Spider-Man

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Revision as of 16:32, 3 August 2007 by imported>Patrick Lemaire (deleted sentence written for undergraduates)
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Spider-Man is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Universe whose superpowers include superhuman strength and speed, a "spider sense" that warns him of danger, and the abilities to cling to walls and ceilings and to shoot "spider webs" from his hands. Spider-Man's secret identity is Peter Benjamin Parker.

Since his first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962), Spider-Man has become one of the most popular, well-recognized, enduring, and commercially successful superheroes, and has been featured in numerous comic books, animated and live-action TV shows, and three feature films.

Fictional Biography

Peter Parker was introduced as a teenage science genius from New York City. At a science demonstration, he is bitten by a radioactive spider, which gives him a number of superpowers. In addition, Parker uses his scientific and technical knowledge to design equipment to supplement his superpowers.

While at first he attempts to use his powers to gain fame as a TV star, he changes his goals after he fails to stop a thief who weeks later kills his Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben's murder brings Parker to use his identity as Spider-Man to fight crime as a vigilante superhero. At the same time, Parker takes a job as a photographer at the Daily Bugle selling photos to editor-in-chief J. Jonah Jameson, who uses these photographs and his control over the newspaper to vilify Spider-Man.

Superpowers, equipment, and other abilities

Spider-Man's superpowers are granted through a bite by a radioactive spider. In the original comics, Spider-Man has the ability to cling to walls and ceilings, superhuman strength, speed, and agility, and a "spider-sense" that acts as a sixth sense by alerting him to danger.


Villains and Enemies

Spiderman's enemies include the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Venom, Sandman, Mysterio, Shocker and Vulture.