The Superhero Next Door

For a guy who constantly climbs the walls, Spider-Man is surprisingly down to earth

By Steve Weiner -- School Library Journal, 7/1/2004

Spider-Man II, cowritten by Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist Michael Chabon, hits the big screen this month. Spider-Man, of course, wasn't always a web-slinging star of multiplexes. Back in the early '60s, he was just an average Joe—a geeky science whiz named Peter Parker. But after being bitten by a radioactive spider, the precocious teen suddenly discovered that he could climb straight up walls and punch like Muhammad Ali.

But as interesting as Spider-Man's powers were, his personal life was even more so. While other superheroes acted out of a sense of altruism, Parker was motivated by guilt; and as concerned as he was with defeating the bad guy, he was more preoccupied with paying the rent on time and keeping his grades up so he could earn a much-needed college scholarship. Instead of being honored by an adoring public, Spider-Man became hated and feared. His original creators, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, cleverly worked Parker's scientific savvy into the plots, and by 1964, Spider-Man was Marvel's most popular character.

But by the 1990s, Spider-Man had grown up and married, and was showing signs of age. It was time for an overhaul. In the new version—the Ultimate Spider-Man, created by Bill Jemas, Brian Michael Bendis, and Mark Bagley—Spider-Man became younger and even more problem-laden than his predecessor. The story lines featured the same characters, only with a hipper twist, and the artwork straddled a fine line between being too slick and undercooked. The result was that Spider-Man became relevant to a new generation of readers. Marvel Comics now publishes a Spider-Man for every mood and reader.

Spider-Man: Blue.

Loeb, Jeph and Tim Sale. Marvel. 2004. $14.99. ISBN 0-7851-1071-2. Gr 6 and up.
"Blue" revisits a story from the 1960s comic-book series, one in which Spider-Man faces several foes simultaneously, and somehow emerges victorious. However, the tone of this graphic novel is tragic, as Peter Parker recalls how his heroism kept him from his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, who died shortly after the battle. "Blue" quietly demonstrates one of the central themes of the Spider-Man series: if you choose to be a superhero, you'll pay the price in your private life.

The Essential Spider-Man.

Lee, Stan, et al. Marvel. 1997. $12.95. ISBN 0-7851-0286-8. Gr 3 and up.
This is the first installment in a series of Spider-Man reprints from the 1960s. The Essential Spider-Man presents the story of the superhero's origin and introduces readers to the series' major characters and themes. This book is essential for new Spider-Man readers as well as seasoned fans because it ably demonstrates what made the hero special.

The Ultimate Spider-Man: Power and Responsibility.

Bendis, Brian Michael and Mark Bagley. Marvel. 2001. $14.95. ISBN 0-7851-0786-X. Gr 5 and up.
The "Ultimate" series retells the origin of Spider-Man, updating the classic story by transforming our hero into a young teen again. The art is splashy and contemporary, and the language reflects today's pop culture. The recent Spider-Man movies are based on this series.

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