I wrote this somewhere else, but will copy and past it here since this is the respect thread.
You know, over the course of comic books, there have been fantastic heroes. Very interesting, and girpping heroes such as Daredevil, Iron Man, The Hulk, Fantastic Four, and the list goes on and on. However, there's one hero that has made an impact on me all of my life. A hero that is like me, and that has stood the test of time. A hero that is not you're average " to the rescue" superhero. A hero that does what he does bacuse he needs to, not because he wants to. An emotionally driven hero. This hero....is Spider-Man.
When i first came across Spider-Man, it was probably around 1997, and my mother brought me home 2...um...15 or 20 inch figures from Spider-Man TAS action figure line. It was a talking Spider-Man, and a talking Venom. The appeal of the character, if I remember correctly, was so strong. TAS was such a great show.
I had the original Playstation Spider-Man video game as well as the original playstation Spider-Man: Enter Electro games. First came out in 2000, second in 2001.
When the first Spider-Man film came out, I truly was amazed when i saw it in the theatre. I just was stricken so hard form it, and i had the video game, figures, etc. Then, the second film came out and I was stunned even more. I saw it 4 times in the theatre and it was just great. I remember being in line for the second film and there were so many people. I look next to me and there's this big Spider-Man 2 cardboard standee poster next to me. Spidey is standing on a gargoyle holding his mask. standing over the city. There were other Spidey 2 poster standee's as well.
I bought the film on 2 disc DVD obviously, and i watached it so much that i had scratched the disc, lol. Obviously, I have another copy. I watched Spider-Man (2002) alot as well, but i had that on VHS. Then, around the time S-M2 came out, I bought it on DVD. during these times, I was reading Spider-Man comics. My first was a reprint of Amazing Fantasy 15, and then I read quite a few Ditko issues and Romita Sr. issues. I was also reading the current ones as well. Now, this was about 7 years ago. Well, the DItko ones were mainly 7 or 8 years ago. Then, etc, I started reading the back issues from issue #1 and on and on and on, etc. I know my knowledge for the Spidey comics is said to be a little too much for a soon to be 16 year old, but I NEEDED to read the back issues. How I love those back issues. Also, I would just like to say, I really did like Ross Andru's art. Not my favorite, but I thought I'd mention him.
Anyway, as time whent on, so did the comics. I mean, that Ezekiel story ended, so ROmita Jr. was off the book. Then came Sins Past, which was just bad and so on and so forth. Civil War came aorund and I was just really upset that Spidey unmasked himself to the world. Also, I really did like the Back In Black story, which, although good, wasn't nearly as good as the current stories, but I'll get to that soon.
So, after S-M2 came out, there was a gap in between. I eagerly awaited S-M3. Then, the first set images hit and i was so excited. I stayed on my computer all day until the middle of the night waiting for trailers, etc. My computer was so worn out by it, but it got through it. Met it's demise last August, but that's a different story, lol. Got a newer
one the next day.
Anyway, I saw S-M3 at midnight and i was first in line out of 200 people. I waited in line for about 3 hours and I was and still am willing to wait weeks outside for a Spider-Man film or anything Spidey related. I came out satisfied, despite peoples reactions. I saw it again in the theatre soon after, etc.
Then, OMD happened, and I was furious as hell, but when BND came along, I was so happy with the result. I mean, BND was fantastic and just kept getting better.
So, now, we are here. Spider-Man's 600th issue, which, if you ask me, sounds fantastic.
This character, as I stated earlier, has had such a huge impact on me that anybody who doesn't have Spidey as their favorite superhero will never understand. People may say, "Oh, I'm a huge comic book fan! I love EVERYTHING!". Ummm, yeah, you may like comics, but you don't connect with every character in and out unless he's your favorite. Look, I'm a huge comic obok fan and I buy tons of titles such as new Avengers, mighty Avengers, Fantastic Four, and MUCH MUCH MUCH more. There's a reason you like that character, and if you are not loyal enough on choice, then you're not a fan.
People may make fun of me for thinknig Spider-Man is great, but I don't care. All it does is show how ignorant you are. You don't know the character, and you don't know the true moral of it.
I've had/still have problems in life in terms of stress and stuff. One stressful thing ends, another begins, and I realize that makes me feel like I can relate to Peter Parker so much. I felt like I was born to like this character. I will do anything to keep that character alive. Anything.
I stayed up all night for issue 600 and didnt' get to sleep until last night and I'd stay up 5 days if I had to if it involved Spider-Man
Happy 600th issue Spider-Man, and keep on living strong!
