Running late for a cruise with Flash Thompson, Mary Jane, and Liz Allan, Peter web-slings to the docks so as not to miss the trip. Changing back to Peter Parker, he makes it just in time. The cruise goes sour when it is hijacked by the costumed mercenary known as the Tarantula, who intends on ransoming off the passengers for one million dollars. Peter slips away and changes into Spider-Man, and attacks the Tarantula. However, the Tarantula knocks some of the crew overboard, and Spider-Man is forced to jump ship to save them. He realizes he's out of web-fluid and cannot swing to the ship. He then rushes back to the apartment he shares with Harry Osborn and quickly grabs his spare web-cartridges. He leaves in such a rush that he doesn't notice that Harry Osborn has spied on him doing so and has discovered Peter's secret identity.

As word of the ransom (and demands for financial help from the mayor) reach J. Jonah Jameson, Spider-Man manages to web-sling back onto the ship to resume his fight with the Tarantula. Although he is tagged by the drugged tips of the Tarantula's boots, Spider-Man manages to put up a good fight against his foe. However, the drugs kick in, and Spider-Man briefly blacks out. When he comes around, he sees that the Punisher has arrived and is now pointing a gun in his face, seeking to take control of the situation.

This story is continued next issue...

---