The Four Color Media Monitor

Superhero Hype announced Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC will be featuring the image of Spider-Man in their festivities again:

A familiar figure will once again patrol the skies of New York City this Thanksgiving. Spider-Man, one of the most popular characters to figure in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, will appear for the first time in a decade as a new balloon. The new balloon is modeled on the designs of legendary artist John Romita Sr. [...]

Marvel Comics and Macy’s have a long history of partnering together for the annual parade. Obviously, as Marvel’s flagship hero, Spider-Man has played a key role in that partnership. The Web-Swinger first appeared in the parade in 1981 as actor Scott Leva walked the parade route and acrobatically posed for pictures. Spidey then got his balloon in 1987, which appeared annually until 1998.

A new balloon premiered in 2009. This one sported a more modern look based on the then-recent film adaptions. However, it was retired in 2014.

The problem that's likely been prevalent for longer than we think is that this may be based on the costume only, and Peter Parker's not an actual part of this whole parade, nor is Mary Jane Watson or any other cast member from Spidey's better days. I couldn't spot any mention of Peter Parker in the article, and what good is this whole arrangement if the guy who originally got stung by a radioactive spider in late 1962 is left out of the proceedings? It just gives a whole new meaning to the figure of speech "empty suit". Why, now that I think of it, the whole history of superhero comics in merchandise, and other forms of extended media, is surely awash with examples of classic characters being presented superficially, with no genuine emphasis on the men and women behind the masks. To be sure, the characters who wear masks and cowls are the ones far more favored by these events, since they don't have to advertise the fictional characters who're actually wearing the costumes. It makes it all so easy. Either way, it just makes clear what the problem is with recognizability of famous creations in wider society.

In addition, if Marvel editorial won't allow any reunion between Peter and Mary Jane, then this year's Thanksgiving won't be worth celebrating when it comes to comics. And no matter how the new Ultimate line's being handled, that's no substitute.

Labels: conventions, history, licensed products, marvel comics, msm propaganda, Spider-Man, women of marvel