Spider-Man: Peter Parker Just Killed Aunt May, Here’s Why

Among all of Marvel Comics‘ heroes, Peter Parker is unique in having maintained a code against killing. While most superheroes try to avoid lethal force, Parker has gone out of his way to avoid killing and been successful in doing so. However, a recent Spider-Man story sees Peter Parker break that rule. Even more shockingly, he does so to end the life of his Aunt May.

Written by Joe Kelly, with art by Kev Walker, the Radioactive Spider-Man miniseries details the life of Peter Parker in the Age o f Revelation timeline. Surprisingly, little has changed for Peter in the wake of the release of the X-Virus, which kills most humans and triggers mutations in others. This included Peter, who has grown an extra pair of arms and requires regular radiation therapy treatments to live, yet he still risks his life to protect Manhattan and the survivors who remain.

However, Peter has a secret he’s hidden for the decade since the release of the X-Virus. His Aunt May mutated too, transforming into a people-eating monster whenever she is scared or confused. Peter hoped to find a cure, hiding her away from the world and keeping her calm. Unfortunately, she went into a rage after seeing Peter unmasked in his Spider-Man suit and escaped.

Why did Peter Parker kill Aunt May?

The threat posed by Aunt May in Manhattan finally pushes Peter Parker into doing the unthinkable. As Spider-Man, he lures her back into the lab where he received his radiation treatments. It is here he floods the chamber with a lethal radiation dose, strong enough to kill May in her monstrous form.

Ultimately, Peter justified his actions for two reasons. First, he knew his Aunt May would never want to be responsible for killing anyone. Second, he decided that ending her life fell within the purview of the Do Not Resuscitate order she wrote into her Living Will. Thankfully, Aunt May returns to normal just long enough to thank Peter for freeing her, though she knew it broke his heart.

Radioactive Spider-Man #3 is now available in comic shops everywhere.