Nathan R. Lubensky: The Forgotten Love of Aunt May

[Chris S.]

I was just reading ASM #525 (yes a "other" story) and when May was talking to "Ben" she mentioned their hadn't been anyone since Ben. Well, what about Nathan? Someone may have pointed this out, I wasn't on here at the time this issue came out so I don't know.

The whole thing got me thinking about with this whole Jarvis thing they have forgotten about Nathan. They have made it appear that this is the first time May has dated anyone since Ben's death. It almost seems like they are trying to restore May's virginal innocence... okay maybe thats a little extreme but you see where I am going.

[bigboi87]

I wasnt a big Nathan fan. When Aunt May was mad at Peter for not going to college, Nathan said some very hurtful things to Peter, when he had no right to.

[Cody H]

I'm actually in the process of reading the Sinister Six storyline where he dies. But I agree, from what I've read, he was a pretty unsavory character. May seemed pretty fond of him though. Maybe it was just a foresight on JMS part. Or, perhaps he meant to imply that nobody, including Nathan, has come to mean to her what Ben did. If that's the case, I'll accept that. In fact, I think that's how I'll choose to interpret it.

[nuclearman]

I'm actually in the process of reading the Sinister Six storyline where he dies. But I agree, from what I've read, he was a pretty unsavory character. May seemed pretty fond of him though. Maybe it was just a foresight on JMS part. Or, perhaps he meant to imply that nobody, including Nathan, has come to mean to her what Ben did. If that's the case, I'll accept that. In fact, I think that's how I'll choose to interpret it.

Cody, when he dies... does he find out that Peter is Spider-Man.?.. I can't remember ....I love that whole Larsen Sinister Six arc though!! And was it Dr Octopus that dropped him??

[jsg2295]

Dont forget Aunt May almost married Doc Ock also.

[Sean Whitmore]

Yeah, it was just a case of JMS and the editors forgetting about a minor supporting character who's been dead for a decade. Happens all the time, really.

I actually liked Nathan, faults and all. He only ever bitched at Peter when he neglected May, which he did constantly. It's not like Nathan knew he had a good excuse; to anyone else, Peter was an absolutely horrid friend/familiar member.

When May refused to speak to Peter (after he dropped out of school), Nathan was actually the one who kept trying to get them talking again. And you gotta give credit to someone who was so friendly that he even made pals with the Vulture. :)


SEAN

[Sean Whitmore]

Dont forget Aunt May almost married Doc Ock also.


But...I really, really want to forget. :)


SEAN

[nuclearman]

And you gotta give credit to someone who was so friendly that he even made pals with the Vulture. :)


SEAN

I'd forgotten that...hehehe... good get Sean.:D

[Sean Whitmore]

Cody, when he dies... does he find out that Peter is Spider-Man.?.. I can't remember ....I love that whole Larsen Sinister Six arc though!! And was it Dr Octopus that dropped him??


No, Nathan never learned the secret before dying. And it was the Vulture who dropped him. Remember, the Vulture begged May's forgiveness years later in the excellent "Funeral Arrangements" story.


SEAN

[nuclearman]

No, Nathan never learned the secret before dying. And it was the Vulture who dropped him. Remember, the Vulture begged May's forgiveness years later in the excellent "Funeral Arrangements" story.


SEAN

I sort of dropped out of amazing after the sinister six story line and didn't come back until... well... until Norman Osborne did... I'll have to see if I can get a copy.. or copies.

[jsg2295]

This cover haunted me...I dont see why I cant have others haunted by Aunt May in a wedding dress.

http://www.allsf.net/Images/SFbd/US1/Spiderman%20131.jpg

[Sean Whitmore]

I sort of dropped out of amazing after the sinister six story line and didn't come back until... well... until Norman Osborne did... I'll have to see if I can get a copy.. or copies.


Yeah, check it out if you can. Very well worth you while.

It happened in Spectacular Spider-Man #186 (http://www.samruby.com/SpectacularD/spectacular_spiderman_186.htm), #187 (http://www.samruby.com/SpectacularD/spectacular_spiderman_187.htm), and #188 (http://www.samruby.com/SpectacularD/spectacular_spiderman_188.htm).


SEAN

[nuclearman]

Yeah, check it out if you can. Very well worth you while.

It happened in Spectacular Spider-Man #186 (http://www.samruby.com/SpectacularD/spectacular_spiderman_186.htm), #187 (http://www.samruby.com/SpectacularD/spectacular_spiderman_187.htm), and #188 (http://www.samruby.com/SpectacularD/spectacular_spiderman_188.htm).


SEAN

thanks Sean... I'll check them out.

[Green Goblin]

She even datted Willie Lumpkin for a while afternATAHAN'S DEATH

[Lorendiac]

I wasnt a big Nathan fan. When Aunt May was mad at Peter for not going to college, Nathan said some very hurtful things to Peter, when he had no right to.

Well, to do Nathan (and Aunt May) justice, Peter was basically totally refusing to offer any coherent explanation for why he was dropping out of college (because of the whole Spider-Man thing). Although I do believe he already had a bachelor's degree at that point, so you'd think he could have found a regular paying job by then, if he wasn't going to pursue his studies further instead.

And wasn't it just an issue or two later that Nathan, recovered from his first outburst, conscientiously tried to play peacemaker by taking May out to lunch somewhere and secretly inviting Peter to come drop by and sit down at the table with them and have a frank conversation with May about what was going on in his life? Peter actually meant to keep that date, but then he bumped into Jack O'Lantern (I think) and spent a long time running around Manhattan fighting him, rescuing civilians from harm's way, and all that fun stuff. By the time he got to the cafe, Nathan said something like: "I wondered if you'd ever show up. Your aunt left an hour ago -- in tears! I stuck around so I could tell you what I think of you!"

Again, since Peter had nothing remotely resembling a coherent and plausible explanation for why he took so long to travel just a few miles to keep an appointment, I think Nathan's feeling that the kid was behaving like an irresponsible, self-centered flake was understandable. A bit unfair from our point of view, since we knew better -- but understandable when Peter consistently refused to explain his odd behavior.

[Chris S.]

Well, to do Nathan (and Aunt May) justice, Peter was basically totally refusing to offer any coherent explanation for why he was dropping out of college (because of the whole Spider-Man thing). Although I do believe he already had a bachelor's degree at that point, so you'd think he could have found a regular paying job by then, if he wasn't going to pursue his studies further instead.

And wasn't it just an issue or two later that Nathan, recovered from his first outburst, conscientiously tried to play peacemaker by taking May out to lunch somewhere and secretly inviting Peter to come drop by and sit down at the table with them and have a frank conversation with May about what was going on in his life? Peter actually meant to keep that date, but then he bumped into Jack O'Lantern (I think) and spent a long time running around Manhattan fighting him, rescuing civilians from harm's way, and all that fun stuff. By the time he got to the cafe, Nathan said something like: "I wondered if you'd ever show up. Your aunt left an hour ago -- in tears! I stuck around so I could tell you what I think of you!"

Again, since Peter had nothing remotely resembling a coherent and plausible explanation for why he took so long to travel just a few miles to keep an appointment, I think Nathan's feeling that the kid was behaving like an irresponsible, self-centered flake was understandable. A bit unfair from our point of view, since we knew better -- but understandable when Peter consistently refused to explain his odd behavior.
That is exactly what happened, a good moment of dramatic irony (yet furthering my future thesis for my dissertation that "comics are one of the best forms of contemporary literature. Not only combining superb modernistic writing but at the same time combining through the use of drawings" (go read "metamorphosis", although different it reminds me of Spider-man and almost every Intro to Lit class reads this)). I just read it not too long ago. I think although Nathan's words were harsh they were completely merited. Having not known Peter's identity he had no understanding, and it was a good moment for Peter to be made aware the importance of his Aunt.

Side Note: Obviously with Peter's identity public now this could never happen.....

[Mariah]

This cover haunted me...I dont see why I cant have others haunted by Aunt May in a wedding dress.

http://www.allsf.net/Images/SFbd/US1/Spiderman%20131.jpg
Seriously, why would she choose to wear white? the woman's old enough for us all to know...she ain't anywhere remotely like a virgin.

[jsg2295]

Seriously, why would she choose to wear white? the woman's old enough for us all to know...she ain't anywhere remotely like a virgin.
I hear sometimes...nevermind.
Yeah that Nathan sure was a character!!

[Mikl C]

There was a really cute issue where she was putting flowers on Ben's grave and some other guy is visiting his wife's grave and they kinda hit it off. Can anyone remember that?