Marvel Tales # 264 1992 VF+

Marvel Tales #264, published in August 1992, reprints the first half of the iconic story "The Parents of Peter Parker!" from The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5 (1968). This issue is a significant piece of Spider-Man lore, exploring the mystery behind Richard and Mary Parker's past as secret government operatives.

Plot Summary: "The Parents of Peter Parker!"

Driven by a need to uncover the truth about his family, Peter Parker travels to Algeria—the last place his parents were seen alive—with help from the Fantastic Four.

• The Shocking Discovery: Peter finds old identification cards that initially seem to link his parents to the Red Skull’s organization, leading him to believe they were traitors to their country.
• The Confrontation: While in Algeria, Spider-Man crosses paths with the Red Skull himself. During the clash, he learns from a henchman that his parents were actually murdered for refusing to betray their country.
• Vindication: Peter discovers true anti-espionage ID cards hidden beneath the forged ones, proving Richard and Mary Parker died as heroes serving the United States.
• Continued Story: This issue contains only the first 20 pages of the original story; the conclusion is found in Marvel Tales #265.