for the comic books geeks

[' burn 08]

So, the Amazing Spiderman has always been my favorite title. I admit, I haven't read many comic books since age 14 or so, but I still consider myself a fan of the genre. I read many different titles, mostly marvel, as a kid. But the Amazing Spiderman was always my favorite. I went and watched the movie last night. I really enjoyed it. I felt that it really hit on the issue of identity, which I think is paramount to an origin story. I may have been slightly predisposed to liking it as I have always preferred Gwen Stacey to MJ. But I've also always thought that Gwen was integral to who Spiderman really was/became.

My question to you all is, if presented with the opportunity to gain super powers, whether it be spider powers or that of some other super hero, would you jump at the chance or would the responsibility that comes with it give you pause? I personally identify with the desire to be extraordinary, as I think is part of the main draw to comic books, but feel like the responsibility that comes with that might be too much in regards to my selfish desires. Alternatively, would you selfishly use those powers for your own agenda or use them for the betterment of mankind. I expect some levity in this discussion, as it is warranted by the topic. But I also hope to see some sincere answers.

On a side note, I also wonder who prefers Gwen Stacey to MJ, and vice versa. Even though Gwen was dead before I started reading comics, I have always put her foremost in my preferences, followed by Felecia Hardy, and then Mary Jane.

[cband7]

Based on a recent receipt of a notice from the IRS I would very much like the temporary use of a web spinner: there would be a large number of wriggling IRS agent cocoons around Washington, I'm here to tell ya....





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[hekawi]

Gwen or MJ is a tough call. not exactly the same as Ginger or Mary Ann

Betty Brant was Peter's first love interest, but i've always thought that she was a bit older (cougar?) than Peter since she was employed full time at the Bugle while Parker was still in high school and doing part time for the paper.

Gwen and Peter made a great pair, but Stan Lee could never let Spidey be happy in the grand soap opera that is "The Amazing Spider-Man". her death added to the pathos that is Peter's life.



i like MJ, and that first panel is a ' "Wizard of Oz" going color moment'.



either way, John Romita, Sr. sure could draw a lovely female

[raito]

There's no inherent responsibility that comes with super powers. If there was, there'd be no villains. I never bought that Stan Lee philosophy, except as a plot device.

[kelnet]

Originally Posted by raito

There's no inherent responsibility that comes with super powers. If there was, there'd be no villains. I never bought that Stan Lee philosophy, except as a plot device.

But therein lies the humanity built into so many of Marvel's heroes. Society burdens all of us with a responsibility to those around us. We shouldn't do bad things because it is bad for society.
Just as normal folks struggle with that responsibility, so too do those with extraordinary powers. Unlike Superman, who never struggles with that responsibility, Spiderman is just as human as the rest of us, as he struggles at times to face that responsibility to society.
Normal villains are those who ignore that responsibility to one degree or another, and do things that range from littering to cheating on their taxes to commiting felonies. Villains with super powers have greater capabilities for doing bad things, and are thus greatly more socially irresponsible than your average ne'er do well. However, those villains are still charged with the same inherent responsibility to applies to all of us. They just choose to ignore it.

[' burn 08]

Originally Posted by hekawi

Gwen or MJ is a tough call. not exactly the same as Ginger or Mary Ann

Betty Brant was Peter's first love interest, but i've always thought that she was a bit older (cougar?) than Peter since she was employed full time at the Bugle while Parker was still in high school and doing part time for the paper.

Gwen and Peter made a great pair, but Stan Lee could never let Spidey be happy in the grand soap opera that is "The Amazing Spider-Man". her death added to the pathos that is Peter's life.



i like MJ, and that first panel is a ' "Wizard of Oz" going color moment'.



either way, John Romita, Sr. sure could draw a lovely female

Yeah, that is the thing that I never understood about Betty Bryant. Did she have a thing for high school boys or something?

[stnmtthw]

MJ is a supporting character. Gwen was just a plot device.

And I think Betty was Peters age, but she had to drop out of school to support her family after her dad died, and her brother owed money to the mob. She finally got freed up after her brother was killed in a shootout while Spider-Man was fighting Dr. Octopus, who had taken over the gang that he owed money to.

I don't remember my kindergarten teacher's name, but I remember comics I read more than 25 years ago.

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by ' burn 08

would you jump at the chance or would the responsibility that comes with it give you pause?

No pause, none. Not even a nanosecond.

I also wonder who prefers Gwen Stacey to MJ

I never understood what he saw in Gwen. MJ always seemed cooler, even when I was 7.