Spidey and Obama team up in Washington

When I was a kid I used to love it when my mom would drive me to the comic book store where I would rack up on my favorite super-heroes. Reading comic books at a young age eventually nurtured my love for reading as a young adult. Occasionally I still collect comics and Spider-Man by far has always been my favorite. Spidey and others helped me as a child escape into a fascinating and imaginative world where the good guys always saved the day.

That’s why I was delighted to hear that the amazing web-slinger was teaming up with the next U.S. president Barack Obama in a special Inauguration edition #583, released Jan. 14, called “Spidey Meets the President.” The six-page story was written by Zeb Wells and illustrated by Todd Nauck and Frank D’Armata.

When Obama was a child he too read comics and has previously stated that Spider-Man was one of his favorites. Cool, huh?

Last year Obama told Entertainment Weekly, “I was always into the Spider-Man/Batman model.” Obama added, “The guys who have too many powers—like Superman—that always made me think they weren’t really earning their superhero status. It’s a little too easy. Whereas Spider-Man and Batman, they have some inner turmoil. They get knocked around a little bit.”

Marvel Comic’s Editor in Chief Joe Quesada finds it fitting to honor the next president with the Spidey-Obama special edition.

“When we heard that President-elect Obama is a collector of Spider-Man comics, we knew that these two historic figures had to meet,” said Quesada in a press release. “Historic moments such as this one can be reflected in our comic books because the Marvel Universe is set in the real world,” added Quesada. “A Spider-Man fan moving into the Oval Office is an event that must be commemorated.”

So this is how it all goes down in the comic world. The story takes place in Washington D.C. on Inauguration Day where the villainous Chameleon, one of Spidey’s oldest foes who can change identities, attempts to sabotage the swearing in ceremony of Obama who is set to become the 44th U.S. president both in the comic world and in real life.

During the scheme Peter Parker, Spider-Man’s alter-ego, who is at the celebration taking pictures, notices there are two Obamas and so he changes clothes and attempts to interrupt the Chameleon as Spider-Man. In the issue Spider-Man uses a basketball to determine who the real Obama is. In real life Obama is a big basketball fan and athlete.

At one point Obama tells the Secret Service to “get the wall-crawler out of here.” But then comes to his senses and invites Spider-Man back to do what he does best.

Spider-Man acts quickly responding, “Ya hear that, Chameleon? The president-elect here just appointed me Secretary of ‘Shuttin’ You Up!’”

Anyway, I thought this was so cool and I know Obama is going to need all the help he can get in the next period. It’s nice to know Obama can count on the support of Spider-Man, even if it’s just in the comic world.

Since everyone is getting into the Obama-marketing act, why not comic books. So if you’re a fan of Spidey and/or Obama, don’t miss out on this collectors’ copy. I like to think Obama and I have more in common than being in Chicago. We’re both comic book geeks.

Web you later.

plozano@pww.org