Hipster Spider-Man! Great Idea or Greatest Idea?

[Movie Theater Lad]

Ever since more and more photos of the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man film have been surfacing, I've been constantly peeved by the amount of people claiming that they're turning Peter Parker into a so-called "hipster". Why? Because of his clothes apparently. It seems that there are some people who associate glasses, military jackets, band shirts, and straight cut jeans with automatically making one a hipster, eventhough such ana ccusation is both baseless and unfounded. To show you what I mean, here are some photos.


http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/2856/spidermanparkerskateboa.th.jpg (http://img859.imageshack.us/i/spidermanparkerskateboa.jpg/)http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/248/tumblrlkwgjzeiz11qgz73l.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/tumblrlkwgjzeiz11qgz73l.jpg/)http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/384/article00bf4643d0000057.th.jpg (http://img705.imageshack.us/i/article00bf4643d0000057.jpg/)

Now, after thinking about it, I've actually come to the realization that having Peter Parker be modled after the typical "NEw York hipster youth" actually makes ALOT of sense! Here are some of my reasons.


He lives in Queens. The five borroughs of New York are a teeming with artistic and musically driven youth. Peter Parker being one of them would be nothing all that out of the ordinary.
He's a photographer. Derp.
Being interested in music, art, and fashion does not bar one from also taking up interest in math and science. There is nothing that says he still can't be a bookworm fo things like computers and biology and chemistry and all that other gobbledygook.
Being a hipster does not make one invincible to bullying. You can be a hipster and still be picked on by everyone and their mom for whatever reason. So that part of Peter's backstory is also still applicable.
Part of what made Spider-Man such a revolutionary character was the fact that the stories revolved just as much around his personal and social life as it did his heroics. Why not have him go to music stores, concerts, and cafes to hang out at?
Being a hipster does not automatically make you an asshole. It does not make you a jerk. HOWEVER, it certainly can act as a source for witty banter. I'm not saying he has to act like a he's written by Joss Whedon, but he IS known for his jokes when in Spider-Man form.
Marvel characters tend to have lots of personality and good character motiffs, especially for it's younger characters. Whether it be punk rock Dazzler from Ultimate Marvel, or the somber and Goth Rogue from X-Men: Evolution, it's really important to give younger characters a good sense of personal identity, to make them stand out from everyone else in the story. Having Pete be the ONE character who dresses like a typical NYC hipster kid wouldn't hurt anyone. In fact, it would make him much less bland compared to everyone else.
Pete is dirt poor and would probably shop at a thrift store anyway.
And the most important reason of all: Peter Parker gets shit on alot. Let the kid have some freakin' fun everyomce and a while.


So there. There are some of my reasons why Peter as a hipster would make sense, at least to me. It doesn't even have to be obnoxious, either. Some skinny clothes, some love for Indie music, give him a nice social life that involves a bit of clubbing and concerts. Not really much to ask for. He can still be picked on, sad and guilt driven, and the other things that make Peter Parker so great.

But what about you. What do you think? I'd love to hear your ideas.

[CyberHubbs]

Goddamn skinny jeans.

[Movie Theater Lad]

Goddamn skinny jeans.

Actually, they're straight cut jeans.

[CyberHubbs]

They look skinny to me! Get off mah lawn!

I have to see the guy in motion before I can decide just how Peter Parker-y he is for me. Definitely would not have been my first choice.

[sephiroth61787]

I wear skinny jeans, there's nothing wrong with them. You have to be rather skinny to wear them though (that was the whole point of them).

Peter could be a "hipster", but then again, going by what a majority of society thinks is hipsterish, a lot of young people do fit into the category.

Not a problem for me. Just make a good movie.

[TheAmazingSpidey]

I'm surprised a thread was made about the clothes before a thread was made about the skateboard.

[Ace Grayson]

I can't say I disagree with the direction they're taking for his persona.

[Kaim]

I'm surprised a thread was made about the clothes before a thread was made about the skateboard.

It's because everyone has already cried their tears of immense nerdrage over the skateboard in the movie megathread.

[Movie Theater Lad]

It's because everyone has already cried their tears of immense nerdrage over the skateboard in the movie megathread.

I don't get that.

So the kid likes to skateboard? Big deal. If anything, it would be a great way to get around the city without exposing his secret identity!

[CyberHubbs]

The skateboard isn't based on canon.

[Scott Taylor]

He seems less nerdy to me. Would such a person be shunned by his peers like Peter Parker was? Dunno about this if he really is a hipster. Peter was a flat out geek before he became Spider-Man.

Maybe once he gains Spider powers he becomes a hipster. That could work for me, because he did mellow out a bit on the geekiness.

[Chris N]

Dear lord, he does look like a hipster.

He's not a hipster, he's a nerd! And yes, they're mutually exclusive.

For posters on this board, look at me and Joe Rice. I am a nerd and he is a hipster. And we have nothing in common.

[Chris N]

He seems less nerdy to me. Would such a person be shunned by his peers like Peter Parker was? Dunno about this if he really is a hipster. Peter was a flat out geek before he became Spider-Man.

Maybe once he gains Spider powers he becomes a hipster. That could work for me, because he did mellow out a bit on the geekiness.

In fairness, hipsters do tend to be rightly shunned.

[MisterSmith]

The skateboard isn't based on canon.

Unless this takes place in a weird alt-universe in which Spider-Man is actually a professional skater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B_y6PnVUME).:eek:

[CyberHubbs]

That's what they get for drinking Pabst.

[Movie Theater Lad]

Maybe once he gains Spider powers he becomes a hipster. That could work for me, because he did mellow out a bit on the geekiness.

Oh yeah, totally. After he gains more self confidence, sure.

[Ramage]

Least he's not in a goddam hoodie...

[TheAmazingSpidey]

Maybe Peter wears them... "ironically."

http://assets0.ordienetworks.com/images/user_photos/1183279/tumblr_lgzky0Nvbi1qzm0mho1_1280_width_600x.jpeg?44 cb53da

[James Conniff]

Dear lord, he does look like a hipster.

He's not a hipster, he's a nerd! And yes, they're mutually exclusive.
No. Unfortunately, they really aren't. I'm definitely a Nerd, big into comics and pop culture, I wear my comic T-shirts and plastic glasses unironically, I drink good beer, but can be found at local independent coffee houses... and at hipster bars, and listen to indie music(classic rock too but that doesn't go along so well with this narrative)...
I've tried to argue it before but I'm self aware enough to realize that's what people think when they see me. They see a hipster, I just feel like a dork. But apparently being a dork is kinda hip.
Using the word hip, on the other hand, isn't.


For posters on this board, look at me and Joe Rice. I am a nerd and he is a hipster. And we have nothing in common.
Except a love of comics? I'm not familiar with this Joe Rice. Comics are for dorks and hipsters now, didn't you know?

Goddamn skinny jeans.
Straight cut, old man. Wearing a pair myself right now. They can hardly be called Skinny jeans unless you're a, ahem, "larger" fan of comics than myself.


I wear skinny jeans, there's nothing wrong with them. You have to be rather skinny to wear them though (that was the whole point of them).

Skinny is one thing, but I can't stand hipster men in paint on jeans. Hipster gals in skinny, skinny jeans, on the other hand, is one of my favorite things.


Peter could be a "hipster", but then again, going by what a majority of society thinks is hipsterish, a lot of young people do fit into the category.
*hangs head in mock shame*


Not a problem for me. Just make a good movie.
I think the dork/hipster look is perfect for Peter. And I think we're all in store for a very entertaining reboot to the Spider-man franchise.

[James Conniff]

Least he's not in a goddam hoodie...

Shut it. hoodies are comfy.

Also:
http://geektyrant.com/storage/page-images/Superherohipsters.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1 285008274346

[Ace Grayson]

Unless this takes place in a weird alt-universe in which Spider-Man is actually a professional skater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B_y6PnVUME).:eek:

You are brilliant.

[CyberHubbs]

Unless this takes place in a weird alt-universe in which Spider-Man is actually a professional skater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B_y6PnVUME).:eek:

I will not be upstaged.

WILL NOT.

[SuperCooper]

If he and Gwen share a decaf chai latte, then that'll be crossing a line.

[Scott Taylor]

And sporting a beard while wearing a beanie!

[John Zaleski]

http://hipsterjew.com/files/2010/10/hipster-superheroes-by-caldwell.jpeg
http://twistedsifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/hipster-professor-x.jpg
http://uploads.neatorama.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/b8423633a74fd3ba74655c4fa9258df1-500x467.jpg
http://blog.geeksaresexytech.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/hip-iron1.jpg

[John Zaleski]

http://www.thereformedbroker.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Hipster-Hulk.jpg
http://walyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/hipster5.jpg

[Mister Mets]

I think the character would be too busy to be a hipster, as that's something that requires having some free time.

[Mister Mets]

http://www.thereformedbroker.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Hipster-Hulk.jpg
http://walyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/hipster5.jpg

You left out my favorite.

http://9.media.collegehumor.cvcdn.com/93/20/834ba56da2e0bf7ae5368d79b625a92a.jpg

[Lord Bravery]

haha where are those pictures from?

And hipsters, or anyone consciously trying really hard to be "hip" or "cool" should have their knee caps broken.

Cool should come natural, if it doesn't... that's not cool, man.

[Scott Taylor]

The Hulk with skinny jeans is my favorite. Lol!

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

I honestly don't understand the nerd-rage on Peter's look for this movie. It's like none of these people have gone outside and looked at kids. And yes, even the nerdy/dorky kids follow the fashion trends. And skateboards really aren't as niche as they used to be.

I'm still amazed by the amount of male teens that actually seek out skinny jeans and shirts that are 2 sizes too small. I remember the 90s when it was all about the baggy jeans.

[Prince Of Orphans]

:eek: O God, he is a hipster!

His look for this movie just doesn't seem right to me for some reason. Part of the mythos is actually being an outcast nerd, not being part of some lame underground counter culture.

But i digress, I know the clothes don't make the man, but it's undeniable that he distinctively looks the part. :\

[Chris N]

And yes, even the nerdy/dorky kids follow the fashion trends.

No, they don't. They have real concerns on their mind that make them too busy to care about unimportant things like fashion. Like science and comic books.

And no, not comics like Eightball. Real comics.

[Movie Theater Lad]

No, they don't. They have real concerns on their mind that make them too busy to care about unimportant things like fashion. Like science and comic books.

And no, not comics like Eightball. Real comics.

Such as? Because now I'm worried the comics I read are not real comics.

[Hypestyle]

This Peter should be in the science club at this school. it is bizarre that this angle was absolutely never explored anywhere in the comics, 'toons, etc.

[RyanParkerMan]

They look skinny to me! Get off mah lawn!

I have to see the guy in motion before I can decide just how Peter Parker-y he is for me. Definitely would not have been my first choice.

With ya brother. And a Ramone's shirt. They're turning Pete into a punk skater. Dissaprove.

[RyanParkerMan]

And what's with this, "I wear skinny jeans because I'm skinny" stuff? Most skinney men don't wear skinny jeans because they're feminine. Sorry to say. I'm a 30-30 and i don't wear skinny jeans.

[T Hedge Coke]

All I can think of is when Peter tried to argue with MJ that Eric Clapton was "edgy."

And did someone just say Eightball isn't a real comic? (Is it just a really good facsimile, then?)

[Duy]

I can honestly say that if people didn't keep pointing out what a hipster was, I wouldn't even be aware what a hipster is.

It's not like their fashion sense is as distinct as, say... punk rockers.

[T Hedge Coke]

With ya brother. And a Ramone's shirt. They're turning Pete into a punk skater. Dissaprove.

Because Peter Parker would never listen to thirty year old music! It's too new! Too intense!

Surely, there's some Bing Crosby t-shirt they could put him in? (Because that wouldn't be hipster-ishly "ironic" at all.)

[kidnicky]

This reminds of last year,when they showed Clark Kent wearing a hoodie,you know,like EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD DOES and the internet bitched and moaned and the book didn't lose any sales.

How does PP look like he's part of a “lame underground counterculture”? He looks like half the guys I know look. OMG he listens to today's cutting edge shock rock like......THE RAMONES?!?! Don't get me wrong I like the band but I don't really consider them part of the Brooklyn indie scene,I'm pretty sure my dad likes them.
He rides a skateboard? Oh noes? Why would a 20 year old male with super agility skate? Come on guys,if you got bit by that spider you'd be rail grinding 15 minutes later,it's just a natural fit.
I guess I don't understand why nerds would be so butthurt that one of their heroes dresses in a halfway cool manner? Are you guys jealous that he's drawing attention away from your sweatpants/Punisher T-shirt combo?

[Movie Theater Lad]

Are you guys jealous that he's drawing attention away from your sweatpants/Punisher T-shirt combo?

The hillarious part is how many comic book fans, especially in New York, actually DO look like total hipsters anyway.

[T Hedge Coke]

The hillarious part is how many comic book fans, especially in New York, actually DO look like total hipsters anyway.

I think a third of this thread probably does and they just don't want Spidey copping their style, 'cause it's theirs, he's been around forever, and he pr'y looks better in tight jeans than they do.

But, it's comics, it's fandom, and it's the internet. Add those together, and you get things like someone once telling Kurt Busiek that ladies Jan van Dyne's age don't wear t-shirts or say "ass." Or freaking out on modern Iron Man writers because Tony Stark can't have a twitter account or do podcasts because he's not a rich teenager (not anymore, anyway).

Sweatervests for everyone!

(Shit! That's hipsterish too! ^@$&ing hipsters have taken everything.)

[Prince Of Orphans]

How does PP look like he's part of a “lame underground counterculture”? He looks like half the guys I know look.

Um...Sorry?

[Kaim]

Um...Sorry?

Gonna have to agree with kidnicky... have you set foot on a high school or college campus lately? You'll see lots of guys looking like this. What I guarantee you won't see is checkered shirts and suspenders. This is what teenagers look like. Yes, even the ones obsessed with science who never go out and think homework is fun. Hipsterism stopped being both underground and counterculture a long time - about the time it stopped being "indie" and started being "hipster," in fact.

[kidnicky]

Um...Sorry?

It's jeans and a t-shirt,pretty basic stuff. What else would he wear?

[sephiroth61787]

I can honestly say that if people didn't keep pointing out what a hipster was, I wouldn't even be aware what a hipster is.

It's not like their fashion sense is as distinct as, say... punk rockers.

Exactly. What people think may be hipster...is actually not hipster.

I really can't believe there's a thread 4 pages long about the way people look. Honestly? Who cares?

[Prince Of Orphans]

Maybe the hipster revolution hasn't reached Canada yet. I'm not trying to be derogatory or anything, but anyone dressed like that here would be considered a hipster and it's kind of rare. On college campuses the only hipsters are art students and not even half of them at that. Sorry for offending anyone.

And yeah, i know it doesn't matter, in fact i stated it in my first post which a lot of you have conveniently ignored, but i still think he looks the part.

[Kurt Busiek]

Add those together, and you get things like someone once telling Kurt Busiek that ladies Jan van Dyne's age don't wear t-shirts or say "ass."

Heh. Jan's in her early thirties at most.

Someone should tell my wife that women don't wear T-shirts or say "ass" once they're out of their twenties.

Heck, someone should tell the cast of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.

kdb

[Kevin Nichols]

To all you young bucks who don't get why Pete is wearing a Ramones T-shirt, give this a listen to. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5P8lrgBtcU)

As to the rest of it, I'm honestly not sure what a hipster is exactly, but Pete looks like a pretty average New York City teen to me. Skateboard and all. No problems with any of the pictures I've seen.

[Duy]

I've been wearing jeans and a T-shirt constantly since I was in high school. When I was in college in the US, I did the same thing except with a leather jacket. Not because I was making a statement or joining a gang or a fan of 80s speed metal bands. It was just because leather was the best thing to keep the cold from getting to me.

Sometimes, people just dress one way because they like it.

[Alan2099]

I've been wearing jeans and a T-shirt constantly since I was in high school. When I was in college in the US, I did the same thing except with a leather jacket.
You should probably have bought a new T-shirt by now.

[Kaim]

Maybe the hipster revolution hasn't reached Canada yet. I'm not trying to be derogatory or anything, but anyone dressed like that here would be considered a hipster and it's kind of rare. On college campuses the only hipsters are art students and not even half of them at that. Sorry for offending anyone.

And yeah, i know it doesn't matter, in fact i stated it in my first post which a lot of you have conveniently ignored, but i still think he looks the part.

As a university student in Ontario, I can fully assure you that the hipster revolution has reached Canada.

[Prince Of Orphans]

As a university student in Ontario, I can fully assure you that the hipster revolution has reached Canada.

Better stock up on ammo then :P (Of course I'm joking)

Sounds like Toronto. Must be UofT or OCAD. Am i right? I know a lot of hipsters hang around the Yorkville and College areas as well. Aside from there i don't really know of any condensed hipster population in Toronto. Maybe because they're so underground :P.

And contrary to popular belief, there are "nerds" who fit the "nerd" stereotype like Peter Parker did. They still exist, show them some love Marvel :(

[Duy]

You should probably have bought a new T-shirt by now.

You laugh, but I met my fiance wearing a T-shirt I had then owned for 10 years.

It's an awesome little detail when I tell the story to my high school friends. "What? You still own that thing?"

[Kaim]

Better stock up on ammo then :P (Of course I'm joking)

Sounds like Toronto. Must be UofT or OCAD. Am i right? I know a lot of hipsters hang around the Yorkville and College areas as well. Aside from there i don't really know of any condensed hipster population in Toronto. Maybe because they're so underground :P.

And contrary to popular belief, there are "nerds" who fit the "nerd" stereotype like Peter Parker did. They still exist, show them some love Marvel :(

I'm a UWO man myself, though I visit friends both in Toronto and Ottawa pretty regularly and it's like a breeding ground as you get closer and closer to the various campuses. It's maybe a little more true of OCAD, but everyone's got 'em - U of T, Ryerson, York, uOttawa, Carleton... everyone.

[Prince Of Orphans]

I'm a UWO man myself, though I visit friends both in Toronto and Ottawa pretty regularly and it's like a breeding ground as you get closer and closer to the various campuses. It's maybe a little more true of OCAD, but everyone's got 'em - U of T, Ryerson, York, uOttawa, Carleton... everyone.

I don't doubt it.

Waterloo is pretty hipster friendly. All the people I knew in high school who went to Waterloo are hipsters now lol.

[Kaim]

I don't doubt it.

Waterloo is pretty hipster friendly. All the people I knew in high school who went to Waterloo are hipsters now lol.

All the people I knew in high school who went to Waterloo are crackheads now. Same difference? :wink:

But yeah, as to the actual topic at hand, while I certainly wouldn't classify this perceived hipsterizing as a "great idea" I also wouldn't classify it as a terrible idea, and will ultimately have little bearing on the execution of the movie or its overall quality (or lack thereof).

[Prince Of Orphans]

But yeah, as to the actual topic at hand, while I certainly wouldn't classify this perceived hipsterizing as a "great idea" I also wouldn't classify it as a terrible idea, and will ultimately have little bearing on the execution of the movie or its overall quality (or lack thereof).

Absolutely. It's too early to tell, especially from still shots, but as long as they portray him accurately I won't have a problem with what he's wearing.

I'm seeing this indefinitely just for Emma Stone anyways.