How Spider-Man Can Be Redeemed
Clearly, Spider-Man's continuity problems are deep and numerous. However, there is good news. They can be fixed. Here's how it could be done in five basic steps: 1. Immediately restore Peter Parker as the one, true Spider-Man Marvel Comics is more aware than anyone that this must be done. Therefore, why wait? This should occur post-haste. If being Peter back to his rightful place requires the permanent death of Otto Octavius, then so be it. To make an omelet, you have to break some eggs, right? The very name 'Superior Spider-Man' is an affront to longtime Spidey fans. Make it go away, Marvel. 2. Bring Peter and Mary Jane Back Together ASAP Enough with forced romances and temporary flirtations. Peter Parker is not a playboy like Tony Stark. Peter is at his best when MJ is beside him. I don't think that's even debatable. As Stan Lee himself would say: "Nuff said." 3. Do Something Bold and Unexpected Reunite Peter and MJ with their long-lost, believed dead daughter, May. This thread has been left unmentioned and unresolved for the better part of 20 years now. Upon having Spider-Man discover that his daughter is alive and has been raised in captivity all this time by Norman Osborn, it's time for Spidey to heroically secure her release. By the way, keep May normal. She should not be a mutant or a meta-human. This event would lead perfectly and organically into Peter and Mary Jane getting remarried which would go a long way towards healing not only their relationship, but also the anger many Spider-Man aficionados felt when their marriage was wiped out of existence. Next, have Peter appoint a successor to the mantle of Spider-Man, then retire as Spider-Man. Marvel could then allow Peter and his family to leave New York City for Los Angeles (or someplace else far away) and live quietly and peacefully for 2-3 years while the Spider-Man's successor (Scarlet Spider? Ultimate Miles Morales in Earth-616?) defends the Big Apple (This approach would have been far preferable to actually killing Peter's mind and having Doc Ock body snatch him.). At the designated time in the future, create a compelling reason/threat for the original and now-fully rested Web-Head to triumphantly reemerge to reclaim his previous role in the MCU. 4. Freedom From Foolishness Marvel should mandate internally that there will be no more stories including Peter/Spider-Man dying, Spider clones (especially Ben Reilly), instances of Aunt May as damsel in distress, or strapped-for-cash Peter Parker. Those things have all been done to death. Show us something new as it relates to Peter which can be built upon in the years to come. Declare a moratorium on lazy writing in Spider-Man books. No more stories like "Sins Past"... ever. Either step up or step off. 5. Peter As a MCU Big Brain One final suggestion I have would be for Marvel to formally establish Spider-Man and/or Peter Parker as one of the MCU's biggest brains. With an IQ exceeding 250, Peter has long been right there with Reed Richards, King T'Challa, Hank Pym, and Tony Stark as a genius-level intellect; but it has been usually treated as an embarrassment rather than an attribute. If Batman can be the World's Greatest Detective in the DCU, why can't Spider-Man be one of the World's Greatest Scientists in the MCU? Have other Marvel heroes occasionally seek him out for his brilliance and scientific expertise. And a truly apologetic Marvel Comics would find a way through Marvel Studios to bring Spider-Man into the cinematic version of Joss Whedon's Avengers. Work out the details/financial arrangements with Sony Pictures. Doing so could immediately squash lingering hard feelings and generate a great deal of positive energy back towards Marvel's primary cash cow comic book character. These are my thoughts on what's wrong with Spider-Man and how those things can be resolved. What are yours? Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments box below. And please feel free to follow me on Twitter. (@RevArthurJones3) Selah!