Summary
Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Spider-Boy #10!The classic 1967Spider-Mananimated series has officially returned to Marvel canon in the form of a separate universe designated Earth-67 withinthe Web of Life and Destiny, otherwise known as the Spider-Verse. And with its return, the ‘60sPeter Parker gets himself a sidekick, as Earth-616’s Spider-Boymakes Earth-67 his home (at least, temporarily). However, the hero/sidekick dynamic between ‘60s Spider-Man and Spider-Boy isn’t as clear-cut as one might assume.
In a preview forSpider-Boy#10 by Dan Slott and Nathan Stockman, Bailey Briggs aka Spider-Boy is lost in the Spider-Verse, and only Madame Web, Araña, and Silk can find him and return him to Earth-616. At the start of their search, the three leaders of the Spider Society have no idea where to look for the lost hero, until the Peter Parker of Earth-67 appears in front of them out of nowhere. That’s when they find out that Spider-Boy has found himself in Spider-Man’s 1967 continuity.
In Earth-67, Bailey Briggs has effectively replaced Peter Parker in every regard, not just as Spider-Man, as Briggs is now a photographer at the Daily Bugle instead of Parker. Just as J. Jonah Jameson is shouting at Briggs to bring him pictures of Spider-Boy, the Green Goblin bursts into Jameson’s office. At that moment, Madame Web patches the original Earth-67 Peter Parker into Briggs’ mind, allowing them to communicate telepathically. With Parker’s guidance, Briggs finds the confidence to suit up against the Green Goblin.
Spider-Man’s New Villain KNAIVE Might Be His Most Powerful of All Time
Marvel Comics has just officially introduced an all-new super-villain, one who may be the strongest foe Spider-Man has ever faced in his life: KNAIVE.
Spider-Boy Flips the Superhero/Sidekick Dynamic with Spider-Man
While it would make sense to assume that Spider-Boy would be Spider-Man’s sidekick upon his arrival in Earth-67 given that he was Spider-Man’s sidekick in Earth-616, that’s not exactly how things played out in this preview. Peter Parker effectively didn’t exist in Earth-67, only influencing events as a voice in Spider-Boy’s head, giving him advice. Therefore, as Spider-Boy points out in this preview, Spider-Man is actually Spider-Boy’s sidekick, not the other way around.
Of course, even though Spider-Boy asserts that Spider-Man is his sidekick in this reality, the opposite could be argued.
Spider-Man is acting as a mentor to Spider-Boy, giving him all the advice/confidence he needs to stand up against the A-list villain, the Green Goblin. That definitely makes it seem like Spider-Boy is still Spider-Man’s sidekick, just in a scenario where Spider-Man can’t physically be present during the mission. As previously mentioned, the situation isn’t as clear-cut as it may seem. However, at the moment, fans will just have to take Spider-Boy’s word for it that he is now the hero while Spider-Man is the sidekick, meaning Spider-Boy totally flipped their dynamic.
Earth-67 Would Be the Perfect Permanent Home for Spider-Boy
Spider-Boy Could Make 1967Spider-Mana Major Part of Marvel Comics
While Spider-Boy’s current comic is telling a classic Spider-Verse adventure, his appearance in Earth-67 is a definite standout, as it allows for more stories to be told in the classic ‘60s Spider-Man timeline - and those stories could continue if Spider-Boy were to stay. ‘60s Spider-Man taking on a sidekick would allow Marvel Comics to tell stories reminiscent of Silver AgeBatman and Robincomics, diving into the beloved retro-style in a new and fresh way. Plus, this would also be a great way to utilize Spider-Boy, whose presence in Earth-616 is more than a bit redundant.
Marvel Comics has the chance to tell Silver Age Spider-Man stories with a twist, as this time, Spidey would have his very own sidekick, which is totally on-brand for the era. However, even if he doesn’t stick around permanently, Spider-Boy’s appearance inSpider-Man’s 1967 animated continuity is still an exciting development, especially since he gets the chance to have Peter Parker for a sidekick this time.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
