The sixth compilation of the excellent re-telling of Spider-Man's beginnings. Here, Doc Connors uses Peter Parker's genetically altered blood, and his own altered blood, in a science project that inadvertently creates a hostile mindless being (aka Carnage in the original telling), who ultimately kills Gwen Stacy in a grisly fashion. Peter learns the creature's origins and manages to destroy it, and resolves afterward to give up being Spider-Man. It takes a meeting with Johnny Storm, the Torch, an unabashed Spidey fan here, to turn his head around. There is also a highly entertaining story here wherein Peter Parker and Wolverine's psyches are switched with the others' body. Still fine art here, and great writing, especially as regards Peter's relationship with Mary Jane, and an interaction with Mary Jane and Gwen before her untimely (and ill-advised) death. The final story is a bit of a bummer; just as Peter and Mary Jane are about to embark on a long over-due fancy date, he is sucked into a possession nightmare of Doctor Strange, where his frequent doubts about the impact of his activities upon his loved ones and their safety is horribly fanned into full flame, and he is left shivering and quaking in his cellar as a bewildered Mary Jane waits for him to go on their fancy date. Great stories, with a downer to finish up with. ( )

Ultimate Spider-man #60-71 ( )