Why Spider-Man Remains One of the Most Popular Superheroes

This Thursday, April 28, marked the National Superhero Day in the United States, and according to Google search data in 2021, the most popular superhero in the world is the Spider man.

According to online entertainment platform Zavvi, the web slinger has an average of 5 million searches per month.

But how did he earn that coveted spot in a highly saturated market?

in conversation with the CNN, the writer-performer and comic book fan Reece Connolly describes Spider-Man – his favorite superhero – as “a hero at his simplest using what he’s been given to help people”.

“He is normal. He’s a young guy whose silliness and awkwardness make him one of the most relatable superheroes out there. He’s nothing special, he’s just normal.”

Connolly says that unlike Batman, his second favorite superhero, Spider-Man doesn’t have “billions of dollars in the bank. He is not a billionaire who lives alone in a mansion.”

He notes that Spider-Man’s life – full of problems at school and with his family – presents scenarios that many fans have experienced in their own lives.

“But it’s more than that. He’s had a tough, tragic life and he still has that puppy-dog enthusiasm and he keeps on recovering,” which is inspiring, says Connolly.

The “life lessons of being kind to others and taking responsibility” taught to him by his Aunt May and Uncle Ben are very much present in the Peter Parker side of the character, Connolly notes.

Dr. Ilham Sebah, a psychologist at Royal Holloway, University of London, says the idea of ​​“recovering” is synonymous with resilience – “the ability to adapt and cope with stress and adversity” experienced in life.

“I like to think of it as ‘leap forward,'” Sebah told CNN, noting that Spider-Man’s adversities equip him with the skills and strategies to better handle future situations.

Louise Phull, a fan of the Spider-Man movies, believes the superhero’s “vulnerability” and “character development” make him more human and likable, especially when he sacrifices so much for the “greater good.”

Positive psychology theorizes that quality of life can be improved by subjective experiences (e.g. happiness and hope) and traits (such as love and perseverance), which is seen in how Spider-Man handles anything.

“He’s constantly vulnerable, but he manages to get through that and never hit rock bottom” and that’s especially admirable for kids who see him as a role model, says Phull, adding that the character’s “moral compass” also plays a big role. in your appeal.

That moral compass is summed up in a phrase that every Spider-Man fan knows: “With great power comes great responsibility”, which is told to him by his uncle in most versions of Spider-Man’s story and by his aunt more recently in Spider-Man. 2021 blockbuster, “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”

“It’s a very powerful life lesson for everyone, because whatever you’ve been given in life, it’s your responsibility to literally use it to help improve the world around you,” says Connolly.

Spider-Man often has trouble balancing his web-slinging heroism with his non-superhero Peter Parker identity. Like Parker, he is often vulnerable and bullied by Flash Thompson, but occasionally the strength he shows in his alter ego comes to his defense.

In the comic book “The Amazing Spider-Man #2”, Parker calls out Thompson, saying “at least my brain isn’t muscular, like that fat head of yours!”

Connolly says his superpowers aren’t the only thing “special” about Spider-Man, because both Parker and the superhero are known for intelligence.

“Even when he’s in the middle of a battle with the Rhino or the Lizard, he’s still cracking jokes – bad jokes most of the time, but usually the best kind.”

In the comic book “Ultimate Spider-Man #1”, when the Green Goblin attacks his school, Spider-Man jokes, “You wouldn’t be the new homeschool teacher, would you?”.

Sebah, an expert in the study of resilience, notes that humor is a common — and effective — coping mechanism, particularly when someone is in pain.

During a pandemic that has wreaked havoc on lives across the world, it can be especially important for fans to see that resilience in an affable and beloved character on the big screen.

“You find hope in these characters,” says Connolly.

“When they are so well written and performed, they almost feel real. And they’ve been there for many of us for a long time, whether it’s through comic books, movies, games,” he says. “And in dark times, it’s good to go back to them and pay attention to their lessons and be inspired by them.”