Warning: Spoilers for The Amazing Spider-Man #55!

The latest issue of The Amazing Spider-Man just redefined his most famous motto. One mantra that has followed (even haunted) Peter Parker since the beginning of his origin story is "wwith great power comes great responsibility." Originally, the line appeared in narration over the character's final of his first comic – Amazing Fantasy #15 – but soon became recontextualized as Uncle Ben's final piece of advice to Peter.

The Amazing Spider-Man #55 – written by Zeb Wells, with art by Emilio Laiso – changes the nature of the quote once more, emphasizing that sometimes, he has a responsibility toward being Peter Parker, first and foremost, as it relates to responsibilities to everyday citizens in everyday life.

Seeing Peter actively choose his life as Peter Parker, over his "responsibility" as Spider-Man. is the most mature, responsible thing that the character done in years, suggesting Marvel is finally ready to let him mature, to at least some degree.

Peter Parker Reinterprets The Meaning Of "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility"

The Amazing Spider-Man #55 – Written By Zeb Wells; Art By Emilio Laiso, Bryan Valenza, & Joe Caramagna

He may not have changed into costume, but Peter Parker resolved a conflict in heroic fashion as Peter Parker, rather than Spider-Man.

The Amazing Spider-Man #55 finds Peter Parker nearly once again choosing to abandon his date – this time, his new flame, Shay – in favor of fighting crime. In this case, it's Rhino chasing Screwball throughout New York City. The moment comes with bittersweet timing as Peter just said he can't explain his past disappearances or mysterious black eyes beyond "I can't tell you," and then claims he wants to invest in their relationship. Besides that, this is textbook Peter on dates – except this time, he can't bring himself to change into costume.

Instead, as Peter Parker he tells Screwball and Rhino to knock it off, before storming back to his date, where they kiss and finish their dinner. He may not have changed into costume, but Peter Parker resolved a conflict in heroic fashion as Peter Parker, rather than Spider-Man. The conflict here isn't just with his classic supervillains, but with a woman he's trying to get to know and, ittedly, is owed just as much of a responsibility to as he does to crimefighting.

Peter Parker's Moment Of Growth Takes The Spider-Franchise's Theme Of Responsibility In A New Direction

More Than Just Superheroism

Not only does Peter choose to prioritize his date, but he still manages to halt crime, demonstrating a perfect balancing act.

As a theme, responsibility has always been about Spider-Man's superhero duties, for the most part throughout the franchise. Peter Parker feels a responsibility, even a duty and obligation, to the people of his city. However, that responsibility has turned into a trope that's destroyed his personal and social life. Peter has practically used being Spider-Man as an excuse to justify his most toxic trait. Yes, Peter has a duty and obligation to New York as a superhero, but he should also have a responsibility to the people who enter his personal life.

He shouldn't have to shirk his responsibility as Peter Parker to uplift his responsibility as Spider-Man. Despite years' worth of experience as a superhero, he still can't balance being a citizen with being a superhero, and it's turned him into a rude flake. That's why this moment is so profound. Not only does Peter choose to prioritize his date, but he still manages to halt crime, demonstrating a perfect balancing act. He does so as Peter Parker, not Spider-Man, proving just how important responsibility is to both identities.

The Amazing Spider-Man #55 is available now from Marvel Comics.