Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection #18

In "What's the Matter with Mommy?", Spider-Man uncovers a chilling secret when he's drawn into the case of a man who's had his wife committed to a mental institution—only to find the truth buried beneath layers of deception and fear. As the web-slinger digs deeper, he confronts a mystery that blurs the line between madness and manipulation.

In "Mad Dogs," Peter Parker finds himself confined to the "mad dog" ward of a psychiatric facility while searching for the wife of a Kingpin associate, desperate to protect her from the mob boss’s reach. Trapped in a haze of sedation, Peter struggles to think clearly even as he tries to rally the other patients, while Dr. Hope secretly works on turning another inmate, "Brainstorm," into a weapon for the Kingpin.

In "Force of Arms," Otto Octavius struggles to maintain control during therapy, haunted by nightmares that make his mechanical arms lash out on their own. When Spider-Man uses a shrink to lure him into the open with a fake book deal, the two clash in a tense battle—only for Ock to slip away, leaving the web-slinger to wonder what’s next.

In "I'll Take Manhattan!", Spider-Man faces his most desperate challenge yet when Dr. Octopus unleashes a terrifying plan to wipe out New York City, driven by a fear so deep it turns to destruction. With the fate of the city in his hands, Spider-Man makes a shocking choice—letting Doc Ock defeat him in order to stop the apocalypse.

In this gripping tale from *Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection #18*, the alien symbiote—once worn by Spider-Man—now bonds with disgraced reporter Eddie Brock, fueling a dangerous vendetta against the web-slinger. When Mary Jane pleads with Peter to reclaim his classic red and blue suit, the decision sets off a clash between the man in black and the hero in red, as Venom’s rage and Spider-Man’s resolve collide.

In "Mid) American Gothic!", Peter Parker finds himself in Emporia, Kansas, touring the On-Line Research complex after being offered a new job. When a fire erupts, Spider-Man steps in—only to discover the construction foreman moving with super speed, a secret tied to a bizarre bite from a radioactive jackrabbit. After helping Wes Cassaday fend off the menacing Dr. Nero, Peter returns to New York, ready to tell Mary Jane he’s considering a life-changing move across the country.

In "Dock Savage," Peter Parker weighs a life-changing move to Kansas for a new research job, testing the strength of his marriage as Mary Jane grapples with the idea of leaving New York. Meanwhile, Spider-Man teams up with Sandman to stop Neo-Nazi leader Franz Kraus from seizing power, only to return home and find Mary Jane ready to follow him—just as he decides to stay, choosing their shared life in New York over a distant future.

In "California Schemin'!", Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson hit the West Coast to promote Peter’s new photo book, *Webs*, only to stumble into a high-stakes heist at a glamorous gala—where the elusive Black Fox has his sights set on a priceless chalice. The story crackles with charm and quick wit as the duo finds themselves in a whirlwind of danger and mistaken identity, all while navigating the bright lights and hidden shadows of California.

In "Styx and Stone," Spider-Man is torn between the desperate search for his missing wife and the sudden threat of two dangerous operatives sent to eliminate him. With Mary Jane caught in the crossfire, she makes a daring move to turn the tide—just as Spider-Man’s resolve is tested like never before.