Spider-Man is widely considered the Marvel Universe's greatest hero, but the reasons why can often be different – although perhaps the best answer came in an issue of Amazing Spider-Manin which Marvel definitely explained that Spider-Man is literally the moral fiber of the entire Marvel Universe, setting the standard for all other characters.
Amazing Spider-Man #637 – written by Joe Kelly, with art by Marco Checchetto and Michael Lark – features a moment when Peter Parker is pulled back from the brink of killing the newly resurrected Krave the Hunter. Enraged by Kaine's murder to achieve this resurrection, Spider-Man nearly kills Kraven in his rage.
Before he can do so, he is stopped by Julia Carpenter, who explains the fundamental role that Spider-Man plays in the Marvel Universe, as he is situated at the center of the web of morality that unites the publisher's roster of heroes.
Spider-Man's Near-Deadly Confrontation With Kraven Revealed Why He's So Important To The Marvel Universe
Amazing Spider-Man #637 – Written by Joe Kelly; Art by Marco Checchetto and Michael Lark; Ink by Stefano Gaudiano and Brian Thies; Color by Matt Hollingsworth; Lyrics by Joe Caramagna
As Julia Carpenter explains in Amazing Spider-Man #637, Spider-Man is the moral heart of the Marvel Universe. If he gives up and becomes a murderer, it will have huge ramifications that he cannot fully understand. Julia explains that the only reason Marvel has heroes is that Spider-Man's moral example lights the way for others to follow. Every hero, in some aspect, derives their sense of morality from Spider-Man. Of all the ways in which Spidey's importance to Marvel Comics could be summed up, this is perhaps the most impactful.
Marvel has at times explored different futures where Spider-Man breaks down and uses lethal force, the two biggest ones being Spider-Man: Last Stand and Spider-Man: Reign. According to Julia Carpenter, the second Spider-Man gives up what he believes is right, that the rest of the universe will soon follow. Killing Kraven would result in Spider-Man being kicked out of the Avengers, estranged from Aunt May, and ultimately ending up being shot to death by the NYPD in a cemetery. And while it may seem like the consequences of killing fall solely on Spider-Man, that's not entirely true.
Marvel's greatest heroes need Spider-Man more than Spidey knows
Marvel's main hero, for example
Julia Carpenter specifically says that sparing Kraven's life means Spider-Man would save millions of people. As Julia explains, Spider-Man's ability as a hero is almost limitlessbut so is his ability as a destroyer. Without Spider-Man's example to follow, the rest of the world would slowly become darker as well. This is best demonstrated by Spider-Man: Reign universe, one of the darkest universes Marvel has ever portrayed. This version of Spider-Man retired after accidentally killing Mary Jane, and the world fell into darkness soon after.
This little interaction proves that although the Marvel Universe is full of heroes, they wouldn't be as heroic as they are without Spider-Man.
Spider-Man is almost always underestimated in his time, but he is considered one of Marvel's greatest heroes of the distant future. It's hard to overstate how important the hero Peter Parker is, and the Marvel Universe knows it. Although the Avengers and the other heroes may not be aware of it, they all depend on Spider-Man's moral core. This little interaction proves that although the Marvel Universe is full of heroes, they wouldn't be as heroic as they are without them. Spider-Man.
Amazing Spider-Man #637 is now available from Marvel Comics!