Spidey Stumbles #2 -The Spidey Meme

19 Comments

1. I have NEVER had a kneejerk response to anything you type. I realize most of the time you’re just trying to lighten the mood a little especially knowing that some posters get all bent out of shape, but sometimes you gotta pick your battles, you know?

   For some reason your response to my “banging broads” comment made me laugh. I’m still not sure why. How do you do that?

2. Nah. I know some of you have a kneejerk response to anything I type, but Kevin’s response was rude (and ill-infiormed). He’s better than that. Not sure sure how I “baited” him by answering him, but I know there’s a double and triple standard some of you carry around when it comes to people who dare work on Spidey comics you don’t like..

   “Banging broads” is funny. Can you imagine?

   SW

3. @ steve wacker

   For pete (parker)’s sake, can you not simply respond to someone without coming off like a sarcastic jerk? Kevin gave you a polite response, and based on your past baiting and flaming you’ve done here before, his last comment was well warranted.

   And if you truly believe that “Spidey comics are still fine for kids.”, you’re off your rocker. I truly doubt you would have no problem with your child(ren) reading about Spider-Man banging broads. Unbelievable.

4. *of all the places
   lol typo

5. damn steve wacker, off all the places to pick a fight on the crawlspace!
   go write your comics so we can buy them and complain!

6. Steve,

   I think the reason as why to they cause less of a stir is not only due to changes within culture but also because of what is excepted by society. Most parents allow their children to either read comics or play video games from a young age since they believe the content is aimed at kids, regardless of whatever age rating it may contain and many don’t actually read/play it themselves. Considering the reports that arose a few years back around the GTA series, which blamed the fourth game (I believe) for the death of a 14/5 year old, if some of the content from comics had been revealed and pushed into the public eye, I think more would agree that some of what has been shown isn’t exactly child friendly but as long as this content doesn’t appear in either the future movies or cartoons, they won’t care. I just hope Billy’s death wasn’t written in “The Amazing Spider-Man”. But, as you may argue, most of the above is my opinion and can’t be proven simply. Same with the whole Mephisto deal, fans may think it was terrible but since the public eye never heard about it, they don’t.

   While you didn’t suggest that other podcasts swear, the fact is your agruement was “how come no one’s complaining about (swear words on) a Spidey site easily accessible to kids?”. While the swearing in the books is not as… verbose as the podcast, it still appears in the comics on a somewhat regular basis (I’m sure he called Norman a bastard during BND). So it’s alright to include TV-14 words in an 9+ books but once we hit the S and F words, that’s not okay in the slightest? I agree that the podcast could use a little editing in this regard but trust me, kids these days know what swear words are. I’ve been told to F-off by a four year with any kind of provoking and this has happened more than once. However, I will give you that sex scenes haven’t been shown featuring Spidey, should have re-read that paragraph before posting. Then again, we did see Aunt May and Jameson Sr. do something in bed which is way more than any kid needed to see! Again, I’m not saying that all this content appears all the time (espically sex) but what’s the limit here? I guess I just want to know what your limit is when it comes to these things.

   -PB

7. Pirate,

   You are correct thatt here is a difference between yesterday and today. But the content today creates MUCH less of a stir with parents than it did in the 60s.

   It’s just a reality that out culture has chnaged. And though not every parent’s taste are universal, I’m comfortable that Spidey comics are still fine for kids.

   Couple other things:
   -I never suggested other podcasts don’t swear.
   -Good luck finding a many examples of Spidey saying “Damn” or any sex scenes whatsoever. This is a good example of the over-the-top tendencies of some of the posters here

   SW

8. Funny
   That pic of Spidey on the train tracks is from the 80s cartoon

9. Steve,

   Hate to say it but there is a huge difference between the content shown in the sixties and content shown today. Sure, it was somewhat violent and showed characters smoking (LE GASP) but, for the most part, you can still show those issues to a child because nothing sexual appears, nor does bad language (unless you want to call Stan’s one month obsession with the word “satanic” bad). But it was monitored by the comics code so it was safe for the young at the time. And honestly, you’re misrepresenting history by saying the drug issue was to push the boundary. A drug company asked Stan to show how bad the effects on someone where and the comics code argued against it because they didn’t want to show drugs in any form. Stan just posted it without the code, simple as.

   However, the difference between those issues and these new ones is that there are no CONSEQUENCES for doing something wrong. Peter felt guilt every time something terrible happened and Harry went through years of therapy after abusing drugs (and donning the GG mask of course). You argue that people are interpreting modern issues as being far worse than the writer set out to achieve but if there isn’t a a negative response shown to these actions, then some impressionable people will see what they did as being okay. It’s great to have sex with a mask on (May as well turn them into cosplaying sex obsessed losers now, not that the animation culture in the US looks bad enough!), it’s great that racist jokes are being published in 2011 (Obama and all that) and it’s great to teach kids that being a horny 25 year old is AWESOME (Because it’s not). Now, those may be my interpretations of some of the stories published since but does that mean it’s wrong. An interpretation is an opinion after all. But these consequence-less issues are the reason why many of us didn’t like the Carlie subplot in issues 659/660. The fact that even considered getting a tattoo of a known murderer at the very least, combined with the obvious trust issues shown with their relationship, is something that SHOULD have consequences. Instead, we get characters who go “Well you reconsidered so let’s have sex ’cause I’m ready for some loving!” because the world of Spider-Man is mostly consequence free. Oh sure, the death of Marla affected him but he seems to be doin’ fine with that girlfriend of his now! For the most part, he seems to be living in this consequence free world and that’s against what the character is all about, the consequence of being a superhero.

   Either way, the offending content shown today is very different between that of the yesteryear’s and today. While the guys on this show may swear, it’s not like they broadcast the show as being for kids (and trust me Steve, a lot of podcasts I’ve frequented feature swear words) and even so, kids know what swear words are these days because of the media and understand they are bad because of what their shown on. However sex is another matter entirely and I’d like it if MARVEL stopped showing all this consequence-less and sometimes down right disgusting material. I’m not trying to advocate that terrible “will something please think of the children attitude towards everything” but when you’re aiming something at them then yeah, consider how may read into any of the sex scenes you have shown. That’s all I ask. Though if the podcast crew do want to aim their show at a younger audience, I think a editing wouldn’t go a miss. Then again, not like Spidey is any cleaner these days, loving all the damns he uses.

   -PB

10. I really enjoyed the article! I’m a sometimes Spidey-fan – I’ve mostly checked out the movies and enjoy some of the games. I don’t consistently collect the comics, though reading about the on-going stories on this website is a ton of fun. I’m a young reader, and the comics have always appeared daunting to me. Basically, what I’m saying is that this website is my only source for Marvel-related news. Well, other than IGN, but who goes to IGN for comics?

    Comments sections are not really my thing. But, I felt like putting a word in to support you guys. From my understanding, some actual Marvel employees post on internet forums and on websites like these, which is a cool way to reach out to the community. The problem is the quality of the discourse coming from Marvel. Yeah, they’re all people too, they deserve to defend themselves and speak out as much as the next lousy Joe with an opinion (Like me! Uh oh.) but I expect better from people representing the company. Maybe I shouldn’t, and maybe it is unfair that we in the community (Or even out of the community.) kind of hope for more.

    Not that my opinion matters to Marvel. I’m glad they produce such wonderful characters and give so many people enjoyment and employment. But, is the defensiveness necessary?

    That’s my two-cents. I wish my lame opinions were worth two cents. Keep up the great work guys, even if some of you get overexcited sometimes! (Though, that’s kind of part of the fun.)

11. The podcast has made efforts to clean up the language in recent months.

12. Kevin, your last line sure showed me! I understand your not wanting to discuss further, though. I probably should have said the same when you needed guidance with your career.

    Anyway, the contents of Spidey have not been as constantly wholesome and clean as you present. In fact the contents of the early issues were quite controversial to parents of the early 60s. Not to mention the drug issues. That boundary pushing has always been part of Spidey’s appeal.

    Anyway I’m not really offended. Like I said, These were funny. I just figured there was some sort of reasoning why one was okay and the other not and was curious about the seeming double standard.

    Do you guys ever think about cleaning up the podcast language in case people download for their kids? Not sure about lately but there used to be metric tons of cursing.

    SW

13. Fair enough, though I obviously disagree…but that discalimer is meant to keep kids away? I’m a dad and I know with 100% certainty that that will only attract them.

    SWthat

14. @#7:

    This article has a disclaimer: “They are really quite funny, some are a little inappropriate to younger viewers i.e contain some vulgar language.” The general complaint on the boards/podcast has been about the appropriateness of the “All Ages” rating on the cover of ASM. Not that I agree, but the debate is all about what’s being advertised.

15. These are funny.

    Gotta ask, Given the rending of garments hereabout stuff perceived as too mature in the Spidey books, how come no one’s complaining about this at a Spidey site easily accessible to kids?

    I don’t agree with the sentiment, just curious about the logic.

    SW

16. Hahahahahahqhahahahahahahahahahahahshsipadhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah dat ist mucho funny yo me divertedo mucho

17. Some pretty good ones in there… are you sure that isn’t some of the actual writing found in current Spidey comics? 🙂

18. I posted one last week, just without a real title or category haha.

19. I loved the “maybe if I wear this shirt, they wont know Im Spider-Man” LOLz