The tangled web of vengeance, love, and loss woven by Spider-Man comics and films is explored in this collection of insightful essays by acclaimed writers of comics and science fiction. A variety of topics-from the superhero’s sarcasm to the science behind radioactive spiders-are discussed in essays on Turning Rage into Responsibility: A Psychology of Loss,
Love Is Selfish: Can a Hero Afford Personal Attachments?, and Self Identity and Costume Design. The popular rival Green Goblin, the bumbling-yet-influential media, and the part New York City itself plays in stories are skillfully explored, as is the overall philosophy of mild-mannered Peter Parker and Spidey’s relationship with the rest of the characters in the Marvel universe.