Spiderman

Posted on July 13, 2004 in Culture Journalists & Pundits Liberals & Progressives Myths & Mysticism

It’s politics Tuesday!

Spiderman is a liberal. His story matches that of many great reformers and protectors of American freedom from corporatism. A secret cabal — often based in a corporation — attempts to overthrow world government. Or a product of a corporate/conspiratorial agency becomes a loose cannon. As Spiderman begins the fight against the foe, Jameson identifies him as the bad guy. No matter what Spiderman does, no matter who testifies on his behalf, Jameson puts him down. But then the villain gets utterly out of control and starts wrecking the city or makes an attempt on The Daily Bugle. Then, for as long as it takes to save the day, Spiderman is tolerated. The criminal is captured. The people rejoice. And Jameson goes back to hating Spiderman.

This list of enemies of Spiderman fails to include his principal and most noisome adversary, Jameson. This journalist causes more woe in Spiderman’s life than any other single individual. Between rescues, Jameson derides Spiderman, deprecates his record as a crimefighter. Time and again, despite massing evidence to the contrary, Jameson makes Spiderman out as the villain. The hero cannot make a move without Jameson finding fault. If he appears at the scene of an unsolved crime, Spiderman is blamed. If a criminal gets away, Spiderman is faulted. Jameson will not abide any slant which portrays Spiderman’s true character. Time and again, he returns to his old habit of villifying this most human of superheros. This man’s mind cannot be changed. He is the epitome of Fox News, small time hate bloggers, and the propaganda machines of the far right.

And Spiderman, being a liberal hero, does nothing to infringe upon Jameson’s right to tell his lies. He keeps living his working class life much like the martyred George Moscone did. (If Jameson knew of this, it would become an issue. Who could trust a superhero who was not a businessman?) He seldom, if ever, kills his opponents: he leaves them where the law can find them. Again and again, Spiderman saves the day. And again and again, Jameson functions as the pawn of the very forces which created the crises in the first place.

In these days when our world is beset by global warming, mercenaries, Fox News, and a corrupt corporatist death grip on our institutions, Spiderman is a myth for our times, for the little people who could make a difference if they set their minds to it.

Inspired by a discussion which began here.