Spider-Man frantically searches the city to find where
the Maggia has stashed the Connors. Spidey finds a couple of small time bookies
and convinces them to give him the Maggia’s address by holding them 20 stories
up on the side of a building! With this new information, he races to rescue the
Connors. Meanwhile, Man Mountain Marko is unable to believe his eyes, his boss
Silvermane returned to the prime of his youth. While Silvermane tries to
convince Marko this it’s really him, Curt Connors slips away to look for his
family. Caesar Cicero discovers Silvermane and is equally unconvinced. He
persuades Marko to attack Silvermane while he hightails it out of there.
Silvermane fights back, his ferocity and tenacity finally convincing Marko that
his boss has in fact been restored to a young man. In fact, Marko notes that
Silvermane looks even younger than he did a few minutes ago, and that the serum
must be making him continuously younger...
Just then, Spidey arrives and tackles the two of them.
Spidey easily deals with Marko, having gone easy on him in their previous
encounter, while Spidey is shocked to see the young Silvermane. Silvermane
notes that he’s now even younger, around his early 20s. Now in the prime of
life, he boasts that no one, not even Spider-Man, can stop him! While the two
engage in a fight, Connors hurriedly heads for his wife and son. Unfortunately,
the change Connors had been holding back for a couple issues finally takes
effect, and he becomes the Lizard once more! The Lizard escapes, wanting time
to plan his next moves!
Meanwhile, Cicero plans a final showdown with
Silvermane. Spidey continues to battle Silvermane, noting how he continues to
sound even younger. Cicero and his men arrive, and while Spidey deals with the
henchmen, Cicero is shocked to find a now teenage Silvermane! Silvermane
bemoans that this was not what he planned and runs off in fear and distress.
Spidey finishes dealing with the mooks and follows the sounds of sobs. He finds
Silvermane’s clothes, the sobs coming from within, and then nothing. Silvermane
has faded away into nothingness and Spider-Man mourns the loss of life, even
someone as vile as Silvermane. Spider-Man frees Martha and Billy Connors, each
of them fearing the worst when they see that Curt is not with either party. The
worst has indeed happened as Curt internally battles against his Lizard
persona, each trying to gain dominance. However, try as he might, Curt’s
identity fades more and more with each passing moment, until only the Lizard
remains! To be continued!