With major The returns of both Gwen Stacy and Jor-El in recent years (or at least alternate versions of them), Ben Parker seems like one of the last comic characters that has been allowed to remain deceased. It makes sense, as the inspiration his death provided to Spider-Man is the central cornerstone for that hero. Of course, that mentorship role was taken over by Tony Stark in the Marvel movies, with barely a mention of Uncle Ben. The poor guy just can't get a break.
My impression was that Spidey's origin was done so clearly and effectively during the Maguire and Garfield eras that the producers deemed it best to skip over that part; sadly, Ben's part in Peter's backstory went along with it. It's too bad, really; a flashback cameo in Homecoming would not have been out of place.
ReplyDeleteKid Eternity is the perfect choice for bringing up this question, Ross, and I think that, if this was an actual comic, it would sell so quickly that it'd need a couple of extra print runs. The emotional resonance of being able to say goodbye to a loved one who died suddenly and unexpectedly is quite powerful, and it could be a turning point in Peter's life after he's lived with his guilt for so long.
For a lighter touch, maybe some future cover could have Kid Eternity call up Zorro for an adventure... or give Dazzler an opportunity to sing with Elvis Presley.
Could be worse. He could wind-up getting superhuman flexibility powers from a stick of kryptonite-flavored chewing gum (a la Pete Ross of SMALLVILLE)!
ReplyDeleteActually there is an alternate world version of Ben where he is Spider-Man. This was in the original Spider-Verse series.
ReplyDeleteBen has turned up alive in some of the "What If" tales but in the mainline he's still dead. (And he is not just merely dead.......)
ReplyDeleteThe only other characters I can think of to stay dead that long were Bucky and DC's Ferro Lad, both of whom came back.
Don't forget the ladies: Lara and Martha Wayne have stayed dead.
ReplyDeleteNice cover!
ReplyDeleteAs someone with a degree in history and a former history teacher, I've always thought that Kid Eternity was one of the most interesting and under utilized characters in comics. I would love to see him revived without being "reimagined".
Even better, I would love to see DC reprint some of the old Quality Comics stories.
I'd love to see Kid Eternity do this for Bruce Banner with regard to the miraculously still-dead Betty (nee Ross).
ReplyDeleteAlmost hate to tell you this, Anon. But, Betty was basically reanimated by the Leader and MODOK on behalf of T-bolt Ross.
ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
ReplyDeleteMiracle Max to Kid Eternity: "You couldn't summon him, because it turns out, he's only mostly dead...."
ReplyDeleteBen's been back a few times as a spectre and told Peter he's been watching and is proud of Peter. And on a different Earth, Ben lived as May died.
ReplyDeleteCan the Kid bring someone back from a different timeline or parallel world?
Yeah! Like say, his paternal and maternal grandfathers from pre-COIE Earth-Shazam?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Kid Eternity could bring the now MeTV icons the Flintstones and the Three Stooges together,
ReplyDeletethe 3 Stoogerocks? What would Pebbles say?
ReplyDelete"Wowzi-wowzie-woo-woo!" most likely.
ReplyDeleteHow about Oracle and Felix Renton from "Kim Possible?"
ReplyDeleteFred Flintstone, if designed as a mid-20th century character, given more cultured violence (slapping, eye-poking, etc. as opposed to clubbing, using a clenched-fisted arm as a club, etc.), made thinner, and given a "bowl" haircut, he would look an awful lot like Moe the Stooge; BTW, a lot of the humor on the original (1960s) Flintstones can easily fit in mid-20th century (or present) life.
ReplyDeleteAnon to the 1024, that's cause the Flintstones were inspired by the original Honeymooners. Gleason even threatened to sue.
ReplyDeleteThe suit would've fit better if Hanna-Barbera had not successfully resisted calling the male protagonist "Jackie Gleestone."
ReplyDeleteStill, Fred Flintstone and Moe of "The Three Stooges" have similar(?) demeanors; BTW, also, the mid-20th century has been poked fun at as being Stone Age (technologically (and in architecture(?)).
ReplyDelete@Anon1238: British pop-culture historians even refer to it as BCD.*
ReplyDelete*Before Compact Discs.