Axel Alonso, Editor
"The Amazing Spider-Man" c/o Marvel Comics
10 East 40th St.
New York NY 10016

Dear Mr. Alonso,

I am, finally, after months of planning to, writing to express my appreciation for the great job being done on "The Amazing Spider-Man" these days. It is the only Marvel comic that I make sure never to miss each time it comes out. The last time I wrote a letter to Marvel was in August 1996.

It is the writing, plotting and scripting being done by J M Straczynksi that has most caught me up, although the art by John Romita Jr. has been sufficiently enjoyable, if a bit sketchy in places. JMS has obviously been having a lot of fun with Spider-Man and I've been enjoying his wit, as well as the logical direction in which the story has gone: it was very logical that Aunt May should not actually die of stress upon finding out her nephew is Spider-Man; she's been acknowledged as very tough since the first issues of the comic. I am also very happy to see Peter Parker back together with Mary Jane as of issue 50. I'm glad to see that Parker finally has some more people on his side such as the powerful Ezekiel. I'm also enjoying the continuing way in which other characters from the Marvel Universe are making guest appearances.

I would like to see the whole concept of Spider-Man changed a bit from the idea of self-sacrifice. "Great power means great responsibility", but it does not mean the duty to give up the main part of one's life for others. I don't see self-sacrifice as being at all moral -- who is helped after all, if we each cut our own throats?. Spider-Man's defining moment, the time when he did not stop his uncle's murderer when he could have easily, does not mean that he has to give up his life to fight crime, it just means that next time he's in the position, he should help, especially if it's easy. I would like to see the myth modified a bit to change from preaching self-sacrifice to rather having a successful life, which is really one's main contribution in life, while giving others the occasional hand, a secondary contribution.

Especially since he has his wife back, his first duty should be to her, not to others, primarily. With a more rational approach to life, he could hold down a better job that makes more use of his genius. I'd like to see him get another research job and go on to make important discoveries. He could still teach school part-time if he wants. Charity work may be over-rated. People would benefit a lot more if Parker invents a car that gets a hundred miles per gallon of hydrogen and is cheap to manufacture than if he remains an anonymous public school teacher, and he would make a lot of money. The action stories that fill the issues could easily be worked around his life; it was done with Tony Stark and Iron Man and the Avengers for a long time. You could still work in gags about Parker's luck and even have him miss some work. If Ezekiel were to employ him as a researcher, that might be ideal.

I'd like to ask for a letters page if you can fit one in. Although most of the covers have been very attractive in showing generic action poses of Spider-Man, especially those by Cho, I would like to see covers that actually relate to the contents of the issues.

There is a gaffe involving the word for insect studies in issue 46 page 7, panel 5. Dr. Strange said it was "etymology", but that means the study of word development history. The correct word for the branch of zoology dealing with insects is "entomology". I double-checked two dictionaries.

I have also heard that JMS has signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, and hope to see more of his work soon.

Best regards,

This letter may be published, with proper credit.

Last updated April 20, 3, 2003