02x04 - Rise Above It All

[bunniefuu]

♪♪

[web sh**ter deploys]

[yells]

Aah!

[J. Jonah Jameson]
Who can look at this footage
and see a hero?

All I see is an amateur menace.

Hey, kid, next time,
call the Avengers.
They're pros.

Ah, another delightful evening
of "amateur menacing the city."

[dog barking]

Cody, come back here!

Worst is, I'm partially
to blame for my new bad rap,

since I'm the one selling
J. Jonah Jameson that footage
so I can pay for school.

Who needs super-villains
when you can be your own
worst enemy?

[Jameson]
Spider-Man is a vigilante
and needs to be stopped.

Lawless!

[horn blares]
Huh?

So maybe I've made
a few mistakes.

I'm still
pretty new at this.
[laughs]

It's not like anyone gave me
a superhero instruction manual.

[panting]
[grunts]

[chuckles]

[yells]

I bet even the Avengers
aren't always perfect.

Thor probably throws
loud parties with
his obnoxious Viking friends.

I bet Tony leaves
hair gel everywhere.

And Hulk?
Being angry and unlikable
is that guy's thing.

Why am I the only one--
[yells]

[grunts]
My old enemy, the Vulture.

So much for Adrian Toomes
going into hiding
after prison.

Whoa! Two Vultures?

Well, like they say,
taking down two villains
is better than one.

Actually, I have no idea
if anyone's ever said that.

Wait. You're not Toomes,
are you?

H-Hey!

[yells]

Do you guys
keep multiplying?

[Vulture #1]
Spider-Man, we were hoping
we'd cross your path.

Time for a little fun.

Aah! I hate
your idea of fun!

Whoa! Okay, Spidey,
gotta web-chute yourself

out of this situation before--
[grunts]

[bystanders exclaiming]

All right! That was epic!
Gotta post this. Nice!

Are these guys putting on
a fully rehearsed air show?

What the what?
[exclaiming continues]

[male teen]
I didn't know the Wake Riders
were in New York!

Yo, Spidey,
I caught you on the news.

You got some serious skills.
Come on.

Let's give the crowd
what they want. Boom!

[Spider-Man]
Wait. What?

Trust us.
This'll be epic!

This is epic, all right.
My epic destruction!

[bystanders exclaiming]

[whooping]

Whoa! You're even more awesome
than I thought you'd be.

Listen to your fans.

Up for the grand finale?
Wait. That wasn't it?

Hit us up with
more weblines, buddy!

Why do I feel like
I'm gonna regret this?

And now nail that bull's-eye!

Didn't wake up today
thinking I'd join
the air circus.

Here goes nothing.

Whoa! Spinning?
You're a natural!

[whooping]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Who knew Spider-Man
was so cool?

That was awesome.

But this isn't!
[yells]

Don't pretend
you didn't love that.

People need to see how epic
your skills really are.

[chuckles]
So, impromptu flying
daredevil stunt shows--

that's your thing?
The stunts are
our everything, bro.

We fly, snowboard, surf--
If it's cool and dangerous,

Barkley Blitz
and the Wake Riders are there.

And the fans just eat it up.

[whooping, cheering]

Make sure you upload
all your videos
of the Wake Riders online.

You actually know them?

Of course I do.
I'm their promoter.

Here, have a T-shirt.
Five bucks.

[whooping, cheering continue]

The Wake Riders?

How do you not
recognize us?

You live in an actual
spider's nest or something?

Right. Of course.
You're the...

[stammering]

Um, I'm sorry.
I don't know who you are.

We're only the world's
top extreme sports stunt group.

With 17 million followers.

And that number's
about to go way up,

thanks to pulling off this stunt
with the most epically awesome
superhero in New York City.

And BT-dub, great first test
of our new flight gear, Riders.

Where did you get
these wing suits?

They look... familiar.

Built them all myself.

A perfect blend
of high tech and showbiz.

But this gear pales compared
to your natural skills, man.

I'm thinking this'll be
our most watched stunt.

Until tomorrow, you mean.
Mm.

Let's make this
a thing, bro.

"Spider-Man
and the Wake Riders."

What's more epic than that?

Pemberton Building site,
mañana.

See you there?
Oh, uh--

So cool
to actually meet you.

[growls]

Oh, man! I can't believe
you did a stunt
with the Wake Riders!

First I thought they were
some kind of Vulture army,

but they turned out
to be awesome.

You're a fan?
Try "obsessed with them."

You're the luckiest
guy ever.

People cheered for me.
[chuckles]

It's been a while
since that's happened.

Uh, yeah.
You're the number one
trending topic right now.

Not like "menace" trending,
but, like, "people actually
like you" trending.

Our whole material science class
was watching it
when I walked in.

Thirty million views?!
[chuckles]

[chuckles]
Let's see J.J.J.
compete with that.

Later.
[phone vibrating]

Hey, Harry!

Whoa, Pete!

Didn't know you were a fan
of the Wake Riders.

You know about the Wake Riders
all the way over there
in Europe?

Does everyone know
about them except me?

You were never
the trendiest guy.

I am today, apparently.

A question, though.

Oscorp hasn't lost
any Vulture gear recently,
have they?

You're wondering
if they stole it.

Look, Oscorp's
had some break-ins

since my dad died,
but I doubt it's them.

Barkley Blitz is famous
for creating his own gear.

Don't turn this into
something it's not.
Just enjoy it.

Huh. Maybe I will.

Don't tell me.
Your next stunt is still
under construction?

Spider-bro!

Didn't I tell you guys?
Spidey wouldn't let me down.

Well, despite my screaming
and general confusion,

I had fun yesterday.

So, what's today's
big stunt?

Sheer epic-ness.

I fly up into the stratosphere
in this atmospheric balloon,

then I'll freefall,
aiming right
where we're standing.

But then-- big drama--
I'll pretend my suit fails,

and you catch me.
Catch you?

Your velocity's gonna be
so extreme--

Hey, don't overthink it, brah.

You'll figure it out.
You're the Spider-Man.

I trust you with my life.

[bystanders exclaiming]

Wow!
What's that?

The Wake Riders again?!
[promoter]
Prepare to be amazed.

The Wake Riders
will blow your mind
with Spider-Man by their side.

Who wants to buy
a Wake Rider T-shirt?

Oh! Do you know
Spider-Man too?

I do.

In fact, I'm his promoter.

Who wants his autograph
after this?

[crowd shouting]

[promoter]
Hey, kid!

Hey!
I'm the promoter here.

What? Is someone afraid
of a little competition?

[wind howling]

Come on, Spidey.
Don't let me down, bro.
[grunts]

Blitz has more faith in me
than I have in myself.
Can't mess this up.

If he comes in
at the speed I expect,

his momentum
could only be slowed
by the tensile strength of--

Got it!

Each web net will slow

his velocity exponentially
until he safely stops.

[expl*si*n]

A crime? Right now?

Uh, okay.
Blitz should be covered.

Maybe I have time to--
What?

No! He's coming down
in the wrong location!

The most amazing stunt
of all time
is going to make me famous.

For destroying the Wake Riders!

Blitz misjudged
the air currents.

I am not ready for this.

Oh, no!

Blitz's wings won't open!
[bystanders exclaiming]

What?! He'll smash
right into the ground!

Come on, Spidey!
Web like you've never
webbed before!

Nice! I knew you'd
find a way, Spidey.

[both yell]

[grunts]
[Blitz]
Now take a bow.

[exclaiming]

Ha! Menace who?
You rule, Spidey!

This stunt
will break the Internet.

[exclaiming continues]

[grunts]
Hey! Where you going?

We gotta celebrate, brah.
Sorry.

I gotta handle something.
I'll be right back... brah!

Still here? What,
are you going for the record
for slowest robbery ever?

Who are you, Turtle Man?

[sonic scream blares]

Aah!
[grunts]

I forgot how much
I hate that sonic scream.
[sonic scream blares]

Time to catch up
on some fly-fishing.

Yeah, I said that.
[grunts]

[grunts, groans]

[electricity arcing]

The original
wing-suit guy

hanging out
near the Wake Riders.

What, seeing them
made you jealous?

Of course not.
But seeing you working

with those extreme criminals
has made me disgusted.

What are you talking about,
Toomes?

Who do you think
robbed that lab?

You. I came to that conclusion
because I caught you doing it.

Really? And did you
know the whereabouts

of all the Wake Riders
during that stunt?

[scoffs]
Yes.

Ha! You only think you did.
But I tracked them.

After they escorted
that balloon in the air,

they used the fireworks
as a diversion
for their break-in--

to steal solar power packs
from this lab.

This is what they do--
use stunts as cover
to steal gear.

Not only did they steal
my tech from Oscorp,

they've been pulling off
these heists across the globe!

Well, if that's true,
why haven't you gone
to the authorities?

No real proof.

I tried to catch them
in the act,
but it was too late.

I'm sorry, Toomes.
Not buying it.

I've never seen Blitz
or any of the Wake Riders
do one thing wrong.

You, on the other hand...

I spent a lifetime perfecting
my scientific breakthroughs,

but my mistakes in the past year
have branded me a criminal.

And that I'm gonna change.

When did you become so noble?

I'm not a villain, Spider-Man.

I'm a scientist who got blinded
to what's right and wrong.

Can you imagine what it's like
to be branded something
you're not?

Maybe.

I want the name
Adrian Toomes

to stand for
scientific achievements,
not criminal mistakes.

And the Wake Riders,
using my gear, threaten
to destroy all of that.

[Blitz]
There's Spider-Man!

Hey! You missed the crowd!

Hmm...

The biggest audience
we've ever had.

I got a little...
sidetracked.

Well, don't get
sidetracked tomorrow.

You're an honorary Wake Rider,

the best thing
that's ever happened to us.

Tomorrow will be
our biggest stunt yet,

and it won't work
without you.

You need me
for every stunt?

You're part of
the team now, bro.

Look, we're good,
but you, my friend,
are like a master.

Tomorrow, Erskin Center,

I'll be there.

Boom!

It's gonna be epic!

Huh. Every Wake Rider stunt

does correspond
with a high-tech crime.

But Toomes is a criminal,
and Blitz has a clean record.

Who do I trust?

Hey, Double-P,

can you sign all these
Spider-Man pics?

Uh, why do you have
all these?

Ah, just doing
what a promoter does.

Spider-Man doesn't
have a promoter.

Pete, I'm--

we're gonna make
a k*lling off this.

That balloon stunt
got 40 million hits.

Your collab with the Wake Riders
could translate into cash,

which means
never having to worry
about tuition ever again.

[sighs]

You don't seem as excited
about this as you should.

Hypothetically,
if I gave you
a solar power pack,

nano-tech armor plating,
and propulsion boosters,
what would you build?

Um, strange question.

But obviously,
I'd build a rocket
that'd go straight into orbit.

I mean, what else
would all that be for?

For a personal jet-suit!

Except you'd need extremely
lightweight polymer wings.

Exactly.

So... you're not
signing these?

Dude, where's my glossy?

Soon. Spider-Man's
very busy.

Yeah, he is.
The Wake Riders

are over the Erskin Center
right now!

[excited chattering]

Midday, no alarms, no worries.

[beeps]

Score.

Hey, the show's
across the street.

Oh! Spider-bro, I was just--

Printing out ill*gal
polymer compound wings
from the material science lab?

Dude, it's not
what it looks like.

So you're not going
to combine these with
everything else you've stolen

to create the world's
fastest rocket suit?

How many more fans
will that get you?
And how much more money?

[growls]
I thought you were cool, man.

But don't feel bad.
You did your part.

You upped our flash mob crowds
by almost 40 percent,

keeping everyone's eyes
on the show,
including the police.

Totally made
our secret missions
here easier.

You used me.

Yep. And now
you're all used up.

[crying out]

Being right really hurts!

Aahh!
[grunting]

[yells]

[groaning]

Spidey,
you're too old school.
[grunts]

This is the new economy.

We do what we want,
take what we want,

and the world watches us online
like heroes.

But do you have any idea
how competitive it is out there?
[groaning]

We need to keep
our fans interested,

with new gear
like this suit--

[sonic scream blaring]
Aahh!

I hate that sonic scream!
Sorry, half-wit.

That is my tech.

Ugh! My ears are ringing!

[shouting]
How did you find me?
Am I screaming?

I created a weapon to shut down
their stolen Vulture gear.

Its targeting system tracked
his power generator.

Now to stop
this imposter for good.

Guys, get over here.
Spidey's onto us.

But you'll never guess
who just showed up.

[grunts]
Please, sir,
you don't understand.

This is all
about your tech.

You're right.
It is... thief!

Whoa!

Cool!

Is Horizon
part of the show?

Yeah, I don't think so.

Sorry, Spider-Man.
It was fun while it lasted.

[groaning]

Aahh--
Wait!

I-I don't want
to fight you.

You're-- You're my hero.
Our hero.

What?
All the robberies,

all the stunts to cover them,
are so we could upgrade
this Vulture tech.

We're trying to live up
to your genius.

Why do you think
we're called the Wake Riders?

A wake.
It's a group of vultures.

[both grunt]
Looks like I have to
clip your wings!

[grunts]
[grunts, groans]

Get it? It's a bird joke.
[web sh**ter deploys]

I hope you
like it, sir.

That new rocket suit
will be put to better use
on you.

And I can't tell you
the honor I have
wearing your old-school wings.

[Spider-Man]
Wait. Aren't you two
supposed to be fighting?

So shortsighted,
Spider-Man.

This is what
I'm supposed to be doing--

assuming
my rightful position.

Is that
Adrian Toomes himself?

I think you mean...
our new leader.

What happened to repairing
your name, Toomes?

Wanting the world
to recognize
your accomplishments?

Exactly what I'm doing,
Spider-Man.

Is this the legacy
you want?

Leading a wake of Vultures
who I inspire?

I think it's exactly
what I deserve.

And I think you all deserve
to be put behind bars.

My Wake Riders, attack!

Aah!
[grunting]
Don't let him get away!

[chuckles]

[grunts]

Aah!
[grunting]

[Vulture]
Wake Riders,
time to accomplish

what everyone else
has failed to do.

Finish him!

[grunting]

[blow lands]
Aahh!

[both grunt]

[grunts]

[sonic scream starts, stops]
[muffled grunt]

I can't believe I was
such a fan of those guys.

[sonic scream blares]

[both grunt]

[sonic scream blares]

Sorry, bro,
but this ends now.

[grunts]

[grunts]
Toomes' weapon.

Yes, it does... bro.
[grunts]

[grunts]

[sonic scream blaring]
Whoa-oa-oa!

This does not end here,
Spider-Man!

[Blitz groans]

Is Vulture cool, or what?
[grunts]

[crowd exclaiming]

These athletes
were framed by the menace
known as Spider-Man.

So Spider-Man framed
the Wake Riders?

Not only is he
menacing our city,
he's corrupting our youth!

So, I, um, still have

unsigned,
sitting in my lab.

You want them?
No, but I'm sure
J.J.J. would.

To rip 'em up on TV.

Yeah, you'd think
being superheroes

would make us the most popular
people in the world.

But that's not why
we do this, is it?

Then how do we know we're
making the world better?

Spidey? You rule, man!

I don't care
what anyone says.

You just gotta notice it
in the little things.
[web shooters deploying]

Spider high five, kid!
[laughs]

[grunts, laughs]