@pwok21: I like Landis' vid on Superman, but I tend to disagree with caveats. Poorly written Spidy can come across like a bully, but the joker antics were created in a very different time in his book. Spiderman got shellacked in his early outings, jobbers like the Scorpion could give him a really hard time. Firstly, I have to imagine the joking was a strategy to keep the baddies off centre while he fought them. Second writing wise it was also a way to keep the book light. Third, the villains didn't snap because Spider-man made fun of them, they were already hurting people before he showed up. Lastly it was meant to show an increased confidence difference for when he put the mask on, as Peter hiding his powers he continued to be picked on, and couldn't go making witty comebacks to people bullying him, as Spider-man able to go all out he could also tell those attacking them to shut up in smart funny ways, I'm sure he wished he could have on flash.
That's not me saying the way you or Landis see it is wrong, I just have a different interpretation.
I always agreed with Landis' interpretation in that Peter took out years of repressed anger from being bullied / abused on the villains, in that he disproportionately hurt them. I get that it's a writing thing to add jokes and make the book much more kid friendly but if you insult a villain while viciously beating them it gives them a reason to hate the hero to the point where they'll specifically target the hero as opposed to committing crimes. I get that not every Spiderman villain falls into that group (It's why I like Shocker and Rhine) but to me, Spiderman is a massive jerk.
I mean, the reason the Sinister Six exists is because a group had an intense hatred of Spiderman and wanted to put him down permanently.
But like you said, it is down to interpretation after all.
Landis can have whatever interpretation he likes, but the comics themselves provide different reasons, so he's wrong.
In more than one comic, it's been said why Spider-man cracks jokes at the villains.
One reason is to steady his nerves. Another is because it throws the villain off their game and makes them get sloppy. And lastly, he does it to put the civilians that are in danger from these maniacal villains at ease.
You can think Spider-man is a jerk if you like, but your reasons for doing so are directly contradicted.
Log in to comment