Why do we love Spider-Man?

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Igor-Rowan

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The hype for Civil War was at its average, when suddenly was skyrocketed after the trailer featuring the web-head himself, Spider-Man; E3 was seeing a lot of familiar faces, yet one stole the spotlight, Spider-Man. Whether is the film industry, or the gaming industry, what is about this particular super-hero that brings joy in so many people?

It's a fact that Spidey has been in many things ever since his comic book debut, from a 70's TV show, to many cartoons, to a ground-breaking movie trilogy, to a failed movie franchse, to a mixed bag of video games (to which the one based on Spider-Man 2 is the best and the one based on Amazing Spider-Man 2 is the worst, coincidentally), to broadway musicals so awful that convinced many people to quit theater altogether. With this level of exposure, you'd think that would be a given his success, but his popularity only saw an increase after the first Sam Raimi movie: Spider-Man.

The Spider-Man movies were the first of their kind in the super-hero genre, rather than showing the hero as a badass who works alone, they show a rather sympathetic hero to which the audience can relate, with struggles and flaws of a human. That interpretation made the comic book fans rage because The Amazing Spider-Man's version of the hero was the most faithful to the comics (and the one the casual audience hated the most).

OK, he is relatable, but that is not the reason why his games are popular compared to other movie tie-ins or shovelware, and Yahtzee is the one who knows, according to his review of the PS2 game: "[...] web-slinging around the open world was amazingly fun, fast, flowing, ffffintuitive, [...]" then he goes on about how Spidey's web-based powers is where the fun og the games is at, but why exactly? I think the reason lies in his Super Mario Galaxy review: "Plus watching [Mario] rocket through space at meteorotic speeds holding his little stubby arms out has a rather perplexing charm to it. It?s cutsey and colourful enough to be kid-friendly while still challenging the adult audience." I guess the same applies to the web-slinging in the games.

I think that's why we like him so much, he is not superpowerful, but he his certainly smart, he is bound by the laws of gravity, yet he defies them anyway to get what he wants, he is relatable, but still can kick ass. He is the embodiement of justice and also embodies the flaws of the human being, the qualities that define Superman and Batman, other iconic superheroes. That's is my interpretation of it, anyway why do you think Spider-Man is so popular?
 

madwarper

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Igor-Rowan said:
The hype for Civil War was at its average, when suddenly was skyrocketed after the trailer featuring the web-head himself, Spider-Man; E3 was seeing a lot of familiar faces, yet one stole the spotlight, Spider-Man. Whether is the film industry, or the gaming industry, what is about this particular super-hero that brings joy in so many people?
It wasn't just "because Spiderman in a movie"... But, "because Spiderman in a Marvel movie".
I'm assuming you know the story about how Marvel sold the movie rights of Spiderman to Sony, the X-Men/Mutants and Fantastic Four to Fox.

Then, Marvel created its own film studios and started making good films. Then, they combined with Disney and got all the stronger. Meanwhile, the films made by Sony and Fox were, at best, of mixed quality.

So, after having languished under Sony's control, the excitement over Spiderman appearing in Civil War was the herald of him at least partially returning under Mavel's cinematic umbrella and that we'd have some of their experience to fix the meddling of Sony's executives that have made the last 3 Spiderman movies piles of crap.
 

Queen Michael

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First of all: Remember the hyphen in his name, people.

Secondly, it's because he's flawed, he's funny, and most importantly--his normal life is just as important as his heroic exploits. Sure, he's not the only character who's ever done that, but he did it first, and in my mind, the best.

And it's not just a case of having a life outside of superheroics. It's a case of his superhero life and normal life being one. Bruce Wayne doesn't act like Batman does, and Superman doesn't act like Clark Kent. But Peter Parker acts the same way as Spider-Man does. Their demeanor's the same. That's why it's so easy to care for him--unlike Bruce and Clark, he's not only interesting because he's got a cool alter ego.

And finally, it's because he's a genuinely good and caring person. Yeah, so's Supes, but he feels more like an idea of absolute goodness. Peter Parker feels like a real person who's good-hearted and caring.
 

Igor-Rowan

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madwarper said:
Oh yeah, trust me I know all of it, but considering Spider-Man 2 is my favorite superhero movie and remains to this day one of my favorite of all time, I was totally okay with Spidey being where he was, sure Spider-Man 3 had a few missteps but when I saw The Amazing Spider-Man movies, I instantly forgave all of its flaws in an attempt to bring it back. I just feared he would fall into the formula of the recent phases of the MCU, a movie that is more about setting up more movies than telling a story, easily my main problem with recent superhero movies, let's see if he can shake it up things a little bit.

Queen Michael said:
Yeah, superheroes were always portrayed as something more than life itself, then comes one that shows that they can have emotions, depth and flaws, then when he web-slings around we can see somebody bound by the laws of gravity, yet with the will of overcoming it.
 

Saelune

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My personal reason why I like Spider-Man despite hating his namesake to phobia level...TEAM UPS!

My dream MCU event (currently) would be Spidey and Daredevil teaming up against Kingpin. Probably would have to wait a couple more seasons of Daredevil, and a few MCU Spidey movies, but it would be great, especially to mature Peter up to have this truly malevolent crime lord come after him. I don't actually think it will happen, but I can hope.
 

PapaGreg096

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I say its his rogue galleries, a hero is nothing with out his or her rogues gallery and with Spidey's there is no end to what you can do with them hell the reason why he has so many movies is because of his rogues gallery
 

Hawki

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Eh, I guess I can define it:

-For me, born in 1989, Spidey came around at the right time for me, namely the animated series (which has aged terribly BTW), but was the shit at the time. Also the only superhero show I got into.

-Helps that Peter is relatable, with teenage issues that children/teenagers can relate to. Also helps that he's not invincible. He has a very defined set of abilities, and while he can hit relatively hard, he has to move swiftly to avoid damage because he can't take that much compared to some of the heavy hitters. So, good enough to be empowering, vulnerable enough to be concerned for his welfare.

-Then comes the Rami trilogy, which is also in the right place at the right time for me - live action Spider-Man that I get to enjoy as a teenager, and regardless of age, are good films in their own right.

-Peaks with Spectacular Spider-Man which has excellent writing and character development, while also possessing excellent action. It's part of why I no longer look on the 1990s series with the same fondness I once did.

-As an additional perk, I have little interest in superheroes in general, and those I do tend to operate alone. For instance, I enjoy Batman stuff (more or less), but I don't really care about the Justice League. Spidey is one of those heroes who works fine by himself.

Those who know me know that I have little love for the MCU though, so I'm very "meh" about Homecoming. I found Holland's take on the character to be downright irritating and superfluous to Civil War (yet another MCU that's just "okay"), but hey, better than The Amazing Spider-Man. So, yeah. I have a sinking feeling that I won't be able to enjoy Spidey in isolation anymore. Ultimate Spider-Man was more "Marvel stuff with Spider-Man being the titular character), and Arrow...well, you know how I feel about the Arrowverse as well. But, yeah. That's where I like Spidey.
 

JimB

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Because he's funny. That's it. Make people laugh, and they'll like you. All the other stuff helps, but laughter is the main thing.
 

Scarim Coral

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Well most superheroes are adult while Spider-man was originally a teen and since some of the audiences are teenager, he is quite relatable especially when he struggle to balance his teen and superhero life. Sure we ain't superheroes but we all know what it like trying to balance two activities.

Also he's a funny guy and always have good intention in mind so it not suprising he serve as a role model for some kids out there.