Uncle Ben
Uncle Ben | |
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Brooklyn, New York | |
Supporting character of | Spider-Man |
Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Parker, usually referred to as Uncle Ben, was a supporting character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually in association with the superhero Spider-Man (Peter Parker). He was the husband of May Parker and the paternal uncle and father figure of Peter Parker. After appearing in Strange Tales #97 (January 1962), Uncle Ben made his first full appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962), and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. He was modeled and named after American founding father Benjamin Franklin.
The character has been an essential part of Spider-Man's history. His death at the hands of a
The character has been substantially adapted from the comics into various forms of media, including films, animated series, and video games. He was portrayed by
Publication history
After first appearing in
Notability of death
The murder of Uncle Ben is possibly the most notable in comic book history. He is also one of the few
There have been examples of Uncle Ben remaining alive in
A story-line in the official series
During the
Fictional character biography
Early life
Ben Parker was born in
Raising Peter
Ben was very protective of Peter, going as far as fighting some of the bullies that tormented young Parker. Peter became friends with Charlie Weiderman in high school, a teen even more unpopular than he was. However, Charlie often provoked the trouble with the other teens. One day, he was chased to the Parker home by a group of bullies led by Rich and Ben intervened. Ben told them that if they wanted Charlie, they would have to go through him. Rich tried to, but was surprised by Ben's
Spider-Man and death
In high school, a radioactive spider bite gave Peter superhuman powers. Creating the costumed identity of Spider-Man for himself, Peter sought first to exploit his newfound powers as a masked wrestler and then as a television star. Coming from a television appearance, Spider-Man saw a
When Peter later returned home, he was informed by a police officer that his beloved Uncle Ben had been killed by a burglar. Outraged, he donned his Spider-Man costume and captured the man only to realize to his horror that it was the same burglar whom he could have effortlessly captured earlier at the studio. As a result, Peter considered himself morally responsible for Ben's death and resolved to fight crime as a superhero — realizing that with great power comes great responsibility — and vowing never to let another innocent person come to harm if he could help it.[12]
Legacy
Ben's death was truly avenged when the burglar returned for the money once more, threatening Aunt May. The burglar died from a heart attack upon beholding his old nemesis Spider-Man once again and learning that Spider-Man and Peter Parker were one and the same person.[13]
In Amazing Spider-Man Family #7, May relates to Peter her account of meeting Ben for the first time.
Ben briefly appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #500; after Spider-Man played a vital role in preventing the resurrection of Dormammu, an unidentified higher power provided Doctor Strange with a small box that he felt he had to give to Spider-Man as a reward for his role in events. When Peter opened the box on the roof of his apartment building, it contained a note saying "You have five minutes. Spend them as you will", followed by Ben appearing on the roof. It was revealed that this Ben – whether a ghost or Ben having been temporally relocated from the moment before his death – remembered being out for the walk that resulted in him getting shot but nothing afterwards, although he concluded that the events leading to him being on that roof were not important. In their talk Ben said that the only thing that would disappoint him about Peter is if Peter ever settled for less because he was afraid of reaching for more. This helps Peter to see that he had a good life for all its hardships, recognizing that he has always used what he has, and Ben assures Peter that he is proud of him before he vanishes.[14]
During the 2008–2009 "Dark Reign" storyline, Uncle Ben makes an appearance in the Underworld when Hercules attends the trial of Zeus, directing Amadeus Cho as he attempted to find his parents in the afterlife.[15] In the "Amazing Grace" storyline, Ben appears as an apparition to Spider-Man while battling a horde of demons and gargoyles, telling him that his death is not Peter's or anyone's fault. However, one enemy notices him and attacked only to disappear. This left Spider-Man puzzled if he was imagining Ben or he was really talking to his ghost.[16]
When Ben Reilly adopted the identity of the Jackal and set up an elaborate plan to use Warren's new cloning process to make the world immortal, he attempted to win Peter's allegiance by showing him Ben's coffin and offering to bring Ben back to life.[5] However, although tempted by the idea, Peter realized that Ben never intended to bring 'their' uncle back to life because he would have done it already, coldly informing his clone that Uncle Ben would tell Reilly that he was wrong, as he has the power without the responsibility.[6] At the conclusion of the crisis, Peter takes a moment beside the coffin containing Ben's corpse, acknowledging that Reilly's actions were wrong but wishing that Uncle Ben was there regardless.[17]
When Spider-Man finally confronts Kindred during the "Last Remains" arc, he finds that Kindred had dug up the bodies of Uncle Ben, Gwen Stacy, George Stacy, Ned Leeds, J. Jonah Jameson Sr., Jean DeWolff, and Marla Jameson and sat them around a dinner table.[18]
Other versions
Original appearance
Lee and Ditko introduced the character of "Uncle Ben" alongside "Aunt May" in the June 1962 issue of Strange Tales #97, four months before his Amazing Fantasy debut. In the story "Goodbye to Linda Brown," the characters are given no surname. They care for a young woman named Linda Brown who develops a sleepwalking habit, just like Ben and May used to have. When Linda sleepwalks to the sea in her wheelchair, she becomes a mermaid.[19][20]
Trouble
A version of Ben appeared in the Mark Millar, Terry Dodson 2003 limited series, Trouble, with his brother Richie, who were involved with teenagers, May and Mary.[21]
None of the characters' last names were revealed. The story did not become canon because of its negative reception.[22][23][24]
Bullet Points
In this alternate reality, a young Ben Parker is working as a military policeman. He is assigned to security for Doctor Erskine, a scientist for the
Derailed Alt-Ben Parker
In an alternate reality shown in
It was revealed that the Ben Parker who had died in the alleyway was the Uncle Ben of the alternate reality, while the Ben Parker who killed Spider-Man 2211 was, in fact, the Chameleon of 2211; the Chameleon had attempted to convince Ben to resort to murder, but Spider-Man correctly guessed that there were no circumstances under which Ben would do such a thing.[27]
Earth-6160
On
House of M
In the House of M reality, Ben Parker is alive and, like the rest of the world, is aware that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. After recovering Peter's journal, with entries detailing that the world is not how it should be, Ben discovers that he is killed shortly after Peter gains his powers. He later helps Peter fake his death, photographing Spider-Man apparently hanging himself.[29]
Marvel Noir
In the
Spider-Verse
During the "Spider-Verse" storyline, there are different versions of Uncle Ben that are featured:
- A version of Peter Parker named Patton Parnell lives with his abusive Uncle Ted on an unknown Earth. After the bite of an irradiated spider mutates him into an arachnid monstrosity, Patton infects his Uncle Ted with his offspring while declaring he taught him that "With great power comes a great appetite".[31]
- An alternate Uncle Ben from an unknown reality appears in a flashback along with his universe's version of Aunt May. On Earth-14512, they are portrayed as scientists. They informed their niece VEN#m. After SP//dr defeats VEN#m and finds that Addy and Aunt May aren't inside, Ben visits Peni hours later and states that what happened to May and Addy wasn't her fault. A portal opens as Spider-Ham requests Peni's help. Ben convinces her to go as duty calls.[33]
- In an unknown reality, Uncle Ben and Aunt May are with their nephew Peter at the hospital after he suffers an allergic reaction to the radioactive spider bite, leaving him in a coma. Because of this, they are out of their house when it's burgled by the thief that killed Ben in the main universe. Peter transforms into Man-Spider and attacks Uncle Ben and Aunt May, but is thwarted by Spider-Man Noir. Six-Armed Spider-Man creates a cure for Peter, allowing him to live a normal life with Ben and May.[34]
- The Earth-3145 version of Ben Parker was isolated in Benjy Parker – the baby brother of Spider-Girl – and take him to another dimension for safety.[37] When the crisis is averted, Ben accompanies Spider-Girl back to her home dimension, and decides to remain there so he can be the great-uncle that no other Ben Parker has had the chance to become.[38]
Spider-Geddon
During the "Spider-Geddon" storyline, Earth-91918 has a version of Uncle Ben who is married to a Hispanic version of Aunt May. When he is shot by a mugger, Uncle Ben gains spider powers following a blood transfusion from his nephew. When Ben became a Spider-Man, he was a ruthless hero where he once severely beat up Kraven the Hunter.[39]
Earth-1610
The Earth-1610 version of Ben Parker differs slightly from the original iteration. Younger than his original counterpart, he is also a former hippie who wears his hair in a ponytail and teaches Peter Parker to be nonviolent. Ben also reminisces about the period he lived on a commune. After Peter went out for a walk, Peter learned from a police officer that Ben was murdered.[40][41][42]
What If?
Uncle Ben was featured in various issues of What If.
- In the first "What If" story regarding Spider-Man (named "classic"), it was Aunt May who went downstairs after hearing a noise, not wanting to wake up Ben. The same storyline plays out, with the burglar shooting May and Spider-Man apprehending him in the warehouse. In this story, Ben finds out about Peter's activities as Spider-Man relatively soon, and talks to him about it. Peter explains to him when he donned the costume and why, even telling him about letting the would-be murderer go that very same night he robbed the wrestling register. Peter breaks down, saying how everything was his fault. Ben responds with anger at himself, being weak in not being able to protect "his May". After Peter tells him he did not know and could not have possibly done anything, Ben instantly calms down and tells Peter to follow his own advice. He further inspires Peter to keep being Spider-Man, not because of regret or penance, but to protect and help all those who are weak and in need of help. Ben and Peter form an even closer relationship with Ben offering his support in many of Spider-Man's future battles. Eventually Ben becomes outraged at Jameson's constant smearing of Spider-Man's name, considering it an insult to May's memory. He eventually lets Jameson in on Spider-Man's identity, forcing Jameson in a position he is uncomfortable in as a journalist. He cannot expose Spider-Man without endangering Ben Parker, yet he also does not wish to support vigilantism. Eventually, he finds a middle road and unofficially employs Spider-Man so he can gain inside scoops on crimes being solved in the city. The story eventually ends with Spider-Man saving Bennett Brant and Betty Brant from Doctor Octopus, as well as fighting a Green Goblin who kidnapped Jameson to find out Spider-Man's real identity (having correctly surmised there was a reason Jameson had those inside scoops). At the end of it all, Peter and Ben shake hands with Jameson saying they will face all dangers and the future together.[43]
"With great power, there must also come great responsibility"
Although it didn't originate from the character, the quote "with great power, there must also come great responsibility" (commonly paraphrased as "with great power comes great responsibility" and adapted as such in some media) has been popularized by the Spider-Man comics, and has become widely recognized as Spider-Man's life motto.
In other media
Television
- Uncle Ben appears in Spider-Man (1967) episode "The Origin of Spider-Man".
- Uncle Ben appears in the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "Along Came Spidey", voiced by Frank Welker.
- Uncle Ben appears in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, voiced by Brian Keith.[44] This version primarily appears in flashbacks and as an advisory spirit.
- An alternate reality variant of Ben appears in the series finale "Farewell, Spider-Man". While saving the Carnagesymbiote's influence and sacrificing himself in the process. Following this, Ben expresses how proud he is of the "prime" Spider-Man despite not living in the same reality as him.
- An alternate reality variant of Ben appears in the series finale "Farewell, Spider-Man". While saving the
- Uncle Ben appears in the intro for Spider-Man Unlimited.
- Uncle Ben appears in burglar while protecting his wife May Parkeramidst a break-in. A mental projection of Ben later appears in Spider-Man's mind to help him overcome the symbiote's influence.
- Uncle Ben, loosely based on his Ultimate Marvel counterpart, appears in Ultimate Spider-Man, voiced by Greg Grunberg.[44] In the pilot episodes "Great Power" and "Great Responsibility", Spider-Man recalls the night of his uncle's murder, which Nick Fury uses to recruit him into S.H.I.E.L.D. In the episode "Strange", Nightmare conjures a projection of Ben in an attempt to torment Spider-Man, but Ben instead motivates him to defeat Nightmare.
- A Web-Slingerfree Ben from Holliday's control.
- A
- Uncle Ben appears in flashbacks in Spider-Man (2017), voiced by Patton Oswalt.[46][44]
Film
- Uncle Ben appears in Spider-Man film trilogy, portrayed by Cliff Robertson.
- In
- In Spider-Man 2 (2004), while Peter is contemplating giving up being Spider-Man, Ben appears in a flashback and serves as the physical representation of Peter's ideology, inspiring his nephew not to give up. Peter's guilt over Ben's death eventually compels him to tell May about the role he played in Ben's death and she eventually forgives him.
- In black suithe was wearing at the time amplifying his anger, Peter violently seeks revenge against Marko. However, after Peter removes the black suit, Marko reveals Carradine startled him and caused him to accidentally fire his pistol, which he still feels remorse for as Ben was only trying to help him. Forgiving Marko, Peter allows him to go free.
- Uncle Ben appears in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), portrayed by Martin Sheen. Following an argument with Peter Parker that results in the latter storming off, Ben attempts to find him. However, he encounters a thief that Peter allowed to escape earlier that night and is killed in the ensuing struggle. While Peter attempts to find Ben's killer, he fails to do so.
- Uncle Ben makes a cameo appearance in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), voiced by archival audio of Cliff Robertson.
- The Spider-Man (2002) and The Spectacular Spider-Man incarnations of Ben Parker appear in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse via archival footage.
- A young Ben Parker appears in Madame Web (2024), portrayed by Adam Scott.[48][49] This version is a paramedic partnered with his friend Cassie Webb and an expectant uncle.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
While not appearing directly, Uncle Ben exists in media set in the
- In Captain America: Civil War (2016), Peter Parker states to Tony Stark that his refusal to use his powers resulted in something bad happening as a consequence, hinting at Ben's murder.
- May Parker mentions that Peter Parker's wardrobe for his upcoming homecoming dance was Ben's, but the scene was cut because the screenwriters did not want Ben's death to be a throwaway line.[50]
- An alternate reality incarnation of Ben is mentioned in the What If...? episode "What If... Zombies?!".[51]
- While developing Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers realized that May would adopt Ben's comic book role as she had served as Peter's "moral guide" throughout the MCU. As such, she is killed by the Green Goblin and tells Peter "with great power, there must also come great responsibility" before she dies. In a subsequent interview, McKenna and Sommers indicated that while an MCU Ben Parker had existed, he did not meet the same fate as Aunt May.[1]
Video games
- Uncle Ben appears in the prologue of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, voiced by Mark Bramhall.[44]
- Uncle Ben appears in Spider-Man (2018) via photographs.
Franklin Richards's Uncle Ben
Son of Spider-Man
In The Amazing Spider-Man #498–500, Spider-Man falls through time, encountering all of his enemies from the past, and sees himself in the future. The future Peter Parker tells him that he should tell Mary Jane Watson and their son that he loves them every day. "Our son is called Ben", he says, "but it would pretty much have to be, wouldn't it?" However, because of the way time-travel in the Marvel universe works, this is only a potential future and not necessarily a definite one (this future being even more unlikely after the events of "One More Day").
The Other Uncle Ben
Like her father,
References
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- ^ Richardson, Bob (January 31, 1998). ""Chapter II: Farewell, Spider-Man"". Spider-Man. Season 5. Episode 13. Fox Kids.
- ^ Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #7-10. Marvel Comics.
- ^ a b Dan Slott (w), Jim Cheung (p). The Clone Conspiracy, no. 3 (7 December 2016). Marvel Comics, 61715.
- ^ a b Dan Slott (w), Jim Cheung (p). The Clone Conspiracy, no. 4 (18 January 2017). Marvel Comics, 61716.
- ^ The Amazing Spider-Man, no. 519 (20 April 2005). Marvel Comics, 1868.
- ISBN 978-0756692360.)
While the finished version of this duo wouldn't debut for another few months, their prototypes took center stage in a short story in the Strange Tales anthology called 'Goodbye to Linda Brown'...This particular May and Ben lived by the sea and were the caretakers of their young wheelchair-bound niece named Linda Brown.
{{cite book}}
:|first2=
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- ^ Trouble #1-5. Marvel Comics.
- ^ "Mark Millar & Terry Dodson's Controversial Trouble to be Collected in 2011?". Web Article. 18 November 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ Chris Allen. "Review of Trouble #1". moviepoopshoot.com. Archived from the original on 2005-03-08.
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External links
- Uncle Ben at Marvel.com
- Benjamin Parker on Marvel Database, a Marvel Comics wiki