Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Amazing Spider-Man #.65 Deaths
The latest issue ofAmazing Spider-Manbasically just confirmed it: Peter Parker is not allowed to be happy. Going beyond the “Ol' Parker Luck” where bad things often befall Spider-Man, and he’s constantly struggling, it’s been confirmed that Spider-Man’s unhappiness is by a universal design. Surprisingly, this universal truth is discovered by none other thanPhil Coulson aka the current embodiment of Deathin the Marvel Universe.
The newAmazing Spider-Man #.65 Deathsis a tie-in issue connected to the ongoing"8 Deaths of Spider-Man"storyline where Peter Parker is serving as Earth’s champion in the Covenant of Cyttorak, a series of trials that requires the champion to die and be resurrected with each Scion of Cytorraks defeat Having already faced 5 of the 8 scions, it was the latest trial that broke Spider-Man the most, forced to witness the deaths of countless friends and loved ones. Feeling the sheer weight and inevitability of death, Spider-Man quits the Covenant.Now, Coulson meets with the Webslinger in this new issue, using his powers to observe Spider-Man’s entire existence:
Observing all of those who’ve died in Spider-Man’s life including his parents, Uncle Ben, Gwen Stacy and more,Phil Coulson can see how each death has shaped Spider-Man into the hero he is, one who is ultimately alone and isn’t ever allowed to be truly happy:“Another lifetime’s worth of love denied to him because the universe, it seems, cannot let Spider-Man be happy. It needs him driven by guilt, fear, and recrimination.”
Phil Coulson Just Got To Know Spider-Man Better Than Anyone In The Marvel Universe
Seeing Every Death and Life That Made Peter Parker Who He Is
Continuing to observe Spider-Man’s existence using his powers, it’s clear that Phil Coulson ends up knowing Peter Parker on a level very few have done. He can see the purpose behind every death in Spider-Man’s life and how it has shaped him to become a better hero, molded him into becoming a hero who always gets back up and is strong enough to keep on fighting.This culminates in a singular idea from Coulson as he wonders if Spider-Man would have been able to have saved as many lives as he had without experiencing the aforementioned deaths.
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All in all, it’s a pretty powerful few pages, one that breaks down all the unhappiness, loss, and pain in Spider-Man’s life and gives it a meaning and purpose. That being said, it doesn’t make it any less brutal that Peter has hardly ever been able to experience lasting happiness without something eventually turning up to take it away. Likewise, it doesn’t help Peter in any sense of the word, seeing as how he’s currently feeling the pointlessness of life itself, and that everyone eventually dies anyway (the trial also made him feel the weight of each of the hundreds of deaths he was forced to watch).
Marvel Just Broke Spider-Man…
Phil Coulson has seen how all the deaths in Spider-Man’s life have shaped him into the great hero he is today. However,he also understands the Covenant has well and truly broken Spider-Man. Having been forced to witness so many upcoming deaths in one agonizing sitting, it’s no wonder Peter currently has zero interest in being a hero.As Coulson notes, the resurrecting Reeds of Ragadorr saved Peter, but the overwhelming inevitability of death itself has killed Spider-Man. As such, it’s likely going to take more than Coulson to get Peter back in the fight and find the value of life again.
Amazing Spider-Man #.65 Deathsis on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
