So, should no one know Spidey's Identity?

[Rahul]

The only thing that has irked me with BND is that all his superhero compatriots like Daredevil, the FF and the New Avengers no longer know who he is (maybe except Captain America, 'cause he's dead).

Apparantly this is an attempt to bring back "no one knows who he is so he must be a creep" mentality among superheroes(as evidenced in those old Marvel superhero tales) for serial fiction's sake. Also to reinforce the fact that Spidey's a perennial loner(yeah right, he's as much as a loner as much as Wolverine and Batman).

I find it very lame. Then why people accomodate him in the New Avengers when there is distrust in the tea?. I dont see the team going "Oh wait, we dont know who you are, but thats cool.Oh wait arent there skrulls in our team?" It would have been better to take him off the team rather than plunge him into the Secret Invasion. But we know why he hasnt been($$$).

I always enjoyed Daredevil & Spider-Man teamups precisely for the reason they have so much insight in each other's lives(this was a missed opportunity in the Civil War, even if DD went to Europe that time).

Spider-Man and the Human Torch have always had that whole rivalry thing going on, and I still dont see why revelation of Spidey's ID had ruined that. It came to such an organci end in ironically Dan Slott's SM/HT series. Only to have it gone in the crapper.

Spider-Man and Wolverine are among the biggest icons in the Marvel Universe, and this ruins any chance of development between them furher than "wah! you kill! grr! you're a wimp!" as evidenced in Amazing Spidey 555.

Lets not forget the villains like Green Goblin and Venom. Therir knowing his identity is part of their villainous mystique, and as a result become better antagonists for other characters(see Thunderbolts). And yes I know that might be expained in the New Ways to Die arc, but I'm not feeling very confident in the execution.

Anyone else miffed at this?

[BlackToe]

In my opinion, I would'nt take that JRjr page very seriously in regards to his identity until you read a arc with something tangible to argue with.

Everyone knows that DareDevil and Wolverine SHOULD know his identity whether or not its concealed by a mask newly or otherwise. And Green Goblin and Venom are self-explanatory. Not to mention Torch and the F4 for reasons of them being so closely tied with the early life of Spider-man.

[The Shadow]

I only think DD (he can hear Peter's unique heart beats), Captain America, Wolverine (because of the smell thing) and the FF (especially Johnny) should know Peter's identity.

Everyone else should remain in the dark.

EDIT: Forgot Venom because of the symbiote.

[AbdulAziz]

May Reilly Parker
Mary Jane Watson Parker (meaning only as peters wife)
Felicia Hardy/Black Cat
Norman Osbourn 2nd (the original GREEN GOBLIN)
DareDevil & The Human Torch (Johnny Storm)

[Jim Thompson]

I only think DD (he can hear Peter's unique heart beats), Captain America, Wolverine (because of the smell thing) and the FF (especially Johnny) should know Peter's identity.

Everyone else should remain in the dark.

EDIT: Forgot Venom because of the symbiote.Add MJ to that list, and I think you've got it.

[CMBMOOL]

I only think DD (he can hear Peter's unique heart beats), Captain America, Wolverine (because of the smell thing) and the FF (especially Johnny) should know Peter's identity.

Everyone else should remain in the dark.

EDIT: Forgot Venom because of the symbiote.

Add Norman and MJ and I'm happy. :biggrin:

[Darkhalen]

the only people who should really know are:

Venom
Green Goblin
Black Cat

[Mister Mets]

I wouldn't mind Aunt May learning again some time in the future, but the idea that no one knows Peter's identity is something that could work for a little while.

Eventually Norman and Venom should learn it again. But it should be kept to a smaller circle than pre- Spider-Man Unmasked.

[Muscles Coleman]

Spider-Man constantly running for his life in both his costume and superhero identity really does nothing for me. I didn't like the unmasked stories, not because they were poorly written or unoriginal, but because they are indicative of what really would happen to him if everyone knew his identity. It's not a Spider-Man I'm interested in reading for a period of years.

As for Venom, Norman, et al. knowing who he is... it hasn't mattered in years that they know, not since Venom kidnapped Peter's parents and wouldn't tell them why (he protected his identity while holding them hostage for birthing Spider-Man... and they couldn't put two and two together). I guess Norman having Aunt May kidnapped was all about that too, but Peter could always have his family and life in danger because people still relate him to Spider-Man with his photos and whatnot. People still think he has a deal with Spider-Man for photo rights.

[ZT4]

Mary Jane should know it, she figured it out before, and she'd do it again, she's not stupid. She ought to know it as Peter's best friend AND his wife.

-Daredevil
-Johnny Storm
-Flash Thompson (originality for once)
-Liz Allen (originality for once, she'd have come to this conclusion sensibly YEARS ago)
-Felicia
-Anna Watson (It'd be an interesting twist if Anna beleived MJ when she told him Peter was Spider-Man, but hid it from the Parkers)
-Robertson

[Matt Linton]

The problem with arguing that MJ and Liz should have figured out that Peter is Spider-Man is that it also means that Betty, Flash, JJJ, and others should have figured it out, as well. At a certain point, if you're going to maintain the idea that Peter's got a secret identity, and that it sometimes causes problems with those closest to him, you have to draw a line somewhere.

My list would probably be MJ, if they lived together for any length of time, figuring it out, Robbie suspecting, but never confirming it, Venom, and maybe DD. The Avengers have had members throughout their past with identities that were hidden from them (the founders didn't know Stark was Iron Man for years, didn't learn Hawkeye's real name until quite awhile after he joined, etc) and done so after points where you'd think it'd be a requirement for them to know (duplicated by the Space Phantom, Wonder Man joining and being revealed as a double agent, etc), so I can live with it now. Norman is someone who has a built-in mechanism for learning Peter is Spider-Man and then forgetting it, and with him as head of the Thunderbolts, I prefer his not knowing.

[ZT4]

The problem with arguing that MJ and Liz should have figured out that Peter is Spider-Man is that it also means that Betty, Flash, JJJ, and others should have figured it out, as well. At a certain point, if you're going to maintain the idea that Peter's got a secret identity, and that it sometimes causes problems with those closest to him, you have to draw a line somewhere.

No, you dont. It's reallistic for some of the more intelligent supporting cast to figure it out. MJ did and hid it from Peter until she snapped, she doesnt need to be "co-habiting" with Peter to figure out who he is as his best friend.

Liz of course hates Spidey for what happened with Harry. There was great subtley with her character when Harry was the psycho living downstairs, you felt like she HAD figured it out (for a girl whose brother is The Molten Man, and her husbund is the Green Goblin...I mean COME ON, there's no denying she probably knew by then reallisticly). The fact the writers didnt flat-out "say it" gave Liz a kind of burden to cope with (often badly, until Jenkins Goblin story), and gave her a schizophrensic, on/off attitude with the Parkers.

I love that Ultimate Peter cant keep his identity secret to save his life, it's a real slap of reality to old fart mentality of how things "should be done", and all the more fun for it. Keeping a secret identity from supporting castmembers that are able to know better is fracking stupid, but also boring.

[ReggieWhiteJr]

In all honesty, I think some people outside of MJ and Norman should know Peter is Spider-Man. 46 years of Spidey I don't think think many of the people Peter knows should still remain so clueless. Ben Urich figured it out so I think some others should have as well. Really, I think more than a handful of people should have put two and two together eons ago.

[Matt Linton]

In all honesty, I think some people outside of MJ and Norman should know Peter is Spider-Man. 46 years of Spidey I don't think think many of the people Peter knows should still remain so clueless. Ben Urich figured it out so I think some others should have as well. Really, I think more than a handful of people should have put two and two together eons ago.

If you look at it from the context of the Marvel Universe, though, it makes sense. Peter's only been Spider-Man for about 10 years, and many of the folks around him haven't been there that whole time. Plus, it's like the Superman thing (not the glasses). Folks don't figure out that Clark Kent is Superman because they can't really imagine Superman HAVING another identity, and if he has one, why would he be that nebbishy reporter Clark Kent? I think folks tend to think of Peter as a great guy, but kind of a flake and he runs off at the first sign of trouble. For us, that's a convention that says "superhero", but for the folks who live in his world, it isn't.

[StoneGold]

Thing is, it's not that no one has ever known who Pete was, but that no one knows now.

[ViciousX]

MJ should know... probably does know.
Norman should know.
Black Cat should know.
Aunt May should know... only time she was ever relevant.
And the New Avengers should know. Daredevil too.

[Jim Thompson]

MJ should know... probably does know.
Norman should know.
Black Cat should know.
Aunt May should know... only time she was ever relevant.
And the New Avengers should know. Daredevil too.I could live with the Black Cat, but I'm of the opinion most of the superhero world (e.g. the Avengers) should not know who Spider-Man really is. Something was lost when everyone in the known universe knew who Spidey really was.

[The Shadow]

Mary Jane should know it, she figured it out before, and she'd do it again, she's not stupid. She ought to know it as Peter's best friend AND his wife.
She's NOT his wife anymore and apparently hasn't been his best friend in a while either.

[The Shadow]

Why do all you folks think Norman should know?

[ZT4]

And the New Avengers should know. Daredevil too.

Nah, Spidey needs to show those unlovable frat boy losers (precisly how there written in that title) he's too cool to hang around with them

[Winter Bolt]

I keep to my idea of a Doctor Strange point of view that when he returns that he is the only one who knows of the Parkers past but forces himself to respect MJ and Peters decision so as to give a feeling and reaction that connects the reader with the journey of absolution of the sorceror supreme and acknowledgment that his obligation to restore himself for the greater good of mankind in the duties he should be performing.

A one shot or inclusion that contains Strange dealing with his actual (here to stay for a good while) return with reaction to BND, SI, ect with him being the first to give an inner voice to the deal with Mephisto. It wouldn't have to deal with Strange carrying regret or anger or what he would have done, but mostly acceptance and joy for his friends. Sort of a OMD deal (the mcphisto) where he touches personally upon the subject (or a series of subjects that he was not available for or screwed up on, CW, PH, OMD, SI, ect and its dropped. Maybe have the Watcher visit Strange and fill him in on everything that's gone on, because I would love to see some more interaction between the two. Not a guilt trip but sort of a buddy buddy thing.

I'd like Strange to be the first confirmation, but with no interaction on that knowledge. I'd enjoy Spidey being unknown for many many years to come. That would be the best thing to counter and make the CW unmasking worthwhile to me. I want to see how long they can keep his identity hidden, that would interest me. So... some well written close calls, misunderstandings, wannabes and fakes will be fine. I just really hope Marvel doesn't start this huge trickle of people finding out or knowing his identity. DD shouldn't know him, and Wolverine shouldn't know him unless they meet Pete and they should never meet Pete. Same with Venom and Norman and everyone else, specially MJ. No one should know Peter is Spider-Man, not for many many years if at all.

Oh, except Carlie right before she dies... oh and Vin before he dies too, but other then that, no one.

[AbdulAziz]

Why do all you folks think Norman should know?
Before Norman knew who is Spider-Man he only wanted to get rid of Spider-Man to be a gangster leader.
Him knowing Peter's alterego is what made the Green Goblin the most interesting most diabolical and most dangerous foe of Spider-Man.

[The Shadow]

Before Norman knew who is Spider-Man he only wanted to get rid of Spider-Man to be a gangster leader.
Him knowing Peter's alterego is what made the Green Goblin the most interesting most diabolical and most dangerous foe of Spider-Man.

Fair enough!

But don't you think that time has long passed? I groaned audibly at the end of Millar's MK Spider-Man run when it was revealed Norman was *yawn* behind May's kidnapping and manipulating everything.

[mcgaffer]

Personally i feel that some here's should know based on their abilities. Wolverine, Daredevil, Dr. Strange, Mr.Fantastic, Iron Man. With their resources and abilities its not right that they don't know who he is. Iron Man in particular has made it his mission to know everything about every hero. Spider-Man's running around down there and Stark has psychics and mystics under contract. He has the best technology in the world barring Doom and the FF. Trust me he knows. And he probably knew about half an hour after Mephisto wiped everyone's minds.

We've also got the X-pschics like Emma and the Professor, they could know in a second if they want. Doom could figure it out easily. I would like to keep his identity to a minimum but unless Professor X and/or Dr. Strange do an Earth level mindwipe ala Sentry where no one will be able to even remember him and then he keeps to the shadows then it's not happening.

Even if it is kept to a minimum and most hero's abilities and resources are ignored in keeping the mystery alive i would still like Nick Fury and Loki to know his identity. Loki owes him a favour and Fury has always had a Layla Miller level of ability for knowing stuff.

[metalhead_dave743]

Personally, I feel that the only people that should have known his identity would be...

EVERYBODY! Peter Unmasked on live TV, Marvel should have ran with it for awhile.

[BlackToe]

Personally, I feel that the only people that should have known his identity would be...

EVERYBODY! Peter Unmasked on live TV, Marvel should have ran with it for awhile.

I think they should'nt have did that in the first place. It would've sent Spider-man into a downward never-ending cycle of villains going after his family and it would fuck up Peter's sub-story with his few remaining supporting cast members. It would be entertaining at first to get their reactions, but after that, that would be it.

[Jim Thompson]

Personally, I feel that the only people that should have known his identity would be...

EVERYBODY! Peter Unmasked on live TV, Marvel should have ran with it for awhile.While OMD was possibly the single worst arc done in Spider-Man's history, I personally think having Parker unmask was the single worst decision ever made for the character. It was a move completely out of character, guaranteeing another one of his family was going to be killed at some point in the future. Talk about a lack of responsibility!

[metalhead_dave743]

I think they should'nt have did that in the first place. It would've sent Spider-man into a downward never-ending cycle of villains going after his family and it would fuck up Peter's sub-story with his few remaining supporting cast members. It would be entertaining at first to get their reactions, but after that, that would be it.

Personally I think it would have added a new dynamic to Peter/JJJ. I thought they should have developed that more and it could have been a really cool angle.

I also would have been up for seeing like a "Spidey on the run" type of scenario for a bit. Sort of like the Hulk... I'm just saying they wasted a lot of possibilities there.

While OMD was possibly the single worst arc done in Spider-Man's history, I personally think having Parker unmask was the single worst decision ever made for the character. It was a move completely out of character, guaranteeing another one of his family was going to be killed at some point in the future. Talk about a lack of responsibility!

Well giving the circumstances, he knew Stark had his back and could protect his family. The only reason that went into the shitter is because Spider-Man couldn't handle the negative zone prisons and decided to become anti reg.

[Venom]

The people who should know that Peter Parker is Spider-Man.

Mary Jane
Aunt May
Norman Osborn (Green Goblin)
Eddie Brock (Venom)
Daredevil
Black Cat
The Fantastic Four
Wolverine
Iron Man

[Rev. Calibos]

Heroes: Daredevil, Human Torch

Friends, Family: Aunt May


When she learned he was Spiderman I was a bit wary but it was handled very well and Aunt May became more than just a heart attack waiting to happen.

This is it, no one else should know about Peter's identity.

[Jim Thompson]

Well giving the circumstances, he knew Stark had his back and could protect his family. The only reason that went into the shitter is because Spider-Man couldn't handle the negative zone prisons and decided to become anti reg.Ridiculous. Jarvis had the bejesus beaten out of him by the Masters of Evil. There's no way Tony could always ensure the safety of Peter's family. It was an incredibly stupid move for Peter to unmask, an incredibly irresponsible thing to do. Completely and totally out of character for him. It is a perfect example of bending a character to execute a plot-line.

[BlackToe]

It was too obvious and dumbheaded for Peter to do what he did without thinking, "Jeez...those criminals I've fought over the years that wanted to kill me all those times will go after my family to get to me. Venom did it, Norman did it...I cant put them in danger like that for every joe villain with a grudge. I could barely handle Eddie and Norman"

[ReggieWhiteJr]

Personally, I feel that the only people that should have known his identity would be...

EVERYBODY! Peter Unmasked on live TV, Marvel should have ran with it for awhile.

Yeah, but no one in the Marvel U has a effin' Tivo! Wasn't that stuff shown Live? Oh wait, magic, yeah, never mind. :biggrin:

[Matt Linton]

Galactus' attacks on the Earth have probably been broadcast on every 24 hour news network, and yet there are still folks in the Marvel Universe that don't believe in aliens.

[Tobias Drake]

Galactus' attacks on the Earth have probably been broadcast on every 24 hour news network, and yet there are still folks in the Marvel Universe that don't believe in aliens.

Thor was an Avenger for years and yet there are still folks in the Marvel Universe that don't believe in polytheism. :tongue:

[Pheonix-NoRelation]

May Reilly Parker
Mary Jane Watson Parker (meaning only as peters wife)
Felicia Hardy/Black Cat
Norman Osbourn 2nd (the original GREEN GOBLIN)
DareDevil & The Human Torch (Johnny Storm)

My list is your list plus Venom and Dr. Curt Connors

[B. Kuwanger]

Ridiculous. Jarvis had the bejesus beaten out of him by the Masters of Evil. There's no way Tony could always ensure the safety of Peter's family. It was an incredibly stupid move for Peter to unmask, an incredibly irresponsible thing to do. Completely and totally out of character for him. It is a perfect example of bending a character to execute a plot-line.

The people who would hunt down Spider-Man aren't exactly up to putting Hercules in a coma. And I don't think it's out of character for a character known to be human to make a mistake, even it's a big one. OMD was executed poorly, yeah, but the bottom line for that whole period to me is that Peter was put on the spot, made a bad decision, and paid the price, and that's nothing new.

That said, DD should learn his identity again, because they'll need to get closer and rely on each other if they wanna get out of the gutter anytime soon.

[Mister Mets]

The following could know Spider-Man's identity....

Norman Osborn
Venom (Mac Gargan)
Eddie Brock
Nick Fury
Mary Jane Watson
The Black Cat
Aunt May
The Chameleon
The Puma
Doctor Curt Connors
The Fantastic Four
Daredevil
Wolverine

But only half of them should (and in this, I count the Fantastic Four as one entity). It should remain a secret to some individuals you'd expect to know his ID.

[Alan2099]

Really, I hope Norman doesn't remember it. I think they've ran that storyline into the ground as far as they could go with it.

[ViciousX]

Really, I hope Norman doesn't remember it. I think they've ran that storyline into the ground as far as they could go with it.

Well, you hate the character, so of course you'd say that.

Me, I hope Brock doesn't remember it. He's too worthless to know it. Heh, at least I'm more honest about it ;)

[Alan2099]

No. I like Green Goblin. What I don't like is the the Hannible Lector/Kingpin mix the character has become in recent years.

[CMBMOOL]

While OMD was possibly the single worst arc done in Spider-Man's history, I personally think having Parker unmask was the single worst decision ever made for the character. It was a move completely out of character, guaranteeing another one of his family was going to be killed at some point in the future. Talk about a lack of responsibility!

I thought that while the Unmasking was a bad decision, they could have ran with it for a little while longer. :frown:

[Uubu]

As far as the heroes go,

1. Human Torch - It makes the rivalry between them richer.
2. Daredevil - because of his senses and because he and Peter have a lot in common.
3. Black Cat - Let's not retcon that relationship as well.
4. Wolverine - He's known Peter's identity for years. It seemed like every time there was a Spidey/Wolverine crossover, the writers would forget that Wolverine knew who Peter was and would have him figure it out again by the end of the story. Besides, I think it would make a cool dynamic if Wolverine was the only one on the Avengers who knew.

[ZT4]

But only half of them should (and in this, I count the Fantastic Four as one entity). It should remain a secret to some individuals you'd expect to know his ID.

Because to have any find out again would hamper the brilliant writing you dread:rolleyes:

[AbdulAziz]

The following could know Spider-Man's identity....

Venom (Mac Gargan)
Nick Fury
The Chameleon
Doctor Curt Connors
The Fantastic Four

But only half of them should (and in this, I count the Fantastic Four as one entity). It should remain a secret to some individuals you'd expect to know his ID.
The "NO" list from your choices, except for Johnny Storm

[Mister Mets]

Because to have any find out again would hamper the brilliant writing you dread:rolleyes:As I noted I'd have a few individuals learn his identity. But it should for the most part remain a secret. I wouldn't want half the supporting cast/ Marvel Universe to know it.

The "NO" list from your choices, except for Johnny Storm
The Chameleon's ability to play mind games plays better if he knows Spider-Man's identity.
The Fantastic Four knowing would link Marvel's biggest franchises.
Mac Gargan knowing allows Venom to stalk Spider-Man.
Doctor Curt Connors could help out Spider-Man every now and then, but he's too unreliable to always be able to get involved.
Nick Fury is at the bottom of my list. It would be cool to have SHIELD not know Spider-Man's identity, but there's a lot of material to get from Nick knowing.