Spider-Man's story begins with a tutorial battle against the H-Bombers gang, thwarting their plot to destroy the Carlyle building. Investigations into strange lizard creatures in Central Park and a confrontation with Harry Osborn—now the New Goblin seeking revenge for his father—lead to Harry's hospitalization. That same night, an alien symbiote attaches itself to Peter Parker, eventually creating a black Spider-Man suit that amplifies his strength while darkening his temperament. Meanwhile, escaped convict Flint Marko becomes the Sandman after an accident with a particle accelerator fuses his body with sand. Peter's cases multiply: kidnapped Daily Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson, science teacher Dr. Curt Connors transforming into the Lizard and plotting to mutate New York, and vampire biochemist Dr. Michael Morbius—turned by his wife Shriek—rampaging across the city. Eddie Brock exploits the black suit's reputation to frame Spider-Man as a criminal before the symbiote's influence finally drives Peter to a church, where bell vibrations weaken and remove it. The creature immediately bonds with Brock, creating Venom, who recruits the Sandman by threatening Marko's daughter and kidnaps Mary Jane. Harry, now recovered, arrives to turn the tide; Spider-Man uses sonic vibrations to separate Brock from the symbiote and end the threat. Marko is reunited with his daughter and departs in peace, and Peter reconciles with Mary Jane.