The milestone issue number 700 saw one of comics most beloved heroes die. He dies battling his long time nemesis Doc Ock, during which their minds switched bodies leaving Peter in the helpless of his one time mentor. Peter Parker was the every man superhero. Yes, he gained his power through a radioactive spider bite but given who he was prior and who in a lot of ways continued to be, everyone identified with him. He was kind of a dork and an awkward teenager. He didn’t always do the right thing and he wasn’t always selfless. It’s these reasons among so many that we the avid readers felt such a connection.
Will Peter Parker ever return? Of course. Comics are like your mom’s soap operas. No one ever really remains dead. Whether it was Superman, Captain America, Bruce Wayne or the countless others during DC’s Blackest Night story arc, where there is a will, there is a way. There is an old saying that you never know how much someone means to you until they are gone. Not only does that work profoundly in real life, but in all things that entertain us as well.
Debut issue 1962
“With great power, comes great responsibility.” ~ Uncle Ben to his nephew Peter prior to his own passing that would set Peter on a course to greatness.
His last great act as a hero was to share his memories with Doctor Octopus which will have a lasting affect on the Doctor who now assumes the role of the webslinger. By doing so, he passes on what his uncle had done for him so many years ago. We should all carry ourselves in such a way.
By the way, a near mint Amazing Fantasy No. 15 is worth $140,000 today.
James aka “The Dork Knight” is a blogger and writer based out of Upstate New York. For James, it all started with a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… when he dragged his mom to see The Empire Strikes Back 10 weeks in a row. He lives and breathes nerd culture. James is proof that a Star Wars fanatic can be a passionate Trekkie as well. So much so James dressed up as Captain Kirk to the premiere of Star Trek VI in 1991 and still has the uniform.
When it comes to Comic Books, Sci-Fi or Fantasy whether in print or digital, in the theatre or on my TV screen, I’m all about it and I love it. So bring your Phaser (set to stun), Lightsaber, Sonic Screwdriver, a Wand, Mjolnir or the Ring to rule them all, because this site is for the dork in all of us.
