[QUOTE=Master Wang-Ka]
Anyone ever notice that in modern comics, the phrase “genetic engineering accident” is used in much the same way the word “radiation” was in 1960s comics?
Back in the day, you got your superpowers from a blast of radiation. Nowadays, it’s a genetic engineering accident…
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Oh, yes. Indeed it seems to be Marvel’s policy to retroactively re-explain all the super heroes powers as having to do with genetic alteration rather than radiation. This of course creates a problem of explaining why then mutants are special in that regard.
[QUOTE=Otto]
These were two separate incidents. In the first (Amazing Spider-Man 100 or thereabouts) Peter was experimenting with ways to rid himself of his spider powers and gave himself the extra arms but didn’t otherwise change appearance.
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[QUOTE=Otto]
IIRC, Parker’s DNA didn’t get blended with that of a spider. Parker was bitten and his body underwent a mutagenic transformation from the venom. More like an allergic reaction than anything else.
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I haven’t been following the Spider-titles in ages, but wasn’t there a story arc a few years ago where it was revealed that Peter was actually channeling some sort of spider-spirit? That the “accident” was not the cause, but the effect, or somesuch?
It also explained why Spidey’s Rogues’ Gallery tended to be animalistic as well (The Puma, Scorpion, etc.), because of the various animalistic spirits’ goings-on…?
There was a storyline during the JMS issues in which that ‘totem power’ explanation was toyed with. It may not be as sciency-sounding, but it has a certain logic that the radiation and genetic explanations don’t. By that I mean that the body weight to lift ratio of a spider has more to do with the physics that apply to very small things than it has to do with some genetic multiplier that can be turned on. But if you’re willing to believe that there’s some abstract quality of proportional strength in the universe that the spider partakes of, then it makes sense that giving it to a human would have that effect. To the extent that the notion makes any sense at all, that is. Which it doesn’t. But, you know. It’s a comic book.
The most recent treatment of Spidey becoming more spider than man was Paul Jenkins pre-Avengers Disassembled storyline “Changes” which was the point at which the comic book Spidey went from having mechanical webspinners to organic ones like in the movies. I didn’t care for it personally.
The most recent treatment of Spidey becoming more spider than man was Paul Jenkins pre-Avengers Disassembled storyline “Changes” which was the point at which the comic book Spidey went from having mechanical webspinners to organic ones like in the movies. I didn’t care for it personally.
…
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Nor would I.
This constant “mutation” of the original theme is exactly what drove me away from comic books/graphic novels.
[QUOTE=Johnny Angel]
Oh, yes. Indeed it seems to be Marvel’s policy to retroactively re-explain all the super heroes powers as having to do with genetic alteration rather than radiation. This of course creates a problem of explaining why then mutants are special in that regard.
[/QUOTE]
As I understand it, Marvel’s mutants all have the exact same mutation, a difference from normal humans in a very specific spot on their chromosomes (the “X-gene”). They simply show this mutation in lots of different ways. All mutants are the same genotype, with wildly varying phenotypes. (Did I get the terms right?) I think I read an explanation somewhere, not sure if it’s canon or not, that the x-gene mutation actually gives them reality-altering abilities, and they all subconsciously choose to manifest the ability in different ways. Spidey has a different kind of mutation than “Mutants.”
[QUOTE=Johnny Angel]
Oh, yes. Indeed it seems to be Marvel’s policy to retroactively re-explain all the super heroes powers as having to do with genetic alteration rather than radiation. This of course creates a problem of explaining why then mutants are special in that regard.
[/QUOTE]
Not at all. Mutants were born with their superhuman powers which usually manifest themselves at puberty. Everybody else had their genetic structure jacked with via external supernatural or (comicbook) scientific sources.
For the record — at least as of this writing —several of Marvel’s heavy hitters still have radioactive power catalysts. The Hulk still got his power from “Gamma” Bomb, Daredevil still got his power from “radioactive waste”, “Vita-Rays” are still responsible for balancing out Captain America’s Super Soldier Serum. For that matter, I think Spider-Man still has “radioactive blood” (unless he was “cured” of it via his “The Other” rebirth.)
[QUOTE=FlyingDragonFan]
As I understand it, Marvel’s mutants all have the exact same mutation, a difference from normal humans in a very specific spot on their chromosomes (the “X-gene”). They simply show this mutation in lots of different ways. All mutants are the same genotype, with wildly varying phenotypes. (Did I get the terms right?) I think I read an explanation somewhere, not sure if it’s canon or not, that the x-gene mutation actually gives them reality-altering abilities, and they all subconsciously choose to manifest the ability in different ways. Spidey has a different kind of mutation than “Mutants.”
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Your description of the “X-gene” sounds more like DC’s “metagene.” Looking at the Wikipedia mutant article it doesn’t mention it. Spider-Man is considered a “mutate” in Marvel mythology since he wasn’t born with his powers but underwent a mutagenic change.
[QUOTE=Johnny Angel]
Yeah, they haven’t entirely written out the radiation as part of the phenomenon, as per the song:
Is he high? Listen, blood,
He’s got radioactive bud!
(Or, it was something like that, you know.)
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Little bit of trivia…
On 1995’s “Saturday Morning: Cartoon’s Greatest Hits,” the punk pioneers Ramones performed a cover of this classic Spider-Man theme song. Here’s a really low-res version of the video for it.
The Ramones were formed in Forest Hills in Queens, NY.
Which is also where our friendly neighborhood wall-crawler is from.
[QUOTE=bubastis]
Did that have lyrics? All I ever heard was like an electronic voice going wah-de-wak-tik, wah-de-wak-tik, wayyoo ack-tic wah-de-wak-tik…
The only word I could make out was what sounded like “Radioactive”.
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