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typoon · Jun 15, 2006, 04:08 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060614...omicsspiderman

NEW YORK (AFP) - For a comic book hero, it's the ultimate taboo.

In the latest edition of the Marvel comic "Civil War" on sale, Spiderman does the unthinkable and removes his Spidey mask to publicly reveal his hidden identity.

"I'm proud of who I am, and I'm here right now to prove it," the legendary webslinger tells a press conference called in New York's Times Square, before pulling off his mask and standing before the massed ranks of reporters as newspaper photographer Peter Parker.

"Any questions?" Parker asks in the final panel of the issue, amid a barrage of camera flashes.

In a statement, Marvel trumpeted the revelation as "arguably the most shocking event in comic book history."

The seven-issue "Civil War" series, launched in May, sees Marvel's writers taking on the topical issue of civil liberties.

Following a showdown between a group of superheroes and supervillains in which hundreds of innocent civilians are killed, the government passes the Super-Hero Registration Act, requiring all superheroes to reveal their identities and register as "living weapons of mass destruction."

Marvel's roster of invincible crime fighters is split into two bitterly opposed factions, with one camp -- championed by the likes of Spiderman -- in favour of the new law and the other, including Captain America and his ilk, refusing to relinquish anonymity.

"It's about which side you are on and why you think you are right," said Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada.

andi*pandi · Jun 15, 2006, 04:21 PM

didn't the incredibles kind of cover that?

jedi2187 · Jun 15, 2006, 04:32 PM

Peter looks at his back:

"Say, how did that bulls-eye get painted on me?"

jokell82 · Jun 15, 2006, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by jedi2187

Peter looks at his back:

"Say, how did that bulls-eye get painted on me?"

Actually, it's probably more like:
"Say, how did that bulls-eye get painted on Mary Jane and Aunt May?"

lavar78 · Jun 15, 2006, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by jokell82

Actually, it's probably more like:
"Say, how did that bulls-eye get painted on Mary Jane and Aunt May?"

...not to mention the kids he teaches, Flash Thompson, and anyone else close to him. It's certainly an interesting development, but I don't think they've adequately explained why Peter would do something so out of character for him.

Skywalkers new Hand · Jun 15, 2006, 06:30 PM

Oh god I thought he was going to COME OUT as a lesbian just like batwoman recently did.

Gamoe · Jun 15, 2006, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by andi*pandi

didn't the incredibles kind of cover that?

That's just what I thought!

JoshuaZ · Jun 16, 2006, 01:00 AM

Odd, seeing how Spider-man was so uber protective of his identity and all. Oh well.

Obi Wan's Ghost · Jun 16, 2006, 01:14 AM

Conspiracy Theory #1: This comic makes kids accept government intrusion.

Gamoe · Jun 16, 2006, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by Obi Wan's Ghost

Conspiracy Theory #1: This comic makes kids accept government intrusion.

Comic book writers being as they are, I doubt that, unless they were replaced...

Obi Wan's Ghost · Jun 16, 2006, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

Comic book writers being as they are, I doubt that, unless they were replaced...

I wasn't being THAT serious but say I was, this wouldn't be the first time government intruded in the entertainment business. They do it all the time in Hollywood. The military gets to read every script in production about political and war and they ask studios what they want and don't want to see.

Or it could be another post-9/11 themed story.