Derek Does…Television: “Swinging through Life with The Spectacular Spider-Man”
The VHS tape slides into the VCR with a loud click. I wait on bated breath as the commercial ends and the show I’ve been dying to see finally flickers to life on the fuzzy, boxy television screen. I frantically click the record button on the remote as the opening theme begins, and I hear the words pour out of the speakers - “Livin’ on the edge…”
The riveting song barrels through my living room as I’m thrilled to see the newest Spider-Man animated series. My mom is begging me to lower the volume as she tries to get ready for a work call. It was her idea to record the show so I could watch it again later, so she really shouldn’t be so mad about how loud the volume is. Looking back on the show, the character, and this memory in particular, I relate to this interpretation of Peter Parker/Spider-Man because of the relationship at the core of his mythos: his is a story about a boy and his mom.
The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008), was a major update to the Spider-Man brand and resonated deeply with me because of how much it highlighted an amazing character I love, retold/adapted newer and classic stories from the character’s history, and emphasized the vital nature of his relationship with his surrogate mother - Aunt May.
At its core, The Spectacular Spider-Man (and really Spider-Man stories as a whole) is a story about a boy and his mother (aunt). Yes, the father-son relationship between Peter and his Uncle Ben is fundamental to how and why Peter became a hero. Yes, Uncle Ben delivered the iconic, imperative mantra that Spider-Man abides by in “With great power comes great responsibility.” However, it’s the mother-son dynamic between Aunt May and Peter that informs who he is and how he functions as a caring, heroic, and kind character. That dynamic is prevalent throughout this series’ ongoing narrative.
Peter Parker grapples with questions about guilt, responsibility, and power regarding his newfound abilities and the loss of his Uncle Ben as well as its extended consequences. Uncle Ben’s murder by a mugger comes as a direct result of Peter’s irresponsibility and arrogance. He could’ve stopped the mugger who killed his uncle, but he didn’t. It wasn’t “his problem.” He could’ve stopped the thief robbing the venue where Peter attempted to turn to professional wrestling to cash-in on his newfound powers, but he didn’t. He was getting back at the wrestling promoter who owed him money. Peter saw how his powers could benefit him - he didn’t bother to see beyond that scope. That arrogance and selfishness created the situation that resulted in Ben’s death, May’s grief, and Peter’s own guilt.
To that end, his care for his Aunt May stems from his love for her, sympathy for their losses, and his continuous attempts to atone for his own sins. At his core, Peter’s desire to care for his surrogate mother jumpstarts his superhero career. He’s Spider-Man because of his culpability in the death of his uncle and how that impacted his aunt and her life.
For example, Aunt May’s money troubles persist throughout the series’ two-season run. Therefore, Peter gets his job at the Daily Bugle taking photos of himself fighting crime as Spider-Man in order to support her financially. Even his career as a superhero is inspired by ensuring no one goes through the same trauma that he (and by extension his aunt) went through. He needs to use his power responsibly, just as Ben taught him.
Despite his great power though, Peter’s just a kid. It’s an indomitable feeling to be 15-16 years old and feel like you’ve lost everything in one moment - to have to pick up the pieces again, to find the will to put your taped-together world on your shoulders, plant your feet, and push on. Yet he does. It’s not sticking to walls or spinning webs that make him super. It’s his resilience. His ability to work through trauma, maintain a sense of optimism, accept his guilt, and still understand that a better tomorrow is waiting. That’s what makes him truly superheroic. That’s what he does as Spider-Man for the people of New York. That’s what he does for Aunt May as Peter Parker.
Many of the most compelling conflicts in Spider-Man/Peter Parker’s world arise when that delicate balance is threatened. In the series, Peter’s childhood best friend is Eddie Brock. Their parents were best friends, so Peter and Eddie were matched early and effectively. A year older than Peter, Eddie watched out for him at Midtown Manhattan Magnet High School (affectionately nicknamed “M3” by its students), guided him, and served as an older brother - especially after both their parents died in a freak plane crash (The Spectacular Spider-Man).
What’s fascinating here is that these are two young men defined and bonded by trauma. Their losses bound them together, and yet their building rivalry and tension arose from various personal indiscretions that creates the animosity that empowers Eddie to become Venom - a villain with many of the same abilities as Spider-Man. He vehemently hates both of Spidey’s identities based on previous real and misperceived slights that lead to a fractured friendship during the show’s first season. Throughout this fight with Venom, a deeply personal villain, both Spider-Man and Peter Parker were attacked, which provides an excellent symbolic opportunity for the character’s resilience to shine.
This direct confrontation of Peter Parker and Spider-Man’s lives creates this grating personal tension for the character that becomes further emphasized when dealing with the danger it puts Aunt May in - circling back to the mother-son concept. Once Eddie becomes Venom, he begins targeting those closest to Peter. He goes after the girls he’s shown romantic interest in and then his aunt. This was soon after May had a minor heart attack and was in the hospital, so Peter already had an increased sensitivity toward her. Venom’s targeted threat stung even more as a result (“Nature vs Nurture”). Venom knew that Aunt May was one of the quickest, easiest strategies for targeting Spider-Man and getting under his skin.
What this all articulates is not only Spider-Man’s resilience in facing down stronger adversaries who typically overwhelm him, or personal enemies who attack his alter ego, but Peter’s vital connection to his aunt/surrogate mother. As said above, Aunt May’s grief results directly from Peter’s inaction. However, he makes it his life’s mission to atone for that inaction by always using his great power with responsibility - one of his top responsibilities being May. In this conflict with Venom, that responsibility extends beyond just helping May with the bills - it means saving her life.
I know that feeling of responsibility intimately. Peter puts so much aside to be there for May. He puts aside his own desires to give May percentages of his Daily Bugle salary in order to pay the bills (“Market Forces”). In doing so, Peter notes how Aunt May is one of his responsibilities - that of course being a major theme of the character and his world based upon his famous mantra.
While I’ve obviously written extensively about my love for comics (and in particular Batman), Spider-Man is another favorite of mine. As a lifelong fan, this show’s interpretation is deeply meaningful to me - similar to my feelings for Batman: The Animated Series. The Spectacular Spider-Man accomplishes much of the same feats as Batman: The Animated Series in my estimation: it takes influence from great adaptations of the past and present, innovates on the characters and stories while staying true to their established cores, and created an indelible mark on the characters it adapted through high-quality storytelling, strong character development, and rich themes expressed through various storylines.
Consequently, the themes of responsibility, guilt, and obligation play directly to Peter’s interactions with May, and to my relationship with my own mom. I did everything I could to support her, take care of her, and provide for her. I didn’t have incredible spider powers (as far as I know). All I did know was that when my mom needed me I was there. No questions asked. I didn’t need any other explanation or reasoning. Watching this show at 13-years-old or so, I couldn’t ever imagine that I would be in similar wall-crawling shoes as Peter (again minus the spider powers).
Moreover, I identified with much of the pressure Peter felt to be a whole person for himself and for the person depending on him the most. He did all he could to go to school, be a friend, and be a web-slinging hero. Compounded on that, he then did all he could to be a provider, a support system, and a light in Aunt May’s life.
I was a student, a young man navigating life, and a son. I was no Spider-Man, but I did what I could. Whatever great power I had, I handled as responsibly as I could. These days, I find solace in the fact that Aunt May, no matter what, seemed so proud of Peter. Not because of his achievements, acumen, or abilities. She loved him for his kindness, his thoughtfulness, and his generosity. I can only hope I inspired half the pride in my own mom - spider powers notwithstanding. What this really proves to me is that great power may come with great responsibilities, but it comes from having a great mom.
Coming up on Derek Does…Movies:
A man of integrity faced with a world that’s changed.
He stands stalwart, saluting to the symbol adorning his chest.
Next Saturday (4/11) at 1:00 PM EST.
Works Cited
“Market Forces.” The Spectacular Spider-Man, developed by Greg Weisman and Victor Cook, season 1, episode 4, Sony Pictures Television, 22 Mar. 2008.
“Nature vs. Nurture.” The Spectacular Spider-Man, developed by Greg Weisman and Victor Cook, season 1, episode 13, Sony Pictures Television, 14 June 2008
The Spectacular Spider-Man. Developed by Greg Weisman and Victor Cook, Culver Entertainment / Sony Pictures Television, 2008–2009.