Was Spider-Man reveals his secret identity to the world a good idea?

Question

This month comic Spider-Man held a press conference and revealed his secret identity to the world. What do you think? Is this a marvel ploy for higher sales. a la superman's temporary death. Or is it a brave bold move to add new life an old character?

Answer 1

I think I have to give a two-fold answer to that question.

Firstly, you have to take in context to the storyline, which is basically that world goverments are basically classifying super-beings as walking weapons of mass destruction and are demanding that they come forward and itentify themselves (and their alter egos) so that they can be catalogued and monitored.
There are those who feel that the governments are asking too much, and refuse, and there are those that step forward and comply. I believe Spider Man is the first one to do so.

It's refreshing in that this is doing what comics have often done: reflecting modern societal problems and casting them back out there for thought and discussion. Which is certainly what happened when Spidey revealed who he was.

Secondly,there's only so much you can do with a character unless you're willing, as a writer and artist to take risks. Was it a risk? Given the furor that erupted in the media when this was announced, I'd say yes. All art is there to promote thought and discussion, and comic books are not outside that realm. They are a new form of modern literature, combining writing, art, the classic hero's tale smushed up against modern problems. I, for one, thought it was a brilliant idea and very much needed, not only to bring, as you say, fresh life to an old character, but also to force people to look at modern issues that affect *us* everyday...

Answer 2

No, but for a character development thing this is huge. I dont think that he is in much danger as Maryjane and his Aunt both live in the Avengers Tower. If anything happens to them there, I guess there is not much that was going to keep them safe.

Spiderman has been around since the mid sixties, and I am sure that the writers were screaming for something big to happen to Spiderman so the writer could try out some fresh ideas. After all How many times and ways can Spidey take out Doc Oct?

Answer 3

It was a mistake for Marvel Comics to have one of their main characters to reveal his true identity to the world & Spiderman will never be the same after that.

Answer 4

wide-spread Spider-guy: Peter Parker, Ben Reilly (while Peter gave up the identity to while Mary Jane replace into approximately to offer beginning to their baby), Mattie Franklin (assumed the identity for some subjects formerly she replaced her call to Spider-woman) Spider-guy 2099: Miguel O'Hara Scarlet Spider: Ben Reilly Spider-Ham: Peter Porker

Answer 5

This is just a new way to freshen up a character who has been misused a lot lately. Now Peter no longer has to hide who he is, but at the same time, he has to protect Mary Jane and Aunt May like never before.

Answer 6

Why not...they've done everything else in the 40 plus years the comic has been around. I think it's a brave move and it really shouldn't effect anything. Normal people aren't the superhero's problem....it's supervillians.

Answer 7

I think its just a brave bold move to add new life to the old character.

Answer 8

Spider Man shouldn't reveal his true identity...then it's like the whole Spidy thing is over.

Answer 9

well, it he has only shown his identity within that comic series with the mutant registration, the comics dont really need to make sense chronologically do they?
If they did he would be an old man attempting to leap around.

But it should make an interesting story and series.

Answer 10

No, 'cause now that the bad guys know, they'll do the obvious stuff like kidnap Mary Jane and Aunt May over and over and over...