By Zan Haider
I’ve always believed that single issues, which focus on character psychology, are just as iconic as multiple-issue sagas. As a result, Patrick Gleason’s (Writer and Artist) work on Amazing Spider-Man #83 should be remembered as one of the highlights of our favorite web-head’s publication history.
Coming off of the attack from the U-Foes, Peter has been recuperating in the hospital while Ben Reilly has taken over as the new, Beyond Corporation-backed, Spider-Man. As a result, Peter has been stuck at the hospital. While most writers may take this story-based limitation on Peter Parker as simply filler issues, Gleason uses this as an opportunity to focus on who Peter Parker is.
An optimist who searches within himself to never give up.
Words describe what pictures illustrate, and what makes this issue absolutely brilliant are the metaphorical illustrations. Instead of having Peter talk on the phone about the sheer pain and mental fatigue he is currently experiencing, illustrations show his emotional and psychological state. Images of a spider ripping open his skull, a pale ghostly iteration of Spider-Man that haunts Peter, and showing heroes (such as Ben Reilly, Captain America) successfully stopping crime, while Peter fails, show that Peter is inherently doubting himself. The effort that Gleason implements in multiple pages, that one line of dialogue also could cover, shows the sheer love that he has for this character.
The issue also shows the real message of “Great power, great responsibility”. To do the right thing requires the strength and knowledge that you will have to pay a price. Peter understands this, and instead of tackling this mantra with nihilism and resentment, he faces this with optimism and determination. Because as Zendaya’s MJ states,
“That’s just who he is.”
The humor in this issue is also hilarious. Peter realizing that while he was doped on medication, he messaged multiple people and made some questionable financial purchases, is a nice touch of levity in an otherwise heartfelt and heavy, psychological study.
Showing our beloved hero, tackling all these existential emotions, while recuperating in a hospital, also humanizes Peter as the “everyday” man. He faces issues that me and you may face, and he has thoughts that are universal.
As a result, this issue is not only heartwarming but inspiring. We can all be Spider-Man. Patrick Gleason absolutely nails this concept, and this issue is one of the highlights of Spider-Man publication history. I truly believe so.
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