The Canonical Debates: New York Is Special Because We Have Spider-Man vs. Superheroes Are Literally Everywhere
Are dramatic superhero encounters really unique to the Big Apple?
Chris Andrews, New York
I’ve been a native New Yorker for nearly a year now, but I didn’t feel like I belonged until I was rescued by Spider-Man last month. I was just minding my own business and being mugged, when out of nowhere, I saw this red and blue blur swing by. By the time I looked back at the muggers, they’d been webbed to a nearby wall, and Spider-Man was leveling devasting one-liners on them.
It’s the quintessential New York experience. It could happen at any time of the day: at the crack of dawn, in the afternoon after work, or even in the middle of the night. That’s because Spider-Man is open 24/7, just like New York. It’s the city that never sleeps!
The best part of my mugging and subsequent rescue is how easy it was to walk to from my apartment. It was literally the next block over. Back home, if you wanted to get saved by a superhero, you had to have a car. Walkable cities are great for so many reasons, but a big benefit is how they let you build community. I really identify with that webhead — he’s truly a friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man, not just some powerful meta-human who happens to live near me. Only in New York, baby! Greatest city in the world!
Wade Reese, Iowa
Oh, give me a break. New Yorkers act like they're the only people in the world who have superheroes. Guess what, buddy, we have Spider-Man in my hometown. We just call him Hawkeye.
Honestly, it's kind of nice getting saved by a hero in a peaceful, quiet environment. I wouldn't be able to hear myself think with all of Spider-Man’s constant, obnoxious quipping. Plus, I don't trust that webbing of his. He's putting tons and tons of microplastics into the biosphere. I'm okay being out here in the clean air, away from the city.
Besides, why do you think they're even bragging about getting saved by Spider-Man in the first place? I'll tell you why: crime in the city is out of control. They have to keep the focus on the people getting rescued so we don’t hear about all the ones that are being killed, which is a way higher number. Besides, I listen to Jameson’s podcast, and he says that Spider-Man is actually a criminal himself. I'm not saying that I agree with him, but it definitely makes you think. New York isn’t so great.