In the massive universe-wide crossover civil war spiderman played a major role. In fact, the events of issue #2 of the main civil war mini-series involving the wall-crawler set the tone for the entire crossover. In that issue of civil war spiderman unmasked at a press conference for the entire world to see.

Civil war was initiated by the Superhuman Registration Act, which required all superhumans, good or evil, to register with the government, thus unmasking and making their secret identities known. In a show of good faith during civil war spiderman took his mask off in public to show his support for the act.

This one tiny occurrence sent shockwaves through both the comic world and the real world. Reported in newspapers and television programs all over the world, people everywhere were stunned by the revelation that spiderman was making his identity known for the first time. As closely guarded as his secret was to protect his loved ones, it was a bold move for spiderman. But in civil war spiderman thought he was doing the right thing, but that soon changed.

Later in civil war spiderman discovered what was happening to all the superhumans that were caught who refused to register. They were locked in an impregnable prison in the Negative Zone and not given a trial, but simply berated until they agreed to register. Spiderman's mentor, Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, was orchestrating this movement, and that sent spiderman over the edge. He turned on Iron Man and joined Captain America's revolution against the act.

The sides were cast in civil war, spiderman was with Captain America now, and they were fighting the good fight. The good fight, however, ended with Captain America getting killed, and spiderman's loved ones in danger. Reflecting his dark mood and the dark tone of civil war spiderman donned the classic black costume he had swore to Mary Jane never to wear because of its similarity to Venom. The New Avengers were underground and on the run, but conflict was inevitable.

One of the major key players in civil war spiderman fought for what he believed in, and when what he believed in changed he fought for that. In civil war spiderman changed and became more than what he was. And that has been a theme throughout the life of spiderman: changing and growing as experience is gained and lessons are learned.