How does Ultimate Spider-Man #4 make a huge change to Peter Parker's story? Details explored

Jonathan Hickman continues to alter Peter Parker's story in a major way as Ultimate Spider-Man #4 makes another huge change to the Wallcrawler's popular history. This time, Hickman accomplishes this by presenting Gwen Stacy to the audience in the brand-new Ultimate Marvel universe. However, it is revealed that Stacy is married to Harry Osborn and shares no romantic past with Peter.

Gwen Stacy's introduction and connection to Harry Osborn in Ultimate Spider-Man #4 suggest that she had never met Peter before, and thus their iconic romantic story from the original comics never took place. This is a significant shift that shakes the foundations of Spider-Man's history in a huge way and will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.

---

Ultimate Spider-Man #4 introduces Gwen Stacy as Harry Osborn's wife

Ultimate Spider-Man #3's ending saw Peter and Harry learn about their secret identities, with the latter asking if the Webhead wanted to have a drink with him. The fourth edition picks up a month after that conversation and delves into a more character-driven story in which superheroics are not highlighted and the entire issue revolves around a dinner date.

Ultimate Spider-Man #4 begins with Peter Parker and Mary Jane waiting for Harry Osborn and his wife to arrive. The fans are treated to the big reveal about Gwen Stacy just as Harry arrives. The two couples eat dinner together while discussing the arrival of the new masked hero (Spider-Man) and what it means for the world going forward. However, the conversation becomes too heavy, and Gwen excuses herself to use the restroom, where Mary Jane joins her.

At the same time, Harry realizes that Peter hasn't told MJ about him being Spider-Man and reveals that Gwen knows everything about him being the Green Goblin. Peter acknowledges and tells him that he doesn't want to tell MJ because he has to protect his family as well and isn't sure if he wants to continue being a hero. That's when Harry utters the famous line to him,

" With great power comes great resonsibility."

This is another huge change, as the line is associated with Uncle Ben, and Ultimate Spider-Man #4 makes Harry be the one to tell it to Peter. It sets up the duo's relationship going forward, as Green Goblin and Spider-Man are sworn enemies in the original 616 Marvel timeline, but the alternate universe that Ultimate Spider-Man is based in chooses to explore that relationship differently.

---

How does Gwen Stacy's introduction in Ultimate Spider-Man #4 change Peter's history

Although Peter Parker and Mary Jane are one of the comics' fan-favorite couples, the Wallcrawler's first serious relationship was with Gwen Stacy. She is an integral part of Spider-Man's history, and it is Peter's relationship with her that truly made him into the character that we know and love today in comics.

Gwen Stacy was, however, tragically killed by the Green Goblin in the 616 timeline, with the man behind the mask being Norman Osborn, Harry's father. This even shaped Peter Parker's story going forward in a huge way as he realized his being Spider-Man put his loved ones at risk.

With Gwen Stacy marrying the Green Goblin himself (albeit this time Harry Osborn behind the mask) in Ultimate Spider-Man #4, we can expect a very different Spider-Man story going forward. It appears that Jonathan Hickman truly wants to shake up the enduring history of the Wallcrawler. Peter hasn't yet faced an important loss in his life, and it certainly is something that is being set up. You can check out Ultimate Spider-Man #4, as it is out right now.