Do you think Spider-Man could/should lead the Avengers?

[Avenger08]

Okay, im not sure if anyone agrees with this, but i was thinking about the NA and i think that Spider-Man should lead the team.

I mean, he is very much experienced as a hero, and stands next to the ideals that the Avengers originally had. I thought he really has shown that he will stand up for the Avenger ideal, especially when he told Clint Barton that if they were going to kill Osborn, that he was leaving the team because he didnt want to be part of that. I know he hasnt lead a great deal, but does anyone else think that he would make a great leader of the Avengers?

[XPac]

Could and should are 2 different things.

I definately think he COULD do it. No doubt about it. He's an experienced hero with one of the truest moral compass' in all of comics. And when there's no Reed or Tony or Hank around, he's more times than not the smartest man in the room.

Should he lead? I'd probably say no simply because there are people with more leadership experience than Spidey. So even though I definately think Spidey COULD do it... he might be my third or so choice.

[Hrist]

Nooo, it takes him too far away from the root of the character. (Same reason I don't think Daredevil should join, despite liking him a lot.) His loner-ish aspects are a part of his charm, and I think he'd work better as the conscience of the group then the actual field leader.

[Shaka]

He seemed comfortable leading Tony's capekiller squads in Civil War so why not.

[Lintu]

I think there was a thread on this not long ago it may have been in the spidey fourums. I think he could lead but due to his character I don't think he would want the gig.

[Syrant]

I think Spidey could pull it off. I prefer him in the role he is now, though.

I think Wolverine would be a good leader. If he didn't dislike the idea of it and wasn't always busy, I mean.

[XPac]

Originally Posted by Lintu

I think there was a thread on this not long ago it may have been in the spidey fourums. I think he could lead but due to his character I don't think he would want the gig.

And I think that fact is really what has kept the NA from having any consistant leadership (not that they necessarily needed it).

Logan wold be a GREAT leader, aside form his occasional anger issues. The only reason he's not leading this team is because he doesn't want to (though the fact that he's not around a lot is a factor in that).

Strange was no strange to leading a team. He unofficially led the Defenders for a while. He probably could have done it as well.

And Carol certainly has the experience, though she didn't quite turn the world on it's side when she ran the MA (not that she really ran it).

Most of these guys COULD lead the team... and that's part of the reason why they arguably don't need a single leader. These guys are all experienced... they all know what they're doing. There's no ONE person in the room that necessarily outshines the rest (like a Cap might), so an informal structure kind of worked for them.

[arp2008]

Under Bendis? No. Under a creator who'll have him be more than a mere jest, utililize his intelligence, and maybe even add a tad bit more maturity to him? It'd be a bit of a stretch, but I could see it.

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by XPac

And I think that fact is really what has kept the NA from having any consistant leadership (not that they necessarily needed it).

Logan wold be a GREAT leader, aside form his occasional anger issues. The only reason he's not leading this team is because he doesn't want to (though the fact that he's not around a lot is a factor in that).

Strange was no strange to leading a team. He unofficially led the Defenders for a while. He probably could have done it as well.

And Carol certainly has the experience, though she didn't quite turn the world on it's side when she ran the MA (not that she really ran it).

Most of these guys COULD lead the team... and that's part of the reason why they arguably don't need a single leader. These guys are all experienced... they all know what they're doing. There's no ONE person in the room that necessarily outshines the rest (like a Cap might), so an informal structure kind of worked for them.

I don't disagree at all and I think there are some situations which fit certains members leading the team for that misson.

[samhalliwell]

He definately could, what with being a very good moral compass and all.

Now, I'm not sold on wether or not he should.

[Bingo!]

I can't see Peter ever accepting leadership this team or any team, to be honest. He's too aloof and feels enough pressure just trying to maintain his personal life. Peter would crack leading the Avengers.

[Avenger08]

Actually, i should have very much separatedd the "could" and "should"

[theSuperAlbino]

He could lead the Avenger, but I don't think he wants too, there's too much that goes on in his life for him to have to lead a team on top of that would probably be too much for him.

[GHalecki]

Originally Posted by arp2008

Under Bendis? No. Under a creator who'll have him be more than a mere jest, utililize his intelligence, and maybe even add a tad bit more maturity to him? It'd be a bit of a stretch, but I could see it.

Agree completely.

Peter has all of the necessary qualities to do a good job leading the team, except self confidance that is needed to get him through the times when things go bad. I could see him doing a job very similar to Captain Marvel when she led the Avengers. When things were okay she did a good job of directing. When things got tough, she didn't have what it takes to pull through. I see the same thing with Peter. The minute things went bad, he would blame himself for not doing a good enough job. It is in his make-up. He ALWAYS feels everything is his fault. To a certain extent that is admirable ina leader. But too large an extent and it is disasterous in a leader.
Not that this is in any way a knock on Peter (or Monica). If leading the Avengers was easy and everyone could do it, it wouldn't be anywhere near the impressive feat that Cap, Jan, or Clint did it so well.

But could and shoud are far apart.

COULD Steve Rogers take a comission and take command of the US Forces in Afghanistan, and do a fine job as a battlefield General in the tradition of Patton or Pershing, or Washington winning the war?
Absolutely he could do it and do a hell of a job of it.
But that kind of story is one that shouldn't be written (outside of a What If..? maybee).

[rocky123]

Could he? Yes, he has most of the qualities necessary in a leader. Particularly of a hero group. He has a moral compass right on par with Captain America and will make sure the team adheres to a higher standard and act like heroes. As far as the current NA he is the smartest guy on the team and has as much battle experience as any of them. He is respected by the group (although less so when Bendis writes him as the court jester and comedy relief ). I think there are two things he lacks which are battlefield experience leading a group and the ability to inspire the team like Cap did. Because of the way he is written as part of the NA I think it would be hard for them to really take him seriously all the time. I wouldn't mind him leading the team, at their request, against Norman since he knows him best. He won't pursue leading the team but would accept it if they all thought it was the best plan of action against Norman. He could then realize the gravity of the situation and at least for an arc or two be a serious leader. This could then allow him to be taken more seriously and be respected more by the rest of the NA even after he relinquished leadership after taking down Norman.

Now should he lead them on a permanent basis? Probably not but they should defer to him in some areas specifically science stuff. Even if it's Luke prodding him something like "C'mon you're the one with the big brain here", Pete is the science guy and they all know it so he should be their go to guy in that realm.