Remember that secret identity thing Spider-Man used to have? You know, before he climbed up a museum wall in his civilian clothes? Good times.
It would appear that Big-Time has television's Paul Shaffer in his little posse. Lord only knows what CBS and David Letterman will think of this development. I do like the attempt to insert a bit o' the ol' mystery into the strip, at least for a day or two. Who is Big-Time referring to? What is this errand? Does it involve a quart of milk and half a dozen eggs? Stay tuned to find out!
Big-Time delivers by talking about the specific clock he wants stolen. However, a question arises: does he just have a collection of clocks, or is it a clock store or something? If it is just a collection, how the heck did he get all the money to buy the clocks? Or are they all stolen? I doubt we will find out.
We've now spent two days establishing that, yes, there is a clock exhibit and that Peter thinks it's beneath his notice. Any time spent on this topic, without talking about capers involving said exhibit or actually being at that exhibit, will be time wasted. You hear that, Big-Time? TIME WASTED. I trust you'll do the right thing, my fiendish friend.
If only Peter knew what we knew: that his current mystery foe was in the employ of a clock-obsessed man named Big-Time. Then he'd know that this clock exhibit is probably the sort of thing to watch out for. Also, people probably think he's insane walking around and talking to himself like that. Since he's walking, people will only hear snippets of his monologue, rendering his secret identity safe, but the third panel? I imagine a disinterested man who is out walking his dog stopping suddenly as Peter bends over backwards and comments on promiscuous museums. That man with a dog is probably really confused. The only other explanation is that the fourth wall is being broken.
Here's hoping next week has a good contender for the panel of the week, otherwise it'll be week two of Maria Lopez. Naked. In a tub.
Well, we have a recap of the past few days of strips. This means that there's another day of Maria Lopez, naked in a tub. Jameson's expression in the last panel of the middle row is one which will haunt me for the rest of my days, I fear.
I'm willing to believe that Jameson's new blond assistant is actually Loretta the Slave-Woman, who has previously done her best to make Spider-Man's life miserable by alerting Mary Jane to the fact that another woman was posing as Spidey's wife, and playing masseuse to Simon Krandis. Here, she is attempting to further her no doubt nefarious plans by aiding Spider-Man's most prominent detractor, J. Jonah Jameson. Why are you doing this, Loretta, and when will it all end?
Ahoy there, Spider-Buddies! I'm a bit busy what with doing a lot of super-heroics over at Choose Your Own Blogventure, but I've always got time to do the poll of the week here. Even if it's over a day late, like it was last week. Speaking of last week, let's see how that poll went?
Everyone is okay with the site layout, which is pretty nifty. What should this week's poll be? Heh, too bad I can't put up a poll about that! If you have any ideas for future polls, though, please let me know! I know what you're all thinking. "Ol' Land Captain's going to do a poll about Maria Lopez being naked in a tub, isn't he?" Well, you don't know me as well as you think, because that's the last thing I'd do a poll about! I'm a gentleman, after all, and...
Or Maria Lopez...
This is positively shameful. Mike P knows full well that we have female readers, we've seen their comments and whatnot. I'm sure they won't enjoy this at all. What's that, Mike P? You do know? Well, what are you going to do about it?
Unless Mary Jane was somehow listening in on the conversation, she doesn't see. She does seem to have a nearly supernatural talent when it comes to Jameson offering Peter more money over the phone, but still. It's also possible that Jameson just talks really, really loud which is also believable. Also, if Peter is really that interested in doling out justice and getting paid for it, he should become a bounty hunter.
...that's actually a pretty good plan. Also, it doesn't seem to involve Google or television at all. I'm surprised, Mister Parker. Quite surprised. Also, is it possible that Stan Lee has been setting this up? I mean, the secret identity thing was a plot thread a few storylines ago. Either he forgot about it and is just now picking it back up, or he was actually planning this. Curious.
I'm sure he could set a web-foot outside and be safe from the police for a bit. After all, he can web-sling, and I understand that's a pretty fast mode of transportation. No cops will be able to lay a finger on him. When he lands, of course, the police will all over him. Ah, and if they decide to break out the helicopter. Which, to be honest, would probably be more exciting than Peter trying to be a detective.
Seriously, Peter? You can't believe that the Daily Bugle is calling you public enemy number one? The newspaper which, at the best of times, simply doesn't mention you at all and at most other times asks whether you're a threat or a menace? You can't believe they're calling you public enemy number one?
Today's strip is either a condensed version of yesterday's strip, or perhaps Big-Time and his henchman are just repeating themselves. You would also think Big-Time would think, "Hm, this Spider-Man costume is missing something." Oh well.
Ahoy there, Spider-Buddies! Sorry about posting the new poll of the week so late. I've been busy fighting crime. I am a superhero, you know. Last week, I asked if you... well, here's what I asked and how the voting turned out!
It was looking up for a while there, wasn't it? Perhaps good times will find us again. For now, though, I would like to ask you about the site layout. What do you think about it? If you don't like it, feel free to leave us some suggestions!
So we finally see how the daring robbery was accomplished! Except, uh... did they take the silk rope with them? After all, Spider-Man's webbing dissolves after about an hour. If they left it there, it could be a tell-tale clue that this nefarious imposter is not the real web-slinger. That, and the fact that it's a length of silk rope.
Big-Time's plan is sound, if lacking in several details. However, the real gem today is the second panel. It is, perhaps, one of the best responses to Spider-Thug's almost question I can think of. Yeah, he was guilty, but that's the past. He's looking towards the future of menacing Spider-Man and totally ruining the wall-crawler. Good show, Big-Time.
Note how this only answers why he is obsessed with time and Spider-Man, but does not really address the clock issue. I'm willing to let it slide, since it turns out he has a goatee. I thought it was a shadow or something, honestly. Those glasses are also pretty spectacular.
A-ha! The Spider-Imposter only has six legs on his spider costume. A quick look at the previous few weeks tells me that this has always been the case, I just didn't notice it. Very clever, Mister Lieber. Very clever indeed.
