This post relates to: Spider-Man, Admit it, has a comic ever brought a tear to your eye?
Amazing Spider-Man #248, the back up story, "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man."
If you haven't heard the story, it starts with a newspaper article talking about Spider-Man's biggest fan. It tells his story as Spider-Man pays him a visit one night. The boy shows Spidey all the articles and memorbelia he's collected on him. Spider-Man tells him about his different adventures and even tells him how he got his powers.
After some time goes by, Spider-Man turns to leave. The boy asks him who he really is. Spider-Man hesitates and says he can't tell him. Then he actually removes his mask and tells him. The boy immediately recognizes Peter Parker as the man who has taken most of the pictures he's collected. The boy swears he'll keep the secret safe and is more than overjoyed.
As Spider-Man leaves, the article continues as he can be seen leaving a hospital. It turns out that the boy is going to die within a few days of leukemia and his only wish was to meet Spider-Man.
This was before half the world knew who Spider-Man was, back in 1984. It was a surprising move that Spider-Man would reveal his identity. The idea of a young child dying and wanting nothing more still saddens me. I think they even adapted this story for the Spider-Man cartoon in the 90s.
