“Heroes, Villains, and Me” is a weekly article on Geeky KOOL about the world of comic books and my reaction to it. “Heroes, Villains, and Me” is not a comic book review article. I will write about current events, speculation and rumors, or my own wacky thoughts about the world of comic books.
I am still stunned with the news out of New York Comic Con on Sunday. For anyone who did not hear, Peter Parker will not be Spider-Man with the Marvel Now movement in Marvel Comics. Peter’s run as the Web Head will end with the final issue of Amazing Spider-Man– #700.
Most of my readers know that I am a Spidey fanatic. I completely relate with Peter Parker. I was the fat kid that was picked on by the school bullies. I wasn’t the science nerd but I hung with the science nerds in school. Worse that being a science nerd, II was the comic book geek. At every stage of my childhood, I felt like I could relate to Peter Parker even though my life was rarely as bad as his. I always saw Peter as an older version of myself.
When I heard this news, my first reaction was “Oh no” here come the clones again. It smacks of the plague of Spidey stories with the Clone Saga. These are stories I would rather forget. We did get the return of Kaine who has now taken on the persona of the Scarlet Spider. Could we see the return of Ben Reilly to take over the Spider-Man title?
There is no evidence of clones being involved. But it is really early on so we don’t know who will take on the heroic role of Spider-Man.
The bigger issue is why is Peter no longer Spider-Man. I know Peter pretty well after reading Spider-Man for over 35 years. He would not just retire from being Spider-Man. He has been there and done that and will not do that again. This leaves three possibilities why Pete would no longer be Spider-Man.
One option would have Peter de-powered. We know that Doc Ock will be the villain leading into and in issue 700. He is dying and he hates Spider-Man. He may find some sort solace in removing Spidey’s powers. If he lost his Spidey powers, Peter might actually get a chance at happiness and a normal life which might just included a long term relationship with Mary Jane.
The second option would be more temporary (not that the first could not be temporary). Peter could be severely injured and unable to be Spider-Man. We have seen this previously with Batman having his back broken by Bane. This would allow someone else to take over as Spider-Man on a temporary basis.
The third option is much more dim. Peter Parker is no longer in our existence. The Death of Peter Parker has already occurred in the Ultimate Universe. It could easily occur in the regular Marvel Universe (616). We know in the Marvel Universe, death is often temporary– just ask Captain America, Human Torch, and Thor just to name a few.
It wouldn’t have to be death that takes Peter away. He could be sent through time or to another universe. If Peter is no longer available then it would make sense that someone would take the mantle of Spider-Man.
None of these ideas thrill me. I don’t want to see the Spider-Man mantel handed over to another character. Peter is Spider-Man and that is the way it should be. I am starting to feel the pain my DC fan friends with the New 52. Most of them would like the New 52 to rollback to the DC Universe to Pre-New 52.
As much as I want to scream about this, I am a bit intrigued. Mr Dan Slott will continue the writing duties. I have enjoyed his run on Amazing Spider-Man. In my mind, he is in the top five all time writers for Amazing. This leads me to hope that Dan knows what he is doing to Spider-Man, Peter, and to the fans. If this would be any other writer, I would just throw up my hands. But Dan Slott has earned the right for me to judge his work when it comes out and not ahead of time.
Mr Slott, you have a handful of issues to prove that you haven’t just thrown the greatest fictional character into the toilet. Otherwise, this Spidey fan may just hang up his web shooters and close the book on decades of Spider-Man reading.
