CBR Spider-Man Forum FAQ

[Mister Mets]

I've been meaning to do this for a while now, inspired by a similar thread in the X-Men forum.

If you have a specific question that can be asked and answered without debate, or wish to correct something I've posted here, please post it in this thread or PM me. If it qualifies as an FAQ it will be added once answered.

If you have a question about subjective manners (IE- what's the best Green Goblin story? Was Ross Andru a good Spider-Man artist?), use the search function to see if any threads exist on those subjects. If no thread exists on this, start one.

[Mister Mets]

Amazing Spider-Man came to an end.... replaced by Superior Spider-Man.

Superior Spider-Man #11-13 will feature a prison escape involving characters Spidey beat up in the first ten issues.

Issues #14-16 have Superior Spider-Man VS Kingpin and Hobgoblin, as he tries to take over Shadowland. Spidey also gets a new costume.

Superior Spider-Man #17-19 by Dan Slott and Ryan Stegman has the return of Spider-Man 2099.

You can discuss what's coming next in general on a thread devoted to the subject of upcoming stories or covers, or click on the links provided to discuss the individual stories.

The Kingpin and the Rhino figure into "Family Business" an original graphic novel by Mark Waid, James Robinson and Gabrielle D'ellotto, introducing a woman who claims to be Peter Parker's sister.

[Mister Mets]

Chris Yost is the writer of the team-up title Avenging Spider-Man with Paco Medina and Carlo Barberi as rotating artists. It will soon be relaunched as Superior Spider-Man Team Up.

Christopher Yost remains the writer on the Scarlet Spider monthly, now in its second year. He is joined by artist Khoi Pham.

There will be a crossover between Scarlet Spider and Superior Spider-Man Team Up.

Cullenn Bunn is the new writer of Venom, taking the character to Philadelphia with artist Delcan Shavley. An early arc features the return of Eddie Brock as Toxin.

Morbius has a monthly title with writer Joe Keatinge and artist Richard Elson.

Alpha has a mini-series by Joshua Flakov and Nuno Plati.

Spider-Man will appear in a Savage Wolverine arc by Zeb Wells and Joe Mad. This is the long expected follow-up to their first arc of Avenging Spider-Man.

Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber will be the creative team of a monthly series The Superior Foes of Spider-Man, about the Sinister Six team introduced in Superior Spider-Man #1.

Joe Quesada also said there's one more story in the OMD/ OMIT trilogy, but it won't see print for a few years, if it's ever published.

[Mister Mets]

Every now and then you guys may notice that some of your comments are no longer in the thread in which you made them. To make navigation a bit easier, I figured I'd have one thread where all major moves would be discussed.

Sometimes I will decide a topic that comes up in a thread (and often threatens to derail it) merits its own thread. Or I may decide that some off-topic posts belong in another thread. Or for whatever reason, I may have to delete an entire thread, and many posts on a subject.

Case in point, a thread about an off-the-record conversation between one poster and writer Mark Millar was deleted at the original poster's request after he realized that he likely misinterpreted Millar.

Check out this thread, updated whenever I or ShaggyB make any significant changes.

[Mister Mets]

Well, there are the other subforums on CBR.

But here on the Spider-Man subforum, we have an off-topic megathread, to discuss whatever you want. It proved so popular that it's now in its second iteration.

In addition, there’s another politics thread, as it's a topic that comes up often enough here.

And a religion and philosophy thread, another topic that also comes up often enough here.

[Mister Mets]

616: Earth-616 or Earth 616 is the name used to identify the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place. It was a joke by Dave Thorpe in his Captain Britain run, because he thought it was unusual that superhero worlds were always designated with smaller numbers, such as DC's "Earth-1" and "Earth-2." Although it may also be a reference to the number of the Beast (theological scholars debate whether or not it's 616 or 666.) A few critics of the current direction refer to the post "One More Day" Spider-Man as existing in the 666 Universe. due to what they perceive as Spider-Man selling out to Satan.

AMZ or ASM generally refers to the title Amazing Spider-Man. FNSM refers to Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. SSM usually refers to Sensational Spider-Man. MKSM refers to Marvel Knights Spider-Man. USM refers to Ultimate Spider-Man. MASM refers to Marvel Age Spider-Man or Marvel Adventures Spider-Man. MTU refers to Marvel Team Up.

OMD refers to the storyline One More Day. BND refers to Brand New Day, a designation which is usually applied to the post-One More Day title and status quo, although it technically only appeared on the covers of Amazing Spider-Man #546-564. KLH refers to the classic storyline: Kraven's Last Hunt, while KFH can refer to a three issue story which ran in Amazing Spider-Man #565-567. NWTD refers to New Ways to Die, a six issue storyline which ran in Amazing Spider-Man #568-573.

PAD refers to writer Peter Allan David. JMD refers to writer J.M. Dematteis. JMS refers to writer J. Michael Straczynski.

[Mister Mets]

Amazing Spider-Man is the flagship Spider-Man title, set in the 616 or Classic Marvel Universe. It is currently produced three times a month. Previously Marvel had a habit of releasing Amazing Spider-Man once a month, and also including further adventures of the character in satellite titles, such as Spider-Man, Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, Marvel Team Up, Sensational Spider-Man, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and a few others.

Spider-Girl follows the former Arana.

The previous Spider-Girl book featured the teenage daughter of Peter Parker in an alternate reality.

Ultimate Spider-Man (briefly relaunched as Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man) follows the adventures of a teenage Peter Parker within the Ultimate universe.

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane was set in its own universe, and features stories in the perspective of high school student Mary Jane Watson.

Marvel Adventures Spider-Man is a self-contained title, with typically single-issue adventures of Spider-Man appropriate for readers of all ages, although it does feature ongoing storylines.

[Mister Mets]

Depends on what you mean by the last few years. And here will be spoilers.

In a well thought out plan, Peter Parker revealed to the world that he’s really Spider-Man during the Civil War crossover. Afterwards, Aunt May was shot by a hitman sent by the Kingpin, and left in a persistent vegetative state. Peter and Mary Jane Parker became fugitives.

When all efforts to revive Aunt May fail, Mephisto (a cosmic demon and Marvel’s Satan analogue) offers a deal: He’ll revive Aunt May, and erase the public’s knowledge of Spider-Man’s secret identity. But he wants Spider-Man’s marriage in return, because this will piss off the one he hates. Peter and Mary Jane eventually agree to do this, with Mary Jane demanding a guarantee that Mephisto leave Peter alone afterward.

Mephisto changed something on Peter's wedding day, so that he was unable to make it to his wedding and Mary Jane came to the conclusion that it would be best if they didn't get married. They still remained together, and most of the stories with a married Peter & MJ occurred the same way with the couple just living together. After Spider-Man unmasked, and Aunt May was rendered comatose, Kingpin's goons threatened Mary Jane's family. Aunt May recovered and Peter asked Dr Strange for help so that the world would forget that he was ever Spider-Man. Dr Strange arranges for a spell with the aide of Tony Stark and Reed Richards. Concerned that her family could be targeted in the future, Mary Jane breaks up with Peter. Peter eventually shares the information about his secret identity with the Fantastic Four and his fellow Avengers. As a consequence of the spell, no one can learn his superhero identity, unless he’s willing to tell them.

While J Jonah Jameson recovered from a heart attack, his wife Marla sold his stake in the Daily Bugle to Dexter Bennet, who changed it into a less reputable tabloid: the DB. Joseph “Robbie” Robertson quit, to join Ben Urich at the Frontline. Jonah was recently elected mayor of New York City in a special election. And he gave the rights to the Daily Bugle back to Robbie.

His father J Jonah Jameson Sr recently resurfaced, marrying Aunt May, who has been spending much of her time volunteering at the FEAST Center, a philanthropic organization run by billionaire Martin Li, unaware that he’s really the crimelord Mister Negative (and half the time, Martin Li seems unaware of this, too.) Mary Jane became the host of a fashion TV show.

Flash Thompson went back into the military, fighting in the War in Afghanistan, and lost his legs. He's now back together with Betty, and also the new Venom. It turned out Norman Osborn faked Harry Osborn's death. Harry separated from his first wife: Liz Allen and became engaged to Lily Hollister, who was outed as Menace, a new villain. Harry had to depart, along with Lily's son Stan, to avoid the forces of Norman Osborn. Peter Parker has recently begun dating Lily's best friend Carlie Cooper, a CSI.

Peter was blacklisted as a photographer for forging documents. But he now has a job for Computer Billionaire Max Modell, which also provides Spider-Man with access to cutting edge technology.

Spider-Man also recently joined the Future Foundation, the superhero team formerly known as the Fantastic Four.

As for the villains, Eddie Brock was somehow healed by Martin Li, a process which also transformed him into Anti-Venom, with the ability to cure others. Norman Osborn briefly became head of SHIELD, but now he's behind bars following a clusterfuck in Asgard. Hammerhead has received an adamantium exoskeleton and now works for Mister Negative, who has an obedient army he refers to as the "Inner Demons." A dying Doctor Octopus relies heavily on a new exoskeleton, and has reformed the Sinister Six, along with Electro, Sandman, the Chameleon, Mysterio and the Rhino.

[Mister Mets]

"The Brain Trust" was a term for the writing staff of Amazing Spider-Man post Brand New Day: Bob Gale, Marc Guggenheim, Dan Slott and Zeb Wells.

Later, the designation for the writing team became "The Web Heads." It came to consist of Bob Gale, Marc Guggenheim, Joe Kelly, Dan Slott, Fred Van Lente and Mark Waid.

Currently, Dan Slott is the primary writer of the main Spider-Man title. There have been occasional fill-ins.

[Mister Mets]

Spider-Girl starring may Parker, came to an end after more than 130 issues.

A new Spider-Girl series by Paul Tobin and Clayton Henry was launched starring Araña. It was cancelled after eight issues, and a three issue Spider Island tie-in. She was recently seen in Avengers Academy.

[Mister Mets]

A Newsarama article sums this up pretty well.

Shortly after One More Day was released, writer J. Michael Straczynski wrote a post for rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe, explaining that he requested having his name taken off of the final chapters of One More Day, because the story was changed from his original version, although this was Quesada's prerogative as Editor in Chief.

J Michael Straczynski then sent an e-mail to Newsarama, explaining his objection to the lack of clear answers to the big questions of OMD. He said Marvel's answer was "It's magic, we don't have to explain it."

Many fans on the internet have been bothered by the perceived disrespect inherent in the statement. It should be noted that it's not an exact quote, nor is it attributed to anyone in particular.

Quesada addressed the topic in an interview with CBR.

Hey, Sean, I didn't say those words. But, here's the thing, from what you're saying here, it's seems to me you're splitting hairs. You can suspend belief for some things, but not others? I would completely agree with you if the Marvel U didn't have magical based characters. I mean the Scarlet Witch said "no more mutants," and magically millions of mutants lost their powers because of "it." "It" being "Chaos Magic." While there is no explanation for Mephsito's magic, is it any different than Doctor Strange's or Wanda's? Whenever they've done things, it seems that "it's magic" is all the explanation fans have ever needed. So, not to be nit picky, but I don't se the difference?

[Mister Mets]

Joe Quesada summed up JMS's original plans, and how they've been changed for One More Day in an interview with the website an year and a half ago.

Mephisto was going to change continuity from as far back as issues #96-98 from 1971. In Joe's story, Peter drops the dime on Harry, and that helps get him into rehab right away. Consequently, MJ stays with Harry, and Gwen never dies and never has her affair with Norman, etc., etc. And in the end, Peter and MJ are never married.

Quesada was bothered by the way this approach would discount every issue of "Amazing" since that story arc, provide severe ramifications for storylines which were already well underway, and affect the entire Marvel Universe. He felt that the original plans were simpler and cleaner.

JMS disagreed with the plan, and provided a new script for the fourth issue, but Quesada and company reconstructed it, as he felt it was still missing some beats to get all the things across that they needed for the "Brand New Day" run.

If you're interested in the topic, there's a discussion about whether JMS's plans were better than Quesada's.

[Mister Mets]

There was some question about whether the last twenty years of Spider-Man comics were invalidated now that Peter and Mary Jane were never married.

The CBR interview addresses this topic.

Jonah Welland: So, to get this straight, OMD doesn't actually negate the previous 20 years of Spider-Man stories?

Joe Quesada: Exactly, that's precisely what we wanted to avoid. What didn't occur was the marriage. Peter and MJ were together, they loved each other -- they just didn't pull the trigger on the wedding day. All the books count, all the stories count -- except in the minds of the people within the Marvel U, Peter and MJ were a couple, not a married couple. To me, that's a much fairer thing to do to those of us who have been reading Spider-Man for all these years. Like I said, is it perfect? No. As far as we investigated, short of divorcing Peter, nothing really is.

As for what's changed...

Very simply, Peter and MJ were together, the wedding didn't happen. Peter proposed but something happened that cause the wedding to get derailed. What was that thing, what monkey wrench did Mephisto throw into their lives to prevent it, well that's a story for another day. There's also a very obvious rift between Peter and MJ at the end of OMD, what caused that is also something yet to be revealed. And then there's the Harry piece of the puzzle, ah that pesky Mephisto! So, yes, a lot of this will eventually be dealt with in "Amazing Spider-Man" moving forward, but not right away as we want to spend the majority of our time in "Brand New Day" looking forward to establish the new world and then later on deal a bit more with the past as it comes up.

The storyline Kraven's First Hunt included a reference to Kraven's Last Hunt, occurring when Peter and Mary Jane had moved in together, while they were married in the original story.

An exception has been Mary Jane's pregnancy, as Quesada felt it would be wrong for that storyline to exist without the marriage. So it seems the pregnancy never happened.

[Mister Mets]

JMS planned a story introducing the artificially aged children of Gwen Stacy and Peter Parker.

Joe Quesada vetoed the idea, arguing that it makes Peter Parker seem too old. So, when the storyline "Sins Past" came along, the father of Gabriel and Sarah Stacy was revealed as "Norman Osborn." It was revealed that Mary Jane had known this all along, and that Peter had never had sex with Gwen.

Joe came to me with a storyline that had Peter meeting these twins, one of which looked just like Gwen that of course he would be attracted to. These kids would turn out to be kids that he had with Gwen. Peter, of course, had no knowledge of it and would have to deal with the ramifications. In my world, there was no way I could go forward with this story as is. For starters, you're talking to a guy that feels that a married Peter Parker isn't the healthiest thing for the franchise since it ages the character. There is no way on planet earth that I could let him to have kids, Marvel almost made that mistake several years ago. And there were further implications of the story that were out of my comfort zone. First, it was the dealing with the repercussions of Peter and Gwen having unprotected or careless sex out of wedlock. Second, it would be dealing with Peter having kids out of wedlock; while, of course, he wasn't aware of having had them, there was always the possibility that the media could spin it that way. But in the end, it was mostly the idea of Peter having kids that I just balked at.

I had to tell Joe straight up that there was no way we could do this story the way he wanted to do it, so I offered up the option of having someone else be the father, perhaps Norman. I guess the one place where my story differs from Joe is that once I gave Joe the suggestion for Norman, it was up to Joe as to whether he wanted to write that story or not. I didn't demand that he write it; if he felt that it was that bad an idea, he could have just have skipped it all together. This conversation happened before he began writing the arc, so it wasn't like we were shifting the ground on him mid story. So, yes, I came up with the idea of Norman and still stand by it, but I assumed Joe also thought it was a cool idea, he did all the research and came back with a methodology within continuity that made it work; it was pretty damn brilliant. He wrote the heck out of the story -- it's one of my favorites. I understand that fans give us flack for so many of the things that we do, but that's part of what comes with the territory of working on these very old, established icons.

Gwen's lookalike daughter was Sarah Stacy. Gwen's son was Gabriel, who upon learning that Norman Osborn was his father, became the Grey Goblin. It was controversial.

Loose ends in the storyline were tied up within a few months in the storyline "Sins Remembered" in the Spectacular Spider-Man title, by Samm Barnes and Scott Eaton. It was not well-remembered.

Considering JMS wanted to use One More Day to retcon the story out of existence, there are some questions about its place in continuity.

In Warren Ellis's Thunderbolts, Norman Osborn mentions knocking up the blonde, and then killing her.

Spider-Man mentions a Grey Goblin in Amazing Spider-Man #549.

Norman Osborn doesn't seem to acknowledge Gabriel Stacy as a son in "American Son" although a figure in a tube is listed as "G. Stacy."

As Tom Daylight was kind enough to note, it is acknowledged in the Norman Osborn summarized history in the "Dark Reign: the Goblin Legacy" one-shot. And Gabriel Stacy has a role in the upcoming "Amazing Spider-Man Presents the American Son" mini-series.

[Mister Mets]

Several times, Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada said that he had three genies he wanted to put back into the bottle. These were things he believed had to be fixed in the Marvel Universe.

The first genie was that there were too many mutants. He felt that this meant that individual mutants weren't special and that this excused writers from coming up with origin stories for new characters. The solution was House of M, which pared the number of mutants down to 198.

The second genie was that the superheroes got along too well with each other. Quesada argued that this removed the tension from encounters between the characters.

The final genie was Spider-Man's marriage, and the solution was One More Day, in which Mephisto changed the past so that Peter & Mary Jane were never married.

He believed it was a mistake to marry off the couple in the first place.

There are those that say that OMD was an editorially created project when, in fact, it wasn't. However, the marriage of Peter and MJ was an editorially driven project. It had nothing to do with what was really going on in the books at the time and came completely from the top on down to the creators. The bottom line: It was a stunt. How come no one in fandom mentions this?

Anyway, the Spider-marriage, as conceived, didn't have anything to do with the comics. Here's how it happened.

Around 1986, circulation on the Spider-Man newspaper strip had begun to drop. Concerned about this, an editor from King Features had a conversation with Stan Lee about what they could do to generate new interest in the strip to get it picked up again by more papers. Somewhere during the course of that conversation, they hit upon the thing that newspaper strips have done for years to drum up interest -- marry off the lead characters.

So, at a certain point, Stan called up Marvel and let the folks there know that he was planning to marry Peter and Mary Jane in the newspaper strip at such-and-such a point. At the time, Mary Jane wasn't even dating Peter in the series, but [then EIC] Jim Shooter, not wanting the comics to get scooped by the newspaper strip or whatever, decided that the publicity surrounding the marriage (there was talk of a faux wedding ceremony taking place at Shea Stadium to commemorate the event) and the fact that this was Stan made it worth doing in the books as well.

The lead-up to the marriage is ridiculously rushed, as the creative team needed to move Peter and MJ from not dating to getting married in something like three months. So one issue opens up with Pete on top of a building musing about his life and what's wrong with it, and suddenly clicking on the notion that he should marry Mary Jane. He ends up proposing, following her back to Pittsburgh and learning about her upbringing in three issues. And then the wedding takes place. While the creators all did the best they could with the schedule, it was about as unconvincing a block of storytelling as was possible, especially given the pains that the Spidey creative teams had taken over the previous two years or so to indicate that Pete and MJ were no more than friends.

And at the time, most of the reactions in comic book stores was very much like what we're seeing now: This is fake, this is artificial, it's just a blatant media grab, they've ruined Spider-Man for all time, etc. But again, all of this somehow seems to be missing from any of the arguments that I hear with respect to the validity of the marriage and how OMD should never had happened.