Spider-Boy to Spider-Man? An Editorial by Ashes2Phoenix

Good article.

I think you're right, loved how they handled the character in TASM, for me it was obvious that he was not the one and only friendly neighboorhood spider-man yet.

@ Anno

No worries, I like to have a debate as long as it is constructive ! I think the reason why I prefer the fact he has not fully taken up the role of Spider-Man yet is because it does leave room for further character development. I always find it more compelling when a character changes their dynamics from one opposite to another. Peter starts off as just a kid with no real responsibilities. He then is bitten and given powers suddenly pushing Peter to change. He starts off on the wrong path and then is re-directed by Captain Stacey, moving into the path that makes him become Spider-Man. In TASM 2 the popularity of being the cities saviour and then he will be crushed back down towards the end of the movie. It's like Lost. I thought Sawyer was a douche at the beginning but the more time you gave him to develop as a character the more likeable he became.

I think that is what the are trying to do with Peter. He is a loner at the beginning with barely any social skills. He is quiet because he lacks confidence and he is clearly confused about who he really is. There is no sense of identity with him at the beginning. Now what I find interesting is how this also spills into the themes of the second film. Max is Peter in TASM. He is a loner, with no confidence. He is suddenly given a snippet of confidence from Spidey and then gains his power. Here comes the interesting part. When Peter has a fight with the street thugs in TASM he catches the man who falls off the building. For a moment it feels like Peter is tempted to drop him. He does the right thing. Now we move back to Electro. He has suddenly gained power but instead of going down the right path he takes the wrong one, turning him into a villain.

I think the main theme of this movie like many others is that power can corrupt. Curt Connors, even though he could have been better developed is another exampled of this. I think Peter has taken up the responsibilities of helping others but not the responsibilities of keeping his loved ones from danger and this I feel will be the making of the character.

Good article. As for the whole 'becoming a Superhero in one event' thing not working in real life? I'm afraid I disagree. Yes, I enjoyed TASM taking some time for Peter to sink in the message as it made him across as more human but that does not mean that what the Comic Books presented us with made him 'One Dimensional.'

Take a look at Brian Michael Bendis' masterpiece "Ultimate Spider-Man" storyline. His origin was spread out over like the first 6-7 issues yet Peter's basic change into a Superhero came IMMEDIATELY after his Uncle's murder. It worked. Why? Because despite Peter being hostile as [frick] to his family when angry, he had already established himself as being a good person underneath, e.g: Earning money to pay off the Thompsons' lawsuit against the Parkers.

As for TASM, I loved it. Then I saw the kind of people who liked it, I started hating it. Now that people have shut up about it, I love it again. Andrew Garfield is great as a modernization of the character (although I still don't buy that whole "I'm the biggest loser at school" gimmick from HIM). The Lizard was just a DECENT villain and his plot was kinda stupid but overall I enjoyed the movie. However, the one flaw I absolutely WILL not forgive, is ending the movie with him breaking the promise. I get it, this Peter is flawed and makes mistakes but that scene was so bad that the movie lost a potential 5th star from me.

The timing of the scene is the biggest gripe. We have Peter probably make the SINGLE most selfless decision he's made the entire movie then have him throw it away 2 minutes later. Jeez, in the comic books, I can list about a dozen instances where Peter struggled between right and wrong for serveral issues before actually deciding to refrain from the path for once. That made his choices seem more understandable, it gave him depth. It showed him not only as a hormonal kid but also as a struggling human being. The movie had Peter spit on Captain Stacy's promise after literally 2 minutes of ignoring her. I mean, yeah that scene where he told her he couldn't see her seemed painful for them both, but she understood the promise. Then Peter just decided:"Yeah your dad died to save me, yeah he made me promise, yeah I just made you suffer through his death all alone.....but I'm horny so let's date again." Gwen's like:"Okeey Dokeey :)"

As interesting as this whole Promise Breaking story sounds, it just seems to me that this could have been done in the sequel instead, after seeing Peter struggle with keeping the promise for a bit so that his character doesn't come off as a One Dimensional horny kid.

I'm still [frick]in' psyched for the sequel. I'm sure the whole issue will be handled well there, but it Still will not fix the damage done to the first one.