Spider-Man: The Darkness Within #2
PUBLIC MENACE
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"Sure, you've read many stories about many different magazine heroes! But there's never been a story like this one – because there's never been a hero like – Spider-Man!"
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Actually, that's not true. I mean the first part. You see, Amazing Fantasy #15 was the first comic book I ever read (unless you include Calvin and Hobbes, which I don't, being that it's a newspaper strip). Amazing Spider-Man #1 was the second one. So, I had only read one comic book before. And (unless you include Stupendous Man, from Calvin and Hobbes, which, again, I don't), it had only been about one hero. And that was the same hero as in Amazing Spider-Man #1.
But I'm getting off-topic.
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Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules which may not even be busy, for reading this! And don't tell me you don't like it, because this is issue two, and non-believers would have cancelled their subscription if they didn't like issue one.
Today's story will be based on the first part of Amazing Spider-Man #1. That means that J. Jonah Jameson is out to get good ol' Spidey! Of course, this is the gateway to many more stories, for, not only does it introduce JJJ, but Spider-Man now has a motive for crime fighting! After all, without his invaluable lesson, why would Peter Parker butt into Chameleon's affair in issue three?
So, true believers and newcomers alike, sit back, relax, and enjoy:
Spider-Man: The Darkness Within #2
XXX
A man at a typewriter sits down and makes trouble for Spider-Man.
"When I'm through with this article," he thinks out loud, "Spider-Man will be run out of town!"
The man's name is J. Jonah Jameson, publisher of the Daily Bugle. He lives for his paper and his paper lives for cash. And when Spider-Man is introduced, it is a perfect opportunity for his paper, but not in the same way that most folks would figure...
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"Hello, Aunt May!" Peter Parker speaks with aunt ecstatically. But then he realizes that she is... crying. "Aunt May?" he asks.
"Peter, that was your Uncle Ben who just called!" she reveals. "He was... let go..."
"What? But why?"
"His employer was paying so many people, that he needed to cut down on his employees, and Ben was such a new worker that – well, you know... They always let go the new ones..." There is silence for a panel or two.
"Aunt May," Peter finally decided, "there's only one thing to do! I've got to quit school and get a job!"
"No, Peter, you mustn't! Your uncle and I always dream you being a scientist some day! You must continue your studies!" As Aunt May turned to go into the kitchen and cook dinner, Peter pondered for a solution.
I've got to help Aunt May somehow! Wait! With my powers as Spider-Man, I can do anything! I can go anywhere! No one, Nothing can stop me! Any amount of money could be mine – just for the taking! But no! What am I thinking of? I'm no criminal! I'm not a thief! Besides, if I were ever arrested and imprisoned, it would break Aunt May and Uncle Ben's hearts! No! There's only one other way! I have to perform double-time
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But, when Spider-Man arrives at the director's office, he is, surprisingly, turned down!
"Might as well go on back where you came from, Spider-Man! There'll be no show tonight – or any night!" He says.
"What? Why? What happened?"
"This happened!" the director explained, shoving a newspaper into Spider-Man's masked visage. "Look at this editorial! The paper has everyone so steamed up, they'll probably toss you in jail if you show your face!"
"But why? What have they got against me? What have I done?"
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"We cannot allow that masked menace to take the law into his own hands! He is a bad influence on our youngsters! Children may try to imitate his fantastic feats! Think what would happen if they make a hero out of this lawless, inhuman, monster! We must not permit it! I say that Spider-Man must be outlawed! There is no place for such a dangerous creature in our fair city! The youth of this nation must learn to respect real heroes – men such as my son, John Jameson, the test pilot! Not selfish freaks such as Spider-Man – a masked menace who refuses to even let us know his true identity!"
XXX
Yes, yes, I know. You thought that this one would be slightly different. Well, in truth, I'm just as surprised as you are... But Jameson has no idea who Uncle Ben is, so that doesn't concern him... yet...
But don't worry, as we stray farther and farther into the darkness within, we will see a tremendous difference from the comics! Don't worry! I promise!
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Wanna know what really confuses me? On page 6, first panel, Peter Parker says, "Well, if I can't make a living as Spider-Man, the bla, bla, bla" out loud. In public! Seriously, where are the thought bubbles already? Does anyone remember? It's beginning to annoy me.
XXX
It was all over the news. John Jameson, son of JJJ, was about to orbit the earth in a rocket.
How do you do it? Peter thought at the dinner table. The news was on the kitchen TV. Unfortunately, Peter could not ask Uncle Ben to turn it off. After all, just imagine such a conversation: "Say, Uncle Ben, will you please change the channel?" "Why, Peter?" "Because J. Jonah Jameson's been picking on Spider-Man a lot lately?" "And why might this matter?" "Because I am Spider-Man!" It wasn't exactly in Peter's best interest to reveal this news to his old and fragile aunt and uncle.
But then, disaster strikes! A small section of the forward guidance package breaks loose from the capsule, and falls into space... Without this essential guidance unit, the capsule goes into an erratic orbit, completely out of control!
"John Jameson has only minutes to live," stated the television reporter. The television screen showed the wild shuttle. Peter stared at the screen, mesmerized.
The shuttle crashed and exploded. Peter grinned.
"Good riddance."
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The following morning, Peter walked downstairs to hear his aunt and uncle speaking with each other.
"Oh dear," Aunt May was saying, "I certainly hope they find that horrible Spider-Man and lock him up before he can do any harm!"
"What?" Peter butted in.
"Peter, m'boy, didn't you hear?" Uncle Ben replied. "Jameson accuses Spider-Man of tampering with the capsule – sabotaging it – for revenge of all the editorials! He's now convinced the FBI to even offer a reward for Spider-Man's capture!"
"Oh," Peter said, but in his head, he was cursing. How do I get out of this one? How do I convince people that I did not sabotage that shuttle? But should I even try? Or maybe I should just simply become what I am being accused of...
XXX
Different enough for you? The funny thing is, though, that in both of the past two issues, I've cut out the main action scene! But, don't worry, I promise to keep it next time!
NEXT: Meet the first classical villain in SPIDER-MAN VS. THE CHAMELEON! 'Nuff said.