Spider-Man: Superhero (With Good Reason)

Spider-Man can deal with super-villains on a regular basis, construct web-shooters out of household materials, and concoct incredibly strong webbing out of common chemicals. He cannot, however, deal with a gossiping interviewer. At least he usually plays to his strengths. Meanwhile, the strip's date jumps to February 14th, meaning that Peter Parker refused to travel to an exotic locale with his wife not a week before Valentine's Day. My comments at the start of this post are valid there, too. I like Mary Jane is regretting her choice to shoot her movie, too. Nothing like following your dream to get you down, eh, Mary Jane?

The Interview Continues

I'm sure this interview is just amazingly interesting to the people watching it in the strip, but what about us? We know all of this, and all we're doing is watch Spider-Man try to lie his way through it. While that is somewhat entertaining, I'd rather have something actually happening. On another note, you'd think Mary Jane's "Marvella" headband thing would keep her bangs out of her face.

Spider-Man's Temper Tantrum

Peter is throwing another hissy-fit. He has a lot of those. Perhaps I should start filtering them. Here's an idea: why not ask when she'll not be busy, or ask them to have her call you when she's done? Mary Jane obviously wants to talk to you, and though that blond is hardcore stereotyping men right there and planting doubts in MJ's mind, nothing will change that. Obviously, though, the interview tonight is only going to exacerbate matters. Chances are Lopez is going to steal a kiss from Spider-Man, Mary Jane will see, and everyone is going to be in a terrible mood. Poor Land Captain cannot help (see his blog for details on that) and we're not even going to mention Kurt Kordok who, if he is the Kingpin in disguise, will no doubt have about seventy plans laid out by now to ensnare Spider-Man.

Marvella Vs. Marvella: The Poll

One week ago, more or less, I asked you to vote for your preferred Marvella color scheme, and six of you voted. That's about six more people than I expected, so I'm rather pleased with that. However, six is an even number. This would not be a problem, except three people voted for each color scheme, which means that either this poll extends for another week or I cast the tie-breaking vote. I shall opt to do the second, at the end of this post.

The most striking thing to me about the two Marvella costumes is how much they remind me of Daredevil's two most well-known costumes, seen to the left. This is probably just a fluke, but an interesting fluke nonetheless. Design-wise, the Marvella costume is typical super-hero fare: flowing cape, buccaneer boots and gloves, and a symbol across the chest. I really thought I run with this a bit longer, but my mind is drawing a blank as to how long I can talk about a woman's costume and make it seem interesting. In that case, let us go onward to my voting.

WHile both costumes have their pros and cons, I must say the Sunday one simply strikes me as an atrocious color-scheme. The weekday one, however, pleases my feeble sense of fashionable costumes a great deal more. What I'm getting at is that I vote for the weekday costume, and therefore it's the winner. Congratulations, weekday costume.

Speaking of costumes, I just read "Civil War Front Line" #10 and Speedball's new costume concept is like the creepiest thing I've read in a Marvel or DC Comic. It gives me shivers just thinking about it. The bad kind of shivers. Ah, and if you enjoyed this poll and would like me to do more of them in the future, just let me know through email, an instant messenger, or even in the comments section. The same goes for the opposite: if you hated the poll, let me know!

Superheroes Battle Pirates, Cowboys, Hellblazer

It appears Mary Jane's movie involves her battling a mowhawked cowboy and John Constantine. However, it seems to be fairly true to life as Spider-Man is battling a random thug and a pirate. He does not seem to take them seriously, though, as he's literally slapping them around. I sort of hope the entire week is like this, a sort of "Goofus and Gallant" showcasing Mary Jane and Spider-Man doing the exact same bloody thing, only one is FOR REAL. There's so many possibilities for it that I'll be disappointed if it doesn't happen.

Also a reminder about the poll: Marvella's Weekday costume versus her Sunday costume. Which do YOU prefer? Just add your two cents to Sunday's post, and we'll tally up the votes for next Sunday.

Marvella Vs. Marvella

Mary Jane seems to be feeling better, which is nice. Peter seems to be all right, too, while he's fighting what appears to be a squad of Silver Age Lex Luthors. It also seems that Mary Jane's co-star has gotten over her jealousy of her, or at least has the professionalism to keep it off the set. All in all, a happy day for everyone except the Luthors! Now, if you will, I would like to conduct a poll!

Mary Jane's Marvella costume has the innate power to change color schemes, having one costume on Sundays (seen above) and another seen on weekdays (seen here):
My questions is this: which color scheme do you prefer? Just leave your vote in the comments, and I guess they'll be tallied for next Sunday.

The Proportionate Poutiness of a Spider?

Ah, there's going to be nothing going on with Spider-Man's marriage. He's just going to pout this week about how he feels he's losing Mary Jane, no doubt to have her come in at the end of this week and make him feel loved again. That's a load off my mind.

Two for Thursday

In order to be the King of All Media, one has to have a certain amount of charisma. What Jameson has is a sort of anti-charisma, like a car crash or something. Hopefully this doesn't set up a Jameson radio talk show, as that would just be way too much. Meanwhile, Mary Jane proves to not have one of the characteristics of today's starlets (the need to whore as much attention as possible no matter who gets in the way) and Peter Parker proves he has the proportionate pouting power of a spider.

Pouty Peter

Peter should be at least somewhat happy. Now he has someone in the media that's in favor of his web-slinging activities. The Mary Jane thing is just an ironic role reversal, leaving Peter by himself most of the time while she goes off to play a super-hero. All in all, though, things are looking up for him.

We're Back!

What a week and a half it's been. Mary Jane showed up out of nowhere to KO Doctor Octopus and it was revealed that while Jonah's television career was over, he also bought a Los Angeles paper and renamed it the LA Bugle. Needless to say, Peter Parker showed up moments earlier bearing photographs and was sort of rehired by Jonah, despite protests from Maria Lopez. My predictions for the new year are as follows:

-The Parkers and Jonah Jameson stay in Los Angeles, and perhaps Robbie Robertson comes over.
-Maria Lopez becomes a reoccuring character, trying to scoop Jonah at every turn.
-Every single villian that shows up has something to do with Mary Jane's movie shoot. If any villian shows up at all.

Updated... FROM THE FUTURE!

While I was adding tags, I realized that the week and a half when I chose to hiatus could not have come at a worst time. So, I've come back to post that which I did not post before!
12/26/2006:Technically, the tentacle was already freed. Just a jumbled mess. You'd think being a doctor would enable him to know this.

12/27/2006:This is not so far from the canonical depiction of Doctor Octopus. All of the man's offensive and defensive power come from his tentacles, and I believe Spider-Man finally beat him in their first encounter with a blow to the jaw.

12/28/2006:You guys are in a building, and you could easily catch him if you tried, Jonah. You won't, though, because if there's no Spider-Man for you to complain about your paper is dead.

12/29/2006:
Jonah looks so sad that the camera was busted. Surely the blow didn't damage the film inside, or anything, considering how I doubt Mary Jane could summon up the physical force required to do such a thing.

12/30/2006:Conniving is not something you can take a picture of. At the very least, it's clearly not what Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus were doing.

12/31/2006:So the Jameson-Lopez team splits up. It was disgusting and horrible while it lasted.

01/01/2007:Hooray, I guess.

01/02/2007:Jameson is bitter when he's been dumped. Extra-bitter with a side order of WHINE.

01/03/2007:This is pretty much how this always works itself out. Jameson fires Peter, then wants him back, and Peter always wants a raise. You'd think by now he'd be paid better than Jonah himself.

01/04/2007:Ah, this is how Jameson weasels out of this. He just gives Peter a one-time bonus. Fair enough, though.

01/05/2007:I like this development a lot.

01/06/2007:Hopefully Jonah can hire someone who can help him get the photos to New York in a jiffy, through the Internet. The man has trouble with a lens-cap, so a scanner would be a Gordion knot to him.

A Heroine Shall Rise!

Call me crazy, but I think Mary Jane is somehow going to luck into defeating Doctor Octopus. Afterwards, Jonah Jameson will accuse the whole Doctor Octopus/Spider-Man fight as a publicity stunt put on by the studio.

Optimism

Doctor Octopus is the eternal optimist, believing he can defeat the being who has proven to be his better time and time again. Hopefully that'll optimism will serve him well in prison. Meanwhile, Jonah Jameson is displaying his own type of optimism, or stupidity. Notice how Maria Lopez looks shocked: this is the nail in the coffin of their relationship. Thank God.

Look out, here's the Amazing Spider-Man!

Actually, Doc, you have just held people for ransom before. It's not below you or anything, so don't shoot Mary Jane's suggestion down like that. She's just trying to help and maybe not die. As for you, Spider-Man, I'm pleased to see you but know that this fight won't be worth the inanity we've sat through for the past month. Especially since that month included someone kissing Jonah Jameson. In any case, kick that supervillain's pudgy butt. That'll teach 'em!

Continued Stories

We get it, Peter. It was all a plan so you could save your wife. You should really be telling your wife, as Mary Jane seems to not have a lot of faith in you at the moment. Perhaps you shouldn't have tried to trick Doctor Octopus by shouting, "I WANT TO LIVE! THROW HER FIRST!" The good Doctor isn't without his flaws, as his sole line is simply terrible. How would Mary Jane start any stories at the moment, seeing as how she's being held by a steel tentacle? Are you going to let her fetch a book or magazine, Doc Ock? Would you give her time to read one story, and one story only? Is that why it can't be continued? I think perhaps you should just put her down, go home, and sleep for a bit, Doctor Octopus. You're making very little sense.

What a Surprise!

Oh, so Peter has been tossed over a convenient wall, and now he's changing into Spider-Man? What a surprise! Oh, and they really need to change the little blurb on top. Peter's no longer in college, and we haven't seen Aunt May in the strip for years.

Oh look...

Oh look, Doctor Octopus is throwing Peter Parker over a convienent wall. WHo saw that coming? Oh, and I enjoy that anyone within earshot is going to think Peter is a real coward/jerk now for suggesting his wife gets thrown first.

He Awakens!

Good morning, sleeping beauty. Hopefully you weren't really knocked out, but thinking of a magnificent plan to get you out of this? It's doubtful, but stranger things have happened. Also, Doctor Octopus should keep his "hostages", but I know what will happen. Doc Ock's going to toss Peter over a convenient wall, allowing him to change into Spider-Man. Of course, I've been wrong before.

Deja Vu

Jonah Jameson is obviously trying to be Maria Lopez's knight in shining armor so he can get the "hero's reward" and that makes me want to vomit. Hopefully he'll be able to operate that camera, as I remember him having difficulties with a non-video camera earlier in this storyline. You know, when Jonah rushed in and tried to get some pictures of Doctor Octopus only to get captured, resulting the in the super-villain's escape. Let's hope that does not happen again.

Distinguished Competition

I'm enjoying these little references to the company Stan Lee used to refer to as Marvel's "Distinguished Competition" (Adam West counts as one) but couldn't he say something about Marvel? I mean, they're in Hollywood right now. Simon Williams (Wonder Man) is a superhero/actor. The Parkers could meet up with him. The closest we've gotten to anything like that is Spider-Man's run-in with Ghost Rider from about a month ago, but that doesn't count because it was a stunt-man.

As for today's comic, I'm glad the police have arrived to keep the public out. However, shouldn't they be doing something other than that? Like trying to rescue the two hostages the super-villain has? Then again, if anything happened to Ock, his tentacles would probably either constrict and crush the Parkers, or let them drop to the ground which would just injure them. Speaking of tentacles, the one holding Peter looks like it's about to drop him.