As a longtime fan of Marvel Comics and Spider-Man in particular, I must say that the Last Stand Spider-Man storyline is indeed a heart-wrenching tale that truly resonates with me. Having followed Peter Parker’s journey since his early days, it is both fascinating and tragic to see him take such a dark turn.
These days, it feels like every corner’s got its own Spider-Man, from the original duo of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s Peter Parker, to fresh faces like Miles Morales, Miguel O’Hara, and even Nicolas Cage’s Noir Spidey. In live-action, we’ve seen three web-slingers dance across the big screen, each carrying the signature sadness of ol’ Peter Parker. But among them all, there’s one Spider-Man whose story is heart-wrenchingly tragic, even by Spidey standards – he goes by “Last Stand Spider-Man.
In the comic series “Amazing Spider-Man” (Vol. 2) #58, during J. Michael Straczynski’s innovative stint, we were introduced to the character of Last Stand Spider-Man. This story was titled “Happy Birthday.” In this issue, the traditional Earth-616 Peter Parker is transported into the future following the death of his wife, Mary Jane Watson-Parker. However, it’s not just a one-way trip to an impending end for our hero; he also finds himself flung back to his beginnings, reexperiencing many of his earliest adventures as Spider-Man.
Exploring the Last Stand Spider-Man storyline offers a glimpse into a potential future for Peter Parker, one where his more questionable decisions eventually come back to haunt him. However, this particular incarnation of Spidey met an unfortunate end. Join me as we delve into the Marvel Comics archives and unravel the events that led to his sad demise.
Who is Last Stand Spider-Man?
In the storyline, the name “Last Stand Spider-Man” is derived from a soliloquy by Peter himself, where he contemplates his aged future self, stating, “I see myself, so much older. And I sense that this is my final moment. This is my last stand.” Subsequently, in Aunt May’s graveyard, Last Stand Spider-Man pays one last visit before a heavily armed NYPD (equipped with advanced weapons capable of disarming even Spider-Man) arrives to apprehend him. In the following issue, “Amazing Spider-Man” #500 (resuming its original numbering), Last Stand Spidey offers a fierce resistance but ultimately succumbs and is killed, with Peter powerless to intervene as he watches the tragic event unfold.
In a world apart from our regular storyline, Spider-Man of Earth-312500 faces a grim destiny, yet it’s comforting to know that the original Spider-Man is thriving elsewhere. However, since this alternate universe has its own unique circumstances, there’s a chance that even the primary Spider-Man could face a similar hardship. In “Amazing Spider-Man” issue 637, towards the end of Joe Kelly’s “Grim Hunt” storyline, we are reminded once more of this possible future when the newly appointed Madame Webb, Julia Carpenter, reveals a vision to Spider-Man, hinting at his potential doom as he contemplates killing Kraven the Hunter.
In this tale, we discover that after defeating Kraven, Peter takes a dark turn, targeting more of his adversaries like Doctor Octopus. This leads to him drifting apart from loved ones such as Harry Osborn and Aunt May, and ultimately being expelled from the Avengers. This path results in Peter becoming an outcast, growing increasingly violent and bloodthirsty, all while distancing himself from society. The Peter Parker of Earth-312500 chose this destructive route, and caution is needed to prevent our primary Spidey from following suit.
Why Spider-Man’s Last Stand was so tragic
A significant part of why The Last Stand Spider-Man’s tale is heartbreaking is that it might represent a possible outcome if our Peter Parker were to make poor decisions. Characters like Ben Reilly and Kane, who are clones of Peter, have previously stumbled down dark paths, but for Peter, the consequences would be far more devastating. Since Peter chooses not to kill Kraven, he currently appears safe from becoming The Last Stand Spider-Man. However, the possibility still lingers. For the Spidey from Earth-312500, his fate has already been set.
The idea of a dark Spider-Man is a tough pill for some to swallow, and it’s even more tragic to watch as this version of Peter is gunned down by the NYPD. Considering Spider-Man spent his whole life sacrificing his own wants and needs for the sake of others, it’s a horrific end. But since we know that the Last Stand Spidey was more of an anti-hero, willing to commit the same acts of violence as his enemies, it makes the whole thing even more complicated.
Delving into the complexities of Spider-Man’s character can be quite intriguing, given his usual bright demeanor. The way these “Amazing Spider-Man” comics portray this darkness is nothing short of brilliant. They present a scenario where Spider-Man might lead a life similar to Batman in “The Dark Knight Returns,” although not the storyline from “Spider-Man: Reign.” Instead, this potential future or alternate reality serves as a reminder that with great power comes great responsibility – a lesson deeply ingrained in Marvel Comics. Despite its age, this lesson remains relevant and worth revisiting.
Why Last Stand Spider-Man might look familiar
As a devoted Spidey enthusiast, if you’ve spotted the Last Stand Spider-Man beyond his comic book escapades, it might be because he’s made quite the leap across various realities. This character has become a regular in multiverse (or more precisely, Spider-Verse) narratives, ever since the groundbreaking “Spider-Verse” comic book crossover in 2014. He even teams up with the main crew in the spin-off video game, “Spider-Man Unlimited,” fighting side by side with the 616 Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, assorted Spider-Girls, and other alternate Peter Parkers. This Spidey is seen as a reliable ally who could lend a hand to our primary Peter Parker should the Superior Spider-Man (Doc Ock inhabiting Peter’s body) ever turn rogue.
For individuals not familiar with comics, you may have encountered this version of Spider-Man in a different way, such as in the animated film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”. In this movie, characters from the Last Stand Spider-Man series are interspersed throughout the storyline. They belong to Miguel O’Hara’s Spider Society, a diverse group of Spider-Men from various universes who work together to protect the multiverse. Although they don’t play a significant role in the plot, keen observers will probably identify his unique costume. Since the Last Stand Spider-Man continues to exist in other stories, these events could be set before his death in “Amazing Spider-Man” #500, implying that there might be more chapters for this character in the future.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-28 19:00