TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Spider-Man General Discussion

Go To

This thread's for the Spider-Man comics and spin-offs, whether they're decades old or brand new.

  • Apart from the main Marvel Universe titles, Ultimate Spider-Man, Spider-Man "What If?" stories, crossovers, guest appearances in other books, Alternate Universe tales and things like Marvel's manga adaptations are all on-topic here.
  • Spider-Man 'family' books are on-topic (as are their own crossovers, guest appearances etc.) - e.g. Spider-Man 2099, Miles Morales, Spider-Woman, Silk, Spider-Gwen, Venom, Carnage, Black Cat, Red Goblin and Spider-Verse.
  • Characters and comics that originated in Spider-Man but are no longer directly connected to the spider-franchise (e.g. Punisher, Silver Sable) are not on-topic, unless you're discussing historical connections and crossovers. If in doubt, check before you write a long post. If this isn't the right place, there's a more general Marvel Comics thread which covers them.

Technically, Marvel's Infinity Comics (and their predecessors, Infinite Comics) are webcomics, not comic books, but it's fine to talk about their Spider-Man stories here.

Discussions that are only about Spider-Man adaptations in other media (films, video games etc.) are off-topic, but discussing the differences between the adaptations and the original comics is fine - as long as spoilers for the adaptations are tagged.

Please follow the spoiler policy rules - tag spoilers for the latest issues, for any previews or content leaks, and for off-topic comics. When including spoiler tags, try to write so that tropers can make an informed decision before viewing them (e.g. which series and issue will they spoil?).

     Original Thread OP 
Since everyone likes talking about him. I know little about him(Ironically,I got nearly all I know about him from a Batman thread),but he's apparently important so I made this thread. Enjoy.

Edited by MacronNotes on Jul 10th 2023 at 10:58:13 AM

Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#28826: Jul 21st 2023 at 7:47:29 AM

It’s a shame the series dropped on a cliffhanger because her response of “oh just an ordinary murderer and not a demon supervillain guy?” when she witnessed a murder was hilarious

All concern immediately gone. She has lived through worse. And her protests when witness protection kidnaps her and ships her off to the corn fields

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#28827: Jul 21st 2023 at 7:49:59 AM

Did Mary Jane's series do well sales wise?

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#28828: Jul 21st 2023 at 7:55:28 AM

It apparently did better than expected because it was only supposed to run for five issues and then was planned to extend to ten. That’s why the sixth issue just sets up a new arc and then the book never comes out again and MJ just comes back to NY without explanation

Covid happened to the last four issues apparently

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#28829: Jul 21st 2023 at 7:59:39 AM

She's stopped being a character and just became a tool of the writers to cause Peter stress and instability in his life with the will they won't they melodrama.

That sounds a lot like Gwen, actually.

One Strip! One Strip!
RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#28830: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:01:45 AM

On this note, has there ever been a female writer who did an on-going Spider-Man run?

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Zarius Since: Nov, 2012
#28831: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:05:09 AM

[up] Jodie Houser during the second half of Renew Your Vows

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#28832: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:06:52 AM

Well it certainly helps that there were two prominent ladies there.

But what about the main book itself? I have this feeling that maybe the love interests in Spider-Man's life might be different if there was a woman in charge of the book.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Zarius Since: Nov, 2012
#28833: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:13:18 AM

I think it'd be cool to imagine MJ never returned from the cliffhanger of Amazing Mary Jane and she's still 'out here in the fields, where she fights for her meals, and puts her back into her living...'

It was a wild crazy time involving demon computers and clones posing as people Peter knew a long time ago...it'd be easy to retcon the MJ that came back and subjected to Wells' run and the Jackpot nonsense as a double.

A whole 10 year stint for the Harry clone didn't save him from the chop, that can happen to MJ too.

Edited by Zarius on Jul 21st 2023 at 8:14:23 AM

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#28834: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:15:58 AM

Harry post OMD was retconned to be a clone created by how own evil A.I. copy right?

It's hard to keep track of this shit.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Zarius Since: Nov, 2012
#28835: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:20:51 AM

[up] A twisted Harry Osborn A.I supercomputer secretly controlled by Mephisto.

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#28836: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:22:20 AM

Mephisto: It was me, Harry.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Zarius Since: Nov, 2012
FKJ10 Since: Mar, 2012
#28838: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:35:36 AM

You'd be correct @Handsome Rob as that what Post-Ditko Gwen became once Conway started writing her. Hated Gwen, preferred MJ as a love interest and wrote her as a hysterical woman that would cause Peter guilt and grief before killing her off.

Now look where we have MJ in the Wells run....

HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#28839: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:40:48 AM

How long did Conway write Gwen for?

I always assumed that he came in and didn't write her for all that long before her death (as he was already convinced she was the inferior love interest compared to MJ and planned to replace her from the get go).

One Strip! One Strip!
FKJ10 Since: Mar, 2012
#28840: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:52:23 AM

Two years from 1971-73.

Gwen was a much different character when Ditko wrote. She was pretty much the mean girl to Peter. When Lee wrote her he remodeled her after his wife and intended her and Peter to marry.

But MJ was too popular then Conway got to writing and preferred the redhead. So within two years Gwen was gone.

HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#28841: Jul 21st 2023 at 8:59:05 AM

Oh right.

So was Conway the one who moved Gwen to Europe for a bit?

Anyway, this kinda gets back to how Gwen never really had a singular vision due to having so many different writers.

MJ was lucky that she was kept consistent across all her writers (and that we got to know her as a character at least a little bit before Conway decided to push her to the forefront).

MJ's popularity has been the biggest saving grace for her. No matter how much Marvel wants her out of the way, fans just won't accept it.

One Strip! One Strip!
Antiyonder (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#28842: Jul 21st 2023 at 9:14:55 AM

So I don't think the late great Dwayne Mc Duffie was thinking anything beyond Lex is crap in bed with that sly adult joke.

Even then if Tala did know, like in WW 84, that still taking Lex's body and using it for sex. So cleary not respecting Luthor bodily automony.

See how bad this goes if we think to much on a dumb body swapping plot line. A memorable funny episode of JLU becomes an episode of SVU.

I think the big difference is people becoming more reflective of that stuff by the 2010s and I think when called on it, Slott dismissed such concerns (I could be wrong) whereas with Mc Duffie he never had it pointed to his attention.

FKJ10 Since: Mar, 2012
#28843: Jul 21st 2023 at 9:53:54 AM

[up][up] No that was Lee the intent was for Peter to follow up on his initial desire and propose to Gwen. Only stopped the first time because of his guilt from Captain Stacy's death.

As Lee wanted the two to be married. Hence why you see in a lot of "perfect" timelines for Peter he and Gwen are engaged, married and/or have some kids.

Because Peter really didn't like MJ at the time as he thought she was a shallow loose party girl. It's what made MJ interesting to readers and gave her the edge that Conway said Gwen didn't have. She was just a "nice girl".

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#28844: Jul 21st 2023 at 9:55:24 AM

Should have stuck with OG mean girl Gwen Stacy. At least she had a personality.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#28845: Jul 21st 2023 at 9:56:34 AM

The personality of “whatever is most inconvenient for Peter Parker, fuck that guy”

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#28846: Jul 21st 2023 at 9:57:04 AM

Gwen: It's not like I like him or anything, BAKA!

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Antiyonder (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#28847: Jul 21st 2023 at 9:58:02 AM

MJ really was a case of the happiest accident. She wasn't planned as the love interest, so they couldn't just leave her without a personality or anything compelling.

FKJ10 Since: Mar, 2012
#28848: Jul 21st 2023 at 9:59:10 AM

I would have preferred a more slowburn classic tsundere romance. Gwen Stacy the rich daddy's girl used to getting whatever she wants until "Puny" Parker refuses to put up with her attitude.

Two exhange snark and wits gradually grow closer and Gwen reveals underneath her snobby genius exterior she's actually a sweetheart.

It's funny the closest we got to Gwen's original character in modern times was the 2017 Spider-Man cartoon.

Edited by FKJ10 on Jul 21st 2023 at 10:00:58 AM

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#28849: Jul 21st 2023 at 9:59:36 AM

Mary Jane was intended to be a foil to Gwen, and Ms. Unobtainable.

But that kind of thing actually is appealing to guys.

It's funny how even in the cartoon, Mary Jane was replacing Gwen. Like she was Captain Stacy's niece in the 60s show.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
FKJ10 Since: Mar, 2012
#28850: Jul 21st 2023 at 10:04:31 AM

Honestly rereading MJ post face it tiger you hit the jackpot and pre Gwen's death I can see why Peter did not like her. She was totally not loyal. Constantly hitting on any guy at the time and extremely high maintenance.

Not serious relationship material because you couldn't tell if she was being serious half the time.

Gwen's death really forced her to grow up.


Total posts: 38,961
Top