Amazing Spider-Man #508
The Book of Ezekiel: Chapter Three
Tied to a stone pillar in a temple in South America, Peter Parker thinks he is going to die. Thinking back to the events that brought him here, a chain of events that began the moment Ezekiel Sims entered his life.[1] That’s when he encountered the Gatekeeper who showed him the truth, that Ezekiel was the one the creature sought because he took the power of the spider when there was to be only one chosen individual of their generation, Peter Parker. That’s when Peter found himself in South America in a battle to the death with Ezekiel. Spider-Man tried his best to defend himself against Ezekiel’s attacks, but Sims managed to get close enough to inject him with a knockout drug. Ripping off his mask so he can breathe better, Peter then fought Ezekiel while also trying to shrug off the effects of the drug. The whole time, the words of the Gatekeeper echo in his head about how Peter Parker was the spider’s chosen avatar. Unfortunately, despite Peter’s best efforts to defeat Ezekiel, the drugs take effect and he blacks out.
Now shackled to a stone pillar, Peter tries to plead with Ezekiel who tells him that it’s too late. He cuts Peter’s chest causing his blood to flow in a spider-shaped imprint on the floor. Cutting his own hand and allowing his blood to flow into the same imprint, Ezekiel says that he is offering Peter up as a sacrifice so that the Gatekeeper will be happy and he can live. Peter screams Ezkiel’’s name, but it falls on deaf ears as he walks out convincing himself that there wasn’t any other choice. However, Peter refuses to go out like this and begins struggling to get free, trying to focus his mind on Mary Jane. As he continues to struggle, Peter and Ezekiel’s blood begin to mix triggering a mental link between the two men through their mutual spider-senses. Peter sees Ezekiel’s life as nothing but a life bereft of responsibility, of a man who had the power to do something but chose to do nothing. While on the other hand, Ezekiel sees Peter’s life of tragedy and how he has always acted and done things out of love. Being a hero because so many people depended on him and to make up for the loss of his Uncle Ben.[2]
Suddenly, a massive spider emerges from the darkness to feed upon Peter Parker. Simultaneously, Ezekiel realizes how much his life was full of wasted potential and realizes the horrible mistake he is about to make. Ezekiel goes back into the temple and kicks the massive spider away from Peter. As he fights the monster he tells it to take him that he’s the one who deserves to be a sacrifice and that Spider-Man is worthy of being the spider-totem. The spider responds by fatally striking Ezekiel just as Peter breaks free from his bonds. Unfortunately, before Peter can go to Ezekiel’s help he blacks out.
When he wakes up he finds himself under the care of Miguel who has patched up all of Peter’s wounds. Miguel confirms that Ezekiel is dead, pointing to the wrapped-up body on the floor. Miguel explains that Ezekiel learned that he wasted his power, putting off his responsibilities because he was just too busy. When Ezekiel attempted to sacrifice Peter in the blood ceremony the part of Peter’s soul that went into him during that ceremony was able to make Ezekiel do what the part of him that flowed into Peter wouldn’t allow him to do. Later, after they have buried Ezekiel, Peter still doesn’t understand what all any sense and asks if his powers were given to him by magic or by science. The only thing Miguel can offer him is a comparison. He tells Peter that he can explain all the science that proves the sun will come up tomorrow, while Miguel believes that the sun will come up because it is meant to and that there is no contradiction between the two. As Miguel walks away, Peter figures he doesn’t see much a contradiction after all.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Ezekiel Sims, Gatekeeper
Continuity Notes
Ezekiel Sims first appeared in Peter Parker’s life in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #30, claiming that Peter’s powers were mystical in nature and to warn him that mystical forces were going to put him through various trials and tribulations. These threats came in the form of Morlun (Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #30-35), Shanthra (Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #46-48) and most recently the Gatekeeper over the last two issues.
The flashback of Peter’s life references the death of Uncle Ben (Amazing Spider-Man #15) and his parents Richard and Mary Parker (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5)
