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{{Short description|Marvel Comics character}}
{{About|the Spider-Man comic book character|the food brand formerly known as Uncle Ben's|Ben's Original}}
{{Redirect|Ben Parker}}
{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image          =
| character_name = Uncle Ben
| publisher      = [[Marvel Comics]]
| debut          = '''As Uncle Ben''': ''[[Strange Tales]]'' #97 (January [[1962 in comics|1962]])<br>'''As Ben Parker''': ''[[Amazing Fantasy]]'' #15 (August 1962)
| creators       = [[Stan Lee]] (writer)<br>[[Steve Ditko]] (artist)
| full_name      = Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Parker
| species        = Human
| homeworld      = [[Brooklyn, New York]]
| supports       = [[Spider-Man]]
}}
'''Benjamin Franklin Parker''', usually referred to as '''Uncle Ben''', is a supporting character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]], usually in association with the [[superhero]] [[Spider-Man|Spider-Man (Peter Parker)]]. He was the husband of [[Aunt May|May Parker]] and the paternal uncle and father figure of Peter Parker. After appearing in ''[[Strange Tales]]'' #97 (January [[1962 in comics|1962]]), Uncle Ben made his first full appearance in ''[[Amazing Fantasy]]'' #15 (August 1962), and was created by writer [[Stan Lee]] and artist [[Steve Ditko]]. He was modeled and named after American founding father [[Benjamin Franklin]].{{fact|date=October 2025}}

The character has been an essential part of Spider-Man's history. His death at the hands of a [[Burglar (character)|petty criminal]], whom Spider-Man previously had the chance to apprehend, but chose not to, has been depicted in most versions of the hero's [[origin story]], as the main factor that inspired Peter to become Spider-Man. Uncle Ben's quote, "[[With great power comes great responsibility|With great power there must also come great responsibility]]" (often paraphrased as "With great power comes great responsibility"), has become Spider-Man's "moral guide" and iconic life motto.

The character has been substantially adapted from the comics into various forms of media, including films, animated series, and video games. He was portrayed by [[Cliff Robertson]] in [[Sam Raimi]]'s [[Spider-Man (2002 film series)|''Spider-Man'' trilogy]] (2002–2007) and by [[Martin Sheen]] in the film [[The Amazing Spider-Man (2012 film)|''The Amazing Spider-Man'']] (2012). In December 2021, ''[[Spider-Man: No Way Home]]'' (2021) screenwriters [[Chris McKenna (writer)|Chris McKenna]] and [[Erik Sommers]] confirmed that Uncle Ben's comic book role as [[Peter Parker (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Peter]]'s "moral guide" in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU)—who tells him his life motto before being killed as a result of his actions—had instead been adapted to his aunt [[May Parker (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|May Parker]], portrayed by [[Marisa Tomei]] in five films from [[Captain America: Civil War|2016]] to 2021.<ref name="MayAdaptedFromBen" /> [[Adam Scott]] portrays a younger Ben Parker in the [[Sony's Spider-Man Universe]] (SSU) film ''[[Madame Web (film)|Madame Web]]'' (2024).

==Publication history==
After first appearing in ''[[Strange Tales]]'' #97 (January 1962)—caring for his niece (a [[mermaid]] named Linda Brown) with his wife [[Aunt May|May]]—Uncle Ben returned in ''[[Amazing Fantasy]]'' #15 (August 1962)—caring for his nephew ([[Spider-Man|Peter Parker / Spider-Man]]) with May—and was killed in the same issue. Although his history as a supporting character was very brief, Uncle Ben is an overshadowing figure in Spider-Man's life, often appearing in [[Flashback (literary technique)|flashbacks]].

===Notability of death===
The murder of Uncle Ben is possibly the most notable in comic book history. He is also one of the few [[comic book death]]s that has never been reversed in [[Continuity (fiction)|official continuity]]. He was a member of the "Big Three", alongside [[Jason Todd]] (an associate of [[Batman]]) and [[Bucky Barnes|Bucky]] (an associate of [[Captain America]]) whose notable deaths, along with Ben's, gave rise to the phrase: "No one in comics stays dead except for Bucky, Jason Todd, and Uncle Ben". Later, the revivals of both Bucky and Jason in 2005 led to the amendment, "No one in comics stays dead except Uncle Ben". The violent killing of Uncle Ben, done by [[Burglar (character)|a common street criminal]], also shares multiple similarities to the death of [[Thomas Wayne|Thomas]] and [[Martha Wayne]], the parents of [[Batman]], which sometimes is included in the saying.<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=Philip |editor-last=Tallon |last1=Sanford |first1=Jonathan J. |last2=Irwin |first2=William |title=Spider-Man and Philosophy: The Web of Inquiry |date=15 May 2012 |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |page=86 |isbn=9780470575604 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oEHbCwcV-NEC&pg=PA86 |chapter=With Great Power Comes Great Culpability}}</ref>

There have been examples of Uncle Ben remaining alive in [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|alternative timelines]], including stories featured in Marvel's ''[[What If (comics)|What If]]'' (one of which he forces Peter to unmask in front of [[J. Jonah Jameson]]), and a storyline of the 1994 ''Spider-Man'' animated series featured a universe where Uncle Ben had never died, and Peter Parker became a successful industrialist, having never really bothered to use his powers responsibly as everything always seemed to work out for him. This fact is used to defeat the rampaging [[Carnage (character)|Spider-Carnage]] by exposing him to the one person he will trust and listen to: the Uncle Ben of that reality.<ref>{{Cite episode |title="Chapter II: Farewell, Spider-Man" |episode-link= |url= |access-date= |series=[[Spider-Man (1994 TV series)|''Spider-Man'']] |series-link= |first= Bob|last= Richardson|network=[[Fox Kids]] |station= |date=January 31, 1998 |season=5 |series-no= |number=13 |minutes= |time= |transcript= |transcript-url= |quote= |language=}}</ref>

A story-line in the official series ''[[Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man]]'' seemingly suggested that Ben may be alive. This Ben, however, was actually from a [[parallel universe (fiction)|parallel universe]] where [[Aunt May]] died in a random accident, leaving him to raise Peter. This alternate Ben came to the planet Earth of regular ''Marvel'' comics (the [[Earth-616|616 reality]]) as part of an evil plan devised by the [[Hobgoblin (comics)|Hobgoblin of 2211]] to defeat the Spider-Men of different eras.<ref>''Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man'' #7-10. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the ''[[Clone Conspiracy]]'' storyline, when Peter's clone [[Ben Reilly]] (who had taken Uncle Ben's first name, along with Aunt May's last, to differentiate himself from Peter) used the [[Jackal (Marvel Comics character)|Jackal]]'s technology to revive several of Peter's old enemies and allies, he offered to bring Uncle Ben back to life while trying to win Peter to his point of view.<ref name="The Clone Conspiracy">{{Cite comic |writer=[[Dan Slott]] |penciller=[[Jim Cheung]] |title=The Clone Conspiracy |issue= #3 |date=7 December 2016 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |id=61715 |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/61715/the_clone_conspiracy_2016_3}}</ref> Although tempted at the offer, Peter concluded that the reason Reilly had not brought Uncle Ben back on his own was that he knew that Uncle Ben would disapprove of Reilly's actions, as his plan would see everyone on Earth granted immortality, while dependent on him to supply the medication needed to stabilize their cloned bodies.<ref name="marvel.com">{{Cite comic |writer=[[Dan Slott]] |penciller=[[Jim Cheung]] |title=The Clone Conspiracy |issue= #4 |date=18 January 2017 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |id=61716 |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/61716/the_clone_conspiracy_2016_4}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
===Early life===
Ben Parker was born in [[Brooklyn, New York]]. He trained to be a [[military police]] officer,<ref>{{Cite comic |title=The Amazing Spider-Man |issue= #519 |date=20 April 2005 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |id=1868 |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/1868/amazing_spider-man_1999_519}}</ref> and also spent time as a singer in a band. He had known his future wife, [[Aunt May|May Reilly]] since their high school days, but she, in turn, was naively interested in a boy who was involved in criminal activities. When he came to her one night and proposed to her on the spot, Ben was there to expose him as a murderer, and to comfort the heart-broken May when the boy was arrested. Their relationship evolved into love, and they enjoyed a happily married life together.<ref>{{cite book|last1 = Manning|first1 = Matthew K.|last2= Gilbert|first2= Laura, ed.|chapter= 1960s|title = Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2012|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 14|isbn = 978-0756692360|quote= While the finished version of this duo wouldn't debut for another few months, their prototypes took center stage in a short story in the ''Strange Tales'' anthology called 'Goodbye to Linda Brown'...This particular May and Ben lived by the sea and were the caretakers of their young wheelchair-bound niece named Linda Brown.}}</ref> When Ben's younger brother [[Richard and Mary Parker|Richard Parker and his wife Mary]] were killed in a plane crash, Ben and May took in their orphaned son Peter and raised him as their own.<ref>{{Cite comic |writer=[[Bob Gale]], [[Mark Waid]], [[Zeb Wells]], [[Marc Guggenheim]] |penciller=[[Colleen Doran]], Mitch Breitweiser, [[Mario Alberti]], [[Marcos Martín (cartoonist)|Marcos Martin]] |copencillers=[[John Romita, Jr.]] |inker=[[Andy Lanning]], [[Klaus Janson]] |story=My Brother's Son |letterer=Chris Eliopolous, Joe Caramagna |title=The Amazing Spider-Man |issue= #600 |date=2 July 2009 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |id=24407 |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/24407/amazing_spider-man_1999_600}}</ref>

===Raising Peter===
Ben was very protective of Peter, going as far as fighting some of the bullies that tormented young Parker. Peter became friends with Charlie Weiderman in high school, a teen even more unpopular than he was. However, Charlie often provoked the trouble with the other teens. One day, he was chased to the Parker home by a group of bullies led by Rich and Ben intervened. Ben told them that if they wanted Charlie, they would have to go through him. Rich tried to, but was surprised by Ben's [[US army|army]] training. As soon as the bullies were gone, he told the boy that he was not welcome at the house or with Peter because of his provoking the bullies and not being able to tell the truth.<ref>{{Cite comic |writer=[[Stan Lee]] |penciller=[[Mike Deodato]] |inker=[[Jose Pimentel]] |title=The Amazing Spider-Man |issue= #516 |date=2 July 2009 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |id=1511 |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/1511/amazing_spider-man_1999_516}}</ref>

===Spider-Man and death===
In high school, a radioactive spider bite gave Peter superhuman powers. Creating the costumed identity of Spider-Man for himself, Peter sought first to exploit his newfound powers as a masked wrestler and then as a television star. Coming from a television appearance, Spider-Man saw a [[Burglar (comics)|burglar]]<ref>{{cite comic |title=Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Spider-Man |date=31 December 2029 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |issue= #12 |writer=Jeff Christiansen, Eric Engelhard, Al Sjoerdsma, [[Jason Godin]] |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/1886/official_handbook_of_the_marvel_universe_2004_12_spider-man/spider-man |id=1886}}</ref> being chased by a security guard. The guard called for Spider-Man to stop the robber, but the nascent Spidey refused on the grounds that catching criminals was not his job. The robber got away.<ref name=AmazingFantasy15>{{cite comic|writer=[[Stan Lee]]|artist=[[Steve Ditko]]|title=[[Amazing Fantasy]]|story=Spider-Man!|issue= #15|publisher=Marvel Comics|date=August 1962}}</ref>

When Peter later returned home, he was informed by a police officer that his Uncle Ben had been killed by a burglar. Outraged, he donned his Spider-Man costume and captured the man only to realize to his horror that it was the same burglar whom he could have effortlessly captured earlier at the studio. As a result, Peter considered himself morally responsible for Ben's death and resolved to fight crime as a superhero — realizing that with great power comes great responsibility — and vowing never to let another innocent person come to harm if he could help it.<ref name=AmazingFantasy15/>

===Legacy===
Ben's death was truly avenged when the burglar returned for the money once more, threatening Aunt May. The burglar died from a heart attack upon beholding his old nemesis Spider-Man once again and learning that Spider-Man and Peter Parker were one and the same person.<ref>{{Cite comic |writer=[[Stan Lee]] |penciller=[[Keith Pollard]], [[Jim Mooney]] |inker=Jim Mooney |colorist=Glynis Oliver |title=The Amazing Spider-Man |issue= #200 |date=10 January 1980 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |id=6595 |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/6595/the_amazing_spider-man_1963_200}}</ref>

In ''Amazing Spider-Man Family'' #7, May relates to Peter her account of meeting Ben for the first time.

Ben briefly appeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #500; after Spider-Man played a vital role in preventing the resurrection of [[Dormammu]], an unidentified higher power provided [[Doctor Strange]] with a small box that he felt he had to give to Spider-Man as a reward for his role in events. When Peter opened the box on the roof of his apartment building, it contained a note saying "You have five minutes. Spend them as you will", followed by Ben appearing on the roof. It was revealed that this Ben – whether a ghost or Ben having been temporally relocated from the moment before his death – remembered being out for the walk that resulted in him getting shot but nothing afterwards, although he concluded that the events leading to him being on that roof were not important. In their talk Ben said that the only thing that would disappoint him about Peter is if Peter ever settled for less because he was afraid of reaching for more. This helps Peter to see that he had a good life for all its hardships, recognizing that he has always used what he has, and Ben assures Peter that he is proud of him before he vanishes.<ref>{{Cite comic |writer=[[Stan Lee]] |penciller=[[John Romita, Jr.]] |inker=Scott Hanna |title=The Amazing Spider-Man |issue= #500 |date=10 January 1980 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |id=277 |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/277/amazing_spider-man_1999_500}}</ref>

During the 2008–2009 "[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]" storyline, Uncle Ben makes an appearance in the Underworld when [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]] attends the trial of [[Zeus (Marvel Comics)|Zeus]], directing [[Amadeus Cho]] as he attempted to find his parents in the afterlife.<ref>{{cite comic |title=The Incredible Hercules |issue= #130 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |date=24 June 2009 |writer=[[Fred Van Lente]], [[Greg Pak]] |penciller=[[Ryan Stegman]], Rodney Buchemi |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/25429/incredible_hercules_2008_130 |id=25429}}</ref> In the "Amazing Grace" storyline, Ben appears as an apparition to Spider-Man while battling a horde of demons and gargoyles, telling him that his death is not Peter's or anyone's fault. However, one enemy notices him and attacked only to disappear. This left Spider-Man puzzled if he was [[Daydream|imagining Ben or he was really talking to his ghost]].<ref>{{Cite comic |writer=Jose Molina |penciller=[[Simone Bianchi (artist)|Simone Bianchi]], Andrea Broccardo |inker=Simone Bianchi, Andrea Broccardo |title= The Amazing Spider-Man |issue= #1.6 |volume=4 |date=10 January 1980 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/277/amazing_spider-man_1999_500}}</ref>

When Ben Reilly adopted the identity of the Jackal and set up an elaborate plan to use Warren's new cloning process to make the world immortal, he attempted to win Peter's allegiance by showing him Ben's coffin and offering to bring Ben back to life.<ref name="The Clone Conspiracy"/> However, although tempted by the idea, Peter realized that Ben never intended to bring 'their' uncle back to life because he would have done it already, coldly informing his clone that Uncle Ben would tell Reilly that he was wrong, as he has the power without the responsibility.<ref name="marvel.com"/> At the conclusion of the crisis, Peter takes a moment beside the coffin containing Ben's corpse, acknowledging that Reilly's actions were wrong but wishing that Uncle Ben was there regardless.<ref>{{cite comic |title=The Clone Conspiracy: Omega |issue= #1 |writer=[[Peter David]], [[Christos Gage]], [[Dan Slott]] |penciller=[[Stuart Immonen]], [[Cory Smith (comics)|Cory Smith]], [[Mark Bagley]] |date=1 March 2017 |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/62649/the_clone_conspiracy_omega_2017_1 |id=62649 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref>

When Spider-Man finally confronts [[Harry Osborn#Kindred|Kindred]] during the "[[Last Remains]]" arc, he finds that Kindred had dug up the bodies of Uncle Ben, [[Gwen Stacy]], [[George Stacy]], [[Ned Leeds]], J. Jonah Jameson Sr., [[Jean DeWolff]], and Marla Jameson to torment him with.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' vol. 5 #51. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Other versions==
===Original appearance===
Lee and Ditko introduced the character of "Uncle Ben" alongside "Aunt May" in the June 1962 issue of ''[[Strange Tales]]'' #97, four months before his ''Amazing Fantasy'' debut. In the story "Goodbye to Linda Brown," the characters are given no surname. They care for a young woman named Linda Brown who develops a sleepwalking habit, just like Ben and May used to have. When Linda sleepwalks to the sea in her wheelchair, she becomes a mermaid.<ref name="Strange Tales">{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Mark |date=2021-11-29 |title=Aunt May, Uncle Ben and the Prototypical Story of Strange Tales #97 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/aunt-may-uncle-ben-and-the-prototypical-story-of-strange-tales-97/ |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Bleeding Cool}}</ref><ref name="Goodbye to Linda Brown">{{Cite comic |Artist=Steve Ditko |Writer=Stan Lee |Story=Goodbye to Linda Brown |url=https://read.marvel.com/#/book/52770 |Title=Stange Tales |Volume=1 |Issue=97 |Publisher=Marvel |accessdate=2022-07-21 |date=June 1962}}</ref>

===''Trouble''===
A version of Ben appeared in the [[Mark Millar]], [[Terry Dodson]] 2003 limited series, ''[[Trouble (comics)|Trouble]]'', with his brother Richie, who were involved with teenagers, May and Mary.<ref>''[[Trouble (comics)|Trouble]]'' #1-5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

None of the characters' last names were revealed. The story did not become canon because of its negative reception.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbr.com/mark-millar-terry-dodsons-controversial-trouble-to-be-collected-in-2011/| title=Mark Millar & Terry Dodson's Controversial Trouble to be Collected in 2011?|work=Web Article| date=18 November 2010| accessdate=October 11, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="moviepoopshoot">{{cite web|url=http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/breakdowns/52.html|title=Review of Trouble #1|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308165335/http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/breakdowns/52.html |archivedate=2005-03-08|author=Chris Allen|work=moviepoopshoot.com}}</ref><ref name="theaxis">{{cite web|url=http://www.thexaxis.com/misc/trouble1.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050901081015/http://thexaxis.com/misc/trouble1.htm|archivedate=2005-09-01|title=Review of Trouble #1|author=Paul O'Brien|work=The X-Axis|date=13 July 2003}}</ref>

===''Bullet Points''===
In this alternate reality, a young Ben Parker is working as a military policeman. He is assigned to security for Doctor Erskine, a scientist for the [[Captain America]] program. An assassination attempt on Erskine succeeds, killing Ben in the process. Later on, May still attempts to raise Peter on her own, but without the influence of Ben, Peter grows up to be angry, cynical and mean-spirited, going on to become the [[Hulk]] of this reality when he sneaks onto the test site that [[Rick Jones (character)|Rick Jones]] sneaked onto in the original version of events.<ref>{{cite comic |title=Bullet Points |issue= #1 |date=8 November 2006 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |writer=[[Stan Lee]] |penciller=[[Tommy Lee Edwards]] |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/5500/bullet_points_2006_1 |id=5500}}</ref>

===Derailed Alt-Ben Parker===
In an alternate reality shown in ''[[Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man]]'', an alternate reality was witnessed where May died in a random accident, prompting Peter to go into show business with Ben as his agent to make money. Peter's focus on his career prompts him to eventually leave home, simply paying Ben a percentage out of respect for their old relationship rather than any actual concern. This Ben was eventually 'derailed' into the 616 reality by the Hobgoblin of 2211 as part of her plan against the Spider-Men of various eras, leaving him shocked when he witnessed his destroyed house and the still-living May Parker. Confronting her, he ended up in a fight with [[Edwin Jarvis|Jarvis]], with whom she at the time has a relationship with, but wandered away in confusion. Lacking direction, Ben wandered into an alleyway where he encountered a shadowy figure who offered him a gun, telling Ben that any action he takes would simply create another universe where he took the opposite action, so he might as well do what felt good. After this Hobgoblin was erased from history by a Retcon Bomb of her own invention, the [[Spider-Man 2211|Spider-Man of 2211]] met with what he presumed to be the same Ben Parker to take him back to his own timeline. In a surprise twist, deciding he rather wanted to "stick around for a while", this Ben Parker shoots this future Spider-Man. At the same time, another Ben Parker was shown dead in the alley, meaning one Ben Parker had killed the other and taken his place.<ref>{{cite comic |title=Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man |issue= #10 |volume=1 |writer=[[Peter David]] |penciller=[[Todd Nauck]] |inker=[[Rob Campanella]] |colorist=[[Lee Loughridge]] |letterer=Cory Petit |date=16 July 2006 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |url=https://marvel.com/comics/issue/4479/friendly_neighborhood_spider-man_2005_10 |id=4479}}</ref>

It was revealed that the Ben Parker who had died in the alleyway was the Uncle Ben of the alternate reality, while the Ben Parker who killed Spider-Man 2211 was, in fact, the Chameleon of 2211; the Chameleon had attempted to convince Ben to resort to murder, but Spider-Man correctly guessed that there were no circumstances under which Ben would do such a thing.<ref>{{cite comic |title=Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man |issue= #19 |volume=1 |writer=[[Peter David]] |penciller=[[Todd Nauck]] |inker=[[Rob Campanella]] |colorist=[[John Kalisz]] |letterer=Cory Petit |editor=Stephen Wacker |date=4 April 2007 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |url=https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/6225/friendly_neighborhood_spider-man_2005_19 |id=6225}}</ref>

===''House of M''===
In the ''[[House of M]]'' reality, Ben Parker is alive and, like the rest of the world, is aware that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. After recovering Peter's journal, with entries detailing that the world is not how it should be, Ben discovers that he is killed shortly after Peter gains his powers. He later helps Peter fake his death, photographing Spider-Man apparently hanging himself.<ref>{{cite comic |title=Spider-Man: House of M |issue= #5 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |date=2 November 2005 |writer=[[Tom Peyer]] |penciller=[[Salvador Larroca]] |inker=Danny K. Miki |colorist=[[Liquid Graphics]] |letterer=Cory Petit |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/2444/spider-man_house_of_m_2005_5 |id=2444}}</ref>

===''Marvel Noir''===
In the ''[[Marvel Noir]]'' reality, Ben Parker is a social activist who was murdered by the [[Human cannibalism|cannibalistic]] [[Vulture (Marvel Comics)|Vulture]], one of the enforcer of crime lord [[Norman Osborn]]. He had previously been a decorated pilot and veteran of [[World War I]], but he did not take pride in his service, believing that no just cause was fought for. His nephew Peter dons his old [[aviator]] uniform and wields his service revolver during his activities as Spider-Man.<ref>{{cite comic |title=Spider-Man Noir |issue=2 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |writer=[[David Hine]], Fabrice Sapolsky |penciller=[[Carmine Di Giandomenico]] |inker=Carmine Di Giandomenico |colorist=Carmine Di Giandomenico |letterer=Dave Lanphear |date=21 January 2009 |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/23129/spider-man_noir_2008_2 |id=23129}}</ref>

===''Spider-Verse''===
During the "''[[Spider-Verse]]''" storyline, there are different versions of Uncle Ben that are featured:

* A version of Peter Parker named Patton Parnell lives with his abusive Uncle Ted on an unknown Earth. After the bite of an irradiated spider mutates him into an arachnid monstrosity, Patton infects Ted with his offspring while declaring he taught him that "With great power comes a great appetite".<ref name="EoSV4">{{cite comic|title=Edge of Spider-Verse|volume=1|issue=4|date=October 1, 2014|writer=Clay McLeod Chapman|artist=Elia Bonetti|colorist=Veronica Gandini|letterer=Clayton Cowles|editor=[[Nick Lowe (comics)|Nick Lowe]], Ellie Pyle, Devin Lewis|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref>
* {{anchor|Earth-14512}}An alternate Uncle Ben from an unknown reality appears in a flashback along with his universe's version of Aunt May. On Earth-14512, they are portrayed as scientists. They informed their niece [[Peni Parker]] that she was the only person able to carry on the project after her father, the original SP//dr, died in battle. She accepted the responsibility, allowing the radioactive spider that formed the other half of SP//dr's CPU to bite her.<ref name=EoSV5>{{cite comic|title=Edge of Spider-Verse|volume=1|issue=5|date=October 15, 2014|writer=[[Gerard Way]]|artist=Jake Wyatt|colorist=Ian Herring|letterer=Clayton Cowles|editor=[[Nick Lowe (comics)|Nick Lowe]], Ellie Pyle, Devin Lewis|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> During a fight against the kaiju [[Morbius the Living Vampire#"Spider-Geddon"|M.O.R.B.I.U.S.]], Ben witnesses Addy Brock losing control of [[Alternative versions of Venom#Spider-Geddon|VEN#m]]. After SP//dr defeats VEN#m and finds that Addy and Aunt May aren't inside, Ben visits Peni hours later and states that what happened to May and Addy wasn't her fault. A portal opens as [[Spider-Ham]] requests Peni's help. Ben convinces her to go as duty calls.<ref>''Edge of Spider-Geddon'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>
* In an unknown reality, Uncle Ben and Aunt May are with their nephew Peter at the hospital after he suffers an allergic reaction to the radioactive spider bite, leaving him in a coma. Because of this, they are out of their house when it is [[Burglar (comics)|burgled by the thief]] who killed Ben in the main universe. Peter transforms into Man-Spider and attacks Ben and May, but is thwarted by [[Spider-Man Noir]]. [[The Six Arms Saga|Six-Armed Spider-Man]] creates a cure for Peter, allowing him to live a normal life with Ben and May.<ref>''Spider-Verse Team-Up'' #1 (2014)</ref>
* {{anchor|Earth-3145}}The Earth-3145 version of Ben Parker was isolated in [[Ezekiel Sims]]'s bunker after Earth is decimated by nuclear fallout. Ben is later found by [[Silk (character)|Silk]], Spider-Man, and the [[Alternative versions of Spider-Man|other Spider-Men]] who arrive while fleeing from the Inheritors.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' vol. 3 #12 (2015)</ref> They learn that Ben received his powers when he accompanied Peter to the science demonstration and was bitten by the spider instead of his nephew. However, Ben retired out of grief after his foe the [[Norman Osborn|Emerald Elf]] discovered his identity and killed his May and Peter. After entering Ezekiel's bunker upon being told of the Inheritors, his Earth was decimated when a nuclear blackmail plot by [[Otto Octavius]] went wrong. Although he initially declines to join the other Spiders in their final attack on the Inheritors, Spider-Man and [[Superior Spider-Man]] convince him to do so by arguing that he has only failed if he gives up, Peter in particular affirming that the advice of his own Uncle Ben has saved his world and made a difference every day.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' vol. 3 #13 (2015)</ref> He subsequently works with [[Spider-Ham]] to rescue [[Benjy Parker]] – the baby brother of [[Mayday Parker|Spider-Girl]] – and take him to another dimension for safety.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' vol. 3 #14</ref> When the crisis is averted, Ben accompanies Spider-Girl back to her home dimension, and decides to remain there so he can be the great-uncle that no other Ben Parker has had the chance to become.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' vol. 3 #15</ref>

===''Spider-Geddon''===
During the "''[[Spider-Geddon]]''" storyline, Earth-91918 has a version of Uncle Ben who is married to a Hispanic version of Aunt May. When he is shot by a mugger, Uncle Ben gains spider powers following a blood transfusion from his nephew. When Ben became a Spider-Man, he was a ruthless hero where he once severely beat up Kraven the Hunter.<ref>''Edge of Spider-Geddon'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Ultimate Marvel===
The [[Ultimate Marvel]] version of Ben Parker differs slightly from the original iteration. Younger than his original counterpart, he is also a former [[hippie]] who wears his hair in a ponytail and teaches [[Spider-Man (Ultimate Marvel character)|Peter Parker]] to be nonviolent. Ben also reminisces about the period he lived on a commune. After Peter went out for a walk, Peter learned from a police officer that Ben was murdered.<ref>{{cite comic |writer=[[Brian Michael Bendis]] |penciller=[[Mark Bagley]] |title=Ultimate Spider-Man |issue= #1 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |date=9 October 2000 |url=https://marvel.com/comics/issue/4372/ultimate_spider-man_2000_1 |id=4372}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic |writer=[[Bill Jemas]], [[Brian Michael Bendis]] |penciller=[[Mark Bagley]] |inker=[[Art Thibert]] |colorist=[[Steve Buccellato]] |letterer=Troy Peteri |editor=[[Ralph Macchio]] |title=Ultimate Spider-Man |issue= #2 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |date=10 November 2000 |url=https://marvel.com/comics/issue/14846/ultimate_spider-man_2000_2 |id=14846}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic |writer=[[Bill Jemas]], [[Brian Michael Bendis]] |penciller=[[Mark Bagley]] |inker=[[Art Thibert]] |colorist=[[Marie Javins]], Colorgraphix |letterer=[[Richard Starkings]], Troy Peteri |editor=[[Joe Quesada]] |title=Ultimate Spider-Man |issue= #3 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |date=10 January 2001 |url=https://marvel.com/comics/issue/14857/ultimate_spider-man_2000_3 |id=14857}}</ref>

===Ultimate Universe===
On [[Ultimate Universe|Earth-6160]], [[Maker (character)|Maker]] changed the past so that [[Alternative versions of Spider-Man#Ultimate Universe (Earth-6160)|Peter]] never got his powers as a teenager and Ben was never killed by a mugger. His wife May would be killed as one of the casualties of a [[false flag]] attack on New York City orchestrated by [[Illuminati (comics)#Ultimate Universe|The Maker's Council]]. In the present, Ben Parker is the managing editor of the Daily Bugle and Peter is happily married to Mary Jane Watson with two kids named Richard and May. Ben and his close friend [[J. Jonah Jameson#Ultimate Universe|J. Jonah Jameson]] quit the Bugle upon [[Kingpin (character)#Ultimate Universe|Wilson Fisk]] taking it over and interfering with their investigations concerning the attack. At the Bar with No Name, Ben and Jameson talk about starting an independent news company.<ref>{{cite comic |writer=[[Jonathan Hickman]] |penciller=Marco Checchetto |inker=Marco Checchetto |colorist=[[Matt Wilson (comics artist)|Matt Wilson]] |letterer=Cory Petit |editor=[[C. B. Cebulski]] |title=Ultimate Spider-Man |issue= #1 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |date=10 January 2024 |url=https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/115476/ultimate_spider-man_2024_1 }}</ref> While babysitting Richard and May, Ben Parker and J. Jonah Jameson talk about calling their independent news company "The Paper". Richard later talks to Ben about May not being on good terms with J. Jonah Jameson.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Ultimate Spider-Man'' Vol. 3 #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''What If?''===
Uncle Ben was featured in various issues of ''[[What If (comics)|What If]]''.

* In the first "What If" story regarding Spider-Man (named "classic"), it was Aunt May who went downstairs after hearing a noise, not wanting to wake up Ben. The same storyline plays out, with the burglar shooting May and Spider-Man apprehending him in the warehouse. In this story, Ben finds out about Peter's activities as Spider-Man relatively soon, and talks to him about it. Peter explains to him when he donned the costume and why, even telling him about letting the would-be murderer go that very same night he robbed the wrestling register. Peter breaks down, saying how everything was his fault. Ben responds with anger at himself, being weak in not being able to protect "his May". After Peter tells him he did not know and could not have possibly done anything, Ben instantly calms down and tells Peter to follow his own advice. He further inspires Peter to keep being Spider-Man, not because of regret or penance, but to protect and help all those who are weak and in need of help. Ben and Peter form an even closer relationship with Ben offering his support in many of Spider-Man's future battles. Eventually Ben becomes outraged at Jameson's constant smearing of Spider-Man's name, considering it an insult to May's memory. He eventually lets Jameson in on Spider-Man's identity, forcing Jameson in a position he is uncomfortable in as a journalist. He cannot expose Spider-Man without endangering Ben Parker, yet he also does not wish to support vigilantism. Eventually, he finds a middle road and unofficially employs Spider-Man so he can gain inside scoops on crimes being solved in the city. The story eventually ends with Spider-Man saving Bennett Brant and Betty Brant from Doctor Octopus, as well as fighting a Green Goblin who kidnapped Jameson to find out Spider-Man's real identity (having correctly surmised there was a reason Jameson had those inside scoops). At the end of it all, Peter and Ben shake hands with Jameson saying they will face all dangers and the future together.<ref>{{cite comic |title=What If? |issue=#46 |volume=7 |writer=[[Peter B. Gillis]] |pages=40 |date=14 March 2017 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |url=https://comicstore.marvel.com/What-If-1977-1984-46/digital-comic/44686 |access-date=14 May 2018 |archive-date=15 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515112350/https://comicstore.marvel.com/What-If-1977-1984-46/digital-comic/44686 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=="With great power, there must also come great responsibility"==
{{Main|With great power, there must also come great responsibility}}
Although it didn't originate from any character, the quote "with great power, there must also come great responsibility" (commonly paraphrased as "with great power comes great responsibility" and adapted as such in some media) has been popularized by ''Spider-Man'' comics, and has become widely recognized as Spider-Man's life motto.

==In other media==
===Television===
* Uncle Ben appears in the ''[[Spider-Man (1967 TV series)|Spider-Man]]'' (1967) episode "The Origin of Spider-Man".
* Uncle Ben appears in the ''[[Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends]]'' episode "Along Came Spidey", voiced by [[Frank Welker]].
* Uncle Ben appears in ''[[Spider-Man: The Animated Series]]'', voiced by [[Brian Keith]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Uncle Ben Voices (Spider-Man) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Spider-Man/Uncle-Ben/ |access-date=February 5, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
** An alternate reality variant of Ben appears in the series finale "Farewell, Spider-Man". While saving the [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|multiverse]] from [[Ben Reilly|Spider-Carnage]], the "prime" Spider-Man travels to a reality where Ben never died. Upon finding him, Spider-Man brings Ben to talk Spider-Carnage out of using a reality bomb, resulting in the latter sacrificing himself to defeat the [[Carnage (character)|Carnage]] symbiote. Following this, Ben expresses how proud he is of the "prime" Spider-Man despite not living in the same reality as him.
* Uncle Ben appears in the intro for ''[[Spider-Man Unlimited]]''.
* Uncle Ben appears in ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man (TV series)|The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' episode "Intervention", voiced by [[Ed Asner]].<ref name="btva" /> This version was killed while protecting his wife [[Aunt May|May Parker]] amidst a break-in.
* Uncle Ben, loosely based on his [[Ultimate Marvel]] counterpart, appears in ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]'', voiced by [[Greg Grunberg]].<ref name="btva" />
** A [[Wild West]]-themed, alternate reality variant of Ben appears in the episode "Return to the Spider-Verse" Pt. 2, voiced by [[Clancy Brown]].<ref>{{cite episode |title=Return to the Spider-Verse Pt. 2 |series=Ultimate Spider-Man |network=[[Disney XD]] |season=4 |number=17 |airdate=September 3, 2016}}</ref> This version was brainwashed by [[Doctor Octopus|Doc Ock Holliday]] to serve him as his enforcer, the '''[[Phantom Rider]]''', until the "prime" Spider-Man, [[Miles Morales|Kid Arachnid]], and [[Web-Slinger]] free Ben from Holliday's control.
* Uncle Ben appears in flashbacks depicted in ''[[Spider-Man (2017 TV series)|Spider-Man]]'' (2017), voiced by [[Patton Oswalt]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techiegamers.com/2387-2/ |title='Marvel's Spider-Man' Has Secured A Notable Name To Voice Uncle Ben |last=Morgan |first=Chris |date=4 July 2017 |access-date=14 May 2018 |work=Techie Gamers}}</ref><ref name="btva" />

===Film===
* Uncle Ben appears in [[Sam Raimi]]'s [[Spider-Man (2002 film series)|''Spider-Man'' film trilogy]], portrayed by [[Cliff Robertson]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Montalbano |first=Dave |title=The Adventures of Cinema Dave in the Florida Motion Picture World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hvfExNxOXpsC&pg=PA523 |publisher=[[Xlibris Corporation]] |date=22 December 2010 |page=523 |isbn=9781462836734}}</ref> This version was a chief [[electrician]] for 35 years before being laid off. Additionally, he was accidentally killed by [[Sandman (Marvel Comics)|Flint Marko]] while trying to help him.
* Uncle Ben appears in ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man (film)|The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' (2012), portrayed by [[Martin Sheen]]. Following an argument with [[Peter Parker (The Amazing Spider-Man film series)|Peter Parker]] that results in the latter storming off, Ben attempts to find him. However, he encounters a thief that Peter allowed to escape earlier that night and is killed in the ensuing struggle. While Peter attempts to find Ben's killer, he fails to do so.
* Uncle Ben makes a cameo appearance in ''[[Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse]]'' (2018), voiced by archival audio of Cliff Robertson.
* The ''Spider-Man'' (2002) and ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' incarnations of Ben Parker appear in ''[[Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse]]'' via archival footage.
* A younger Ben Parker appears in ''[[Madame Web (film)|Madame Web]]'', portrayed by [[Adam Scott]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillipson |first=Daisy |date=February 9, 2024 |title=A huge ''Madame Web'' spoiler has been confirmed |url=https://www.dexerto.com/tv-movies/madame-web-spoiler-confirmed-uncle-ben-mary-parker-2524300/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209102257/https://www.dexerto.com/tv-movies/madame-web-spoiler-confirmed-uncle-ben-mary-parker-2524300/ |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |access-date=February 12, 2024 |website=[[Dexerto]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillipson |first=Daisy |date=February 12, 2024 |title=''Madame Web'' cast: All actors & characters |url=https://www.dexerto.com/tv-movies/madame-web-cast-characters-actors-2528888/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212233546/https://www.dexerto.com/tv-movies/madame-web-cast-characters-actors-2528888/ |archive-date=February 12, 2024 |access-date=February 12, 2024 |website=[[Dexerto]]}}</ref> This version is a paramedic partnered with his friend [[Madame Web|Cassie Webb]].

===Marvel Cinematic Universe===
While not appearing directly, Uncle Ben exists in media set in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU).

* Ben is alluded to in ''[[Captain America: Civil War]]''.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
* ''[[Spider-Man: Homecoming]]'' (2017) co-writer [[John Francis Daley]] confirmed that Ben exists in the MCU despite never being referenced directly. In an earlier draft of the film, [[May Parker (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|May Parker]] mentions that [[Peter Parker (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Peter Parker]]'s wardrobe for his upcoming homecoming dance was Ben's, but the scene was cut because the screenwriters did not want Ben's death to be a throwaway line.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mueller |first=Matthew |title=Uncle Ben Confirmed For The Marvel Cinematic Universe |url=http://comicbook.com/marvel/2017/08/02/spider-man-homecoming-uncle-been-confirmed/ |date=August 2, 2017 |access-date=May 14, 2018 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref>
* An [[Multiverse (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|alternate reality]] variant of Ben is mentioned in the ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' episode "[[What If... Zombies?!]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Bradley |date=September 8, 2021 |title=New What... If? features first MCU mention of iconic Spider-Man character |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/what-if-zombies-uncle-ben-mcu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908171425/https://www.gamesradar.com/what-if-zombies-uncle-ben-mcu/ |archive-date=September 8, 2021 |access-date=September 9, 2021 |website=[[GamesRadar+]]}}</ref>
* While developing ''[[Spider-Man: No Way Home]]'' (2021), writers [[Chris McKenna (writer)|Chris McKenna]] and [[Erik Sommers]] realized that May would adopt Ben's comic book role as she had served as Peter's "moral guide" throughout the MCU. As such, she is killed by the [[Norman Osborn (2002 film series character)|Green Goblin]] and tells Peter "[[With great power comes great responsibility|with great power, there must also come great responsibility]]" before she dies. In a subsequent interview, McKenna and Sommers indicated that while an MCU Ben Parker had existed, he did not meet the same fate as Aunt May.<ref name="MayAdaptedFromBen">{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=December 29, 2021 |title=How ''Spider-Man: No Way Home'' Was "Shaped" by Its Secret Stars |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/spider-man-no-way-home-andrew-garfield-tobey-maguire-1235068153 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230001218/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/spider-man-no-way-home-andrew-garfield-tobey-maguire-1235068153/ |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
* An alternate reality variant of Ben appears in ''[[Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man]]'' via a photograph. According to the show's tie-in comics, this version died of natural causes instead of being killed.

===Video games===
* Uncle Ben appears in ''[[Spider-Man (2002 video game)|Spider-Man]]'' (2002), voiced by [[Peter Lurie]]. 
* Uncle Ben appears in the prologue of ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014 video game)|The Amazing Spider-Man 2]]'', voiced by Mark Bramhall.<ref name="btva" />
* Uncle Ben appears in ''[[Spider-Man (2018 video game)|Spider-Man]]'' (2018) via photographs.
* Uncle Ben appears in ''[[Marvel Snap]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Stanton |first=Rich |date=October 25, 2022 |title=In a new Marvel card game, you kill Uncle Ben to get Spider-Man |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/in-a-new-marvel-card-game-you-kill-uncle-ben-to-get-spider-man/ |access-date=January 25, 2025 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref>

==Franklin Richards's Uncle Ben==
[[Franklin Richards (character)|Franklin Richards]] of the [[Fantastic Four]] often refers to Benjamin Grimm, the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]], as "Uncle Ben" (Grimm is the best friend of Franklin's father [[Mister Fantastic|Reed Richards]]). Franklin Richards and Peter Parker also have the same middle name, Benjamin, as the Thing and Ben Parker are their [[namesake]]s. Spider-Man is aware of this, and told Franklin, "Uncle Bens are always right."<ref>{{cite comic |title=Spider-Man/Human Torch |issue= #5 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |date=29 June 2005 |writer=[[Dan Slott]], |penciller=[[Ty Templeton]],|inker=Drew Geraci, Greg Adams, |colorist=John Rauch |letterer=Dave Lanphear |url=https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/1986/spider-manhuman_torch_2005_5}}</ref>

==Son of Spider-Man==
In ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #498–500, Spider-Man falls through time, encountering all of his enemies from the past, and sees himself in the future. The future Peter Parker tells him that he should tell [[Mary Jane Watson]] and their son that he loves them every day. "Our son is called Ben", he says, "but it would pretty much have to be, wouldn't it?" However, because of the way time-travel in the Marvel universe works, this is only a potential future and not necessarily a definite one (this future being even more unlikely after the events of "[[One More Day (comics)|One More Day]]").

==The Other Uncle Ben==
{{Main|Spider-Girl (Mayday Parker)}}
Like her father, [[Mayday Parker|Spider-Girl]] also has an Uncle Ben.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-greatest-spider-women-of-all-time-ranked-1796904543 |title=The Greatest Spider-Women of All Time, Ranked |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=14 July 2011 |access-date=14 May 2018 |work=[[Gizmodo]] |publisher=[[Gizmodo Media Group]]}}</ref> However, unlike her dad, May never knew her uncle: [[Ben Reilly]], Spider-Man's clone. If Spider-Girl has any children in the future, they too would have an Uncle Ben – May's [[Benjamin Richard Parker|baby brother]]. Ironically in the aftermath of ''Spider-Verse'', the Earth-3145's Ben Parker himself would stay on her world, and has a chance to be his grandfather, something that the other Ben Parkers were unable to achieve on account of their deaths.

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://marvel.com/universe/Parker%2C_Ben Uncle Ben] at Marvel.com
*{{Marveldatabase|Benjamin Parker (Earth-616)|Benjamin Parker}}

{{Spider-Man characters}}
{{Ultimate Spider-Man}}
{{Spectacular Spider-Man (TV series)}}
{{Stan Lee}}
{{Steve Ditko}}

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