Wow, Stillanerd, this is really impressive. I think you maybe right with some of these theories, but here are my comments/thoughts
I think that this is pretty accurate, Norman is probably Spidr-man's greatest foe, so it makes sense with Norman around, he'd start target Spidey sooner rather than later
Obviously. However, the complaint has been (and rightly so) is that Norman no longer knows Spider-Man is Peter Parker. Yet, I think this could, potentially, provide a new angle to the Green Goblin, in that here was a guy who once knew all of Spider-Man's secrets and knowledge of his identity and now that advantage he had has been stripped away from him. Given Norman's penchant for madness, this would actually fuel his obessession to destory Spider-Man, since he now thinks Spider-Man "isn't playing fair" with regards to their secret identities.
I think you're giving Marvel far too much credit here. I think they want Venom back as a major Spidey villain but think they are setting up Vin to become Venom. He has all the right credentials - doesn't like spidey, propensity for violence, and while he likes Pete now, he won't as soon as Pete starts dating Carli - who he has a crush on.
I think that one of the goals of New Ways to Die is to establish Eddie Brock as the one and only Venom, and that the use of Gargan/Venom and Anti-Venom will be part of those steps. Venom's whole shtick is that he knows everything about Spider-Man, even things that Peter may not even realize about himself; hence why I think that Venom will not only relearn that Peter is Spider-Man but that he'll know what Peter used to have--all of course to make him as dangerous as he once was back in the early 90s. However, I'd have to say the idea of Vin Gonzalez becoming the new Venom is an interesting one, and certainly makes for a more interesting host than Eddie Brock or Mac Gargan have.
Yup. Remember, there was a similar story idea about MJ getting engaged to someone else that Tom Breevort suggested for their new direction for Spider-Man in his Manifesto that was printed in the Swing Shift Director's Cut. Then again, Spider-Man 2 has been their influence.
This will defintely happen. And I agree with you that Carli will be Menace, albeit maybe a reluctant one. It will cause a massive split in Pete and Vin's relationship, but think this will send down the Venom path
Actually, I was kind of envisioning Vin and Lily getting together after all is said and done.
Think Ghost Rider as a celebrity impersonator with a passion for disco.
This is a really good shout, but I think that as Lily has a crush on Peter she wouldn't expose him - though I think she might find out his secret identity. It is Lily's growing attraction to Peter that sends Harry off the deepend again
I'm not so sure Lily has a crush on Peter so much as she sees him as geek--a cute geek, but a geek nevertheless. Anyway, I'd think that the combination of having her boyfriend Harry berated in the press, being blackmailed by Bennet, and wanting her father's campaign to succeed could make her desperate enough. Likewise, if Menace murders Bennet, then she becomes a suspect because she was the last person to see him alive, she had the motive, and her connection with Harry, although she'd be a red herring.
If Dexter is made aware of Spidey's secret identity, I don't think it'll be Lily, more likely Vin, who after interaction with the symbiote, finds out about Pete and lets Dexter know. I like the idea of Menace being Carli, and for that reason I can see her killing Dexter to protect Peter - who she is in love with. This is the Lily, Carli, Peter - love triangle - similar to the Gwen, MJ, Peter trangle of years ago.
That would be an interesting angle. That instead of the villain exploiting the knowledge she's been given, she kills the source and any evidence he might have because she refuses to believe the man she's fallen in love with is actually one of her enemies. And yeah, I do agree with Marvel aping the classic love triangle of Peter/Gwen/MJ with Peter/Carlie/Lily.
I really like this idea, especially the Harry part
The key to any good murder mystery is when the killer turns out to be the least likely culprit. Harry is far too obvious, and Lily, I think, is being made to look like the prime suspect, but Carlie would be as close to being a "shocker" for the readers than anyone else. And her exposure as Menace would be devestating for both Peter, Vin, AND Lily, not to mention a scandal for both the Hollister campain, Oscorp, and the NYPD. Also, considering how both Carlie and Menace are essentially ciphers for Gwen and Menace respectively, merging the two might give them some depth, not to mention be very ironic.
Not sure about this. I'd prefer to see a ressurrected Chameleon, for this type of story, rather than Mysterio. I'd also rather the spider tracer killer is someone completely new.
If you remember back during the three Mysterios at the school where Peter taught in PAD's Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, you'll remember that Mysterio was telling Miss Ero that he had been brought back from Hell because his bosses were not through with him and that his bosses had plans for Peter. Well, who do we know that could be seen as a "boss" of Hell? Perhaps it's a bit much that he's Robert Carr in disguise (although, remember that Quentin Beck dream was to become a famous actor but his looks prevented him from getting parts, so being a handsome and famous actor with a beautiful woman like MJ as a fiance would be a dream come true for him) or that he's the Spider-Tracer killer. However, I do think that whoever the STK is is intentionally planting spider-tracers not just to frame Spidey but to also get his attention. Remember, Spidey made the spider-tracers for him to track down people, so perhaps the killer is using them for that very reason as a symbolic significance.
This is quite a neat idea - it sorts out many issues with the Harry ressurection and explains away why Mephisto made the deal he did with Spidey - which at present seems pretty lame. Plus Mephisto is all about suffering and what better way to make Pete suffer than appear as his previously dead and use this to actively torment.
Exactly. Joe Q said that Harry explanation for being back was part of the price to pay for dealing with the devil. Odd linkage wouldn't you say? Plus, remember that toasting panel in ASM #545 where Peter's glass is empty because, as Joe Q stated, he lost what he once had and its waiting to be filled. Well whose the one holding the bottle who could essentially fill that glass?
I like the jackpot theory here, but I'm not sure how this'll actually work.
I don't know either. But I do think, given Marvel's emphasis on whether or not she is or is not MJ is part of saying she has a bigger role to play than folks may realize. At least I hope so.
I don't think we'll even see a rekindling of the relationship here. I think Marvel will want to get them apart a while longer. That way its really difficult for Peter to have any kind real relationship - "just when he thinks he found his new love, he'll think of MJ and his new relationship will breakdown" keeping him single - oh that 'Parker luck'. I fully expect Pete to start a thing with Lily, once Harry is gone and Carli is locked up.
Perhaps, but by the time ASM #600 comes around, it will be a full year and a half since Peter and MJ "split" and I think what BND is actually a long arc that began with OMD that's a "love conquers all" story. Mind you, I don't think the marriage will be reinstated, but certainly Peter and MJ will get together again at some point, considering how many folks even outside of comics see her as Spidey's "Lois Lane." I envision that they'll have Peter and MJ in a long-distance relationship after ASM #600. Remember, MJ still has to work out in L.A., and that could play well with the "soap opera" angle, in that Peter wants to spend more time with her in order to rebuild their relationship but distance and women closer to home put a lot of pressure on him. Especially if someone like the Black Cat comes hoping back into his life.
