And I say comic character because I don't consider people like the Punisher and Batman superheroes. They are vigilantes, while Batman is a masked vigilante. But he is no superhero. But I guess that's another article.
My favorite is Spider-Man. Why? Because I like my superheroes light hearted. I love how he makes light of most situations. I love how he makes fun of the bad guys he beats up. His quips are almost always funny and add a layer of entertainment missing in most comics. I want to have fun with my comics and movies and when I read Batman, the Punisher, or even Blade they always leave me a little depressed. Not Spidey. I almost always come away smiling after reading a Spidey comic. He is the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. He talks about himself like he's just that friendly neighbor down the street. Like you could just walk right up to him and say "Hey Spidey. What's up?" I love that! The fact he doesn't treat himself like he's larger than life makes him seem very real and likeable. Life is to short to sit around reading and watching depressing material. Real life is depressing enough.
Which brings me to my second reason Spider-Man is my favorite. Even though he's light hearted and fun, Spider-Man has a bit a horror to him. I like the mix. 99% fun, 1% horror/tragedy. Now by tragedy I'm sure all of you have read "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" so that's obvious. But the horrow is simply. Peter Parker has had his DNA spliced with that of a spider. That's a pretty terrifing thing. And if you don't think so go watch "The Fly" by David Cronenberg. I love how even though Spidey is such a fun superhero there is a very small aspect that's pretty scary.
My third reason for loving Spider-Man is the one people say the most. He is relatable. I love Superman, but you know, I have a hard time relating to a guy from another world he can almost never get hurt. I also have a hard time relating to a guy who is worth 33 billion dollars. But Spidey is just a kid in school trying to make the grades, make some money, and get a girl. Who can't relate to that? Well, I guess Bill Gates. Not to mention anyone who actually has a favorite superhero has at one time or another read comic books. Guess what? Superman, Batman, and the HULK don't sit around and reading comics. You know who loves comics? Peter Parker. Both in the films and in the comics Peter Parker is a huge comic fan. If that doesn't make him relatable to a bunch of comic book readers I don't know what will.
My fourth reason is the for the big kid in me. I LOVE HIS POWERS! He is the perfect mix of not too much power that it's boring and not to little that he's a pussy. His powers make all his struggles so interesting. He can't lift a building, but he can lift a car. He isn't bullet prove, but he can dodge gun fire. He can't fly, but he can swing, stick to walls and jump pretty quickly. He isn't a genius, but he's pretty intellectually gifted. He's down graded just enough that it's almost always hard for him, but he still has enough power that it's engaging. Plus how does Superman, Batman, and HULK fight people? They typically punch them, you may see a kick or an object tossed or a ground slam here and there. But most of the time it's a game of fists. Not Spidey. He flips, slides, twirls, and bounces all over the place. Spidey's fights are fun and acrobatic. There are other acrobatic fighters but none on the level of Ol' Webhead. Not to mention the friggen cool ability to sense danger! Nothing in comics is more classic than "my spider-sense is tingling!"
My fifth reason I'll keep short: he has a GREAT cast of characters. MJ, Gwen, Harry, Flash, Liz, Robbie, J. Jonah Jameson, Aunt May, Uncle Ben, Felicia, and many others.
My last reason is simple. His villains. The only other comic character who even comes close is Batman. Spider-Man has Venom, Carnage, the Lizard, the Green Goblin, the Hobgoblin, Vulture, the Rhino, Electro, Sandman, Kraven, Doc Ock, Kingpin, Scorpion, Mysterio, Morbius, Morlun, Beetle, Tombstone, Shocker, Vermin, Alistair Smythe, Hammerhead, the Black Cat and many, many others. The fact Sony is thinking about having an entire Spidey universe and making multiple spinoffs shows the wealth of material.
So who is your favorite? Why? No lists. I don't care who your number 9 favorite is. Tell us the guy or gal you think is head-n-shoulders above the rest and why. If you must, once you tell us your fav give us a runner up. Mine would be the HULK.
Thanks for reading.
OH! I almost forgot. I love his webs. They're cool. The end.