While Spider-Man searches the snow-covered city for Kraven, the incarcerated Vulture lies in a prison hospital bed following an accident and, believing he is dying, tells his confidant Blackie Drago where he concealed a spare Vulture costume, so that Blackie can take revenge on Spider-Man in his stead. However, Blackie, gloating, reveals he arranged the Vulture’s accident. Blackie escapes prison, finds the Vulture costume, and takes the identity for himself. Peter comes down with a cold that impedes his ESU studies. Despite his sickness, Peter becomes Spider-Man to halt the new Vulture’s crime spree, but he is in no condition to face him; the Vulture manages to handily beat him and leave him unconscious atop the George Washington Bridge.