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The short answer
Hunted by the police for a crime Norman Osborn actually committed, the web-slinger takes on four stand-in masks. Three of them stayed with readers: Ricochet and his metal discs, Hornet and the winged armour that lets him fly, Prodigy and his golden stature as a public crime-fighter. Here's a closer look at each one.
In the history of Spider-Man, Peter Parker hasn't always worn the classic red and blue costume. Faced with certain crises, he has had to take on new identities in order to keep acting without giving away his secret. Among these striking aliases, three stand out: Ricochet, Hornet and Prodigy. Each one reflects a different facet of Peter's personality and shows just how far he can reinvent himself to protect the innocent.
Why did Peter Parker take on other identities?
In the story arc Identity Crisis published in 1998, Peter Parker is wrongly accused of a crime committed by Norman Osborn. To carry on fighting crime while avoiding arrest, he takes on four new identities. Three of them have become iconic: Ricochet, Hornet and Prodigy. These disguises let Peter carry on his heroic work without the public realising that Spider-Man is behind them.
These identities are not just costumes; each one stands for a distinct side of Peter Parker:
- Ricochet: agility and humour, a cheekier, nimbler version of the hero.
- Hornet: scientific inventiveness, relying on sophisticated technological kit.
- Prodigy: nobility and strength, a brighter, more charismatic hero.
By exploring these aliases, Marvel gave readers a new way to understand Peter Parker, his dilemmas and his creative genius. You can also have a look at our pillar page on Spider-Man's major story arcs to discover other moments when the hero had to reinvent himself in the face of adversity.
And if you want to immerse yourself in all the alternative versions of Spider-Man, explore our Spider-Man costume collection, ideal for embodying your favourite web-slinger alias.
Ricochet: the cheeky, acrobatic alias
Ricochet embodies Spider-Man's lightness and quick wit. In this identity, Peter Parker wears a purple and dark leather costume, topped with a jacket carrying metal discs he can throw like projectiles. Less serious and more sarcastic than his usual alter ego, Ricochet lets Peter express a more relaxed, playful side of his personality.
Through this role, Peter moves closer to an agile, provocative antihero, close in spirit to characters like Deadpool. Readers get to see a version of Spider-Man less weighed down by his responsibilities, yet still driven by the will to help others. That freedom of tone makes Ricochet especially endearing and it has left its mark on fans' imaginations.
Ricochet has several distinctive traits:
- He relies on his agility, reflexes and sense of evasion rather than brute force.
- His metal discs, both defensive and offensive weapons, replace Spider-Man's webs.
- His jokier, more reckless personality lets him infiltrate criminal circles without arousing suspicion.
This identity is one of the best-loved in the Identity Crisis arc, because it reveals a more playful Peter, almost freed from his usual burden. A reminder that behind the mask, the web-slinger is still a young man who sometimes dreams of letting the pressure go.
To relive that lightness and fun, take a look at our Spider-Man T-shirt collection, ideal for showing off your cheeky side every day.
Hornet: the winged, futuristic armour
With Hornet, Peter Parker dons high-tech armour fitted with mechanical wings that let him fly. This identity gives him brand-new abilities that complement his natural spider powers perfectly. Inspired by gadget-equipped heroes like Iron Man, Peter explores a more technological, futuristic facet of his crime-fighting role here.
The Hornet armour gives him several major advantages:
- Fast flight thanks to motorised wings, perfect for aerial pursuits.
- Strength boosted by mechanical reinforcements, surpassing his usual capabilities.
- Energy projectiles able to neutralise his enemies from a distance.
But Hornet is not just a piece of technology: it is also a mask that lets Peter throw his enemies off the scent. His bulkier suit and aerial style contrast sharply with Spider-Man's, making it almost impossible to guess that the two are the same person.
This high-tech version appeals to readers because it symbolises what Spider-Man would be if he allowed himself to lean more on technology. It also recalls his ties with characters like Tony Stark, strengthened in the MCU Spider-Man.
Fancy adding a futuristic touch to your collection? Take a look at our high-tech Spider-Man figures or our Spider-Man masks that echo these striking alternative versions.
Prodigy: the heroic, inspiring icon
Prodigy is Peter Parker's noblest and most symbolic alias. Unlike Ricochet or Hornet, which rely on discretion and technology, Prodigy embodies an openly heroic figure, almost mythological, echoing the classic models of justice. In his gleaming gold and red costume, Peter takes on the bearing of a public protector, a long way from Spider-Man's shadows.
This costume stands out for:
- A flamboyant, charismatic design meant to inspire confidence in civilians.
- An imposing silhouette that intimidates criminals and commands respect.
- A more official role: Prodigy often acts as a public figure, in contrast with Spider-Man's anonymity.
With Prodigy, Peter explores what his life would be like if he chose to take on the identity of a recognised hero, almost on a par with the Avengers. This version raises a deep question: should Spider-Man stay a hero in the shadows, or become a visible icon? It is a question that runs through many story arcs, not least in the story of Peter Parker and his constant dilemmas.
For fans who want to show off this heroic, radiant side of Spidey, there's our selection of Spider-Man pyjamas.
