking character. Many of Marvel’s most memorable stories focus on the struggles of Spider-Man and the people around him.

Spider-Man comics are known for being particularly moving and often explore difficult themes, and these stories represent some of the most heartbreaking examples.

10) Doctor Octopus’ Promise to Spider-Man

During the “Superior Spider-Man” story, the villain Doctor Octopus switches bodies with Peter Parker as he’s dying. Surprisingly, this transfer gives Doc Ock access to all of Peter’s memories and a sense of his responsibility. However, he can’t save Peter, who is now trapped in Doc Ock’s failing body. Peter dies peacefully, without anger, and asks Doc Ock to continue protecting New York. Doc Ock promises to do so, and Peter dies contentedly. The entire scene – Peter’s death and Doc Ock’s heartfelt vow to become a hero – is deeply moving.

9) Lizard Takes Complete Control

Dr. Curt Conners tried to use reptile DNA to grow back his arm, but it also created a dangerous alter ego, the Lizard. He’s been constantly fighting to control the Lizard and protect his family. In the storyline “Shed,” the Lizard finally takes over completely. Despite his desperate attempts, Dr. Conners can’t stop the Lizard from tragically harming his son, Billy. With Billy’s death, Dr. Conners’ own personality is erased, leaving only a more powerful and cunning Lizard free to cause destruction in New York City. It’s heartbreaking to witness a good man fail to save his son and ultimately lose himself to his inner struggles.

8) Death of George Stacy

Police Captain George Stacy was Gwen Stacy’s father and a supportive figure in her relationship with Peter Parker. He was also a public advocate for Spider-Man. During a battle between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus, a falling chimney threatened a young boy. Captain Stacy heroically pushed the boy to safety, but was tragically killed by the falling debris. Peter, as Spider-Man, desperately pulled George from the rubble, and in his final moments, George asked Peter to protect Gwen, revealing he knew Peter was Spider-Man. Devastated and filled with guilt, Peter blamed himself for Captain Stacy’s death.

7) Spider-Man Meets His Biggest Fan

In a touching story, Spider-Man, or Peter, pays a late-night visit to nine-year-old Timothy Harrison, who is known for his incredible Spider-Man collection. Timothy is overjoyed to meet his idol, and Peter happily recounts some of his adventures. Timothy bravely asks Peter his secret identity, and Peter reveals his face. They share a heartfelt hug and declare themselves best friends. The story takes a sad turn as it’s revealed Timothy is in a cancer clinic with a very limited time left. The ending is deeply moving, showing that even Spider-Man can’t save everyone.

6) Peter and MJ Lose Their Marriage

The comic book storyline “One More Day” is famously controversial because it erased twenty years of history surrounding Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson’s marriage. When Aunt May is shot, Spider-Man desperately tries to save her. The demon Mephisto offers a deal: he’ll save Aunt May if Peter gives up his marriage to MJ. Peter accepts, and Mephisto rewrites their entire relationship. Though widely criticized for its negative impact on Spider-Man comics, the story was deeply upsetting because it forced Peter to make a heartbreaking choice, ultimately ending his and MJ’s marriage and leaving them with no memory of their happiness together.

5) Death of Harry Osborn

It broke my heart watching Harry’s story unfold. Peter and Harry were like brothers for so long, but then Harry found out his dad was the Green Goblin, and it just destroyed him. After his father died, he spiraled out of control, becoming obsessed with revenge on Peter. He even took the Goblin serum and tried to take us all out with an explosion! Peter was desperately trying to reach him, to bring him back to himself. Thankfully, Harry had a moment of clarity and saved Peter, MJ, and his son. But it was too late – the serum was killing him. In his final moments, he finally told Peter he was his best friend. It was incredibly sad, but honestly, it felt like the only ending that made sense for his character.

4) Death of Aunt May

After Uncle Ben passed away, Aunt May was all I had left in terms of family. She was always there for Peter, offering him kindness and guidance for years. I remember when the ‘Clone Saga’ happened and she had a stroke – it was terrifying! Thankfully, she started to get better, and during her recovery, she confessed she’d always known Peter was Spider-Man. It was a beautiful moment. But sadly, her health failed again, and Peter had to say goodbye to the woman who was really a mother to him. Though they later changed the story, at the time, it was incredibly moving and genuinely heartbreaking to see her go.

3) Peter and MJ Lose Their Baby

The story arc “One More Day” highlights a pattern in Marvel comics: Peter Parker is never allowed lasting happiness, especially when it comes to family. A prime example is during the “Clone Saga,” when MJ became pregnant, and Peter was overjoyed at the prospect of becoming a father. However, their happiness was short-lived. MJ experienced a difficult and painful labor, and tragically, their baby didn’t survive. The loss of a child is devastating, and the story portrayed this pain with a raw realism that made it particularly heartbreaking for readers.

2) Death of Uncle Ben

This film really digs into the origins of our hero, and it’s heartbreaking. We quickly learn that tragedy isn’t just something that happens to him, but something he inadvertently set in motion. Initially, he’s just a kid with powers trying to make some money, showing off for crowds. But then comes that pivotal night – he sees a thief and, honestly, doesn’t even bother to stop him. The gut punch comes when he arrives home to find his Uncle Ben, the man who raised him, has been killed… by that same burglar. It’s a devastating moment, and it’s what truly makes him a hero, forcing him to understand the responsibility that comes with his abilities. But it’s not just about becoming a hero; it’s about the weight of guilt he carries, knowing his inaction contributed to the death of the man he loved. That guilt isn’t just backstory – it fuels everything he does, every single heroic act.

1) Death of Gwen Stacy

As a lifelong comic book fan, I still remember being absolutely floored by the death of Gwen Stacy. It’s one of those moments that just changed everything. The Green Goblin, that ultimate Spider-Man villain, snatched Gwen and dangled her from the Brooklyn Bridge just to mess with Peter. When he dropped her, Peter shot a web and caught her, but it wasn’t enough. The sudden stop snapped her neck, and… well, it was instant. It was the first time a hero’s girlfriend had ever been killed off permanently in comics, and it really ushered in a darker, more mature era. It was a total gut punch for both Peter Parker and us readers, and honestly, even now, decades later, it still feels incredibly powerful and sad.

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2025-10-21 19:14