Being Peter Parker

In the last month I've done something I've never done before: I purchased a comic book in both paper and digital form. I've been a comic book fan for years and I still have my comics shipped to me via my preferred independent store in Westminster, CO. Cost wise, I'm paying more per comic than I would if purchased my comics through on online outlet but I like being able to pick up the phone and ask Jim to add/remove comics from my pull file. The major problem with this method is that I receive my comics once a month and that means I'm at least a week behind all the internet reviews and spoilers posted to many of my favorite fan sites. In most cases that's not really a problem. During the month of December, however, this was a MAJOR problem.

Over the course of the last few years I've become an avid follower of Dan Slott, the former writer for Amazing Spider-man and the current writer for Superior Spider-man. I followed him when he shifted from the short-lived Mighty Avengers series to Amazing Spider-man. I've always been a fan of Spider-man but had a falling out with Marvel when they pulled the whole Clone Saga debacle back in the mid-90s. Thankfully, I also missed the One More Day nonsense from 2007. Long story short: I followed Spider-man from the periphery but hadn't bought a book in over ten years . . . until Dan Slott took over. What a brilliant move on my part.

On December 26th, the final issue of Amazing Spider-man hit the shelves and I simply couldn't wait for my paper copy to arrive. So, I purchased the digital copy and devoured it. Unless you've been living under a popular culture rock, you'll know that Slott's closing narrative arc brought Peter Parker's run as Spider-man to a close. In what will always be remembered as his final triumph, a dying Doctor Octopus switched minds with Peter Parker (but also retained all of Peter's memories). Peter, stuck in Doc Ock's body and unable to return to his own, died. That's right: Doctor Octopus is the new Superior Spider-man. But there's a twist. In his last moments, and through a lot of comic book technobabble, Peter forced Doctor Octopus to live Peter's entire life. Otto Octavius experienced all of Peter's successes and failures; Doc Ock came to know all the people who loved, and hated, Peter Parker and Spider-man. Experiencing the influences that called Peter to become the Spider-man we all know and love--Uncle Ben, Aunt May, Gwen Stacy, MJ--Otto swore to Peter that he would carry on the heroic Spider-man legacy. And while I realize Peter's death is probably temporary--I'm predicting that Otto will discover Peter living in the same brain space within a couple years--it made for a compelling story. Slott tapped into the essence of what it means to be a hero. Peter Parker isn't a hero because he has the proportional strength of spider and can stick to walls. Peter Parker is a hero because he does his best to do the next right thing.

In a recent interview Slott said the following about Peter's death as Spider-man and why he felt this was the best possible way to conclude Peter's story.

He’s not Superman. Spider-Man doesn’t always win. He’s us. We do our best, but sometimes we fall short. What makes him heroic is that he stays on the right path. There’s a victory in this story for Peter if you’re willing to see it. Any superhero can look heroic in the winner’s circle, when they’re adored and showered with praise. But when you’re in a losing battle, when the world’s against you, when everyone thinks you’re a menace, but you do the right thing anyway… that’s when you’re better than a superhero. That’s when you’re Peter Parker.

If you haven't had the chance to read the last couple issues of the story, I'd encourage you to do so. It's a moving exploration about what it means to be a hero and, at some level, there's a meta discussion going on about why we, as comic fans, keep sticking around.

Politicizing Tragedy?

I haven't written here in a very long time but today's tragedy in Connecticut spurred me to action. There's a piece of me that wants to get into a huge, verbal sparring match with the Facebook crowd who keep up with the nonsensical refrain "Guns don't kill people, people kill people." Which is ridiculous, of course. Put a baseball bat into the hands of any of the perpetrators of these recent massacres and let's see where we land with a casualty count. I guaran-damn-tee it won't be as high. And then there are those who always chime in with "Let's not bring politics into this situation. Now is not the time to talk gun control." To those who champion this tired refrain, I point you to Ezra Klein:

Let’s be clear: That is a form of politicization. When political actors construct a political argument that threatens political consequences if other political actors pursue a certain political outcome, that is, almost by definition, a politicization of the issue. It’s just a form of politicization favoring those who prefer the status quo to stricter gun control laws.

Don't tell me we can't talk about some form of gun control when this kind of thing keeps happening again and again and again. Now is exactly the right time to politicize the issue. Why? Because when an issue is politicized it means we actually talk about it as a public! Politicizing something means we actually view it as in issue of public consequence. If the issue of determining when a person's right to bear arms slams up against my right to public safety isn't an issue of public consequence, particularly in light of the continued violence, I don't know what is. I realize guns aren't the root cause of the problem, that they're a symptom of a broader cultural issue with violence, but any good doctor will tell you that it's probably necessary to treat both a symptom and a cause. That means we'll need to limit access to certain weapons while we take decades to sort out our propensity for violence.

To end on what I hope is a depoliticized note. I'm thinking healing thoughts for all those impacted by today's violence: relatives, friends, and everyone watching the tragedy unfold. I wish you all deep peace.

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.

Nessie Lives

I'm a non-believer. I hate to admit, but I am. I don't believe in ghosts, Bigfoot, UFOs, spirits, or an afterlife. No matter how I look at it, I can't find any concrete evidence that any of these things are a reality. If I'm ever presented with that evidence, I'll change my position. Until then, however, I remain an ardent skeptic. And there are days when that's a drag. Wouldn't it be amazing to live in a world where ghosts inhabit our homes, Bigfoot lurks in the backwoods, and UFOs visit our little corner of the cosmos on a regular basis? Maybe one day that piece of evidence will emerge and change my mind. Until then, however, I watch, read, and hope that one of these accounts will be The One that changes everything.

Loch Ness Monster sighting reported by locals

Conversational Realities: Waterproof Underpants

A little context for the following conversation between my son and one of his friends. I swim a ton during the summer. I swim laps almost single day and, as a former competitive swimmer on a summer club, that means wearing a Speedo. A trunk style suit just doesn't cut it when I'm cruising back and forth for an hour. I'm also in pretty good shape and wear a Speedo far better than many men my age. Last weekend I went swimming with my son and was splashing around in my Speedo. One of his friends happened to be there and the following exchange took place.

Friend: Why is your dad wearing his underpants in the pool?

TLO: Those are waterproof underpants, dude.

As one might imagine, I'll never wear a swimsuit again. From this day forward, I will always head for the pool wearing my waterproof underpants.

Perspective

"Luke, you will find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view." Obi-wan Kenobi, Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi

Case in point.

Misunderstood

Quote of the day:

"Just because you're misunderstood doesn't mean you're an artist." -Author Unknown

Classic. I think this one might go on my office door.

Running Away from Lava in Swim Fins

Holy frak is the following blog post funny.

High Pitched Confusion Alarm: Moving with Dogs

If you have a dog(s), you understand.