Spider-Man Unmasks in Marvel's 'Civil War' Storyline

Marvel Comics made headlines Wednesday with a striking development in its seven-issue series 'Civil War': Spider-Man publicly removed his mask at a Times Square press conference, revealing himself to be newspaper photographer Peter Parker. Marvel called the moment 'arguably the most shocking event in comic book history.'

The series, which launched in May 2006, centers on a fictional Super-Hero Registration Act requiring costumed heroes to disclose their identities and register as living weapons of mass destruction, a storyline reflecting real-world debates over civil liberties.

The law divides Marvel's superhero community into two opposing camps. Spider-Man sides with those who support compliance, while Captain America leads the faction resisting disclosure.

Editor-in-chief Joe Quesada described the series as a question of moral allegiance: 'It's about which side you are on,' he said.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.