Spider-Man
I feel like this one is obvious. If you knew me- then you probably stopped reading after that first sentence. Peter Benjamin Parker has meant a lot to me since day one.
He's the most relatable comic book character ever created. He toils day in and day out saving a city that has the most bi-polar, love-hate relationship for his costumed alter-ego, which he very stressfully fights to keep hidden. He's constantly broke, because he can't keep a full time job. (See previous sentence) The part-time job he can manage to freelance at is owned and managed by a guy who hates him religiously. Oh, and that job?
Take front page news photos of himself being a selfless hero, only for his boss to certainly spin the images into lies and slander of criminal activity.
And money isn't the only thing being Spider-Man negatively affects...
His love life is constantly in jeopardy- when his enemies aren't flat out killing the love of his life, then he simply can't keep a date with women because he's consistently fighting for the sake of the city. In fact, it's that latter reason that screws up most of his social obligations. Hell, despite being a bit of a scientific genius under the mask, it's that latter reason that earned him failing grades in college.
But why does he put up with the mask?
Even the answer to that is miles far superior to many of his fictional brethren.
Additionally, his origin makes a lot of sense. You've heard it before. I'm sure.
His CIA parents, Richard and Mary Parker, leave him with his paternal uncle Ben, and his wife May, before departing on a secret mission only to be mysteriously killed in action. (but not before rescuing a pre-Weapon Plus Program Wolverine from the KGB) The young Peter grew into a skinny glasses wearing academic, a social outcast, a walking bullseye for bullies, jocks and the such. Surprisingly optimistic with sporadic sparks of self-esteem, which was no doubt a reflection of his uncle. Like his brother, Uncle Ben may have been much older than his brother Richard, but both showed signs of being athletically blessed and charming to women, in ways that Peter did not inherit outright. It was Uncle Ben that encouraged him that one day things would be different, that one day he would leave high school, and bullies and he would be the one signing their paychecks one day.
But that day never came.
What came was a radioactive spider bite at an after school science exhibit. A spider bite that granted him the ability to climb walls, the proportionate strength of a spider, and other amazing talents-but it also gave him an escape.
He could finally be the guy he always wanted to be. So what did he do? He invented webs in honor of the arachnid that blessed him with his powers, created a mask to hide behind and took his new self to the entertainment industry, wrestling and performing feats for money.
Because that's what happens when you're selfish, tired of being pushed around, and finally catch a big break.
Content with lining his pockets every night he never once thought to use these talents for the greater good.
Which, in my opinion is exactly what we'd all do in that position.
But when it comes to Peter Parker, things don't stay good for long, and the biggest teacher in his life would come in the form of his uncles' murder... but you already know about that. The most timeless of all superhero origins. All the other big names have been tweaked, adjusted, updated- but not Spidey because his has been perfect since its inception.
Spidey didn't grow up rich, nor was he trained by anyone. He just learned from the roughest teacher in existence. Life.
Although it was first written in the Bible, his mantra- "With great power, comes great responsibility" (Luke 12:48- For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required) It is the single most powerful phrase in comics history.
It's a phrase that will always be understandable to everyone, unlike the idea that just because you were raised in Kansas by farmers you have to do right by humanity.
Spider-Man is just a normal, everyday guy like all of us. His greatest strengths resonate with his many weaknesses, and it's hard not to care about him so- because a lot of what's in him, can be seen in you.
First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 (Aug. 1962)
Most Memorable Spider-Man Story: 'Kraven's Last Hunt' (Masterpiece!)
This was one of the first Spidey stories I ever read, and by far one of the most cryptic mainstream tales I've ever ingested.
Longtime Spidey foe Kraven the Hunter is fed up with Spidey and decides to put Spider-Man down for good. Before he can do that however, he has to prove that he is indeed better than Spider-Man, and the only way to do that is to beat him physically, mentally, and become him.
Not going to spoil it for you, but the surprise ending must've been on the mind of a certain grunge rock star.
Just some weird, maniacal things going on here.
He's the most relatable comic book character ever created. He toils day in and day out saving a city that has the most bi-polar, love-hate relationship for his costumed alter-ego, which he very stressfully fights to keep hidden. He's constantly broke, because he can't keep a full time job. (See previous sentence) The part-time job he can manage to freelance at is owned and managed by a guy who hates him religiously. Oh, and that job?
Take front page news photos of himself being a selfless hero, only for his boss to certainly spin the images into lies and slander of criminal activity.
And money isn't the only thing being Spider-Man negatively affects...
His love life is constantly in jeopardy- when his enemies aren't flat out killing the love of his life, then he simply can't keep a date with women because he's consistently fighting for the sake of the city. In fact, it's that latter reason that screws up most of his social obligations. Hell, despite being a bit of a scientific genius under the mask, it's that latter reason that earned him failing grades in college.
But why does he put up with the mask?
Even the answer to that is miles far superior to many of his fictional brethren.
Additionally, his origin makes a lot of sense. You've heard it before. I'm sure.His CIA parents, Richard and Mary Parker, leave him with his paternal uncle Ben, and his wife May, before departing on a secret mission only to be mysteriously killed in action. (but not before rescuing a pre-Weapon Plus Program Wolverine from the KGB) The young Peter grew into a skinny glasses wearing academic, a social outcast, a walking bullseye for bullies, jocks and the such. Surprisingly optimistic with sporadic sparks of self-esteem, which was no doubt a reflection of his uncle. Like his brother, Uncle Ben may have been much older than his brother Richard, but both showed signs of being athletically blessed and charming to women, in ways that Peter did not inherit outright. It was Uncle Ben that encouraged him that one day things would be different, that one day he would leave high school, and bullies and he would be the one signing their paychecks one day.
But that day never came.
What came was a radioactive spider bite at an after school science exhibit. A spider bite that granted him the ability to climb walls, the proportionate strength of a spider, and other amazing talents-but it also gave him an escape.
Because that's what happens when you're selfish, tired of being pushed around, and finally catch a big break.
Content with lining his pockets every night he never once thought to use these talents for the greater good.
Which, in my opinion is exactly what we'd all do in that position.But when it comes to Peter Parker, things don't stay good for long, and the biggest teacher in his life would come in the form of his uncles' murder... but you already know about that. The most timeless of all superhero origins. All the other big names have been tweaked, adjusted, updated- but not Spidey because his has been perfect since its inception.
Spidey didn't grow up rich, nor was he trained by anyone. He just learned from the roughest teacher in existence. Life.
Although it was first written in the Bible, his mantra- "With great power, comes great responsibility" (Luke 12:48- For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required) It is the single most powerful phrase in comics history.
It's a phrase that will always be understandable to everyone, unlike the idea that just because you were raised in Kansas by farmers you have to do right by humanity.
Spider-Man is just a normal, everyday guy like all of us. His greatest strengths resonate with his many weaknesses, and it's hard not to care about him so- because a lot of what's in him, can be seen in you.
First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 (Aug. 1962)
Most Memorable Spider-Man Story: 'Kraven's Last Hunt' (Masterpiece!)
This was one of the first Spidey stories I ever read, and by far one of the most cryptic mainstream tales I've ever ingested.
Longtime Spidey foe Kraven the Hunter is fed up with Spidey and decides to put Spider-Man down for good. Before he can do that however, he has to prove that he is indeed better than Spider-Man, and the only way to do that is to beat him physically, mentally, and become him.
Not going to spoil it for you, but the surprise ending must've been on the mind of a certain grunge rock star.
Just some weird, maniacal things going on here.
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