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Spider-Man General Discussion

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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

immortaleditor Since: Aug, 2023
#32051: Nov 11th 2023 at 9:41:43 PM

[up][up]Yeah, probably one of the few cases where I feel like the Spider-Verse movies missed the mark. Like, you get what they’re parodying (the Dark Age of Comics and how melodramatic the 90s era of Spider-Man could get), but using Ben for that role as if he was representative of it rubs the wrong way.

Edited by immortaleditor on Nov 11th 2023 at 9:42:06 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
#32052: Nov 11th 2023 at 9:48:21 PM

Kaine would have been a little better at that

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
Deadpoolrocks Since: Sep, 2010
#32053: Nov 11th 2023 at 9:54:55 PM

let kaine be forgotten and safe from bad writing

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#32054: Nov 11th 2023 at 9:55:43 PM

It's a shame that storyline with Aracely will never be resolved for the foreseeable future.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Zarius Since: Nov, 2012
#32055: Nov 11th 2023 at 11:39:08 PM

[up][up] If they decide to do a Chasm mini or ongoing, he could fit in there as a mirror/rival to Ben. All depends on who gets to write it though, I hear Ben is on loan to the X-Office now for the time being

Nofix from Over there Since: Jan, 2015
#32056: Nov 11th 2023 at 11:42:54 PM

There's something to be said for how Ben and Kaine have swapped places as the "good clone, evil clone." Assuming we ignore Spidercide who...frankly I'm still not sure where he is right now to be honest. I keep thinking he's in a coma because of the 2022 Ben Reilly Spider-Man miniseries, but no, that was its own self-contained thing.

Saiga Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Getting away with murder
#32057: Nov 12th 2023 at 12:15:39 AM

wouldnt that make it the second time kaine has had to come in and be like "ben this is crazy stop being crazy"

miraculous Goku Black (Apprentice)
Goku Black
#32058: Nov 12th 2023 at 12:41:28 AM

@Peter slapping MJ: The reason people don't care about this as much despite the fact he hit her harder than Hnak did Janet. Is pretty simple.

Peter has a bunch of fantastic story lines before and after this and this story line is right before maximum clonage (yikes). In contrast Hank's best story line is still the yellow jacket stuff so yes a moment like this will linger in people's heads. Tbh I prefer Scott as main ant man anyway. Hes way more interesting anyway.

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
Sircray Since: Apr, 2018
#32059: Nov 12th 2023 at 12:42:50 AM

Assuming we ignore Spidercide who...frankly I'm still not sure where he is right now to be honest.
Pete beat him up in the Batman Cold Open of the new Spine-Tingling series.

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#32060: Nov 12th 2023 at 1:08:24 AM

Its not surprising that the Hank people like most is the Tigra/Hank Avengers Academy mom and dad.

It was the only Hank story where he gets to be a multifaceted character who shows he's a genuinely good guy.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#32061: Nov 12th 2023 at 1:12:43 AM

Let's get back to Spider-Man for a bit.

I've been really enjoying revisiting the Civil War era lately. Anyone still remember Mystery Date?

Now that's a story that really used the Peter Parker teacher angle in a really neat way.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
immortaleditor Since: Aug, 2023
#32062: Nov 12th 2023 at 6:54:31 AM

You mean from Peter David’s Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man? That was great. I’ve said it before, but I feel like when Peter settles down into a permanent job, it should be as a teacher if it’s not something like working from home as a webmaster or something like in Ultimate. Its such a great evolution for him and literally every story that’s had him as a teacher has been great, Spidey is often at his best when he’s being a mentor to people who went through the same things he did as a youth.

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#32063: Nov 12th 2023 at 12:24:33 PM

Yeah, reading Thunderbolts has made me nostalgic for that era.

Maybe I'll find some people to play Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 with. I'm maining Green Goblin and Carnage.

"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
#32064: Nov 13th 2023 at 10:22:14 PM

Looks as though Ben Reilly has a Win Back the Crowd moment this week, as he refuses to side with Orchis and beats the crap out of them

immortaleditor Since: Aug, 2023
#32065: Nov 14th 2023 at 6:22:36 AM

[up] Thank God for that. Nice to see that even in this current state of derailment, Ben isn’t going to be sunk so low as to siding with people like Orchis.

Deadpoolrocks Since: Sep, 2010
#32066: Nov 14th 2023 at 8:26:41 AM

[up]yeah they try to get him to play but he says he doesn't hate all mutants, just the ones who locked him up, and even when they offer him the chance to get revenge on Maddie he says he's had enough of goblins and will sit this out

TargetmasterJoe from Velocitron Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: I like big bots and I can not lie
#32067: Nov 14th 2023 at 9:02:14 AM

[up] Man, it's never not going to be wild that people who aren't in the Spider-Office's domain are better at writing Spider-Characters than the people in the Spider-Office.

You'd think they'd take a few hints by now.

(And I bring this up fully expecting Wells to demonize Ben about this somehow because he gotta be Wells.)

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#32068: Nov 14th 2023 at 9:31:17 AM

Saw this neat post on Harry:

Yes. Harry is a VERY troubled person, but he was the first guy (as in male) to extend the olive branch to Peter and make an attempt to be Peter’s friend

Contrary to later media portrayals, Peter didn’t meet Harry until college. All throughout high school, Flash was a total jerk to Peter. Peter and Flash didn’t really become friends (really more friendly acquaintances tbh) until college. And you know what was the catalyst for Flash becoming friends with Peter? Harry convincing Flash that Peter is a good guy

Harry reached out to Peter (not the other way around!) because he saw a kindred spirit in Peter. Harry was stressed about Norman being a terrible father and Peter was stressed over the usual stuff (Spidey, money, Aunt May, grades, etc.). Harry continuously made attempts to be Peter’s friend until he finally wore Peter down and Peter finally reciprocated.

Harry then offered Peter to be his roommate in his lavish apartment for free because Harry was lonely and because he had learned that Peter was having trouble finding an apartment due to his finances. I don’t know about you guys, but that sounds like an AMAZING friend to me

Harry gets a VERY unfair reputation as a “bad friend” from some fans. Yes, Harry eventually does become a bit of a jerk to Peter, but I think the circumstances have to be considered. Harry had slowly grown frustrated with Peter over the course of dozens of issues because Peter consistently flaked on Harry and Peter is the one who came across as a bad friend. Naturally WE know that this is due to Peter being Spider-Man, but from Harry’s perspective it just comes across like Peter not caring about Harry and not caring about their friendship

And of course, we have to consider that most of Harry’s behavior as a “bad friend” occurred during the period where Harry was addicted to drugs. This naturally affected Harry’s behavior and judgement. So while this may not necessarily be an “excuse” for Harry being a huge jerk during this period, I think it’s a legitimate factor/explanation that we can’t ignore

So all in all, Harry was consistently a flawed but great friend to Peter when Peter felt completely alone in the world. Because of the very strong bond they formed during these college years, I would absolutely call Harry Peter’s best friend.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
immortaleditor Since: Aug, 2023
#32069: Nov 14th 2023 at 9:34:33 AM

[up]Yeah, that’s a really good summary of Harry. There’s a reason Peter loves him like a brother, and it’s because Harry was one of the first people who really tried to push through the shell Peter put around himself and reach the good person inside.

[up][up]It is really funny right now how anytime Spider-Man or any of his characters appear outside the main Spider-Book, they suddenly get transmogrified and start acting like their usual selves.

Edited by immortaleditor on Nov 14th 2023 at 9:37:36 AM

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#32070: Nov 14th 2023 at 9:36:42 AM

NGL, Spider-Man 2 does make me wish for a Peter and Harry friendship story.

Peter Parker has such a small supporting cast of people outside his super hero identity, I like Jameson as his friend, but Peter needs that social life outside of being Spider-Man.

It's a shame Spencer thought killing Harry was something to do while deleting Sins Past, Dan Slott actually wrote him well in Go Down Swinging.

Edited by RedHunter543 on Nov 15th 2023 at 1:37:26 AM

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
immortaleditor Since: Aug, 2023
#32071: Nov 14th 2023 at 9:50:05 AM

I feel like even without Harry, Peter’s got an okay social circle, or rather should. Robbie, Randy, Flash, Betty, Liz, Max, Anna Marie, his various superhero friends like Miles and Cindy and Matt… Peter should have a pretty good band of friends to rely on. But of course, Spider-Editorial prefers to have him be off on his own and only cares about a select number of Peter’s supporting cast, plus him constantly being miserable and on the outs with people. Peter being alienated from all his friends and family because “WHAT DID PETER DO” has definitely been one of the big sources of mockery for the Wells-Lowe run, with people pointing out how weird it is that Peter’s been reduced to hanging out with nobody except Norman, Jonah, and occasionally Aunt May when he’s got all these people who care about him.

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#32072: Nov 14th 2023 at 9:51:51 AM

It still astounds me that NORMAN OSBORN is now the red head who cares for Peter and helps him with his struggles as Spider-Man, while MJ is treating him like shit.

It's like they swapped minds.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
immortaleditor Since: Aug, 2023
#32073: Nov 14th 2023 at 9:54:26 AM

[up]The next Wells-Lowe arc will probably open with MJ walking in on Peter and Norman in bed, complete with Norman calling Peter “tiger”.

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#32074: Nov 14th 2023 at 9:58:16 AM

Remember that a TIGER is Norman's spiritual animal....

They were FUCKING PLANNING THIS WEREN"T THEY!?[lol]

"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
#32075: Nov 14th 2023 at 10:08:52 AM

I read a recent spider man annual and MJ was saying stuff like Peter’s pain gives her life

Which whoa geez MJ that’s a bit much

It was the story where Peter fucked up Aunt Anna’s birthday cake and then wacky Krakoa drugs made her try to kill people

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

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