On Spiderman

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Webslinger

Edited by Gerry Conway

The tangled web of vengeance, love, and loss woven by Spider-Man comics and films is explored in this collection of insightful essays by acclaimed writers of comics and science fiction and edited by Spider-Man comic writer Gerry Conway.

A variety of topics—from the superhero’s sarcasm to the science behind radioactive spiders—are discussed in essays on “Turning Rage into Responsibility: A Psychology of Loss,” “Love Is Selfish: Can a Hero Afford Personal Attachments?,” and “Self Identity and Costume Design.” The popular rival Green Goblin, the bumbling-yet-influential media, and the part New York City itself plays in stories are skillfully explored, as well as the overall philosophy of mild-mannered Peter Parker and Spidey’s relationship with the rest of the characters in the Marvel universe.

Essays

• Introduction: WebslingerGerry Conway
• Horror in Long UnderwearDarren Hudson Hick
• Peter Parker's PenanceLawrence Watt-Evans
• Superman vs. the Amazing SpidermanKeith R. A. DeCandido
• Raimi vs. BendisRobert Brian Taylor
• The Tangled Web We WeaveLou Anders
• The Perfectibility of Spider-ManRichard Hanley
• Spider-Man: Class Straddler as SuperheroMatthew Pustz
• The Friendly Neighborhood of Peter ParkerMichael A. Burstein
• Spider-Man: Ultimate Loner-Ultimate PartnerRobert Greenberger
• Spinning a Web of ShameJoseph McCabe
• Spider-Man No MoreBrett Chandler Patterson
• The Absent Father and Spider-Man's Unfulfilled PotentialJ R. Fettinger
• J. Jonah JamesonAdam-Troy Castro
• Power, Responsibility, and PainPaul Lytle
• Secrets and Secret-KeepersDavid Hopkins
• Spider-Man Saves the WorldRobert Burke Richardson
• Inner Demons, Outer Heroes, Outer VillainsMichael Marano