Comics Pete's Job: the Poll

[iloveclones]

Another thread made me wonder what people would like Pete to be doing full-time, so I came up with a list of stuff that he's done, or would be well-capable of doing. Pick one and explain ,please.

I'll be voting for teacher. I think it was a brilliant stroke by JMS to go in that direction, both character-wise, and story-potential-wise. I hope they go back to that eventually.

 

[shinlyle]

I almost went with "High School Teacher", but, in the end, I had to side with "Photographer".

Okay, I know the photog angle has been done to death, but it really is the most feasible career for Peter. He's good at it, he has readily available subjct matter, it pays well, and it affords him more chance to be Spidey without arousing suspicion.

Being a teacher, if Peter needs to go outside and fight Venom, it's harder to explain to the kids that he has to go somewhere for a few hours or days, now isn't it?

Yeah,t he teachign thing is a noble gesture on Peter's part, but we all knew his abnormal lifestyle was going to ruin it before long, didn't we?

Photographer all the way.

 

[LarryLegend]

Photographer. Lee and Ditko got it right in the begining.

 

[iloveclones]

Being a teacher, if Peter needs to go outside and fight Venom, it's harder to explain to the kids that he has to go somewhere for a few hours or days, now isn't it?

That's what I mean by story-potential. I'm not one of the ones that want life to be easier for Pete. I want it to be more difficult. And then crank it up even more. I think it would be hilarious if there was a rumor going around his school that Mr. Parker was a crime-fighter, but someone lame, like Frog-Man.

That said, I loved the days when Pete was a photog. And you could easily make the case that a job like that puts him in exactly the kind of positions that we want to read about. And there is something very cool about a job like that.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

But we got Superpooper fer that.

 

[Cullen]

I vote porn star! Think of all the wonderful story opportunities that'll have! "Parker Does the 616!"

Serious now: I voted "photographer", but that just because I'm an old fogey. I don't care what job he has, so long as it makes sense in story and the stories are good.

 

[Doc_OCK_4MUGEN]

I'd stick Peter to Taking pictures of Himself... in the Spidey suit... not in teh
1r0n 5p1d3r 5u1t... although I kinda liked the teacher thing, but that's cutting a lot of the Spidey Time...

 

[Themanofbat]

I like the idea of teaching, but that doesn't mean he still can't take pics on the side.

How does the Bugle publish Spidey events these days anyhoo???

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Teacher or photographer works for me. I have no preference, and each job opens up a good amount of potential storylines.

Doesnt mean the Bugle staff have to be written out completely either...

 

[shinlyle]

That's what I mean by story-potential. I'm not one of the ones that want life to be easier for Pete. I want it to be more difficult. And then crank it up even more. I think it would be hilarious if there was a rumor going around his school that Mr. Parker was a crime-fighter, but someone lame, like Frog-Man.

That said, I loved the days when Pete was a photog. And you could easily make the case that a job like that puts him in exactly the kind of positions that we want to read about. And there is something very cool about a job like that.

Well, there's plenty of story potential for him in being a teacher, true, but it's going to rely on a LOT os suspension of disbelief about things. I mean, Peter has to stop teaching class to go fight Rhino or Scorpion, and then he sneaks back into class....
That may work if he were a student, but I'm willing to bet that his ass would be fired rather quickly if he were pulling this crap as a teacher.

Don't get me wrong, Peter being a teacher is a great idea, but how many stories are we going to get about Peter having to "choose the greater responsibility" before we all begin to long for the days of him being a Photog again? He's going to have to choose between making a difference in his students' lives, or saving peoples' lives.

I know things shouldn't be easy for him, but damn....they shouldn't be that hard for him, either.

 

[Captivated]

First impulse was Photographer... but he can ALWAYS sell photos freelance, no matter what else he does. Showing up at the Daily Bugle periodically should keep him in touch with the supporting cast there.

Second impulse was High School teacher... he needs a wider supporting cast and we've seen some cute stories already. But, on second thought, there is too much contrast between Peter and his students. They seem so young and, you know, anything that makes him look older is taboo. Who is Peter going to be friends with there? Other high school teachers? Their parents? Umm... not seeing that...

I went with University Professor, which could actually include ANY college faculty... Assistant Professor, research assistant, etc... This has potential for several reasons:

Feels like Spidey... he's spent MUCH of his time in a college setting.

Peter is supposed to be genius level smart.

Opens up a lot of potential for a supporting cast. Peter is not that much older than the grad students and assistants...

Being college faculty would have more flexibility for stories... Professors have a degree of freedom not seen in most jobs. They are not always tied down to a classroom and have assistants to take over teaching duties. They work both in classrooms and laboratories at universities but also spend time in the field conducting their own research.

Most professors work independently, although some may team up with other professors and students on research projects.

Topics of study and research are WIDE open... as are job descriptions.

Nutty things happen at universities...

Sure, teaching high school fits in with his "humble" roots... but there could always be something to keep our hero humble... a lack of respect, suspicion, or meager research grants... who knows...

 

[Gregatron]

Having a photography job just to stay afloat is integral to the character. He must always struggle, and people see him as irresponsible when he fails, but chalk it up to his youth.

In the future that we should never actually see (Otherwise: end of series), Peter would grow up, get a job as a scientist, and put the Spider-Man costume away for good.


As it currently stands, we have an immature, 30-year-old loser who makes the same kind of mistakes as a teenager and yet is somehow holding down a "real" job as a teacher (despite major absenses, presumably, which aren't tolerated in real life).


(Faculty Lounge):

Teacher # 1: "Hey...have you seen Parker lately?"

Teacher # 2: "No. He hasn't been here in weeks."

Teacher # 1: "It amazes me he's still working here. If the man can't even show up every day, he should learn to grow up, or at least find another job where kids won't suffer because of his irresponsibility. What a loser!"

 

[ScottishFogg]

he should teach photography.

that way, he could share his knowledge and experience with young people and he could still somewhat return to his photography roots.

 

[Mara Jane]

I chose researcher in industry. I wanted to put University Professor for the same reasons Captivated listed, but I don't think he's qualified. He never finished his Master's degree, let alone a Ph.D, which he'd need for a 4-year research institution like ESU (at least as a full-fledged prof.). He could, however go back and finish his degrees, and teach as a TA the way he did before. He might be able to teach at a Community College, though, without the full Master's.

Believe it or not, but the Spider-Girl option of being a Forensic Scientist is actually perfect for him. He has all of the qualifications: He has a hard science degree with a lot of chemistry, and he has extensive experience as a crime photographer. Both of these are very needed for good real-world CSI guys. I've never watched a minute of CSI, but I know this because I'm a career counselor. Really. And the stuff on TV is crap anyways. I hate having students come in and tell me they want to be doctors because they watch House or Grey's Anatomy.

 

[Captivated]

Having a photography job just to stay afloat is integral to the character. He must always struggle, and people see him as irresponsible when he fails, but chalk it up to his youth.

In the future that we should never actually see (Otherwise: end of series), Peter would grow up, get a job as a scientist, and put the Spider-Man costume away for good.


As it currently stands, we have an immature, 30-year-old loser who makes the same kind of mistakes as a teenager and yet is somehow holding down a "real" job as a teacher (despite major absenses, presumably, which aren't tolerated in real life)

Good grief... this is getting so tedious. You just keep BANGING away at that ONE note you're playing... that Peter should have stayed a child, and ANY deviation from that formula is WRONG.

THAT notion is just so WRONG. The speed at which Stan had Peter grow varied, but if he had wanted him to STAY a teenager he would have. He would have stayed in high school and never gone to college and met a girl named Gwen, who Stan originally planned for Peter to marry.

His name is Peter Parker NOT Peter Pan.

Why don't you just go read USM if that bothers you so much?

 

[Captivated]

I chose researcher in industry. I wanted to put University Professor for the same reasons Captivated listed, but I don't think he's qualified. He never finished his Master's degree, let alone a Ph.D, which he'd need for a 4-year research institution like ESU (at least as a full-fledged prof.). He could, however go back and finish his degrees, and teach as a TA the way he did before. He might be able to teach at a Community College, though, without the full Master's.

Believe it or not, but the Spider-Girl option of being a Forensic Scientist is actually perfect for him. He has all of the qualifications: He has a hard science degree with a lot of chemistry, and he has extensive experience as a crime photographer. Both of these are very needed for good real-world CSI guys. I've never watched a minute of CSI, but I know this because I'm a career counselor. Really. And the stuff on TV is crap anyways. I hate having students come in and tell me they want to be doctors because they watch House or Grey's Anatomy.

I know... his education credentials are a sticking point...

I like your idea... CSI... the fact that he also IS a crime fighter makes it additionally interesting. I see potential...

 

[imdaly]

I say Photographer.

I do like the teacher angle, but as people have already pointed out...anyone who misses that much class would be fired a long time ago. Being a teacher requires HOURS upon HOURS per day of dedication to your job...something that just doesn't mesh well with the unpredictability of his Spider-Man career.

Being a photographer means he always has a perfect excuse for being where the action is. He's not stuck at any desk for hours each day, but instead is out-and-about, making it much easier to sneak away and change to Spidey mode when he needs to.

And I've always loved the irony of the fact that his Peter Parker job is always providing Jameson with the pictures he needs to continue publicly bashing anything and everything Spidey-related. And in turn, Jameson is always paying none other than his greatest "foe", unbeknownst to him.

 

[Gregatron]

Good grief... this is getting so tedious. You just keep BANGING away at that ONE note you're playing... Peter should have stayed a child, and ANY deviation from that formula is WRONG.

THAT notion is just so WRONG. The speed at which Stan had Peter grow varied, but if he had wanted him to STAY a teenager he would have. He would have stayed in high school and never gone to college and met a girl named Gwen, who Stan originally planned for Peter to marry.

His name is Peter Parker NOT Peter Pan.

Why don't you just go read USM if that bothers you so much?

That whole rant of yours sounds awfully familar, as well.


Stan and Steve sent Peter to college because they didn't think Marvel would last very long. When it did, the brakes were applied, but by then, the ball had already started rolling.

And, as with other such Rolling Stones, Peter Parker will still be in action in his 70s, it would seem. He and his aging fanbase can have wheelchair races.

 

[Orko Is King]

I don't like him as a teacher. I think one of my favorite comic book characters should not have the job of people I hate.

 

[LarryLegend]

That's one of my biggest beefs with Peter being a teacher, he misses so much time. He should have been fired a long time ago.

 

[iloveclones]

I chose researcher in industry. I wanted to put University Professor for the same reasons Captivated listed, but I don't think he's qualified. He never finished his Master's degree, let alone a Ph.D, which he'd need for a 4-year research institution like ESU (at least as a full-fledged prof.). He could, however go back and finish his degrees, and teach as a TA the way he did before. He might be able to teach at a Community College, though, without the full Master's.

Believe it or not, but the Spider-Girl option of being a Forensic Scientist is actually perfect for him. He has all of the qualifications: He has a hard science degree with a lot of chemistry, and he has extensive experience as a crime photographer. Both of these are very needed for good real-world CSI guys. I've never watched a minute of CSI, but I know this because I'm a career counselor. Really. And the stuff on TV is crap anyways. I hate having students come in and tell me they want to be doctors because they watch House or Grey's Anatomy.

I couldn't remember if Pete had a Master's or PhD. I read those issues of him in grad school so long ago.

From a practical standpoint, a college level professor/researcher has a lot of appeal to me. I've worked my whole life around them, and they work "at home" like you wouldn't believe, which would give Pete a lot of latitude. And I would love for him to have a little proof when other characters (IM, Mr. Fantastic) remark on how smart he is.

I think I may have changed my mind: I think I want Petey to go back to Grad School and get his PhD. That should make anyone who wants Pete to be poor, happy, anyway.

The only rebuttal I would have to the whole debate about Pete leaving school in the middle of the day would be this: you really could apply that to most heroes with a secret ID in the MU. DD (lawyer), Iron Man(CEO), Don Blake(Doctor), all of these jobs require(d) a LOT more than 9 to 5. To me, that's just one of the conventions of the genre that you accept. Realistically, even if you just "went on patrol" at night, a few nights a week of 2-3 hours of sleep a night would eventually cripple a person.

 

[LarryLegend]

Lawyers and CEO's are not as confined to a physical workspace as a teacher is.

 

[iloveclones]

No, they're not. But they weren't just CEOs and lawyers. They were THE lawyer and THE CEO of the MU. Can you imagine Bill Gates or Johnny Cochrane being superheroes for 5 minutes without the press finding out. That's what I mean by it being a convention of the genre. Of course they'd be found out. We just pretend that they wouldn't be.

 

[Rez]

Um, do you know what it takes to be a Lawyer? True, you COULD skip out more easily at times(though certainly not during a court date), but the sheer number of hours required for the job is nothing short of pure total dedication.

Anyway, I hate the "full time" photography job. It's a great thing for someone... on the side. It has always been an "on the side" job. During highschool. During college. During whatever the hell you want to be doing, it's an on the side job. Devoting his full time to such a job is not only impractical money wise, but also shuts out other possible stories. He can always turn photos in, no matter what he does. It IS a part of his charecter, but it shouldn't be his only venue in life. Teacher or College Professor of some sort is the way to go. And teachers don't have it so bad, hours wise. In fact, they are probably some of the least demanding hours for practical jobs out there. 7-3 or so, an average day. Not taking into account gradings and prep time at home, which is of course as flexable as need be.

 

[Mara Jane]

I couldn't remember if Pete had a Master's or PhD. I read those issues of him in grad school so long ago.

From a practical standpoint, a college level professor/researcher has a lot of appeal to me. I've worked my whole life around them, and they work "at home" like you wouldn't believe, which would give Pete a lot of latitude. And I would love for him to have a little proof when other characters (IM, Mr. Fantastic) remark on how smart he is.

I think I may have changed my mind: I think I want Petey to go back to Grad School and get his PhD. That should make anyone who wants Pete to be poor, happy, anyway.

The only rebuttal I would have to the whole debate about Pete leaving school in the middle of the day would be this: you really could apply that to most heroes with a secret ID in the MU. DD (lawyer), Iron Man(CEO), Don Blake(Doctor), all of these jobs require(d) a LOT more than 9 to 5. To me, that's just one of the conventions of the genre that you accept. Realistically, even if you just "went on patrol" at night, a few nights a week of 2-3 hours of sleep a night would eventually cripple a person.

I'd love to see Pete back in school, honestly. He dropped out of grad school the first time when he was dating Black Cat, claiming that he needed to get a "real" job to help pay her medical bills. The irony of this being that the City of NY paid them for her as a thanks for her heroism. But the damage was done: Aunt May stopped talking to Pete, she was so upset he quit.

He went back to grad school later when he was married, but I don't really know what came of that. It seemed to be forgotten once the Maximum Carnage/robot parents/Clone stuff started up. Does anyone else remember?