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Description
Spider-man has always been my favorite superhero.

At first it was because he was just so cool. I mean, who wouldn't find swinging on webs and climbing walls awesome? It was just so enticing!

As I grew up, and became infatuated with the art of storytelling, I realized there was something else that drew me to him. Something deeper. Something few superhero stories can measure to... a real and enduring level of humanity.

I'll take you back to the birth of superhero comics. Back when DC ruled the shelves and everyone wanted a piece of high-flying, butt-kicking action. The "Man of Steel," Superman himself, was and had everything he needed to appeal to the greater audience. He was "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!" He was the Justin Bieber of his day.

But he was missing one thing... the human aspect.

Sure, he could perform these triumphant feats of wonder, rescue damsels in distress or take down bad guys en masse... but could he feel emotional pain? Could he fear? Could he love?

The idea, back then, was that he could... but these "human" qualities were often muted to allow more room for the incredible parts of the story... you know, like beating the bad guys.

Then, little Marvel Comics -led by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby- came to town.

In rapid succession this real-life dynamic duo put out story after wonderful story of superheroes with normal everyday problems to deal with. Often these problem would take center stage, or even affect the supernatural issues that existed.
Today, this move is seen as revolutionary, astounding even... but then the prevailing thought was "who cares about homework when he can fight Lex Luthor?" They thought Lee was nuts.

But what they didn't foresee was that while these mundane problems might be boring, they bring the characters home. Suddenly, the "high-flying" lives on the page come back to Earth and we, the "normal" people, can identify with them. It makes the unreachable seem possible and lets the 18 year-old me dream right alongside my younger counterpart.

So, why Spider-Man? In the 21st century there are plenty of humanized characters to choose from. Today, that is the standard.

Well, I could take the easy way out and say something to the effect of "I'm a student, he's a student. I can relate," and while that is true... I like Spider-Man for another reason.

His integrity, morality and (most importantly) his undying drive to do what is right no matter the cost.

One could argue that, out of all of the humanized superheroes, Peter Parker has the worst life of all. He's not a Business Tycoon, an established journalist, a doctor, a lawyer or a heir to some fortune... He's just a kid trying to hold down a job, keep up with school work, take care of his aunt, have a regular relationship with his girlfriend; all while saving a city that, for the most part, hates his guts.

Yet... somehow, through all of this pain and suffering, he's always been the good guy. He's always done what he knows to be right.

Spider-Man, as a comic series, goes beyond just mere entertainment at this point. It teaches us that, even without superhuman powers at our disposal, we can overcome our problems to be better people. We can fight the good fight whatever and wherever that may be.

Uncle Ben said it best, "With great power comes great responsibility," and it doesn't just apply to web-slingers. If we are in a position of comfort and stability it is our duty to help others that are worse off than us. And in today's world, there is not a shortage of opportunities to do just that.

Peter has made this idea his motto and creed. He's buried it so deep into his existence that it will never die. He's the "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man," and he always will be.

Thanks Stan
Thanks Jack
Thanks Marvel

Thanks for looking
-Matt

Spider-Man, of course, belongs to Marvel. Art belongs to me.

Description
Spider-man has always been my favorite superhero.

At first it was because he was just so cool. I mean, who wouldn't find swinging on webs and climbing walls awesome? It was just so enticing!

As I grew up, and became infatuated with the art of storytelling, I realized there was something else that drew me to him. Something deeper. Something few superhero stories can measure to... a real and enduring level of humanity.

I'll take you back to the birth of superhero comics. Back when DC ruled the shelves and everyone wanted a piece of high-flying, butt-kicking action. The "Man of Steel," Superman himself, was and had everything he needed to appeal to the greater audience. He was "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!" He was the Justin Bieber of his day.

But he was missing one thing... the human aspect.

Sure, he could perform these triumphant feats of wonder, rescue damsels in distress or take down bad guys en masse... but could he feel emotional pain? Could he fear? Could he love?

The idea, back then, was that he could... but these "human" qualities were often muted to allow more room for the incredible parts of the story... you know, like beating the bad guys.

Then, little Marvel Comics -led by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby- came to town.

In rapid succession this real-life dynamic duo put out story after wonderful story of superheroes with normal everyday problems to deal with. Often these problem would take center stage, or even affect the supernatural issues that existed.
Today, this move is seen as revolutionary, astounding even... but then the prevailing thought was "who cares about homework when he can fight Lex Luthor?" They thought Lee was nuts.

But what they didn't foresee was that while these mundane problems might be boring, they bring the characters home. Suddenly, the "high-flying" lives on the page come back to Earth and we, the "normal" people, can identify with them. It makes the unreachable seem possible and lets the 18 year-old me dream right alongside my younger counterpart.

So, why Spider-Man? In the 21st century there are plenty of humanized characters to choose from. Today, that is the standard.

Well, I could take the easy way out and say something to the effect of "I'm a student, he's a student. I can relate," and while that is true... I like Spider-Man for another reason.

His integrity, morality and (most importantly) his undying drive to do what is right no matter the cost.

One could argue that, out of all of the humanized superheroes, Peter Parker has the worst life of all. He's not a Business Tycoon, an established journalist, a doctor, a lawyer or a heir to some fortune... He's just a kid trying to hold down a job, keep up with school work, take care of his aunt, have a regular relationship with his girlfriend; all while saving a city that, for the most part, hates his guts.

Yet... somehow, through all of this pain and suffering, he's always been the good guy. He's always done what he knows to be right.

Spider-Man, as a comic series, goes beyond just mere entertainment at this point. It teaches us that, even without superhuman powers at our disposal, we can overcome our problems to be better people. We can fight the good fight whatever and wherever that may be.

Uncle Ben said it best, "With great power comes great responsibility," and it doesn't just apply to web-slingers. If we are in a position of comfort and stability it is our duty to help others that are worse off than us. And in today's world, there is not a shortage of opportunities to do just that.

Peter has made this idea his motto and creed. He's buried it so deep into his existence that it will never die. He's the "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man," and he always will be.

Thanks Stan
Thanks Jack
Thanks Marvel

Thanks for looking
-Matt

Spider-Man, of course, belongs to Marvel. Art belongs to me.