Death and Spider-Man

Spoilers for Walking Dead, Y and Watchmen, but if you haven't read them I pity you. 

There are only two mediums where death is looked at as an inconvenience. Soap Operas and Comic Books, and since I know absolutely nothing about Soaps I’m going delve into my least favorite aspect of comic deaths. For most it’s the longevity of death. The fact that the character you’re watching bleed out will be ready for action in a year or two. For me, it’s the fact that we need 5 months of previews, 4 tie in comics, 3 press releases, 2 national headlines, and a partridge in a pear tree to announce the death of a character, before they even die.  

Death, especially in the Marvel and DC comic universe has lost any and all impact it originally held. When a story arc is called “The Death of Spider-Man” the surprise is kinda ruined. Telling us that a character is going to die ahead of the time not only ruins the story the author is creating, but it also takes away any emotion we should feel from the loss.

When I found out Spidey was next to hit the bucket I distanced myself from him emotionally. Which isn’t fair to the character or Bendis who has shaped him to be the great guy he is. I’m not saying that writers should rely on the shock of a death to form a good story, but I’m not denying that good shocking death used in the right context can propel a story to the next level.  

This is why comics that fall out of the direct line of Marvel and DC have me gripped. In Walking Dead there is no way that Kirkman was going to tell you Tyrese was dying months before it happens. When I picked up the issue, I didn’t know, and I had to watch the slow agonizing process knowing he wasn’t coming back from a good solid decapitation. Comics like Walking Dead, Watchmen, Y:The Last Man, and many more have impacted me greatly with character death, when they weren’t even my favourite characters, but when ultimate Spidey, one of my all time favourites died, it didn’t feel the same at all.

Sure part of it was because they weren’t coming back, but it was mostly due to the fact that their death wasn’t shoved in my face beforehand. It happened out of the blue. It felt real. 

For Marvel and DC death is a gimmick, and I’m usually okay with gimmicks. Whatever keeps my favorite industry in business I’m up for, but when it ruins the experience for the fans that have been supporting the industry for years? I’m less sympathetic. 

Nothing stays on the brain like a shocking unexpected death. This is true in real life and it’s also true in fiction. No big lead up. No huge event crossover. No blatantly telling me. If you’re going to kill something I love. Do it right. 

yeah, like that