Sinister War #1 (2021)

In Las Vegas, after examining Peter's soul, Doctor Strange found it screaming not from pain but from a loss, one which Strange deduced to have been taken from him by Mephisto. While flattered, Mephisto reminds Strange that he doesn't take from others but rather enjoys it when something is given up. In New York City, Peter attends the premiere of Mary Jane's film while nervous around paparazzi, but is happy to see her fulfilled in landing a major starring role. Reflecting on the past how she was deemed the "carefree party girl", Peter notes how Mary Jane worked the hardest to get to where she is and reach her Hollywood dream in spite of detours caused by being with him, and their encounter with Kindred. After meeting Cage McKnight and exchanging pleasantries, Cage relocates Mary Jane for red carpet interviews, and despite Peter's Spider Sense being quiet with him, he can't help but recognize him from somewhere. As the two walk, Cage whispers to her why she didn't tell Peter that he was really Mysterio, with honesty being part of their healthy relationship, but she affirms she will tell Peter that night even though Peter hates surprises. Conversely, Peter knows how Mary Jane loves surprises, and quietly plans to propose after the premiere after failing last month. Overlooking the premiere, the Savage Six scout the scene as Vulture aims to crash it. At the Osborn cemetery, Kindred finds Vulture's plans as predictable as Peter was going their last encounter. Kindred quietly promises Peter to end the game and answer all his questions, noting how it will hurt but to accept judgement as Hell awaits. When Mary Jane returns to Peter to watch the movie together, but hearing a loud boom then Spider Sense draws Peter's attention to the Savage Six attacking the venue. Using the chaos, Peter slips into a corner to get his Spider-Man suit on, while Mary Jane is found by Tarantula and distracts him for Spider-Man to take over. But King Cobra then redirects Spider-Man towards Rhino and Stegron, stunning him long enough for Scorpion to capture him as Vulture moves in to kill Mary Jane. However, Cage McKnight steps in being Vulture's true target, and reveals himself as Mysterio. The two battle over Vulture's ire at being portrayed as a fool, but Doctor Octopus steps in to takedown Vulture seeing as he needed Mysterio for his Sinister roster. Seeing the Sinister Six vs the Savage Six, Spider-Man is confused as none of it adds up, but tables the thought in need of stopping the all out war. Finding Mary Jane to evacuate her, she admits she knew about Mysterio and was trying to help him to reform, like Fred and Felicia. Ducking out of the spilling carnage, Mysterio informs the two of them that he knows the rooted cause of why events were playing out as they did. But as Spider-Man moves to intercept Doc Ock and fails, Doc Ock corners Mysterio who immediately deduces Kindred's machinations when he also aims for Mary Jane. With no recourse, Mysterio obeys and takes Mary Jane with him, and Doc Ock knocks out Spider-Man to deliver him to Kindred later. Awakening to find Kindred, Peter realizes his involvement as the demon blames Peter for the events that occurred. Throwing Peter into a room of mirrors where he sees Mary Jane, Mysterio, and a brutalized Norman in the reflections. Getting his attention, Kindred tells Peter that there are others, and that now it is a party. Spider-Man turns to face all of his foes that were members of other Sinister Factions, racing towards him through shattered mirrors. Back at Hotel Inferno, Strange demands Mephisto release Peter of whatever bargain, but Mephisto states himself incapable. Unsold that Peter would ever agree to a deal, the Hell Lord brings up extenuating circumstances which made it so, and allows Strange to play the odds if he feels lucky. All to get the help for Peter he wants.