Deep Dive: Spider-Man

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March 31, 2022

It’s probably safe to say that Spider-Man is one of the most beloved characters of all time. In any universe, the awkward, sarcastic web-slinger steals the show – and our hearts – every time he appears. With Spider-Man: No Way Home being the highest-grossing Spider-Man film of all time, it’s only right that we take a dive into the world of Peter Parker. And hey, if you somehow still haven’t seen this cinematic masterpiece, maybe stop scrolling here.

Everyone’s friendly neighborhood hero has had quite the journey since first hitting the pages in 1962. Appearing for the first time in Amazing Fantasy #15, Spider-Man was the first teenage superhero that wasn’t a sidekick. His regular teenage struggles made young readers feel like he was one of them. The relatability of Peter Parker made his story an instant success. As lovable as the character is, it’s hard to believe some Marvel publishers expected him to fail. 

From that first comic issue to many other volumes and stories, through cartoons and a flopped Broadway musical, our favorite spidey boy made his way into Hollywood’s web. Sixty years later and there has been not one, not two, but three different launches of Peter Parker and his arachnid adventures. Tobey Maguire’s early 2000s portrayal has mixed reviews but none of them mediocre (love or hate, no in between). Andrew Garfield’s charming and gone-too-soon reboot got some hate from film critics, but love for his character always shines through. Tom Holland’s puppy-dog version introduced Spider-Man to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and seems to only ever receive high praise. Each set of films are great in their own ways, but what sets No Way Home apart while simultaneously bringing all Spider-Men together is one concept about which we know frighteningly little: the multiverse.

If you’re still reading this, I’m going to assume you know what the multiverse is without it being explained, which is good because quite frankly, I don’t have the space to cover it all. With mirror dimensions, astral projections, quantum realms, and who knows what else, it’s amazing that this movie made any sense at all. Thankfully, Peter Parker doesn’t really know what’s going on either. But it’s because of this multiverse that fans got to experience one of the coolest and best things in movie and Marvel history: Peter 1, Peter 2, and Peter 3.

No matter who your favorite Spider-Man is, you get to see him in this movie. It had been rumored but denied for months. Everyone was speculating and hoping, but no one ever really knows what a Marvel movie is going to deliver. Audience cheers got louder and louder each time a new (old) character came on screen, and the biggest celebration of all occurred when past Peters walked through those portals.

This movie was a true love letter to the fans, and it did not lack in deeper meaning either. An overarching theme of redemption is seen throughout the film. Tobey’s Peter returns Doc Oc to his true self, Andrew’s Peter catches MJ from falling to her death, MCU Peter makes the most selfless act to save the world, and Electro, Sandman, Green Goblin, and Dr. Connors all are restored back to regular human beings with the intent to do good with their second chances. Spider-Man: No Way Home at its core is a story about redemption.

The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but Spider-Man lives on. To relive all the excitement, stress, heartbreak, and laughter of Spider-Man: No Way Home, come out to the Bailey Parking Lot on Saturday, April 2, at 8:30 p.m. for a Drive-In showing. Sure, you might have homework, but Peter Parker had homework and still went to Germany.

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