CConn said:
What are your ideas on improving (or, at least, evolving) Spider-Man as a character, and a person, and his whole world even? I mean, fights are fun, but the best thing about the classic Spider-Man stories were more his characterization, and supporting cast, and general troubles of his life more than just whether or not he'd beat Thor this month or next.
You are ABSOLUTELY right about that. Perhaps the most essential aspect to Spider-man was the perfect blend between his superhero half and his human half. Peter Parker is the most developed and the most important alter ego in all of comicdom. Spider-man is nothing without Peter and vice versa. Reading the classic Spider-man comics was like reading two books in one. On the one hand you had the soap opera of Peter's life, and on the other you had the action packed Spider-man.
This is something which I find to be sadly missing (ultimate does a pretty good job of it, but the stories are less and less about the Peter Parker I knew. It's another character). As far as the 626 Universe goes, It's almost as if writers feel that there is nowhere else to take the character now that he's married. That's why stories are always about MJ dying or being kidnapped or something.
I couldn't disagree more.
First off, I would establish a legitimate career for Peter. One that would elevate his status from vagabond to well respected. Peter basically has a natural inclination towards science. He is gifted. Yet, he's never explored that side of himself fully. He was always too busy saving the world to realize his full potential as a scientist. I would re-kindle that passion and that gift. Under my direction Peter would become a well respected scientist who makes unique contributions to the world. He would become an expert in a particualr scientific field. Don't get em wrong. This would be no picnic for Peter. This career would be frought with stress, deadlines, pressures, failures, and triumphs, but it would be there.
The second thing I would do as a SM writer would be to get back to his marriage to MJ. As I said I couldn't disagree more with those who think there are no more interesting romantic/soap operatic stories to tell now that he is married. In fact it is my view that his marriage provides fodder for some pretty great stories.
My goal as a writer would be delve into the difficulties, joys, and problems of married life. I would explore issues such as jealousy, complacency, boredom, true love, passion, attraction (to each other and others), finances, and so on and so on. Once again making that aspect of Peter's life interesting in and of itself.
Lastly I would explore Peter's world and his relationships with his supporting cast (especially Aunt May). Once again there are many interesting stories to be told.
Bottom line is I would do what Stan Lee and Steve Ditko did. I would deliver a kick ass, take no prisoner Spider-man AND create an interesting and realistic soap opera with Peter's life. Like I said, two books in one.
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