I'm here to see Mr. Lincoln.
?"Big Man"
Then you should make an appointment. But perhaps we can make an exception for the hero of the day. I am L. Thompson Lincoln.
Please, you're the Big Man!
LTL. Thompson Lincoln
In my life, I've been called many names. My favorite… is "Tombstone".
Back off! I just took down the Rhino. A pale guy in a suit doesn't stand a…
[Tombstone smacks Spider-Man away and pins him to the ground]
TombstoneDon't move. Just listen. And I'll teach you the facts of life. The Big Man, whomever he might be, has nothing against heroes. No hero can thwart enough crime to dent his income. But you... you frighten criminals off the streets entirely. Except when you're off battling the like of the Rhino. Then the Big Man's profitable army of petty thugs think themselves beneath the Spider-Man's notice.
So as long as I keep fighting crime, you'll keep making bigger and badder…
Tombstone
Now, you're learning. But there is a way out. Come work for me. You can still save the world like a good hero. I'll even pay you. All you have to remember is to look the other way on occasion. On any occasion I choose.
I can't ever look the other way again. Let's finish this.
Tombstone
[sigh] If you insist. [Buzzes two cops into the room] Officers, Spider-Man has trespassed on my property, assaulted my employees and threatened my person.
Tombstone
What do you hope to accomplish here tonight?
So the whole "wanting to destroy you and take over your empire" thing wasn't clear? Well, darn.
Uh… yoo-hoo! Excuse me. Can I come in this way or do I have to break my own window?
GGGreen Goblin, Tombstone, and J. Jonah Jameson
Spider-Man!
Tombstone
Your timing is impeccable.
So, your latest super-loser turned on you, huh, Toomie?
Tombstone
I don't know who he is... yet! But he's not in my employ.
That's okay. I can always pretend he's yours while I trounce him. I'll still feel all warm inside.
Hell-ooo! I'm in the room! Really, you're both too rude!
Oh, where are my manners? Here you come to terrorize the Tombster and I don't even say thank you. My only excuse is that you're holding innocent people hostage! It's confusing to my poor spider-brain.
Mmm, yes, quite the puzzler. But the Green Goblin has a solution: you and I join forces! Consider what we could accomplish by combining our powers! WE COULD RULE NEW YORK!
Are we talking Manhattan, or all five? Nah, sorry. I make it a rule not to partner with anyone green. Or, you know, psychotic.
[sighs] Oh well, your loss... of life!
Look, "Big Man", here's the bottom line: the Manfredi family's ruled New York for decades. You are not taking what is mine.
Tombstone
You old-school types always make things personal. But a criminal empire should be run like a business.
Not a business, a science. You both think so small, fighting over scraps like rats.
[Tombstone restrains Doctor Octopus]
Thanks, Tombie. Just don't expect roses.
KKid
[watching] Best. Field trip. Ever!
Tombstone
Sorry, Doctor. Too many witnesses. L. Thompson Lincoln can't be seen collaborating with supervillains and gangsters.
Then L. Thompson Lincoln is WEAK! [flings him away]
[grabs Spider-Man in a bear hug] You're all weak!
I'm confused - do you wanna fight, or dance?
GSGeorge Stacy
Something wrong, son?
Did you see the paper?! Tombstone made bail!
GSGeorge Stacy
Lincoln may be free, but the world knows he's the Big Man. Sixteen different government agencies now have him under surveillance. His operation is crippled. We'll get him eventually.
GSGeorge Stacy
Here's the real problem: you've created a power vacuum in the criminal universe. And nature abhors a vacuum.
[Cut to Tombstone's office]
Tombstone
Hammerhead never showed this kind of initiative. I should have known you were behind this.
Guilty, guilty and oh so very guilty — of being the new Big Man of Crime! [laughs diabolically]
The Spectacular Spider-Man · 96 quotes
