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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 bearing as a public vigilante. Each one in detail below.
Contents
In the story of Spider-Man, Peter Parker has not always worn the classic red and blue suit. Faced with certain crises, he had to take on new identities to keep acting without giving away his secret. Among these memorable 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 Identity Crisis story arc, published in 1998, Peter Parker is wrongly accused of a crime committed by Norman Osborn. To keep 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 it is Spider-Man.
These identities are not simply costumes; they stand for distinct sides of Peter Parker:
Ricochet
agility and humour, a more playful and nimble version of the hero.
Hornet
scientific inventiveness, using 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 the great Spider-Man story arcs to discover other moments where the hero had to reinvent himself in the face of adversity.
And if you want to dive into all the alternative versions of Spider-Man, explore our Spider-Man costume collection, ideal for taking on your favourite web-slinger alias.
Ricochet: the playful, acrobatic alias
Ricochet embodies Spider-Man's lightness and quickness. In this identity, Peter Parker wears a purple and dark leather costume, 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 discover 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 particularly endearing and it has left its mark on the fans' imagination.
Ricochet has several distinctive traits:
He relies on his agility, his reflexes and his knack for dodging rather than on brute force. His metal discs, both defensive and offensive weapons, replace Spider-Man's webs. His more joking, reckless personality lets him infiltrate criminal circles without arousing suspicion.
This identity is one of the best loved in the Identity Crisisarc, because it reveals a more playful Peter, almost freed from his usual burden. A way of remembering that behind the mask, the web-slinger is still a young man who sometimes dreams of easing the pressure.
To relive that lightness and that sense of fun, have a look at our Spider-Man T-shirt collection, ideal for showing off your playful side every day.
Agility first
He relies on his reflexes and his knack for dodging rather than on brute force.
Metal discs
Defensive and offensive weapons that replace Spider-Man's webs.
Joking personality
More reckless, it lets him infiltrate criminal circles without arousing suspicion.
Hornet: the winged, futuristic armour
With Hornet, Peter Parker puts on high-tech armour fitted with mechanical wings that let him fly. This identity gives him brand-new abilities that perfectly complement his natural spider powers. Inspired by gadget-equipped heroes such as Iron Man, Peter explores a more technological, futuristic side of his vigilante role here.
The Hornet armour gives him several major advantages:
Fast flight thanks to motorised wings, perfect for aerial chases. Strength boosted by mechanical reinforcements, going beyond his usual abilities. Energy projectiles able to neutralise his enemies from a distance.
But Hornet is not only a piece of technology: it is also a mask that lets Peter throw his enemies off the scent. His bulkier suit and airborne style contrast sharply with Spider-Man's, making it almost impossible to guess it is 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 to characters such as Tony Stark, strengthened in the MCU Spider-Man.
Fancy adding a futuristic touch to your collection? Have a look at our high-tech Spider-Man figures or our Spider-Man masks which echo these striking alternative versions.
Fast flight
Motorised wings, perfect for aerial chases.
Boosted strength
Mechanical reinforcements that go beyond his usual abilities.
Energy projectiles
Enough to neutralise his enemies from a distance.
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, almost mythological figure, recalling the classic models of justice. With his bright gold and red costume, Peter takes on the look of a public protector, a long way from Spider-Man's shadow.
This costume stands out for:
A flamboyant, charismatic design, made 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 if he chose to take on the identity of a recognised hero, almost on a par with the Avengers. This version raises a deeper question: Should Spider-Man remain a hero of the shadows, or become a visible icon? It is a question that runs through many story arcs, notably the story of Peter Parker and his constant dilemmas.
For fans who want to show off that bright, heroic side of Spidey, our selection of Spider-Man pyjamas.
Flamboyant design
A gold and red costume made to inspire confidence in civilians.
Imposing silhouette
It intimidates criminals and commands respect.
Official role
Prodigy acts as a public figure, far from Spider-Man's anonymity.
