One More Day
One More Day is a comic book story arc that first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #544As Peter Parker and as Spider-Man, Aunt May has always been there for Peter. In the wake of the decisions made in the Civil War, Aunt May is now dying. What will Peter give up to save his Aunt?
What would you do if you only had...
One More Day
Peter is stuck between saving the woman who raised him or saving his marriage. Peter went to get help from Iron Man and Dr. Strange but neither of them could help Aunt May to recover from the bullet shot at her meant for Spider-Man.
Iron Man only attacked Peter trying to catch him because he's a criminal to the U.S. government. When Peter told him that his Aunt May was about die he let him go. Peter left and discovered that Iron Man sent Jarvis to pay any hospital bills in for May and get her better treatment.
Dr. Strange told him that he would help him only by giving him the power to wonder the planet and try to get help from whoever he wanted. Spidey went to Reed Richards, Hank Pym, Hank McCoy and even to Dr. Doom but none of them helped. Spider-Man then tried using Dr. Strange Mystical Arts, without Strange's consent, to stop the moment when his aunt's shot, but he couldn't. Strange then told him that he could no longer be of help for him.
Then Mephisto came along. He offered to help his aunt in exchange for his marriage. Peter agreed and then gave up the chance of having a daughter, a daughter that Mephisto showed could´ve been born. The agreement was that he would no longer remember anything about their life together with Mary Jane. Plus MJ made another deal with the devil, which is unknown to the readers, to get him to make the world forget he's Spider-Man. The two were separated giving chance for the beginning of a...
Brand New Day
Suggested Reading
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #24
The Sensational Spider-Man (volume 2) 41
Related Story-Archs
Civil War - It is because of the events of the Civil War that Aunt May's life becomes endangered.
Back In Black - The events that occur between Aunt May's shooting and the events of One More Day.
Brand New Day - The Storyline that occurs after the events of One More Day.
Associated Issues
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Overview
"One More Day," Part 1 of 4
Get ready for what will be the most talked–about and controversial comic event of the year -- brought to you by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. The stakes have never been higher for Peter Parker. At his darkest hours -- and he's had plenty -- Peter has always had one shoulder to lean on, one person who'd remind him who he is, who he was, and who he can be. Now he's about to lose that person. What would he do...what would you do, if you only had "One More Day?” PLUS: Director's Cut style extras!
Aunt May is in a new hospital. Peter and MJ still don't know what they are going to do next. A doctor enters May's room with some questions about her admittance. Peter and MJ give a false name to the doctor. The hospital is pretty full and she doesn't seem to have any insurance paperwork. He tells them that if she doesn't have any, she'll have to go to the charity ward. This outrages Peter. The doctor tries to explain that in her condition, it wouldn't really matter where she was at. She wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Having insurance would be good. A bottomless checkbook would be better. Mary Jane says she has some stuff at their old place she could probably sell. Peter tells her it's too risky and decides to leave himself. He tells MJ not to let anyone move May. The doctor asks where he's going and Peter says to visit someone with a bottomless checkbook.
Out in the hall, the doctor chases after Peter. He wants to tell Peter that he knows how he's feeling. Peter doesn't think so. The doctor then tells him that he had an uncle that almost died a couple years ago. Peter doesn't get where he's going with this until the doctor tells him that Spider-Man had saved him. He said he made himself a promise that if he could ever repay him, he would. He tells Peter he'll do what he can to hide her for now but the hospital will need something for insurance or payment. Peter tells him he'll be back before he has to answer any awkward questions.
Due to lack of time, Peter swings across the city without his costume. He also figures there's no real need anymore. He heads over to Stark Tower to find that Tony Stark has changed the access code at one of the windows. Not caring, he simply rips it off.
Inside, the alarms go off as Tony sits at the monitors. He wonders who would be stupid enough to break in. He asks the computer who it is but the cameras have been disabled and the person is moving too fast for the motion sensor to pick them up. Stark stands up and "dresses" for the occasion. In an empty room, Iron Man flies at Peter full force, taking him out through the window.
Iron Man is shock that it's Peter. Peter doesn't bother with a snappy comeback and just begins webbing Iron Man's thrusters. As they begin to fall, Tony has to re-route the power to his repulsor gloves to break their fall. He asks Peter what he was thinking by making them crash. Peter tells him that he didn't want him to fly off before he was done with him. Tony just raises his repuslor gloves and tells him the only thing he's going to do is arrest him. Peter tells him that he's a fool if he thinks his repulsors will work after getting overheated from slowing their fall. Tony asks him if he's willing to risk his life with that thought. Peter says yes and punches his armored face.
Knocked a little off balance, Tony turns on his uni-beam at full power. Peter can no longer see. He says it feels like the sun is right in front of his face. He just begins to let go with his webbing. He's wondered what would happen if he just cut loose with his organic webbing. When he's "empty" he looks up. He is impressed at seeing Iron Man completely webbed up in the alley.
Iron Man tries talking to him saying that if it's not him, someone else will bring him in. Peter tells him to shut up and rips off the face plate of his helmet. Tony still tries talking to him. Peter tells him to shut up again and tells him that Aunt May is dying. He says that it's his fault. He trusted him as a father and listened to him about exposing his family. Tony said his family would be safe. Tony says he's sorry and didn't know. Peter doesn't want his sympathy, he wants Tony to do something about it. He says he knows that Tony cared for her. Tony is going to do something to help save her, and trails off. Tony tells him that threatening him to help isn't going to do any good. Peter says it wasn't a threat. Tony has to help Aunt May or else she's going to die in a charity ward.
Tony's repulsors have come back online. He tells Peter there's nothing he can do without compromising himself and his position. He cannot aid a known criminal. Out of respect for May, he says he won't arrest him now but tells him not to come back to the Tower. Iron Man flies off leaving Peter yelling after him. He returns to the Tower and finds a picture of the "new" Avengers, including May and MJ. Jarvis comes up to him and asks if he needs dinner or anything. Tony says no but then calls Jarvis back.
Peter returns to the hospital to find that there's been no change in May's condition. The doctor says he can't hold off the transfer to a charity ward for too much longer. Peter says that maybe there is another way for him to get some money. He tells MJ that he's already a criminal so there'd be no difference. He's ready to sell his soul if necessary.
A voice from behind tells them that it won't be necessary. Jarvis has arrived upon hearing that his "cousin" has been admitted to the hospital. Seeing May lying in her bed, he breaks down. He admits that he loves May. Regaining his composure, he says that when he heard about what happened, he wanted to make sure she only received the best care.
The doctor arrives at this saying that that will be a problem. Jarvis whips out a check saying he recently had two million dollars deposited into his account and a nurse takes him to accounting. The doctor tells Peter and May that they will make her last days as comfortable as possible. Peter tells her that it won't be her last days. The doctor tries explaining that there isn't anything they can do. Peter tells him that in the crowd of people he hangs with, there's got to be someone that can help.
Vowing not to stop or rest until he finds a way to help May, he tells MJ he loves her. She tells him to be careful as he swings from the hospital roof in his red and blue costume.
Overview
"One More Day," Part 2 of 4
One More Day continues as J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada present Part 2 of what will be the most talked–about comic event of the year. The stakes have never been higher for Peter Parker. At his darkest hours -- and he's had plenty -- Peter has always had one shoulder to lean on, one person who'd remind him who he is, who he was, and who he can be. Now he's about to lose that person. What would he do...what would you do, if you only had "One More Day?”
PLUS: Director's Cut style extras!
Mary Jane Profile by Jonathan Couper-Smartt, Mike Fichera, and Peter Sanderson.
Amazing Spider-Man #259 "All My Pasts Remembered!
Overview
The most-talked about – and controversial – comic event of the year continues, brought to you by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada! Brace yourself, Spidey fans, after this, nothing will be the same for Peter Parker!
The stakes have never been higher. At his darkest hours – and he's had plenty – Peter has always had one shoulder to lean on, one person who'd remind him who he is, who he was, and who he can be. Now he's about to lose that person. What would he do...what would you do, if you only had "One More Day?"Back up feature
The Silver Surfer #3
Mepishto's first appearance.
Overview
The riveting conclusion to the most-talked about -- and controversial -- comics event of the year. Brought to you by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. Brace yourself, Spidey fans, after this, nothing will be the same for Peter Parker!
The stakes have never been higher. At his darkest hours -- and he's had plenty -- Peter has always had one shoulder to lean on, one person who'd remind him who he is, who he was, and who he can be. Now he's about to lose that person. What will he do...what would you do, if you only had "One More Day?”
Also included:
Aunt May profile by Jonathan Couper-Smartt, Mike Fichera and Peter Sanderson.
Amazing Spider-Man Annual 21 featuring the wedding of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson.
Aunt May lies in the hospital, close to death. The words of Mephisto are heard about the decision that must be made. Peter wakes up, in costume, alone in bed. He calls out to MJ. She's in the bathroom, bent over in agony over the decision they must make, their love or Aunt May's life. She wants to ask him a selfish question but is afraid. She asks if Peter thinks whether or not May has lived her life and perhaps this is her time to go. Maybe they just need to let her go. Peter reassures her by saying that he's thought the same thing over and over. He says that if it was a natural cause, like a heart attack, he'd be fine with it. The fact that she was shot with a bullet meant for him wouldn't allow him to ever forget it. MJ figures that must mean that if they decided to stay together, he'd forever be in agony over this. Peter says that if they made that decision together, it'd be fine. They have less than twenty-four hours to make their decision.
Peter and MJ lie together in the dark in silence. Peter keeps trying to bring up things that they did in the past but MJ shushes him. She says that she remembers every single detail and no matter what, will never forget.
The time comes and Mephisto arrives. Peter asks him how "it" would work. Mephisto says their life together will simply cease to have ever existed. MJ jumps in asking what would be the point if Peter's identity is still known. May's life would still be in danger. Mephisto explains to MJ why he's chosen them of all people to make this bargain with. He tells them that their love for each other is the rarest love of all. He says it was made holy in "the eyes of he who [he] hates most." It only comes once a millennia. He wants nothing more than to be able to take that away from him. The matter of everyone forgetting Peter's identity is a simple matter if that's all it takes. Peter still isn't sure. MJ jumps in and says yes. She says that there is more though. She wants Mephisto to put Peter's life back to the way it was. He will get a chance to be happy. Mephisto asks why would he do that. MJ says because of what she has to offer. She whispers something to him and he seems enticed. The decision must be made by both. MJ begs Peter to do it and he reluctantly agrees.
Now that the deal is done, Mephisto says that he is surprised that they never asked him about the little girl. Apparently she is the child that they will never have now that they've chosen May's life. Mephisto simply smiles seeing the anger on Peter's face.
As they are engulfed in Mephisto's dark magic, MJ, in tears, talks to Peter. She says that she knows in her heart that they will find a way back to each other. They were meant to be together and no matter what Mephisto does, they will be able to undo it. They tell each other that they love each other. A flash of memories unfolds around them. They hold each other in the darkness. MJ tells Peter, "Face it, Tiger...you just hit the jackpot."
Darkness.
Peter awakes, alone in bed. Looking at the clock, he sees he's late. Running downstairs, Aunt May is making him (most likely) wheatcakes. He hops on his bicycle and heads over to a surprise party in a penthouse. People are waiting for the guest of honor. Peter meets up with Flash Thompson and is momentarily distracted when he sees MJ across the room. Flash asks if things are still "frosty" between them. Peter says he's not sure if she'll ever forgive him for something but is cut off before he can finish. The elevator opens and Harry Osborn walks in with his new girlfriend, Lily.
A toast is made to a brand new day...
| Story Arc: | One More Day |
| 1st Appearance: | The Amazing Spider-Man #544 |
| Appears in: | 4 issues |
| Publisher: | Marvel Publishing |









