Original artwork, not a still
Closing caption, Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962)
With great power there must also come — great responsibility!
— Amazing Fantasy · 1962
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The line that defines Spider-Man was never said by Uncle Ben: it began as the narrator's moral on a final panel, and the popular 'with great power comes great responsibility' is a smoothed-over version of the original wording. Ben was given the line later (a 1972 audio drama first, comics only in 1987), which is why most fans remember it as his dying wisdom. The idea itself is older, with French Revolution and British parliamentary ancestors.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Amazing FantasyShow the scene
This is the last caption of Spider-Man's debut story, in Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962), by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Peter Parker has newly gained his powers and at first uses them for himself; he lets a fleeing thief run past him, and that same criminal later robs and kills his Uncle Ben. Spider-Man tracks the killer down and captures him, and only then understands what his indifference cost. The narrator closes the story over a lean, silent figure fading into the darkness. No character speaks the line.
Sources (2)
- Wikipedia: Spider-ManPublication history, Amazing Fantasy #15 passageReference checked
- Wikipedia: With great power comes great responsibilityUse in Spider-Man mediaReference checked
Context reviewed