Warning: spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #1002.
Amazing Spider-Man #1002 concludes the storyline that began with the revelation that Peter Parker’s long-lost cousin, Cormac Crane, is the villain Ravage. After erasing Peter from May Parker’s memories, Cormac brings May and her boyfriend, Ricardo, to the Crane family estate with plans to alter Ricardo’s memories as well. Spider-Man arrives before he can do so, leading to a battle in the woods.
The confrontation is complicated by Cormac’s feelings toward Peter. Although Ravage blames Peter for the death of his father, Uncle Ben, he still regards Spider-Man as family and holds back to some extent. Even so, Cormac’s power gives him a clear advantage. The issue’s visual storytelling emphasizes the difference between the two characters, with Pepe Larraz’s artwork presenting Ravage as physically more powerful than Spider-Man.
The fight changes when Spider-Man taps into an enhanced form of his Spider-Sense. Peter had been training with Daredevil to improve his abilities in preparation for a rematch with Hellgate, a villain who nearly killed him earlier in Joe Kelly’s run. That training allows Spider-Man to launch a sudden, overwhelming attack against Ravage.
However, Cormac’s earlier attempt to steal Peter’s memories has an unexpected consequence: Peter gains access to some of Cormac’s memories. He sees the abuse and manipulation surrounding Cormac’s childhood, including the way Cormac repeatedly used his powers in an attempt to make his adoptive mother love him. His efforts ultimately destroyed her mind.
Those memories give Peter a frightening idea. Knowing that Cormac may eventually do the same thing to Aunt May, Spider-Man threatens to reveal his identity to her and explain what Cormac has done. He warns that Cormac would then be forced to alter May’s memories again and again, potentially destroying her mind. Peter is effectively bluffing that he is willing to risk May’s health in order to stop Ravage.
Cormac backs down for the moment, giving Spider-Man a temporary reprieve. The decision leaves Peter disturbed, since he realizes he has crossed a line by exploiting Ravage’s twisted perspective and threatening May’s well-being. More troubling still, the tactic only works because Cormac is capable of seeing such an outcome as possible.
The encounter ends without resolving the long-term danger to May. Spider-Man now understands that Cormac cannot be trusted around her, leaving Peter with the urgent problem of finding a permanent solution while continuing to face other threats.
Sources: Comic Book Resources.