While Marvel Comics might not be publishing any new Spider-Man adventures at the moment, that didn't stop one fan from imagining what Peter Parker might be doing to be a "friendly neighbor Spider-Man" in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to a fun, free fan comic showing the wall-crawler offering his fellow Manhattanites a helping hand in their time of need.
More than any other hero in the Marvel Universe, Spidey has a reputation for being a man of the people. While most of Marvel's heroes were written to be relatable characters with real problems the readers could empathize with, Spider-Man's comics were usually just as much about Peter Parker's problems with work, school and Marvel's most unexpected romances as they were whatever costumed criminal Spider-Man was fighting this month. Spider-Man's adventures were also more grounded in the reality of life in Manhattan than those of his more fantastic counterparts. While the Fantastic Four and X-Men might go into outer space on a regular basis, a long journey for Spider-Man might involve heading out to New Jersey.
Dewey Bass, the creator of Comics From Space! had these ideals firmly in mind when they recently published a Spider-Man fan comic called "Social Distancing." There are no climactic battles with the Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus to be found here. The tone is closer instead to Tom Taylor's recent run on Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, which showcased Peter Parker trying to do "whatever a spider can" to help people in more mundane circumstances.
"Social Distancing" finds Spider-Man facing a rare peaceful day in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the streets of Manhattan are largely clear and the supervillains are apparently staying in. As Peter ponders taking a day off himself, an elderly woman calls out to him and asks, if he's not too busy, if he could swing by the corner store and pick up a few things for her. This puts Spider-Man in the right place at the right time to stop that most loathed of all criminals: a toilet paper thief!
The story of "Social Distancing" is largely played for laughs, with Spidey quipping about how he was well-prepared for the COVID-19 outbreak since he was already wearing a mask and gloves everywhere and the inherent juvenile comedy of someone stealing toilet paper. Still, the story also captures the heart of who Peter Parker truly is; a good man who tries to help people to the best of his ability, be it by stopping a robbery, shopping for someone who can't leave their apartment or simply offering a willing ear when someone needs to vent their anxieties.
While Spider-Man may not be a real person in this universe, that same heroic spirit he exemplifies has seen humanity through many a disaster and will continue to do so in the future. Hopefully that future will include Marvel Comics seeking out the creator of Comics From Space! and offering them a chance to make more Spider-Man comics like this one officially.
