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In the vast universe of Marvel Comics, Spider-Man can be a real jerk. Did you know that Spider-Man once punched a kid in the face? This should be no surprise, especially after the infamous mind swap where villain Doctor Octopus (also known as Otto Octavius) stole Peter Parker’s body. In Superior Spider-Man #13, a pivotal issue in the Marvel Superior Spider-Man saga, he reaches a new low. He blackmails J. Jonah Jameson, who happens to be the mayor of New York City.
The plot of Superior Spider-Man #13 revolves around an impending execution at an offshore prison that was soon to be shut down. Of course, there was an elaborate escape attempt, which involved the mayor asking Spidey to kill the escapee. Long story short, he responds by blackmailing J. Jonah Jameson, so he can keep the island for himself. This act sets him apart from the traditional Amazing Spider-Man we’ve come to know and love.
This is not the last time we will see him do such a thing, I assure you. Whether embodied by Peter Parker or Doc Ock as Spider-Man, our web-slinging hero has done his share of both ballsy and straight-up idiotic behavior. Like when he snapped and beat his wife. Sure, that was a “mistake,” or a “love tap” perhaps, or maybe he really wanted to do it. Regardless, he seems to be a psychopath, a far cry from the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man we’re used to.
When the wall-crawler blackmails J. Jonah Jameson, he shows him a hologram video recorded by one of his Spider-Bots, which are little robots that watch all around the city. As sophisticated as the Spider-Bots seem, recording in 3D and all, they seem to only project in blue. The idea of a virtual Superior Spider-Man watching me while I shower or shoot squirrels with my pellet gun makes me sick. It’s a level of surveillance that even the likes of Kingpin or Green Goblin might envy.
J. Jonah Jameson, also known as the mayor and Spider-Man’s favorite punching bag, deserves some recognition for his perseverance in the Marvel Comics universe. No matter how much he blackmails him or punches him in the face, J. Jonah Jameson just keeps on trying. He tries to expose Spider-Man’s identity, he tries to shut down offshore prisons, and he even tries to make a newspaper that people will actually read. I for one, would love to see J. Jonah Jameson succeed for once, if only to see the look on Superior Spider-Man’s face.
Good ol’ may be a menace, but at least he’s consistent. Whether punching kids, blackmailing mayors, or beating his wife, he always finds a way to justify his actions. Maybe next he’ll become a super villain and take over the world. With his army of Spider-Bots and his impressive lack of morality, he may just succeed. It’s a far cry from the Peter Parker we knew in the original Amazing Spider-Man series.
The thirteenth issue of this series has underscored his questionable character. His willingness to blackmail the mayor for personal gain, and his continued lack of remorse, demonstrate that he is not the hero we once believed him to be. With these actions in mind, it is clear that Superior Spider-Man has little regard for the law or the well-being of those around him. As we continue to explore his story in the Marvel Comics universe, one can only wonder what other dark secrets and twisted motivations lie beneath the surface of this iconic character. Will he ever return to the Spider-Verse as the hero we once knew, or will the mind swap with Doc Ock permanently alter his path?
Did you read Superior Spider-Man #13? Be sure to grab it (Affiliate Link) and dive into the morally ambiguous world of Marvel’s Superior Spider-Man.