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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

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#34151: Apr 9th 2024 at 8:32:10 PM

Yeah, I LIKE the story, but Zdarksy takes on a far more sympathetic approach to criminals to an extent that I find uncomfortable. Yes, the American prison system and especially the for profit prison businesses have some MAJOR problems like legal slavery, but that solution is pretty messed up.

Also see everything about Gotham War where BATMAN is portrayed in the wrong for objecting to Selina's thieves guild, and the latter only fails because of Vandal Savage's daughter.

Spider-Man, I don't think had that problem.

Edited by RedHunter543 on Apr 9th 2024 at 11:33:07 PM

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#34153: Apr 9th 2024 at 8:39:51 PM

Probably the most annoying thing about Zdarsky's run is when he had Daredevil going full revolutionary, he had just to have other heroes act against him on the side of the establishment.

Like it makes sense for types like John Walker, but obviously for the Avengers it's very irritating.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#34154: Apr 9th 2024 at 8:41:51 PM

The Avengers have been put in that role for years now.

It kinda sucks for them, but what can you do?

Well, you could stop putting them in that role, but then who could the story's heroes talk down to?

One Strip! One Strip!
Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#34155: Apr 9th 2024 at 9:05:19 PM

The Avengers books have been very Big Threats facing for a while so its almost funny when books drag them down into comparatively petty concerns.

You can just imagine Carol tapping her watch because jerks that destroy entire cities for fun are showing up soon but no, really, Matt, your thing is important too, so glad that we got dragged down here so you could moralize at us like we don't understand.

Edited by Bocaj on Apr 9th 2024 at 9:05:44 AM

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#34156: Apr 9th 2024 at 9:07:28 PM

@Hamburger Time

Oh you know me, I like my villains evil, and my heroes good.

Granted, I would be fine with villains making the world a better place, like when Norman Osborn took over the Marvel universe and beat up Tony Stark.

"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
#34157: Apr 9th 2024 at 9:19:23 PM

In regards to the Vietnam War thing earlier, I feel like part of it was also back-porting modern views into the past. In real life, the Vietnam War hadn't developed it's reputation as a horrific mistake that America should've never been involved in at the time the first issue of Life Story is set. It was still, if not popular because it was a war, seen by a lot of people as basically the US having to step in to stop the Commies from taking a country. Zdarsky evidently didn't care to depict this and instead portrays the characters having attitudes towards the war more like what you'd see later on in it's span or after it. Ironically, actually being historically accurate would've probably made Flash dying in 'Nam all the more poignant and made Peter's character development from it - grappling with the guilt that he inspired a friend to go to his death - more sensible.

All of this also reminds of that sadly unpublished but awesome-looking What If pitch James Stokoe made years ago about an AU where Spidey enlists and fights in the Vietnam War. It says a lot about Stokoe's talent that, from what little has been seen of that pitch, he managed to make such a crazy concept feel totally in-character for Spidey.

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#34158: Apr 9th 2024 at 9:27:22 PM

Yeah, it's a very politically correct version of history, but I get the narrative reason. You can't actually have Spider-Man fight in Vietnam now that you raised the issue, so might as well make Vietnam controversial now so Spider-Man is conflicted.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Saiga Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Getting away with murder
#34159: Apr 10th 2024 at 12:36:17 AM

Zdarsky evidently didn't care to depict this and instead portrays the characters having attitudes towards the war more like what you'd see later on in it's span or after it

I don't think that's true at all? If Peter thought the war was a mistake, he wouldn't have felt pressured about not signing up himself.

Cap only turns on the war after he's deployed their and is initially treated as a traitor for it.

Zdarsky shows protestors and yeah, by 1966 there had already been several protests against the war. Especially at Universities' like Peter's.

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#34160: Apr 10th 2024 at 12:42:33 AM

I mean, didn't the old comics show Peter and the others encourage Flash to sign up while here, Peter has doubts about the war?

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Saiga Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Getting away with murder
#34161: Apr 10th 2024 at 1:13:15 AM

He only seemed to express doubt about being forcibly drafted. He doesn't want to go to war, but he feels pressure to do so from a sense of personal responsibility - would he feel responsible for a war that he felt was unjust?

Later, when he's caught in the Secret Wars, he mentions having avoided war all his life - so it doesn't seem specific to Vietnam.

In ASM, he doesn't exactly encourage Flash to enlist from what I remember, he and Flash aren't really on that good speaking terms until after Flash comes back. The most he has is wishing Flash well just before he leaves.

edit: And hell, even if Peter specifically was anti-Vietnam war, that wouldn't be out of place either, as I already mentioned such sentiment existed among students.

Edited by Saiga on Apr 10th 2024 at 1:14:36 AM

Zarius Since: Nov, 2012
#34162: Apr 10th 2024 at 1:31:29 AM

So Peter Calls Mary Jane to let him know about the date, he thinks MJ is going to be there but MJ hadn't heard anything about it. They start talking about the new date all within earshot of Paul, so you can tell the cucking's on the other foot now

More misery for Ben too He now thinks Betty is the love of Peter's life and gets her name wrong...and yes, it's a blow-job joke because he thinks she's "BJ"

Edited by Zarius on Apr 10th 2024 at 1:32:08 AM

Saiga Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Getting away with murder
RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#34164: Apr 10th 2024 at 2:38:28 AM

I thought he was still Chasm?

"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)
#34165: Apr 10th 2024 at 2:54:57 AM

Yeah, I LIKE the story, but Zdarksy takes on a far more sympathetic approach to criminals to an extent that I find uncomfortable.

Never did read it and what discouraged me is the stuff I hear is that realism means not being hopeful and just an exercise to be grim.

Namely that Peter being a real person means he'd be a horrible individual instead of flawed, but decent.

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#34166: Apr 10th 2024 at 2:59:11 AM

Yeah he is flawed there.

But he’s not outright horrible, I don’t see him murdering people or slapping his wife.

"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
#34167: Apr 10th 2024 at 3:17:27 AM

[up][up][up] He is still Chasm, it's just He and Janine capture Betty and he calls her "Betty Jane" (BJ) and Peter has to correct them. Also, Chasm is working with Kafka to restore his memories

Zarius Since: Nov, 2012
#34168: Apr 10th 2024 at 7:52:12 AM

So Peter's date is Shay Marken, does that mean fans nickname for her is M Shay?

immortaleditor Since: Aug, 2023
#34169: Apr 10th 2024 at 9:41:31 AM

[up][up][up][up]Life Story Peter is horribly flawed, but no more so than he was for most of his history in the comics up until stuff like the movies and OMD led to him getting all his edges sheared off. He's a self-centered, self-pitying, short-tempered, greedy, insecure, and overly-snarky dickhead, but he's a good guy deep down and ultimately grows into a better person, even if he never fully loses his edge.

Joshbones Since: May, 2015
#34170: Apr 10th 2024 at 11:34:49 AM

The thing that confuses me about the latest issue is why Queen Goblin is back. Didnt they take the sins out of her and put them back into Norman?

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#34171: Apr 10th 2024 at 4:26:55 PM

Yeah, I LIKE the story, but Zdarksy takes on a far more sympathetic approach to criminals to an extent that I find uncomfortable. Yes, the American prison system and especially the for profit prison businesses have some MAJOR problems like legal slavery, but that solution is pretty messed up.

As an anarchist I know this feeling well. I knew a friend who was of the mind that Oklahoma's drug legalization would be the start of a new age of peace and prosperity and show how the War on Drugs was a complete failure (he thought the Wire was a documentary). Its complete and utter failure confused the hell out of him.

Same with prison and police abolishment.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Apr 10th 2024 at 4:27:28 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
HamburgerTime Since: Apr, 2010
#34172: Apr 10th 2024 at 4:29:02 PM

EDIT: Sorry, I think this was rude in hindsight.

Edited by HamburgerTime on Apr 10th 2024 at 8:05:57 AM

GamerSlyRatchet Since: Jan, 2011 Relationship Status: I won't say I'm in love
#34173: Apr 10th 2024 at 6:04:59 PM

Read issue 2 of Symbiote Spider-Man 2099. It's kind of rushed at times and I still don't like the non-Spider-Man or Venom art, but I loved the idea of "Miguel" going to Alchemax and keeping the reader guessing on whether it's really him or Kron Stone..

Also, I can't believe Kron didn't know Miguel was his half-brother. I might've overlooked that after my read of the original run.

Edited by GamerSlyRatchet on Apr 10th 2024 at 8:07:36 AM

Latest blog update (November 5th, 2022).
Spirit Pretty flower from America Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Hooked on a feeling
Pretty flower
#34174: Apr 11th 2024 at 12:19:20 PM

Latest Carnage issue: Flash was able to escape whatever dimension he was trapped in by concentrating the Darkforce energy around him. I don't get it, I'm not familiar with the Light/Darkforce. Does Darkforce has teleportation powers on its own? Or did it interact with the Anti-Venom Lightforce and recreate Spot's portals?

#IceBearForPresident
Deadpoolrocks Since: Sep, 2010
#34175: Apr 11th 2024 at 1:54:16 PM

most darkforce users have teleportation of some kind, cloak, Silhouette, spot, the new moon knight


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