Spider-Man and the Avengers
From the start, The Avengers, the Marvel Comic, was created to bring together as many of the company’s big solo stars as possible. His appearance in Captain America: Civil War marked the untangling of difficulties with rights-holder Sony, to allow a Spider-Man to come flipping onto that Berlin battlefield and snatch the shield of no less than Cap himself! A complicated circumstance under which to join any form of Avengers, but a logical one: Stark took a chance on the mystery teen and masterminded his recruitment. His non-adventures afterwards are the set-up to Spider-Man: Homecoming. I love the personally-filmed documentary of Pete’s Berlin mission and even the selfies going into that fight- what better way to reflect how star-struck and still immature Parker still was? With daily texts back to liason Happy Hogan, Pete yearns to break the bonds of his successful but comparatively uneventful scholastic life at Midtown High school. His tendency towards barging in without consultation iterates multiple times. It’s forced by his side-lining by Tony Stark, but it’s also very true to the character. I won’t spoil the ending, but Pete’s future as an Avenger falls right into his own hands. Prematurely?
I’ll let you- and Parker- decide.
For some reason, Jack Kirby and Stan Lee decided to keep developing their new teen character Spider-Man separately. He debuted just after most who joined the Avengers; the first issue of Amazing Spider-Man coincides with the premiere of Iron Man that month in Tales of Suspense (cover date, March 1963). There’s probably a cartoon version of him with them; he’s an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. in one Ultimate Spider-Man-style cartoon, along with Nova, Power Man and Iron Fist and the female White Tiger.
Maybe your friendly neighborhood wall-crawler, drawn lithely by co-creator Steve Ditko, had many reasons he wasn’t initially included in the group of Iron Man, Ant Man, the Wasp and Mighty Thor that first hunted down the Loki-controlled Incredible Hulk. David Anthony Kraft, a huge Avengers fan from their first years, said Spider-Man, the talkative wisecracker New Yorker, “seemed almost like a second stringer” compared to those heavy hitters. The team evolved soon to mix in more lower-powered characters to be sure, like the revived Captain America in issue #4, but even Ant-Man became a Giant Man by Avengers #2. (The Wasp, powered-up in her Tales to Astonish episodes some time after her own debut as Hank Pym’s size-changing partner, would finally receive her due as team leader as penned by Roger Stern, as you can read in “She’s the Boss.”) Amid many opinions, pro and contra, Stan finally gave Spidey a shot at teaming-up and possibly joining them in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3. He brawls with them in hot-headed fashion, but a misunderstanding about his assignment to essentially capture and bring back The Hulk results in his compassionate side letting Banner go. I really didn’t like 1) how the Avengers had time to stand around Avengers Mansion but not to provide back-up in that dangerous mission and 2) the absurd rush contrived to keep Spider-Man from asking if they had a kinder agenda than to simply imprison or destroy their old teammate, Hulk! The Wasp’s “natural antipathy,” Thor’s memorable invitation, and Hawkeye’s boosterism- which doesn’t preclude offering to be the first to spar with him!- are nice characterization touches, as is the Banner identity discovery.
"I Want to Be an Avenger!"
With that hindsight, Roger Stern and Al Milgrom, inked by Joe Rosen, got a chance to reset the reasoning for that status quo, in Avengers #’s 236, 237. Like his movie counterpart, he’s eager to join, though not so starstruck. Echoing his attempt to join the Fantastic Four in Amazing #1, Peter brashly breaks into Avengers Mansion. His aggressive show of his abilities then takes a cooler approach this time- after all, he’s matured a few years. One motivation remains similar to that FF guest shot: he could really use the dough!
Although he’s been to Project: Pegasus before- in recent issues of Marvel Team-Up, as I recall-Spider-Man’s not cleared to pass security and join the Avengers when the Lava Men boil up there to wreak havoc. In true webbed buttinsky fashion, he stows away aboard a Quinjet and sways Captain America and the team to see his usefulness. His lack of teamwork training works against him with the Lava Men invasion-oops! The goddess-like appearance of the latest Captain Marvel saves the Avengers’ hash. (In fact, Monica Rambeau premiered as the Captain Marvel like no other in the previous Amazing Spider-Man Annual, #16!) It’s made apparent the surface world’s inadvertently the true invaders, via innocent energy research drilling.
Ah, but the escaped Blackout frees partner Moonstone, who chooses to break out old Spider-foes Electro and the Rhino. Project Pegasus ends up in a new peril poised to blow them all sky-high! Spidey’s science know-how saves the day. What a great turn-around, from bungler to science hero, all in true Spider-Man style, right alongside the Avengers themselves. But this time, it’s the Avengers expressing reservations: he rejects their offer to join the training program. Same goal accomplished, with my previous caveats addressed artfully.
Speaking of reserve, in Avengers #329, the wall-crawler does indeed become an Avenger-with official I.D. complete with communications properties- on stand-by status. His old enemy the Sandman-you know how fond he is of reforming, but I mean he went straight back then-joins under reservist status as well!
New Avengers #1. Finally, the deal’s done: it’s another breakout, instigated by Electro, at The Raft, a Ryker’s Island super villain prison installation. It’s a grueling arm-breaker of a battle- a deluxe version of the original Avengers impromptu gathering. At this point, the Avengers are officially disbanded, but writer Brian Michael Bendis reforges what he took apart, with 70’s refugees Spider-Woman, Luke Cage and super-popular Marvel heroes Wolverine and Spider-Man now working with Iron Man and Cap. Even Aunt May eventually moves into Avengers Tower- the location we see vacated on a Moving Day overseen by Happy Hogan in Spider-Man: Homecoming!
Speaking of moving out, Integr8d Fix is about done here for now. So, that’s rookie Spider-Man, eager to fit in with the Avengers; more experienced Spider-Man, invited; and veteran Spidey applying, participating, and eventually helping found, essentially, a new Avengers. When things go cosmic in Avengers: Infinity Gauntlet, get ready for the wallcrawler to end up pretty far out of his neighborhood. If my I.D. card’s still working, we’ll talk to DAK about what he thinks makes a good Avenger and why Spidey didn’t and does fit.
I’ll let you- and Parker- decide.
For some reason, Jack Kirby and Stan Lee decided to keep developing their new teen character Spider-Man separately. He debuted just after most who joined the Avengers; the first issue of Amazing Spider-Man coincides with the premiere of Iron Man that month in Tales of Suspense (cover date, March 1963). There’s probably a cartoon version of him with them; he’s an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. in one Ultimate Spider-Man-style cartoon, along with Nova, Power Man and Iron Fist and the female White Tiger.
Maybe your friendly neighborhood wall-crawler, drawn lithely by co-creator Steve Ditko, had many reasons he wasn’t initially included in the group of Iron Man, Ant Man, the Wasp and Mighty Thor that first hunted down the Loki-controlled Incredible Hulk. David Anthony Kraft, a huge Avengers fan from their first years, said Spider-Man, the talkative wisecracker New Yorker, “seemed almost like a second stringer” compared to those heavy hitters. The team evolved soon to mix in more lower-powered characters to be sure, like the revived Captain America in issue #4, but even Ant-Man became a Giant Man by Avengers #2. (The Wasp, powered-up in her Tales to Astonish episodes some time after her own debut as Hank Pym’s size-changing partner, would finally receive her due as team leader as penned by Roger Stern, as you can read in “She’s the Boss.”) Amid many opinions, pro and contra, Stan finally gave Spidey a shot at teaming-up and possibly joining them in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3. He brawls with them in hot-headed fashion, but a misunderstanding about his assignment to essentially capture and bring back The Hulk results in his compassionate side letting Banner go. I really didn’t like 1) how the Avengers had time to stand around Avengers Mansion but not to provide back-up in that dangerous mission and 2) the absurd rush contrived to keep Spider-Man from asking if they had a kinder agenda than to simply imprison or destroy their old teammate, Hulk! The Wasp’s “natural antipathy,” Thor’s memorable invitation, and Hawkeye’s boosterism- which doesn’t preclude offering to be the first to spar with him!- are nice characterization touches, as is the Banner identity discovery.
"I Want to Be an Avenger!"
With that hindsight, Roger Stern and Al Milgrom, inked by Joe Rosen, got a chance to reset the reasoning for that status quo, in Avengers #’s 236, 237. Like his movie counterpart, he’s eager to join, though not so starstruck. Echoing his attempt to join the Fantastic Four in Amazing #1, Peter brashly breaks into Avengers Mansion. His aggressive show of his abilities then takes a cooler approach this time- after all, he’s matured a few years. One motivation remains similar to that FF guest shot: he could really use the dough!
Although he’s been to Project: Pegasus before- in recent issues of Marvel Team-Up, as I recall-Spider-Man’s not cleared to pass security and join the Avengers when the Lava Men boil up there to wreak havoc. In true webbed buttinsky fashion, he stows away aboard a Quinjet and sways Captain America and the team to see his usefulness. His lack of teamwork training works against him with the Lava Men invasion-oops! The goddess-like appearance of the latest Captain Marvel saves the Avengers’ hash. (In fact, Monica Rambeau premiered as the Captain Marvel like no other in the previous Amazing Spider-Man Annual, #16!) It’s made apparent the surface world’s inadvertently the true invaders, via innocent energy research drilling.
Ah, but the escaped Blackout frees partner Moonstone, who chooses to break out old Spider-foes Electro and the Rhino. Project Pegasus ends up in a new peril poised to blow them all sky-high! Spidey’s science know-how saves the day. What a great turn-around, from bungler to science hero, all in true Spider-Man style, right alongside the Avengers themselves. But this time, it’s the Avengers expressing reservations: he rejects their offer to join the training program. Same goal accomplished, with my previous caveats addressed artfully.
Speaking of reserve, in Avengers #329, the wall-crawler does indeed become an Avenger-with official I.D. complete with communications properties- on stand-by status. His old enemy the Sandman-you know how fond he is of reforming, but I mean he went straight back then-joins under reservist status as well!
New Avengers #1. Finally, the deal’s done: it’s another breakout, instigated by Electro, at The Raft, a Ryker’s Island super villain prison installation. It’s a grueling arm-breaker of a battle- a deluxe version of the original Avengers impromptu gathering. At this point, the Avengers are officially disbanded, but writer Brian Michael Bendis reforges what he took apart, with 70’s refugees Spider-Woman, Luke Cage and super-popular Marvel heroes Wolverine and Spider-Man now working with Iron Man and Cap. Even Aunt May eventually moves into Avengers Tower- the location we see vacated on a Moving Day overseen by Happy Hogan in Spider-Man: Homecoming!
Speaking of moving out, Integr8d Fix is about done here for now. So, that’s rookie Spider-Man, eager to fit in with the Avengers; more experienced Spider-Man, invited; and veteran Spidey applying, participating, and eventually helping found, essentially, a new Avengers. When things go cosmic in Avengers: Infinity Gauntlet, get ready for the wallcrawler to end up pretty far out of his neighborhood. If my I.D. card’s still working, we’ll talk to DAK about what he thinks makes a good Avenger and why Spidey didn’t and does fit.
From Two-Time Emmy winner and friend of the "show" Joseph Braband:
ReplyDeleteBack in the seventies and the eighties, I was a huge Avengers fan. I also liked Spider-Man, but to a lesser (but still significant) degree. The thing that I loved about the classic Spider-Man/Avengers dynamic was always the "will he" or "won't he" tease of becoming an Avenger over decades. As much as I may have wanted him to be included in the pre-Disassembled/Bendis era, I always felt that it was simply never meant to be, but it was an entertaining topic for fanboys such as myself to debate endlessly.
For the record, I never really wanted Spider-Man to be a member, but instead of basing my wants on personal preferences, I had my reasons based on the character itself. Whereas the Avengers mostly interacted with huge threats from New York to alien galaxies, Peter Parker was "your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man". He dealt with the "smaller, but very significant" threats so groups like the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and the Avengers could concentrate on larger issues. In the graphic novel "Attack of the Living Monolith", Spider-Man underscored this by expressing his preference to letting the Avengers take on the Living Monolith while dealing with the L.M.'s goons who were menacing NYC. Perfect take on the character.
Spider-Man shared a unique niche with the Thing as the superhero who teamed up with everyone in the Marvel Universe. Between his own main titles, guest-starring in other titles and sharing the spotlight in Marvel Team-Up (great comic), it would be hard to point to a hero who hasn't had a chance encounter with Spider-Man in some title. Simply said, Spidey's inclusion as an Avenger was, in my opinion, unnecessary because he was everywhere. Spider-Man had to juggle his Peter Parker persona and his superhero identity. He struggled to keep his identity a secret. The attempt at realism was a core appeal of the character, spawning innumerable iconic storylines and kept him fresh and relatable to the reader.
The writers back then were keenly aware of this appeal and wisely maintained that status quo for decades, even as they changed the cast of people surrounding Peter Parker over and over again to keep the ongoing drama interesting. This "every-man" aspect of the superhero experience was never a main focus of the Avengers title(s) and membership would (and did) change everything for Peter Parker/Spider-Man so much that he had to make a bargain with Mephisto to retcon the ill-conceived idea.
ReplyDeleteThen there is the matter of approach to super-heroing. The Avengers would passively sit back and wait for threats to rear their ugly heads and then fly off in a quinjet to deal with it, Spider-Man actively patrolled locally for danger (or simply stumbled upon it) - two very different approaches - one passive and the other active. Of course, it is something conveniently ignored, but I could imagine that it would be a source of frustration for someone so used to actively looking for a way to make himself useful to the world around him.
Then there was the continuity issues... back when Marvel (and apparently its readers) actually cared about such things. Moving on... Unfortunately, the inevitable happened under Bendis - Spider-Man became a member of the Avengers with a cast of characters that were blatantly designed to sell books (*cough cough* Wolverine *cough*). Continuity and logic took a back seat to keeping Marvel afloat after some disastrous years of poor decision-making by the company. I gave it a shot with an open mind, but I did not really dig what Bendis did with the Avengers or the new changes brought about by Spider-Man's decision to join the Avengers.
I have recently found my way back to semi-regular reading and Spider-Man is still a member of an Avengers team. The dynamic has changed significantly in my absence and, unfortunately, I still am unconvinced that he is a good fit despite his unwavering popularity. As an old-fogey, I just think Marvel has forgotten what makes the character unique and awesome. Just an opinion - Joe B
I was waiting to work out my opinion during a conversation via podcast, but since it’s been a busy time, let me reflect upon my friend Emmy Award-winning video editor Joseph Braband’s commentary included below.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion? The movies are rare enough to make a Spider-Man Avengers appearance pretty cool. I am stoked he’s going to the stars in Infinity Wars! His appearance in Captain America: Civil War totally worked for me, too. He’s one of the ultimate team-up characters. I love how his friendly neighborhood perspective plays alongside the heavy-hitters.
But to get that friendly neighborhood point of view, he has to deal with down-to-earth problems like his secret I.D., supporting cast-related issues of friendships (and occasionally enemies), juggling his school life or job. You lose all that when he’s wrapped up in being a more typical superhero alongside the Avengers each month. He’s like any other guy with no secret identity. It’s a way you can go, to be different, but classic Spider-Man worked really well with the problems arising from him essentially being on his own. I like his occasional allies, but if he ran with all his Spider-counterparts often, it’d be too crowded to be fun! My friend makes the point that Spider-Man teamed up already to such a degree of exposure as to remove a need to make him a permanent team member. If you’re putting out monthly Spider-Man adventures, I’d rather he didn’t appear in two monthly books and two mini-series AND run with a team.
I'll follow up with both in a Part Two post!