Six-Armed Spider-Man

While I wanted to produce a post for this blog that in some way ties into Sony’s Morbius movie, I couldn’t find any direct connections to the MC2. So, instead I present the next best thing: an in-direct connection to Morbius’ first comic appearance within the MC2.

 

Some history for those who don’t know: In Amazing Spider-Man #100, Stan Lee’s last regular issue, Peter Parker uses a formula he had developed in an attempt to finally rid himself of his spider-powers. Untested, Peter takes a chance and tests it on himself, soon after becoming unwell and experiencing terrible nightmares. Upon waking, Peter is horrified to discover he has grown four extra arms.

 

In shock and forced to hide this latest unexpected development, Peter fobs off his then-girlfriend Gwen Stacy and an offer of work at the Daily Bugle, and desperate to find a place to hide and work on an antidote for his condition contacts Dr Curt Connors aka The Lizard. Connors allows Spider-Man to use his secluded place in South Hampton which included a fully-equipped laboratory in the basement, and Peter stealthily makes his way there under cover of darkness and spends two days frantically trying to cure himself to no avail (Amazing Spider-Man #101). 

 

Meanwhile, another Doctor, Michael Morbius makes his debut aboard a nearby anchored ship. Having killed the ship’s captain, Morbius is turned upon by the crew until nightfall allows him to regain his strength and make short work of them before leaping from the vessel with some remorse. Morbius seeks shelter and rest in the nearby house owned by Curt Connors, and soon encounters Spider-Man when night falls. Their battle is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Curt Connors himself and the shock triggers his own transformation into his more monstrous Lizard form (Amazing Spider-Man #101).

Morbius and the Lizard fight over who may lay claim to the Spider-Man until Morbius seizes an opportunity to bite the Lizard but is interrupted before fully feeding by Spider-Man and quickly departs. The bite causes the Lizard to partially revert to Connors, including the loss of his right arm, which leads Spider-Man and Connors/the Lizard to deduce they can utilize an enzyme from Morbius’ bite to cure themselves. After an extended exploration of Morbius’ origins, we pick up with Spider-Man and a Lizard who is quickly-reasserting control of his mind and body. The pair track down and add some of Morbius’ blood to their serum which fortunately proves to be the cure they needed, restoring Connors to human form and removing Spider-Man’s addition limbs. Naturally, Morbius escapes and is believed to have perished beneath the waves (Amazing Spider-Man #102).

 

Now, how does all this have any bearing on the MC2? Well, we know for sure these events transpired in the past of the MC2’s Peter Parker thanks to an unlikely source; Spider-Man Family Vol. 1 #1. Therein we have a story (seemingly) set during the mostly unexplored point in time after Baby May is rescued and returned to Peter and Mary Jane Parker by Kaine but before Peter loses his leg in his final battle with Norman Osborn aka the Green Goblin. Lured into a trap by the villain Jack O’ Lantern aka Maguire Beck, Spider-Man meets and teams-up with Araña and her *sidekick* Miguel as they battle a variety of museum like room full of Spider-Man robot’s designed to resemble various costumes and points in Peter’s career. Among these we see a Six-Armed Spider-Man robot which should reaffirm for anyone who may doubt the Main Marvel Universe and the MC2 share a common history (up to a point) and by extension, the existence of the living vampire Morbius.

 

Now for a little nit-pick! While I can understand how a villain like Jack O’ Lantern would confuse Ben Reilly or Miguel O’Hara with the original Spider-Man and include them when filling out her museum of various Spidey robots, the very existence of a Six-Armed Spider-Man was supposedly a secret. That said, I’d like to offer a No-Prize explanation, if I may. During the so-call ‘Six-Armed Spider-Man’ story arc, various phone calls are made to New York’s TV News Service and the Daily Bugle about the events that are transpiring, including Morbius’ attacks and a sighting of the Lizard and the extra-limbed Spider-Man, described as a ‘prowler’ with ‘the usual hundred arms.’ It’s conceivable that one of these witnesses managed to snap a photo of the arachnid hero amid all this confusion. Alternatively, any of the participants including Morbius or Connors may have later relayed this information to others. In fact, we know for certain that Spider-Man told the Human Torch about his encounter with Morbius, including mention of how he cured himself of his additional limbs (Marvel Team-Up #3). Problem patched?

 

Well, that’s the closest you’ll get to an MC2-related Morbius tie-in post from me, I hope it was worth the read. Let me know if you think I’ve missed some super-obvious connection!

 

Until I start producing my own unique enzyme that’s capable of removing entire limbs while cursed to crave the blood of others, I remain

 

frogoat

Spider-Girl Coming to Mobile Gaming!

 Spider-Man Unlimited is a game by developercompany Gameloft for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android Smartphones and Tablets and Windows Phones. The game acts as a kind of tie-in to the Spider-Verse event, letting you play as a variety of alternate Spider-Men. An upcoming update will allow you to play as variety of new characters including Spider-Man 2099 and Spider-Girl. YES, Spider-Girl!

The trailer can be seen here and a preview image can be seen on the Facebook page for the game. If you are to lazy to click on the links, I'll put them here for you:

Apparently, this is the first of many female Spider-Characters to appear in the game. I for one am very glad they chose Mayday to be the first. I look forward to playing as her in the coming months. In the meantime, I'd better learn how to play the game...


Thanks to Shaun Musgrave from the Spider-Girl Message Board for pointing this out!


Until Spider-Girl gets her own video game, I remain

frogoat

Why Spider-Verse and Web of Warriors is a Good Thing

Update: Clearly I was incorrect about the title of the show, it's been confirmed as 'Web-Warriors'. Apologies!

If you hadn't heard yet, May 'Mayday' Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Girl may just be crossing over into the medium of television soon. This, coupled with Spider-Girl's appearance in the upcoming Spider-Verse comic event can only be a good thing. Why?

Spider-Girl (and the rest of the MC2 line) may have been around since 1998, but the concept hasn't branched out beyond the comics themselves. A crossover with the Main Marvel Universe is a really good way to increase interest, and encourage discussion of the character. Think about it, Miguel O'Hara (aka Spider-Man 2099) has been making strides recently following appearances in Superior Spider-Man, and is now set to appear in a newly relaunched title of his very own. Exposure is important in the comic business if you want a concept to survive.

As for the Web of Warriors story in the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon? If it's what it seems to be, we are looking at a multimedia coverage of a very, very niche character and concept. That alone warrants enthusiasm. I realize it's early days still to be cheering from the rooftops but hey, Spider-Girl on tv. Let me say that again: SPIDER-GIRL ON TELEVISION! Am I utterly terrified they might butcher her character and completely ruin any chance of a reappearance for years to come? Of course I am, I'd be silly not to worry. But what if this goes out on television and a whole new generation of children fall in love with young May Parker? Isn't that worth the risk?

I say let's make with the Hoo-Ha!

Until I stop loving the little comic that could, I remain

frogoat

Spider-Verse

Spider-Verse: Every Single Spider-Person Ever! Never mind all the rest, Spider-Girl's back, people! That alone is making me super excited. If you want to know all about it, go read about it else where. I plan on gushing and streaming my thoughts into your head.

This speaks for itself, really.

It's written by Dan Slott. Oliver Coipel is on art. I've seen a few preview pages with Morlun attacking Spider-Man 1602. Spider-Girl will be in it. Peter Porker will be in it. Free Comic Book Day will give us a taster of the story. I don't know what else to tell you, just go read it for yourself, it's all over the comics news sites!

I'm conflicted that Tom Defalco hasn't been asked to participate. On the one hand I enjoy Dan Slott's writing and I have high hopes for this big event. On the other hand, Mr Defalco not being involved makes me sad. I know, I know; the comic's biz is like that, but still. *sigh*. Hey, hopefully this leads to another series, or at the very least further appearances and adventures with Mayday!

I fear I've used all my exclamation points. Oh well, my faith is restored. I remain

frogoat

Spider-Girl: 15th Anniversary

Thanks to the Spider-Girl Message Board I recently realized, 'Hey, it's Spider-Girl's fifteenth anniversary! I should probably make a post about it!' So here I am, making a post about it. I'm a little ashamed and shocked that it's nearly escaped my notice, but honestly, I've had a lot going on. It happens.

I thought it would be nice just to mention (read: promote) some of the things fans have been doing to mark this anniversary. Firstly, Read aka boosterread7 aka Huskie Pride aka an honestly swell fellow put up a video to reminisce about his fansite, which I recall visiting numerous times over the years. It's still sorely missed.

Not long after this, haydenclaireheroes of Comic Uno and DarkAvengerINC fame has gone on a quite frankly inspiring quest to review each individual Spider-Girl comic. You can see the tribute video here: 15 Years of Spider-girl and the first review video here: Mayday's Journey: Spider-girl #1 and the second here. Oh, and a Top 10 Topic right here.

Something that's definitely worth a mention was the gosh-awful 'event-series' Age of Ultron. I'll be the first to admit, I didn't read most of it. But tucked away in the 10th and final issue- which involves the time-space continuum breaking/cracking- we get a one panel appearance from our gal pal Mayday in Spider-Girl gear along with Iron Man 2020 and a whole heck of a lot of other alternate-reality and future timeline characters (hey, 2099! Isn't Spider-Man 2099 showing up again soon?! Funny that.)

Yes, I did buy #10 just for a one-panel cameo appearance. Get off my lawn

Until we get a Spider-Girl film trilogy, I remain

frogoat