Is it in your opinion that Peter would be able to manage suddenly coming into tens of millions of dollars?
We've actually seen exactly what happens when he comes into tens of millions of dollars (and his own company) post-Superior Spider-Man. And letās just say it did not end well--
("Now, let's tear it down!" Amazing Spider-Man #31 (2015))
Truly, the man did not last more than a couple months, in-universe, before force-ejecting from the entire enterprise, super-villain plot notwithstanding. Even without Otto forcing his hand Peter was routinely giving his money away or using exorbitant amounts for the benefit of his family and friends. His philanthropic work with the Uncle Ben Foundation. Helping out May, Flash, and Carlie. Generally, giving his money away at any opportunity. He bought the Baxter Building for Johnny!
("Everyone was trying to buy this place...and I outbid 'em all..." Amazing Spider-Man #3 (2015))
Peter during Parker Industries didnāt āmanageā this money at all. He spent and spent and the only reason he didnāt eventually run out was because his corporation imploded first.
So, I think the easiest answer is if he suddenly came into a lot of money, like for example, if he won the lottery, he would not so much manage the money but just use it until it ran dry and then find a gig to pay next monthās rent.Ā
Now, Parker Industries is a pretty on the nose example so if we disregard that run I still think it's clear that Peter would manage a million dollars just as well as he would ten dollars and that is to say quickly and/or probably for the benefit of someone else. Peter genuinely just does not care about having money just to acquire wealth.Ā
(āI donāt value it.ā Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #10 (2019) I personally think this is a clunky panel because itās telling us instead of actually showing us he doesnāt value money but alas it suits my purposes for this post.)
This is obviously not to say he doesn't know the value of money or that he is oblivious to the fact that he needs money for rent or that having money makes life easier. Most of his struggles come from a lack of money. But he doesnāt view money in the long term, heās not thinking of it as a potential investment but merely a tool to solve immediate problems. Even when he comes into a bit of surprise money he needs it all just to cover bills (Thanks Robbie!)--
(āI have [a savings plan]?! You mean when Robbie made me sign all those forms last year?... Thatās just enough for my back rent and a pizza!ā Spectacular Spider-Man #126)Ā
Peter and his relationship with money is established early as core to his character and in connection with his economic status. When you are poor any money you earn is for immediate necessities, not something to be saved and managed.Ā
("Without Uncle Ben, we've no money to pay our bills." Amazing Spider-Man #1)Ā
He just needs to make enough to pay rent, for May's medical bills, for food. Maybe he wants to get something nice for May or Betty, Gwen, or MJ. Later on, his money worries are in relation to being able to support a wife (this occurs with both Gwen and MJ). But it's all short-term and a means to an end. Past the immediate obstacle where the money is needed, he doesn't care about money at all.
His very first superhero team-up was less of a team-up and more of Peter thinking he could make money by joining the Fantastic Four!
("There's the way I can make some money--by joining the Fantastic Four!" Amazing Spider-Man #1)Ā
Iāve been using multiple panels from Amazing Spider-Man #1Ā so far because I think itās important in showing how ingrained Peterās overall views on money are to the character. This is his second appearance ever (after Amazing Fantasy #15) and not only is his socio-economic class crystal clear but so is how he handles and thinks about money.Ā
Canonically, almost every time Peter does come into a little extra money he gives it away. This is also a pretty consistent trait of his. He's just not one to keep extra cash around unless he's specifically saving for something. Why would he hoard money when he can help someone he loves or give it to a New Yorker who needs it more than him at that moment.Ā
(...other people need it more than me, right?)Ā
Further, he doesnāt view Spider-Man as something that holds monetary value.Ā
(Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1(2019))
And he knows how important money is for the average person--Ā
(āIf that money isnāt recovered, what happens to relief payments this month?ā)
And--letās be clear here--Peter could very easily make all the money he wants. He could easily make loads of money. Whether it be because he is a certified genius. Or because he has superpowers and could employ them in a variety of different ways to get money...and he knows this.
("If money's a problem, then I'll just get money." Amazing Spider-Man #542)
(āI can go anywhere! No one, nothing can stop me! Any amount of money could be mine...ā Amazing Spider-Man #1 (ASM #1 really doing the most work in hammering home so many core character traits huh!))Ā
But, Peter is just not a character who aspires to be wealthy. He wants to be comfortable. He wants an apartment with a tiny skylight so he can easily sneak out and be Spider-Man. He wants enough money to take care of the people he loves. But that's it.
In fact, the jobs that have made him money usually become a problem because they get in the way of him being Spider-Man.Ā He values being Spider-Man over making a name for himself, finishing grad school, making big science lab money, etc., etc. or he wouldnāt be dropping these pathways to a better economic status.Ā He's had many well-paying science jobs throughout canon and he doesn't keep them because he eventually stops showing up. He's a flake who at the end of the day doesn't value that work or that money more than being Spider-Man and helping people Grad school meant so little to him at one point that he full-on dropped out, in part, because he thought heĀ needed to make money to pay for Felicia's medical bills--
(āI might not have quit school to devote more time to making a living...OH WELL...ā)
Pulling back a bit we also have to look at Peter and his purpose as a fictional character that requires thought and consistent theme-work. A Peter who acquires wealth. Who hoards such a valuable resource is kind of antithetical to his whole deal. Arguably, his most well-known villain is Norman Osborn the literal embodiment of what an evil man with lots of money and no responsibility can do. So, it really doesnāt make for a character like Peter so rooted in the lower class, so known for helping the ones who truly need him for him in his civilian life to be a well-off guy. Spider-Man is THE street-level hero dealing with street-level crime. At his best he is stopping muggings, beating up unfair landlords, or wealthy people taking advantage of the unfortunate. He's a man of the people and doesn't like when people misuse power and what gives people power more than money?
("...I had the most money!" "Oh, give it a rest." Spectacular Spider-Man #145)Ā
Wrapping this up, I also think a big reason Peter never feels so beholden to money is because he knows how self-sufficient he is. He invents his own webbing, web-shooters, is shown to be extremely handy, and is a genius. Why should he care about money beyond his basic needs? He can figure things out as the situation calls for it even if all he has is $23.50 in his bank account :pĀ
