Spider-Man And School

Hello All,

This is my first message to your newsgroup, and I am posting as a requirement for one of the courses I am taking at the University of Alberta. I am studying to become a high school Science teacher, and have been a long-time fan of Spider-Man. My studies have brought me a new view of my favorite comic book hero, and I honestly feel as if educators do not give Spider-Man enough credit as a tool in 'guidance-type' situations. I have always felt, and do feel more strongly after reading 'Ultimate Spider-Man', that the writers have nailed what it is like to be an outcast among your peers while in High School almost perfectly. I realize this may be a touchy subject, but I also felt that the portrayal of Peter in the Spider-Man movie this summer was excellent, right down to the 'organic webs', which I felt only served to seperate him further from his peers even more so than his new Spider-powers did.

I would love to hear any responses you all might have regarding this topic! Am I right on, or am I out in left field?

Hi Steve, Well, you have just nailed the essence of the appeal of Spider-man. He is a normal human being with worries, family and relationship issues, and money troubles. He IS us but with a power that lets him escape, rise above and release all of it. When he does, he brings us with him when we read. Despite our problems and what people may say or think, we can and must do what is right and what is good. As far as the organic web-shooters are concerned, we've tossed a few opinions back and forth here in this group and the general consensus of all web-heads is that we can understand why they did it in the movie for convenience and time sake. However, (and as an aspiring science teacher you'll appreciate this) the massive scientific prowess of Peter Parker/Spider-Man which he used to create web-shooters and develop web-fluid has been an integral part of his very being since day one. For example, he wouldn't have even been at the science show where he was bitten by the spider in the original comic if he wasn't a science egg-head. Over the years and through the pages his scientific mind has been an integral part of both defeating villains and helping friends. It's nice to hear your comments. Keep writing your thoughts and I'll do the same.