About Heroes

Spider-Ben has written an incredible review of the recently completed Spider-Man: The Other saga. Since his review is so detailed, we'll be posting it in parts here on the homepage. This is part one, look for a new part each day.

You know a story is good if you really feel for the main character. Whether you are watching a movie, reading a novel, enjoying a comic book, or even playing a video game, if you feel a certain attachment for a fictional character, you become engulfed within the story. Case in point, Marvel Comics current 12 part story, “Spider-Man: The Other: Evolve or Die.” This story has captivated me since it began in October 2005. With the conclusion coming up next week, I want to reflect on the changes, and major shocks that I experienced, in following this extreme comic book story.

The creative premise is like this: three talented writers and artists working on all three monthly Spider-Man comics have joined forces to tell an epic, 12 part saga. Writers Peter David, Reginald Hudlin, and J. Michael Straczynski each write four parts of the saga. The men responsible for illustrating their visions are Mike Wieringo, Pat Lee, and Mike Deodato Jr. The flow of the story runs through Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man 1-4, Marvel Knights Spider-Man 19-22, and Amazing Spider-Man 525-528.

The story is wild! Before diving deep within what happens, I have to say this. I have been collecting Spider-Man comics since 1992. I have supported my hero through both good and bad times over the past 13 years. I have to say never, ever, have I felt for a character after witnessing what Spider-Man went through in this story. Parts 6, 7, and 8 particularly shocked me. That said it’s time to dwell within the world of “The Other.”

Things start off fairly good for Spidey. He’s now living in Avengers tower. He’s got a beautiful wife and a happy, healthy aunt. Yet, something is wrong. Spider-Man has been blacking out lately. His actions are slower and his powers have been acting, pardon the pun, bugging out. While our hero encounters a new villain, The Tracer, he sustains a bullet wound injury in his shoulder and hand. Captain America sends him to a doctor who specializes in super hero related injuries, Doctor Castillo. Doc Castillo patches him up, but not before taking a blood sample. Later that night, she calls Spidey at Avengers tower. Something abnormal is happening within Spider-Man’s body. Something that is tragic and untreatable.

Spider-Man continues to pursue Tracer, when he powers begin to fail him again. He is weaker, slower, and easily snuck up on. Worse, he receives word of his condition, thus acting short with his teammates, and his family. In a final battle with Tracer, Spidey accepts his fate and threatens to kill the villain. Now we know his condition must be very bad, forcing kind hearted Spider-Man to almost kill in cold blood.

Peter’s Aunt May finds out about his condition and forces him to seek the help of his fellow super-heroes. After various heroes run test after test, the result is the same. Spider-Man is going to die. Finally coming to terms that the end is near, Peter decides to spend time with his aunt and wife. Alas, things get worse. The ancient, vampiric slayer named Morlun has returned. Spider-Man barely defeated Morlun four years ago, and that was only with the help of his companion Ezekiel. Since then, Ezekiel has died. Plus, with Peter’s spider-powers weakened and him dying of an unknown condition, things look grim.

Check back tomorrow for part 2!