There aren’t many people in comics who don’t fall into the trap of being overly aggressive in fights. Even the greats, like Batman and Wonder Woman, have regretted going too far with their opponents. One of the few people you could count on to never cross that line was Spider-Man.
Even when he did, it was far and few in between. Now, thanks to the beating he took at the hands of Hellgate (this happens in Amazing Spider-Man No. 7 and 9 by Joe Kelly), things have changed.
Peter Parker’s been beaten like this before, possibly worse, but something about this fight broke him. Maybe it was everything he went through during the 8 Deaths of Spider-Man arc, or a combination of things. Perhaps it was the people standing around taking pictures of him while he was bloody and defeated. Regardless of the reason, he stopped helping as a superhero and focused on himself and his job. Sadly, the effects of it were felt throughout New York. It got so bad that Shocker was running around unchecked.
If that wasn’t bad enough, he was alienating himself from everyone. Aunt May was so worried that she had Mary Jane go talk to him. During the conversation, MJ told him that she was Venom and that she needed his help (read All-New Venom for that story). Peter laughed because he thought she was going to ask him to get back together. Peter said Venom and MJ deserve each other and slammed the door in their faces.
At the end of Amazing Spider-Man No. 9, Peter is back in action, with a more aggressive approach to life. He takes out Shocker’s crew and thinks, “Pain can’t be avoided…but it can be shared. Vigorously.” So, for the time being, you’ll see a less Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and you, the readers, asked for it.
"THE RESOLUTE SPIDER-MAN! Peter Parker has resolved to get stronger by ANY means necessary. Spider-Man isn't pulling his punches this time."
When Peter and MJ broke up, and she started dating Paul, the comic book world lost its mind. They hated Paul for justified and unjustified reasons, and called Peter all sorts of names that I can’t say on a family-friendly website. They wanted him to get angry and be unlike himself for once. Ask and you shall receive. In Amazing Spider-Man No. 10, he’s not taking any prisoners. His webbing is stronger, he's kicking people when they're down, and breaking arms because he can.
However, there’s a twist at the end of the issue. Peter Parker and Spider-Man meet each other, and they each say they aren’t the other. So what in the name of Anansi is going on?! Did whoever sent Hellgate separate Peter and Spider-Man so they could have their own lives? If not, where is the real Spidey? Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out!