5 Times Spider-Man Overcame Great Odds (And 5 Times He Quit)

1. If This Be My Destiny

The pinnacle of the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko era of Spider-Man comics, Amazing Spider-Man #31-33 encapsulates everything that makes Spider-Man such a unique and inspiring hero.

In this storyline, Peter's Aunt May is hospitalized and on the verge of death after receiving a transfusion of her nephew's radioactive blood. Peter's friend Curt Connors (who doubled as the villain, the Lizard) develops a serum that can save May, but the 'Master Planner'. later unveiled to be Spidey's arch-nemesis Doctor Octopus, steals it. During the ensuing battle, Doc Ock's base collapses, burying Spider-Man under tons of steel and debris.

The serum is just out of reach. Spider-Man bemoans the fact that his final act alive ultimately dooms his Aunt, the one person he cares for more than any other. He also thinks about how his selfish behavior when he first became Spider-Man led to his Uncle Ben's death. That's when Spidey vows to persevere.

He famously says, "Anyone can fight when the odds are easy! It's when the going's tough - when there seems to be no chance - that's when it counts!" He lifts the steel above his head, grabs the serum and saves his Aunt. It is indisputably Spider-Man's greatest triumph.