Spider-Man #43
Media Blitz
After defeating Platoon on the Brooklyn Bridge, Spider-Man and Iron Fist are ambushed by more cyborgs created by the organization known as ARMS.[1] The entire battle is being recorded on live television by news crews on the scene. Watching from various places around the world, members of the criminal underworld and in law-enforcement begin placing calls to ARMS in order to place orders for the new weapons. The board of directors of ARMS are delighted by the sudden influx of calls from organizations looking to place orders. Some of the first callers include Maimi drug dealer the Slug, as well as high ranking officer at the Pentagon. The criminal known as Gauntlet calls from his cell at Riker's Island, and officials from the Justice Department place a call from one of their safe houses.
Back on the Brooklyn Bridge, Spider-Man and Iron Fist are blasted off the water. Spider-Man manages to rescue Iron Fist from the waters and the two return to the bridge to stop the cyborgs from attacking the crowd above. The wall-crawler stops long enough to set up his camera to take pictures for the Daily Bugle. He then tries to wrap up some of the warriors in his webbing, but they easily cut through. This prompts more calls from potential buyers, including the interdimensional warlord Sat-Yr9, and Hellfire Club owner Shinobi Shaw. However, Spider-Man and Iron Fist begin turning the tide of battle. Like Platoon before them, the cyborgs rely to heavily on their weapons systems. Thanks to their superior strength and speed, Spider-Man and Iron Fist are able to damage their armor, leaving them without their weapons. They then bury the group under their debris. Seeing the defeat of these cyborgs on live television, all the potential buyers dry up. In addition to those who have already called, cancellations come from Hydra, and Richard Fisk. The two heroes finally take down the last of the cyborgs. With the danger out of the way, Iron Fist takes the opportunity to talk to Kate Cushing of the Daily Bugle to disavow the involvement of the Rand Corporation.
Meanwhile, the member of ARMS attempt to flee their boardroom, the directors of ARMS are suddenly arrounded by armored forces of Advanced Idea Mechanics, who have come to absorb ARMS into their organization.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Iron First, Kate Cushing, AIM, ARMS, Shinobi Shaw, Hydra, Sat-Yr9, Richard Fisk, Gauntlet, Slug
Continuity Notes
The original twin towers of the World Trade Center are depicted as part of the New York City skyline here. This should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616. The original towers were destroyed in a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and have since been replaced by the Freedom Tower.
