[2][3] Marvel released several preview images for the event,[4][5] and has written an article about why each current member of the Sinister Six is important for this group.

[6][7][8][9][10][11] Doctor Octopus learns that he only has a few months left to live due to injuries he has sustained recent fights.

[12] During the "Origin of the Species" storyline Doctor Octopus enlists the help of several villains to kidnap the presumed newborn son of Norman Osborn and Menace because he believes the unique combination of their blood can provide a cure for him.

[16] The Sinister Six attack a lab in Paris to create an opening to the Avengers Academy to steal a device containing self-sustaining power invented by Henry Pym.

Hacking into the TV screens around the world, Doctor Octopus announces what is happening and reveals he also has technology to fight global warming, so that he can be known as the man who "gave you the greatest gift of all...a future."

Meanwhile, at Horizon Labs, Mayor J. Jonah Jameson gives orders to shut down the laboratories, saying he doesn't care about the rest of the world.

Back in Rome, a transmission from Doctor Octopus states he has activated the Octavian Lens which are blocking the harmful UV rays from the sun in order to reinforce his offer.

Although Thor is able to hurl Electro into the upper atmosphere, the Sinister Six successfully subdue the Avengers using the objects stolen in the flashback.

As Doctor Octopus issues his demands for two hundred facilities to be turned over to him to launch the missiles needed for the process to start, Spider-Man contacts Horizon Labs for help.

[24] Over the course of the next three days, Spider-Man, Black Widow and Silver Sable make hit-and-run attacks on the factories that are constructing Doctor Octopus' satellites.

Back in New York City, Mayor Jameson declares martial law and has his Anti-Spider Squad patrol the streets to prevent looting.

Mary Jane waits for Peter's return, confident that he will win against Doctor Octopus, and plans of a way to show everyone how much of a hero he truly is.

Spider-Man rallies Union Jack, Sabra, Kangaroo II, and the Big Hero 6 (consisting of GoGo Tomago, Hiro Takachiho, Fredzilla, Honey Lemon, Wasabi-No-Ginger, and Ebon Samurai) to help stop the construction of Octavius' satellites.

After defeating the battlesuit, Spider-Man convinces Mysterio to switch sides with the argument that $2 billion will be worthless if Doctor Octopus destroys the world.

While Thor, Hulk and Iron Man fly up to destroy Octavius's missiles, Mysterio gives Spider-Man and Silver Sable a ship that can take them to Doctor Octopus's sea fortress, then escapes.

Upon arriving, they are confronted by the Rhino, still Octopus's ally, who pins Sable to the floor as water begins to flood the corridor.

Doctor Octopus reveals he has calculated that 0.08% of Earth's population will survive, with those fifty thousand remembering him as the greatest mass murderer of all time.

Unable to convince Doctor Octopus that the heat he is generating will fry the brains of the survivors, Spider-Man breaks free and destroys his enemy's equipment.