You remember those times when Warren, Osborn, and even Reilly masterminded clone plots to pester our wall-crawling hero? But what about that time Doctor Doom created a clone of Spider-Man? Then sit back and allow us to present to you a better alternative to those other inferior clone sagas.
O.K., a little disclaimer – this story is not exactly in 616 canon, but who cares? It is by far the craziest clone story ever and one that I have enjoyed reading more than the current conspiracy we have now. I present to you a Spidey Super Story!
Spidey Super Stories were the print version of Electric Company, my personal introduction to the character. We’ll have a whole Cobwebs on that show later, but for now, back in my day (which is further back than George’s but not quite as much as JR’s), there was not a lot of children’s television shows out there. One of the greatest was Electric Company, a show that encouraged kids to read. Marvel was asked to participate and some of the greatest Spider-Man stories ever told (this side of Hostess Ads) were produced.
Clones came in to play in issue #25, which I will present to you here, at least in pieces, to clear your palette of Ben Reilly’s ranting and ravings. Rumor has it that THIS is the clone that will be staring in Peter David’s new Scarlet Spider series coming soon!*
Don’t fret, spideyphiles! Easy Reader** gave this comic his seal of approval!
Wasting no space, we jump right into the story on the inside cover of the issue by meeting our villain of the issue – the nefarious Doctor Doom! (Bonus points for anyone who knows what he got his doctorate in.***)
Meanwhile, Spidey is swinging along minding his own business when his spider-sense goes off. Investigating, he stumbles across a mysterious mirror.
Unaware that on the other side of the mirror is…
Now it appears that Doctor Doom has incredible foresight to have predicted that a superhero would choose to investigate an empty room for no noticeable provocation. My respect for this evil mastermind has just increased.
A quick bowl of Rice Krispies and voila!
So what evil machinations could so move Doctor Doom to leave his castle and kingdom in Latveria and spend the effort and money smuggling all of this evil twin machinery into the country not to mention the amount of time he had to spend in that cramped apartment waiting for some hapless superhero to just wander in and stand in front of the mirror?
Yes, to “run this city”. Well, maybe this comic has a few plot holes; however, it is nice that Doom has formed a bond with Web-Man and has given him a special nickname already.
Of course, the new clone needs a little practice…
Web-Man feels that the best way of finding Spider-Man is to commit a crime and chooses to do so by robbing an armored car of $60,000 (it said the amount on the loot bag). He does this right in front of Harry and MJ.
This means that 616 MJ had all of Superior Spider-Man arc to figure out that it was an imposter and she couldn’t – despite the fact that she had been married in a committed relationship with the guy. This MJ figures it out in one panel.
I also want to point out that the twin machine made a duplicate of the web shooter. This means that it is essentially a replicator of sorts. I’m starting to lose my respect for Doom’s foresight as it seems he could have made better use of this machine.
Spider-Man shows up, of course, and quickly attacks the dastardly doppelganger.
While they fight, Spidey keeps asking questions and figures out that this creature came from the mirror. However, it is difficult to fight someone with your same powers (even if they are a bit out of practice).
His grammar is a bit off as well since “they” is plural**** and so far only Doctor Doom has called him Webby. That may be a bit of a nit-picky over-analysis, though.
Enough of my blabbering. Let’s see the fight!
The fight continues and eventually Web-Man gets away. Showing detective skills that would make Batman proud, Spidey tracks him down!
And by detective skills, I mean he just swung around the city until his spider-sense went off. But of course, it is exactly as the Doctor planned! Holy double vision! Doom used the twin machine again!
Then, in a stunning finale that can only be called “Web-Man Omega!” or “Twin No More!” (it was crazy – two titles for the same event):
Now, you are probably wondering how many issues this remarkable story arc took place in. Six? Twelve? Three years worth? No! Believe it or not, this whole story was only in ONE issue! But wait – there’s more! With this issue you got not one, not two, but THREE epic stories! You’ll need to read the issue if you want the whole Web-Man experience and also get:
A STAR IS BORED!
And
IMPOSSIBLE MAN – THE PEST FROM THE PLANET POPPUP!
And
THE WIT OF THE WEB-SLINGER
Because back in those days, when you paid a whole 35 cents for a comic, you got your money’s worth!
This story is the brain child of Jim Salicrup, Nicole Cuti, and Bill Mantlo and the art, which in my opinion, outpaces many of the main book artists of today, is by Winslow Mortimer and Mike Esposito. This story takes place on Earth 57780, as does all other Spidey Super Stories – and yes, they are ALL great, but this one may just be the finest gem in the bunch. You can read them at Learn English (link in the sources below). It was this sort of comic I thought Spidey was going to be. I am hugely disappointed.
Sources:
“Spidey Super Stories Vol 1 25.” Marvel Database. Fandom Comics Community, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017. <http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Spidey_Super_Stories_Vol_1_25#Appearing_in_.22Spider-Man_and_Web-Man.22>.
Valorum. “Is Doctor Doom Actually a Doctor?” Science Fiction and Fantasy. Stack Exchange, 16 Aug. 2016. Web. 25 Feb. 2017. <http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/137383/is-doctor-doom-actually-a-doctor>.
Willemsen, Jeff. “Spidey Super Stories.” Learn English – Read Comic. n.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017. <http://englishfortamils.com/comics/index.php?album=Marvel-Comics/Spidey%20Super%20Stories/Super%20Stories%20025>.
Images:
All Super Story Images from Learn English – Read Comic.
* Ok, that’s a lie. But rumors have to be started somewhere. However, it would be so AWESOME! And, didn’t they show us a costume that was just reverse colors? I’ll be selling “Mark Was Right!” T-shirts if this comes true.
** Easy Reader was played by Morgan Freeman on Electric Company. And that, my friends, is no lie. Just wait until we hit that Electric Company post. Those video clips are pure awesomeness.
*** Doctor Doom got his doctorate in … nothing! He got expelled before finishing his studies for blowing up his dorm room during an experiment. So, you could say that he has as much right to call himself a doctor as Peter Parker does.
**** And since we know Doctor Doom’s gender, don’t give me that “they” is OK as a gender neutral singular pronoun bit. And for those of you rolling your eyes that I put a grammar footnote in, here’s Batman on the matter.
‘Nuff Said!
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@hornacek — To his credit, Back to the Future The Game is really good! There were so many subtle nods to the trilogy that I was very happy all the way through (though I wish someone could explain the ending to me).
I haven’t read the Back to the Future comic yet — Still waiting for the trade paperback. To be fair, if I had written Back to the Future, I’d be perfectly okay if that was the peak of my creativity.
Freak? Paper Doll? Give me Needles and Goldie Wilson!
@Evan
Who would have guessed that Bob Gale peaked at Back to the Future and would never regain that level of quality again?
@Mark — Don’t worry, I’m still here! Even if you watched Shawshank Redemption and hated it, I wouldn’t stop reading your articles. I’d be confused and wonder what the hell is wrong with you, but, no, I’d still read your column. 🙂
Incidentally, back during Brand New Day, one of the reasons I was able to muster excitement for the whole event was the fact that Bob Gale was part of the “Spidey Brain Trust.” My enthusiasm was a bit misplaced, perhaps — but I had such high hopes!
@Mark
Doesn’t love Shawshank? (gasps, monocle falls into martini glass, faints)
I saw Shawshank, but it was years and year decades ago. I don’t remember falling in love with it. Maybe I’ll have to give it another try.
Does this mean I’ve just lost two readers??? 🙁
Love, love, love it.
Mark hasn’t seen Shawshank? Great scott! This is heavy!
@Mark Alford — As far I’m concerned there are only two movies: Back to the Future (which I guess counts as three) and The Shawshank Redemption.
I will not judge, since goodness knows there are tons of movies I haven’t seen. But that one’s beautiful.
@Mark Alford
If you’re telling me that you’ve never seen The Shawshank Redemption then you have to stop whatever you’re doing and go watch it before coming back and writing another comment!
@ Evan and Hornacek – of course I’m willing to take suggestions. That way I can put “BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT!” as a banner on the top. I’m thinking a post on the webbing stuff and a separate post just on the ’60s show in general. I put up a post that had stuff about the music on the show, but there is so much left to be mined there.
What the heck are you guys quoting?
@Hornacek — I think that would make a fantastic article! I need to brush up on my ’60s animated series, too.
I’m still stuck on the Morgan Freeman narration:
“Mark crawled to freedom through six issues of &^%$-smelling foulness I can’t even imagine, or maybe I just don’t want to. Mark Alford. Who crawled through river of %$#* known as Amazing Grace and wound up clean on the other side.”
@Evan
That potential article could be focused solely on the 60s animated show. Spidey made so many crazy things out of his webbing on that – one of my favorites is when he is confronted by a villain with a sword, so instead of using his powers to knock him out, he makes a sword out of webbing and they have a sword-fight*.
* Behave yourself, folks
@Mark — Do you accept suggestions for future Cobwebs articles? How about the most bizarre (i.e., best) items Spider-man has made using his webbing? I think my favorite is when he made a baseball bat. Simple but effective.
@Hornacek — “I have to admit I didn’t think much of Web-Man when I first saw him — like a stiff piece of webbing would knock him over.”
@ Evan – no, he’s using the web parachute to pull him along on his web skis. I know the items made out of webbing is rather cheesy, but part of me rather likes it when he makes stupid stuff out of webbing!
@hornacek – Ha! guess he should have gone skiing that night…
@Evan
(narration) “It’s like Uncle Ben always said … you either get busy skiing, or get busy dying.”
Is it just me or is Spidey skiing backwards? I wish Morgan Freeman had narrated this comic.
Very funny.
I think Fettinger has the full run on Spidey Super Stories. Big print, easy to read… heh!
@ George – I pointed at the fence. Glad to hear I didn’t strike out! I think Spidey Super Stories should be a category on the next Jeopardy. Just think of all the fun you’ll have researching them!
@ hornacek – I didn’t even think of the chicken and the mask! This issue is the gift that keeps on giving! * I told you that Easy Reader doesn’t put up with hard to read sounds. Zip! * I’ll have to recycle that face palm if I ever give out another F on an Amazing story. * I didn’t even see that the “He’s up to something” was a thought balloon. * Electric Company isn’t Sesame Street – it’s hard core! * I think I heard something about that secret secret origin when I did a Venom post a while back…
@ Shaun – Thanks!
Your FB analysis from yesterday was correct. Well done, Dark Mark! Huzzah!
Have some punch.
This story lived up to the hype for me. The commentary on CC was great.
Oh wait, Doom is holding a mirror, not a hairbrush. I still think that’s a piece of chicken in his other hand, but maybe that’s supposed to be a hairbrush.
How is Doom eating that chicken? And what hair is he brushing?
So “ZIP” is the twin of “THWIP”?
Doom face-palms! What more can you ask for in a comic?
Spidey thinks “He’s up to something.” and Webby says “Correct!” when he punches Spidey. Why did Webby say this unless he can Webby read Spidey’s thoughts? Well, they *are* twins.
Did Spidey just kill both twins by breaking the mirror? Did an Electric Company comic include a scene where two villains die?
I wonder if someone got hit by the clock Spidey threw out the window. They probably did and got a concussion, and it ruined their life because they had to quit their job. I think this was Micheline’s *original* original idea for Venom’s origin.