Atop the Fourth Wall: 200th Episode

Monday, July 30, 2012

200th Episode

It's Atop the Fourth Wall's 200th Episode! What comic could be heinous enough for the position?

Part 1:

Part 2:
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282 comments:

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Anonymous said...: Wow, I really picked a good time to watch ALL of the episodes of Atop the Fourth Wall. The first episode that I watch the day it comes out, and it's the 200th episode, AND it's One More Day! The only possible problems I could have with the review, is that being about One More Day, it takes away all the teasing about whether or not the review will happen. I always figured that it would be more of a send-off review instead of a milestone episode. The other thing is that the comic wasn't burned as other people have said. If anything, this one should have been burned in either a blazing inferno, or hit with an orbital strike from Comicron-1. Other than that, the review was fantastic! Unlike Miller, you sir most definitely do not fail!; July 31, 2012 at 2:46 PM
Mike McNulty, a.k.a. Stillanerd said...: Congratulations on your 200th episode Linkara and an excellent critique on "One More Day." You observations about Spider-Man as a character and the writers "unwillingness for the character to become an adult" reminded me of statment former co-writer of Amazing Spider-Man, Joe Kelly, made in an interview to Comic Book Resources:

"I always think of him as in high school even though he's not. So whatever girl trouble he's got, it's always the high school version of it in my brain. It may not manifest that way, but that's his reaction. It's always like he's this disaffected man-boy, and that's why Norah calls him her 'Man-Child.' It's because he's not fully equipped to deal with all these romantic slings and arrows...."

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23122

Granted, this is just how he, in particular, chose to write Spider-Man and it's in the context of his personal relationships, but it's quite revealing nevertheless. And of course, there is also Tom Brevoort's infamous "Spider-Man is about youth" defense in response to complaints about One More Day's undoing Peter and MJ's marriage, as well.

Also, and I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but Colin Smith in a rather lenghty but excellent essay on his "Too Busy Thinking About My Comics" blog made similar observations about Spider-Man that, if you have the time, is definitely worth the read: http://toobusythinkingboutcomics.blogspot.com/2010/05/that-radical-brian-michael-bendis-part.html; July 31, 2012 at 2:47 PM
Unknown said...: I was really impressed with this episode. Very nice to see all your 'let's dig into X' as part of it.

I was honestly surprised you were really going to review it. Especially since it's come up in a few different ways. I can see why the whole package is crap, not just the stupid deal with the devil.

And you're right, the writing is beyond lazy which is beyond confusing for someone like JMS who's B5 was so damn complete. Even if the 4th season was rushed and then the 5th was only sort of needed because they were cancelled then picked up by someone else.

And yes I know, he wasn't the only author.

I was told by my husband this actually gets dealt with in a different comic but, beyond the 'who should he chose' crap, doesn't he think maybe Aunt Mae would like to get to spend eternity with her husband now?

If the concept of the devil is considered cannon, then I'd have to think that heaven is too. Let her go, let her see her husband again who YOU (Spidy) says it's his fault for him dying anyway.

Why does Marvel have to make their comics link with movie cannon? I used to love comics but when I see a movie, I'm seeing a movie. I was never into most of the heroes that make up the Avengers, yet I saw it THREE times. Which is a damn lot given my tight budget and how little I like being in crowds. Last movie I saw before that was Predators and that was because a friend took me to the midnight showing for my birthday.

Ugh, I'm rambling, sorry about that.

The insult to escapist media was well, insulting. I know I have a lot of stigmas because of things in my life but I never liked the thought that I play video games because I'm 'too big of a loser'. Hell, my brother works on VGs and he's far from some slob who sits home all day. Heck, he goes to bed at 8pm because his work days are so demanding. And he's getting married in a few months.

My uncle built his own VG company from the ground up. He eventually sold it for reasons but he certainly wasn't a loser.

I know there's the stereo type of geeks and nerds living in the basement until their late 30s but that was just goofy and uncalled for.

Nice signature to the NC by the way.

Anyway, thank you so much for your continued work. I can honestly say that with the exception of the now cancelled Sanctuary, you are my top thing to watch in any medium.

You also have some of the best continuity I've ever seen.

Take care; July 31, 2012 at 3:26 PM
pokemega32 said...: Since everyone's looking for the lyrics, I decided to try and figure them out by ear.

Let me know if there's anything I misheard.

Stood atop the fourth wall
Mocking for y’all
Comics appalling
His will strong (Not sure about this line)
Still standing tall
Not gonna fall
Gonna follow his calling

Some say he is a man
Just a comic book fan
But nobody’s certain
A champion
Magic gun in his hand
Fighting since it began
Until after the curtain

A magnificent comic defender is here
With a name to make publishers tremble with fear

Linkara
Atop the Fourth Wall

He knows what to do when the world is in flux
Also he’s read your book and he thinks that it sucks

Linkara
Atop the Fourth Wall

From a parallel world stepped Doctor Linksano
They say it’s not science but hey, what do they know?
He’s not really a threat
For a genius he hasn’t accomplished much yet
Unlike some unwelcome gifts
That also have managed to slip through the rift
But Lord Vyce is a thing of the past
And it seems Mechakara’s been finally trashed…
..right?

When evil growing like cancer
Got Boffo the Clown and the Ninja-Style Dancer
Linkara stepped up to the plate
Grabbed onto the fate of the world and defeated the hate
Inside 90’s Kid
Doing again what he always did
The best for that’s what he does
All the while burning bad comics because

A magnificent comic defender is here
With a name to make publishers tremble with fear

Linkara
Atop the Fourth Wall

He knows what to do when the world is in flux
Also he’s read your book and he thinks that it sucks

Linkara
Atop the Fourth Wall

When destrucity strikes
He stands in the way
With Harvey Finevoice, Pollo and Nimue
As both allies and enemies come and go
A chaste status quo never disrupts the show

With shallowness blatant on every page
Expect in return Adamantium Rage
All issues addressed but his job is not done
There’s no day of rest aboard Comicron-1

A magnificent comic defender is here
With a name to make publishers tremble with fear

Linkara
Atop the Fourth Wall

He knows what to do when the world is in flux
Also he’s read your book and he thinks that it sucks

Linkara
Atop the Fourth Wall

Linkara
Atop the Fourth Wall

(If this was already submitted, sorry. It gave me an error the first time.); July 31, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Jumpman256 said...: Linkara--
I have been watching various TGWTG personalities for a long time (Doug Walker's characters most faithfully). I have watched a few of your reviews (mostly PSA Hell) because...I'm not a big comic reader. (In fact, I'm probably the OPPOSITE of most of your fans because I watch your videos mostly FOR the storylines--I mostly fastforward to the end. :) All that to say this:
I have watched enough bits and pieces to know you had a HATRED for One More Day. When I realized what the 200th episode was, I watched the whole hour to see why.

Bravo, my good sir. Bravo. This was a PERFECT 200th episode. You should be proud. And Joe Cassada (is that spelled right?) you should be ASHAMED. :(
Happy 200th. I shall anxiously be awaiting the next development with The Magic Gun and the Conbravo AT4W LIVE. (Yes, I watch those too. :)
Congrats, Lewis.; July 31, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Anonymous said...: You guys remember Amazing Spider-Man #400? A Death in the Family? That was Peter and May accepting her upcoming death. It was probably one of my favorite issues ever. If you haven't seen it, it's almost a required read. It's a really heartbreaking issue.In all honesty, I was distracted by Planet Hulk and never really developed the kind of rage that most people have for One More Day.; July 31, 2012 at 4:44 PM
samson said...: I spent the first ten mins waiting for you to call "sike" and review something else ;).

Loved the episode: It was fantastic stuff good sir.; July 31, 2012 at 5:22 PM
James Faraci said...: One of if not THE best episode of Atop The Fourth Wall! But if I could come up with a follow up for OMD. Then allow me the selfish bastard known as Peter Parker has flashes of both the events of "Civil War" and OMD. He then goes on a date with the love interest they gave him after OMD and sees Mary Jane's face on the nameless woman. Wondering if he is going nuts Spidey goes to find Dr. Strange who discovers an anomalous cloud in his brain where memories are formed and stored, Strange gets fricasseed trying to crack the cloud Psychically. After Dr. Strange fails Spidey is web slinging around when Ghost Rider being the Devil's Bounty Hunter finds him and tells him what has happened to him and what Spider-Man has done was for all accounts and purposes WRONG! However with Spider-Man being a complete dumbass bastard his reaction would be "Huh?" And in the penultimate chapter, he finds Mary Jane and asks Who & What in the blazes of hell is going on and what was the point of the deal with the devil. Mary Jane spills the beans and then proceeds to cry and saying she can't live with the guilt of the deal decides to kill herself and I mean put a gun in her mouth and pulls the trigger covering the wall with her cerebellum. Spidey now is wanted by the law in connection with Mary Jane's death, calls Aunt May to let her know how much he loves her and to say goodbye and then decides to call out Mephistopheles and Spider-Man says that he wants to change the deal Mephistopheles being the devil seeing Peter so upset says no! Spider Man then decides to force his hand and fights Mephistopheles in order to change the deal. Mephistopheles says the only way you can change the deal is to kill me! Finally at the point of no return Spider-Man and Mephistopheles duke it out, Spider-Man getting the piss beaten out of him when like Obi-Wan in the original Star Wars trilogy comes to him as a ghost mentor and helps him come up with the way to kill him but it'd kill Peter too. He goes forward with the plan, Spider-Man has nothing left to lose and sees the way he cocoons Mephistopheles swings him up past the Empire State Building, landing on top of Mephistopheles the two end up impaled at the highest point on the Empire State Building the two writhing in death and in one moment the magic power Mephistopheles has Spider-Man allows him to go back to the morning of the trip he was going to be bit by the radioactive spider and having retained all the knowledge of what happens decides to call out of school sick and decides to be more of a more confident person much like he could've been had the bite happened and act like Spider-Man towards his classmates thus leaving the window open for the new ultimate universe Spider-Man Miles Morales to become Spider-Man in the Marvel prime universe and wiping Peter Parker out of Spider-Man's legacy once and for all.; July 31, 2012 at 5:45 PM
Catgirl the Crazy said...: ""I hate to be "Douchey McNitpick" but you can have a proportion of an infinite set. Half of all whole numbers, for example, are odd. So it's possible for one proportion of universes to have Peter end up alone."

Weeeeeell not EXACTLY. I get what you're saying, but the thing is that infinity is not an actual NUMBER. It's a theoretical concept to indicate that there is no limit. Sooo, how does one have half of something that, by its very definition, does not an actual numerical designation? XD"

As a math major, I can say that I think mrskippy sorta has a point (sorry Linkara). The key thing is that he used the term "infinite SET" (emphasis mine), not "infinity." In lay explanations of mathematical concepts, people often use the terms interchangeably, but in math, they're hugely different. Infinity is more of a direction (e.g.: numbers go off to infinity), while an infinite set... should be self explanatory.

There are ways to compare the size and contents of different infinite sets... however, the explanation will get hugely bogged down in technicalities pretty quickly, and I doubt anyone cares that much.

ANYHOO, on to comic stuff: Just wanted to say that, when I started watching your show, I wasn't super into comics. I'd read some stuff that was in my college's Comic Book Reading Room, but that was it. You, however, have turned me into a major comic geek.

For example, due to your recommendations, I've been on an Ed Brubaker binge these past months (mainly Captain America and Winter Soldier). As I watched your OMD review, it's occured to me: Quesada's problem is not just with marriage. It's with stable, committed relationships in general. Brubaker's versions of Cap and Bucky may not be be married, but in a way, they might as well be. Their relationships with their respective love interests have been stable, functional, and generally one of the few things that don't go horribly wrong in their lives (and in superhero comics, that saying something).

And guess what? That has actually made Brubaker's take on the characters more enjoyable, since it provides the characters with grounding that balances out all the other things that go wrong in their lives. And in general, Brubaker is just a mid-bogglingly better writer than Quesada (I think it helps that Brubaker understands and embraces the escapist aspects of fiction).

But no, readers can't enjoy Spidey if he's able to have a similar, stable, long-term relationship (married or otherwise).

Huh. This comment has turned into a weird rant on math and Ed Brubaker. I have strange interests.; July 31, 2012 at 6:23 PM
Anonymous said...: What I like about this review is that it kind of shows how badly beaten down the fanbase had gotten in regards to One More Day. That they couldn't criticize any aspect of the story for fear of just being upset because the marriage is gone, and had to just resort to stating the only problem they had was with HOW it was undone.

Thank you, Lewis, for pointing out just how BAD this story is from beginning to end. Not just philosophically. Not just logically. Not just metaphorically. But narratively, it is completely flawed and deeply insulting to the audience.; July 31, 2012 at 6:30 PM
Ozymandias said...: Best part of the Episode: Colm Wilkinson in the opening song. The rest was pretty freaking awesome too.; July 31, 2012 at 7:03 PM
Anonymous said...: I don't think I've post much here but man I am piss off about Game Designer Peter.

I'm trying to break into the game industry business and this Asshole of a comic is calling me a loser.

The funny thing is that I never had nor will read OMD. I didn't even know it was insulting me as well until now.; July 31, 2012 at 8:09 PM
Ozymandias said...: Also, I feel I aught to mention something about OMD, as a comic reader, myself. Linkara mentioned how he has not bought a Spider-man comic since OMD. I am much the same way. Prior to OMD, and I'm pretty sure prior to Civil War, but I can't quite remember, Marvel put out a DVD set of 40+ years of Spider-man. Literally, every issue of Amazing Spider-man from 1963-2006, as well as Amazing Fantasy 15, on a digital comic format. I was able to watch Peter change from a sheltered nerd, to a college student struggling to balance his life as Spider-man, with the struggles of a normal college student, then finally when he grew up and married MJ and Started his job as a teacher. I disagree with your assertion that Peter is not showing responsibility in the way he deals with his life, and I disagree that Peter is as static of a character as you make him out to be, but what I agree with you on is this: It was insulting to me, to undo ~20 years of comic history. It felt like a huge slap to the face, so soon after I bought 40+ years of Spider-man, almost as if half of my purchase was wasted. And it was insulting that Quesada seemed to imply that I, who had just payed something like $150, to get the Digital Collection, was just some sort of loser who enjoys escapist fantasy, because my life isn't what I want it to be.

Sure, my life isn't what I wanted it to be, but that's not why I read Spider-man. I read Spider-man, because It's chock full of good stories, and Spider-man is one of the few superheroes who is relatable to. Spider-man has the same problems that all of us has. You don't see Batman, or Green Lantern, or Captain America struggling to pay their bills. But the thing that also works out with Spider-man is that he isn't stuck being the hero that has to struggle to pay his bills. Eventually his life picks up, and he moves on to having a steady relationship and a steady job. And then OMD fucks that over, and says that Peter's character development makes for a very shitty story, and gets rid of it.

This is the reason I didn't want OMD, and it's the same reason I wanted to see Batman stay dead (and thus Dick Grayson remain as the Sole Batman), and Barbara Gordon remain as Oracle, and the mutants to stay powered, and the like. Not because I wanted to see the status quo remain, but because the characters had developed (or in the "no more mutants" example, the setting and society had developed) and were on the path to further character development, but these changes threw the breaks on this development and brought them back to some sort of "normal," that really wasn't nessisary.; July 31, 2012 at 8:55 PM
Ming said...: Congratulations on your 200th episode. It's been a long road and I hope to see more reviews, both older and newer bad comics (and maybe a more positive retrospective or review). It's actually a shocker for me when you announced you're actually taking a look at One More Day, the ultimate worst thing ever created by Marvel. (So, assuming you do a new top 15 things I'll never review, what's going to be number 1 and number 2? The rest of the Sonic the Hedgehog comics from Archie and the abomination known as Sonichu?)

There are so many things wrong with this comic, and most of them I blame on Quesada. I'm not going to consider Mephisto the devil of the Marvel universe; I think Mephisto is just a stand-in for Joe Quesada, who's offering an easy way out for Peter Parker. I wonder how long it will be before some hack at Marvel writes a follow-up to One More Day and One Moment in Time that involves Mephisto and Mary Jane.

I'm surprised you didn't say "JOE QUESADA YOU ARE A HACK!" during the review. Still, great beatdown. Will you do One Moment in Time on AT4W?

Loved the surprise cameos of TGWTG (most of them playing the Devil), as well as the Ballad of Linkara.

And now, we wait for the conclusion of the Quest for Magic storyline.; July 31, 2012 at 9:59 PM
Ave said...: One thing I don't understand with all of this (not everything, but one thing): why is Peter a fugitive after deciding to go against the law? Didn't he follow the law by unmasking? Afterwards, he became a man opposing an existing law while staying within it (much like how people can rail against some taxes and attempt to have them taken away while still paying them). Unless the registration act required the superhero to work for the government, he should not be a fugitive.

Of course, the superhuman registration act is also asinine because these are masked vigilantes: the whole purpose from the beginning was to fight crime without having their identities known and therefore having it affect their family and friends. Of course you would have opposition, when the law is telling them to do exactly what they were trying to prevent.

As for the review, it was great. I've never read One More Day but have always hated the idea of erasing a marriage in comics. It's moronic to think a reader can't relate to a married superhero. I'm not married and probably never will be, but I love the idea of reading stories of married superheroes (and single ones, as well). Superman and Spider-Man have been married for most of my life, and I find it all the better for it. These characters now have the weight of a home life that speaks to their actions as heroes. You can tell the tales of how their wives cope with their husbands risking their lives every day. There's even the thought of having them raise a family and tell how that affects their lives. But I also like character growth and depth, something it seems a lot of comic writers don't like.; July 31, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Anonymous said...: so.. according to this comic you linkara like pokemon because you actually want to enslave horrible mutant animals and put them in some kind of deathmatch and force them to nearly kill each other?
hm... smart message, comic, really smart; August 1, 2012 at 4:40 AM
YolkaEd said...: Once again, great review Linkara! Everything, from the rant on Spidey, to that glorious little curse on whoever wrote "Game-Designer Peter", and of course the new song... one of your best thus far, Linkara. =D

I would actually like to talk a bit about Civil War, since that's one of the comic trades I happen to own. Being Norwegian and blissfully ignorant, I don't actually know/care about the political aspects that Civil War brought up. It may just have been personal bias (maybe due to the Iron Man movies), but I actually sort of stuck more with what Iron Man was doing. I say 'sort of' because the shtick about cloning Thor and hiring super-villains was obviously not a good thing, but I really couldn't help but feel that Cap was acting... well... kinda like a douche, when Tony was just taking orders.

Now I obviously only have the main story, so what happened in side issues, I have no general idea of what's going down, but would you think that personal feelings towards certain characters, one's political stance and/or one's nationality would paint their view on Civil War? I'm genuinely curious, and do hope you'll dig into Civil War just so I can get an alternate look on what it's about. Apart from that, here's to hopefully another 200! =D; August 1, 2012 at 6:20 AM
Unknown said...: You know, there's something awesome about hearing you say "Let's review One More Day." And despite being over an hour long, it doesn't feel like any time was wasted.
And I must say, seeing the intros of all the episodes and hearing the ending theme makes me feel like, as a fan of AT4W, I'm a part of something special and I'm privileged to have come on this 200 episode journey with you. Here's hoping the next 200 are even better.; August 1, 2012 at 7:36 AM
rdfox said...: For the record, I put the blame for EVERYTHING in the last two issues firmly on Cheesy Joe's shoulders; apparently, JMS was so unhappy about the rewrites on those two issues that he tried to have his name taken off the books, but Quesada talked him out of it, presumably to be his "lightning rod of hate" for the story. Didn't work, of course...; August 1, 2012 at 8:21 AM
Rhodoferax said...: That. Was. AWESOME!!!!!! Absolutely brilliantifically spidacious!

At a couple of points you seemed to be doing a Willaim Shatner impression; was that deliberate.

Some of your comments brought up memories of the 90s cartoon from deep within the recesses of my mind. My memory may be hazy, but I seem to remember that in that incarnation, Peter actually did try to distance himself from the people he loved in order to protect them from the trouble he brought.

Also, one of the storylines had Peter team up with a bunch of Spider-Men from alternate universes to save all existence. One of them was a multi-millionaire celebrity like the old Peter here, except his life was awesome - he was popular, had lots of friends and fans, and was also engaged to Gwen Stacy. Oh, and his uncle Ben was still alive. Granted, he was a bit of a smug jerk, but still, he showed how Peter could have succeeded at absolutely everything in life and still be happy.; August 1, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Katherine said...: Fantastic episode! I can’t say much that hasn’t already been said by posters before me. This was truly a heinous comic that deserved a good thrashing, one that was impossibly contrived, insulting, and stupid and one that debased every character that was involved. For all that the comic pretended to have a moral, it was really just an excuse for Joe Quesada to break up Peter and Mary Jane. I know that you had promised never to review this, but this was worth it. Your analysis and rage were excellent and very satisfying.

Congratulations for the 200th episode! Atop the Fourth Wall has been a great source of fun and insight about comics for me these past few years and I hope that you keep it up! :D; August 1, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Corey W. Williams said...: In all honesty, this is probably my favorite episode of Atop the Fourth Wall. I honestly could not think of a single comic that could have been better to review for such a milestone.

As alluded to into the video, OMD has hung over the show since it begin. Though it wasn't intentional, the fact it had been alluded to so often gave it the biggest buildup ever. When I heard the line "Let's review One More Day," I got a huge smile on my face for that reason alone, even though I've never even read Spiderman.

The review itself was also very intelligent and Linkara's suggestions for how the story could have been done well are EXTREMELY good. Had Mary Jane been shot, the story itself would have made a lot more sense and most of the backlash could probably have been avoided.

Seeing something as bad and as built up to be horrible as OMD finally reviewed is probably the most poetic way to have a 200th episode. I can't wait to see where you go from here.

(P.S. the cameos were also hilarious as well, especially Snob, Lupa, and SFDebris. Everyone involved deserves props for this.); August 1, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Anonymous said...: The only disappointing thing about this review is some of the reaction it has received, especially from certain aspects of the Spider-Man fandom.

Just checking over at the CBR board, there's a lot of negative responses to this review. Not to what is said or what is argued. No. It's "I can't stand this guys voice." "He had to pander to his audience or else he has to find a real job" or "He's not a real reviewer, because all he does is complain." Very little of it relating to the arguments made, and mostly people finding ways to attack the person making it. Diminish Linkara personally, because then that somehow means his opinion is diminished as a result.

Which just goes to show how desperate some people are, and how indefensible something like OMD is. I liked the review, but I didn't agree with all of it. I disagreed with Linkara's opinion of Spider-Man's character. I didn't have the same vitriolic rage as he did regarding the fat, nerdy loser Peter Parker. I disagree that the removal of the marriage was done because of the writer's escapist fantasy and was more about simple creative laziness on behalf of the writers and editors and the simple desire to just copy the stories from years before. But I can disagree without diminishing who the reviewer is. Because I know my position is sound in some way. But those willing to resort to such negativity just show how bad a story like OMD is, because that's all they can resort to. They can't defend aspects of OMD, because there's NOTHING to defend.

And that's another one of the things that OMD has done- it's taken a lot of the fun out of talking about Spider-Man. OMD has elevated the smug, condescending fan who'll resort to personal attacks to the top of the heap, the people who- because they agree with what OMD did, because they hated the marriage or hated MJ- therefore feel they are in the "right" and will talk down to anyone and everyone who points out how it is flawed. It's these fans that Marvel is elevating above the ones that take offense to a BAD story and HORRIBLE writing and outright character assassination all for the ease of the creators to repeat age old stories for their own sake, and actually expect quality from one of the major publishers of comic books in North America.

OMD really has cast a dark shadow over a lot of Spider-Man's world, and made it a lot less fun to be a Spider-Man fan.; August 1, 2012 at 6:46 PM
Lewis Lovhaug said...: "Just checking over at the CBR board, there's a lot of negative responses to this review. Not to what is said or what is argued. No. It's "I can't stand this guys voice." "He had to pander to his audience or else he has to find a real job" or "He's not a real reviewer, because all he does is complain." Very little of it relating to the arguments made, and mostly people finding ways to attack the person making it. Diminish Linkara personally, because then that somehow means his opinion is diminished as a result."

Well, if they don't like my voice, they don't like my voice. It was actually them who complained about my listing of Mephisto's physical description and I realized they were correct, so I corrected myself.

If they don't like the videos, there's nothing I can do about it. But as you said, if all they can do is attempt to attack me personally, then they have nothing. And of course there was some pandering to my audience - IT'S THE 200TH EPISODE. It's a celebration! It's acknowledging how far we've come and I've recommended good stories along the way while the show has entertainingly deconstructed the bad. And yes, I complain. As the entire thesis of this video is - we complain so we can get a BETTER story. We critique it becaus we want things to be BETTER, stronger, more enjoyable.

Can't defend my voice, though. I find it grating sometimes, too. XD; August 1, 2012 at 8:24 PM
Tim said...: Lewis, loved everything about the 200th ep, especially the Cameo by Chuck/SFDebris, since I actually discovered you through his reviews and comments.

I quite literally grew up with a married Spiderman. I was three when he got hitched. While I never read his comics with any regularity, apart from the comic strip version, I did enjoy the spiderman saga as a whole, and MJ was crucial to that. Pete with a wife, and Job, and even for a short time, a child, was part of who he was to me. OMD pissed all over the Peter Parker that I had known my entire life. The Peter of the TV shows, Movies, and spinoff comics? That was elseworlds, or looking back. That wasn't the Pete of now. Then, like you said, something went wrong. He wasn't allowed to grow any more.
I think part of it started with the removal of his child from existence after her kidnapping, and then the repeated attempts on MJ's life.

I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop on OMD, just as I am on a lot of things, but I had a very, very strange idea that I don't think is in any way what is 'supposed' to have happened, but would make a very good explanation for what did.

Peter Parker is being manipulated. Has been for possibly the better part of a decade. OMD was just part of that. Doc Strange and Mephisto are both manipulating him. But quite possibly, they are allied against a much worse force. All the recent bizarre and stupid events in the marvelverse, like Civil War and AvX and OMD, are all part of a strange cosmic chess game, trying to maneuver everyone into the proper position to prevent a much worse outcome, and hopefully restoring things, not to a status quo, but to a better state to they are, once the danger is past. Naturally, everyone, Pete especially, ought to be rightly pissed off about this, especially after learning MJ was complicit in this scheme, even though she hates herself so much for doing it.

Is that a GOOD idea? No, not really. But it's a better explanation than we've gotten so far for OMD.

Keep up the excellent work.; August 2, 2012 at 12:17 AM
Wishes to remain Unknown said...: Okay while the phrase of "tune your ears to the frequency of despair" line was stupid, The lingo behind the phrase was on point. As you'd most likely attempt to cross reference radio frequency by it's strength to possible coordinates of it's origin the map. Such as, if on a battlefield you pick up a strange but weak signal on your 2 km radio. Say, the Signal is of an enemy combatant saying they spotted your allies on a ridge and are asking to engage. You're no where near a ridge but know the range has to be in nearly 2 km to be that weak, so you'd ask Command to cross reference coordinates to confirm men on a ridge 2 Km away.

I personally feel the marvel explanation of not releasing the superhuman reg act was legit, as some modern laws that effect millions aren't truly understood by those it effects. I remember people blaming megaupload shut down on SOPA; saying the bill was flexing it's muscles, when it hadn't passed.

Also releasing it allows their fans and haters with knowledge of law to point out the legal loopholes. It's one of those things where either way they'd get complaints that either they just made it up as they went because they never released it or it's laughably avoidable legally if a lawyers looked into it(such as Jen Walters and Matt Murdock).; August 2, 2012 at 3:01 AM
Wishes to remain Unknown said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 2, 2012 at 3:43 AM
Wishes to remain Unknown said...: Fixing my mistakes real quick.
The bullet wound could be incurable for a number of reasons even with the men you are talking about.
1. Aunt may is never been in good health, her body may not be able to take the strain of surgery. plus she's 60 or 70 something+ so that's another factor of the strain.
2. Her spirit is ready to move on, most magic (especially doom's) COULD detect that and reject the commands/ritual to heal.
3. If her bullet wound is to believe, her left lung should have been destroyed by the bullet, which is hard to heal from with medical science and magic. Magic, because well as we all know, in marvel magic is very much in constant flux in terms of range and ability.

Mind you even if she could be "saved" by any method, her body may be forever weakened as she's older and won't heal properly/all the way.

while I'd like to see a "what if" where it horribly back fires and she does end up becoming Von Doom's killer slave cyborg that Peter has to put down.

That or some weird "More machine than human" artificially kept alive being, that has almost no brain function and just stares vacantly into space. And have peter desperately clings on to even as he drives MJ and everyone else away.

If I ever get better at English (as I know mine isn't great), I want to write the death of aunt may, and the story line you Lewis(and the fans of the Spidey character) deserve where Peter Parker matures to be something of an adult, even if he still goofs around during fights and Aunt May as a character is finally laid to rest and at the end of the issue through a loophole in the contract Mephisto is forced to give Peter back his memory of loving and marrying MJ.

Also side note Linkara/Lewis, Spider-girl hasn't technically been in canon for a good 15+ years. As MC2(or earth 982) is a universe where no 616 event happened after The "Gatherine of Five". She's very much in a Terry Mcginnis situation where in just like Terry in earth-1,Spider-girl exist in a world that techinally one more day DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE OF HAPPENING(as peter lost his leg in the gathering of five fight and retired after), just like Terry exist in a world where final crisis didn't happen.; August 2, 2012 at 5:19 AM
Anonymous said...: Hey Linkara, one really minor minor MINOR thing you could save for your Civil War review, if you ever do it.

When they reveal the Thunderbolts army, just point out that Songbird isn't the villain they are showing her as. Sure, Venom, Bullseye, Jack O'Lantern, they are all super bad. But they have Songbird in the same two shots with them looking like she's ready to snap necks. She's proven herself a hero for a long time now, and I always thought that her appearance there was off. It even led to misinterpretations later on where she was also included with other villains in What if Stories.

As a Thunderbolts fan, that's really irritating. Especially since she is the most consistent member of that book.; August 2, 2012 at 11:22 AM
MattComix said...: I agree with much of what you said in this one and your outrage at the potshots taken at people who are into fantasy genres.

Personally, I can see why they would want to keep Peter young but dear sweet mother of christ they went about it in the single most idiotic and horrible way possible. A way that not only takes the piss on anyone who enjoyed the marriage but even on fans who didn't because they've stained the character with his whole Mephisto crap.

"deal with the devil" should never have even have been on the table at story meetings. There a billion better ways to have handled writing out the marriage not least of which is just doing a damn reboot.

Alternatively, END the Spider-Man book proper and either have series of miniseries (which would collect into trades rather tidy) or just say that the next time we see the character he's the proud father of Mayday Parker in Spider-Girl no.1; August 2, 2012 at 1:01 PM
lollypopalopicus said...: This is by far one of my favorite reviews by both you or any other reviewer. The analysis of Spiderman's character as well everything else was great. I really think what sealed the deal of this being one of the greatest things I've seen is the song at the end. It not only fit your show but the tone of the episode as well. It made me feel more than just humour, which for me is very hard to do. You my good sir inspire me you not only got me into comics but the way you thoroughly analyze these comics, as well as your proper manners and form rather than relying on vulgarity, (not to say vulgarity lessens something. I know several who use to great effect) has - for lack of a better word - cleaned up my vocabulary, and for some reason I find studying easier after listing to one of your reviews. Finally your sheer dedication to your work is what I truly find admirable. You are constantly on time, despite the fact you often do several other things such as your look at the amityville movies or when you do an extra episode for a convention, on top of you regular work. Not to mention all the extra work you put in with your own story. When I first found your work you hadn't put out that story recap yet so I went back and watched every single review you had done up to that point to try and understand what was going on (this also led to me discovering Spoony), and I am truly glad I did for both the story and for the reviews themselves. To conclude, thank you Lewis "Linkara" Lovhaug for all you work and I look forward to more great works in the future.; August 2, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Jaggyd said...: No Linkara. It's the FANS that don't want Peter to grow up. The reader hasn't grown up, they're spoilt little man-children, they want the perpetual teenager.; August 2, 2012 at 3:46 PM
Benjamin J said...: After watching, I'd have to say this is possibly your best review of all time, and certainly the best TGWTG review I've seen in quite a long time - not just because you echoed a lot of the things I've been railing about this story since it came out, but because, as has become a Linkara trademark, you were able to succinctly and coherently explain, in detail, every single grievance you had with it. Sure, there was rage, and it was glorious, but there was also an intelligent argument behind it.

In addition, you made an argument as to the stagnant nature of Spider-Man/Peter Parker’s character that is so soberingly compelling, that even a diehard, lifelong Spidey fan like me really has no choice but to agree. It’s like being told a hard truth about a serious flaw in an old friend that you’ve been ignoring for years: You know it’s there, but you don’t want to hurt your good friend’s feelings, so you overlook it until it’s impossible to overlook. I’ve always agreed that there should be some element of perpetual tragedy to Spider-Man, but that it needn’t be relentless, and that it should also be balanced with the occasional great moment of triumph. Spider-Man finally finding someone to spend his life with was one of those great moments. It kept the perpetual tragedy from becoming a huge farce – take it away and pile on the misery, and eventually it’s not heroically or dramatically effective anymore: It becomes comical. Peter Parker has become Marvel’s Charlie Brown.; August 2, 2012 at 5:46 PM
Benjamin J said...: (continued)...The other (infuriating) argument Marvel gives as to why they resist significant change in Peter/Spidey is something along the lines of “We didn’t create these characters, and they’ll be here long after we’re gone, so we have a responsibility to act as ‘custodians’ for them and act in their best interests as the original creators may have,” which somehow equals “no character development.” As someone who’s read the entire Stan Lee/Steve Ditko run of Amazing Spider-Man, I know this to be a GIGANTIC crock – No one, and I mean NO ONE has aged Spidey/Peter as a character more than his original creators. That was one of the things, along with the “real life problems” civilian identity, that was so appealing about Spidey in the first place: He grew up virtually in REAL TIME for the first five years of his existence. He grew up with the audience he began with in 1962, and they were prepared to follow him anywhere after that. To deny that years later by way of plot contrivances DESIGNED to impede the character’s growth does the greatest of disservices to the character arc original creators designed for him.

The only pro-Spidey growing up argument I’d make here would be that when some writers have embraced it, particularly in the very early 90s, culminating right around Maximum Carnage and before the Clone Saga, it produced some of the best Spider-Man stories I’ve ever read. J.M. DeMatteis in particular really gave us some great stories of a grown Peter Parker who was still every bit the youthful, smartass goof he ever was, but had actually learned a thing or two from the failures of the past and was determined not to repeat them. It also gave me my personal favorite Spider-Man story of all time, and MY biggest reason for hating One More Day: The undoing of Spectacular Spider-Man #200 and the death of Harry Osborn. You want to talk an impactful, meaningful, well crafted character death built up over time? DeMatteis built this up the menace of Harry as the Green Goblin over three years, giving him a brilliant character arc from conflicted friend, to homicidal supervillain, to redemptive, reluctant hero, dying tragically after saving the lives of Peter, MJ and his own son. One More Day revived Harry Osborn after one of the most perfect deaths in Mavel Comics history - and Marvel STILL (to the best of my knowledge) hasn’t explained in any way how Mephisto undoing the marriage somehow brought Harry back from the dead. THAT’S what I hate most about this story - in the same way Cry For Justice tainted Linkara’s love for the old Teen Titans comics, One More Day tainted my love for the truly great Spidey comics I grew up reading.

So in a way, this review was actually a pretty cathartic experience. For that alone, I say thanks, as well as for continuing to improve steadily, two hundred episodes and counting. See you at episode 300, and, I hope, way beyond.; August 2, 2012 at 5:48 PM
Anonymous said...: "Well, if they don't like my voice, they don't like my voice. It was actually them who complained about my listing of Mephisto's physical description and I realized they were correct, so I corrected myself.

If they don't like the videos, there's nothing I can do about it. But as you said, if all they can do is attempt to attack me personally, then they have nothing. And of course there was some pandering to my audience - IT'S THE 200TH EPISODE. It's a celebration! It's acknowledging how far we've come and I've recommended good stories along the way while the show has entertainingly deconstructed the bad. And yes, I complain. As the entire thesis of this video is - we complain so we can get a BETTER story. We critique it becaus we want things to be BETTER, stronger, more enjoyable.

Can't defend my voice, though. I find it grating sometimes, too. XD"

Well, I don't find it annoying. You certainly can carry a tune better than I can.

Although the thing now over there is that you are "choosing" to be offended by the whole "Fat, Loser Peter" thing. Not that you couldn't honestly find it repulsive, as someone who plays videogames and knows people who make their living reviewing videogames, that such an accusation is made, nor find it immensely hypocritical that people who play videogames are made out to be losers when the same argument could be made towards comic book fans or just fans in general. No, it's a "choice" to be offended.

Again, it's just an attack on the man rather than the argument. Try to discredit the source rather than the message. Which again shows that there is nothing to defend, because one can disagree without attacking the person. For example, I disagree with your assessment of Peter being incredibly irresponsible. I think he is a very responsible character. I feel the fault lies, however, with the creative parties who take shortcuts to present situations simply for Peter to angst and feel bad about rather than create scenarios where he is truly forced to make a difficult decision. It's simply easier to make Peter feel bad or act foolish so later he can "learn a lesson." But this isn't good writing. It's lazy and manipulative. And going the lazy and manipulative route doesn't lead to good stories. It leads to something like OMD.; August 2, 2012 at 6:05 PM
Anonymous said...: We should also all keep in mind that the sequel to OMD, OMIT, mentioned that the thing that saved May's life was "love." And CPR.

Yup. Guys like Doom and Reed Richards couldn't save May. But "love" could.

Guess this means that Peter didn't "love" Uncle Ben or Gwen Stacy enough to save them.; August 2, 2012 at 6:08 PM
Unknown said...: I feel cheated that this comic was not actually burned; August 2, 2012 at 7:44 PM
13th Doctor said...: OH. MY. GOD!!!!!! This has to be your best review ever. I mean it, the jokes, the delivery, the cameos, the thesis, even the little nod to the storyline, THEY WERE PERFECT!!!!!!!

Now I thought you were gonna do "Holy Terror" because that does sound awful. But it hasn't reached your cutoff date yet. But I didn't see this coming. You made it count, you magnificent bastard, you made it count.

I can't really say anything about the comic itself that hasn't already been said. I was really put off by that gamer spiel. Joe Quesada has no concept of character development and he is a shit storyteller.

Thank you, Linkara, for 200 episodes; for introducing me to Doctor Who, and for entertaining me with your imaginative storylines and your brisk and funny reviews.; August 2, 2012 at 8:53 PM
GrayMorality said...: Did you write SF Debris' cameo or did he come up with that because it is probably my favorite cameo ever; August 2, 2012 at 9:08 PM
Lewis Lovhaug said...: "Did you write SF Debris' cameo or did he come up with that because it is probably my favorite cameo ever"

I did, but he came up with the "cameras steal your soul" thing and it was so hilarious that I decided to use it. ^_^; August 2, 2012 at 9:09 PM
Sekele said...: That rant bout Peter Parker was SO spot-on!
You essentially proved my point for why continuity is worthless for ongoing titles like this.
Continuity only works for titles that have a set beginning and end.
It is wasted on stories without a proper ending, because you either a) build-up TOO MUCH plot over the years, and alienate every outsider (like when you are trying to get into a soap opera mid 10th season), or b) just end-up regressing any development anyway
These ongoing series should seriously all be handled in the form of self-contained story-lines. Have the characters be more like actors than anything else
This is one of the reasons why I love the Elseworlds books so much

On this subject I may also add a jab at you'r previous praising of Marvel for never re-booting anything.
Yes, sure, they never re-booted anything because there was literally NOTHING there to re-boot! (beyond the marrige of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible woman, and the death of Gwen Stacey, I can't name a SINGLE change at Marvel that would stick pass a decade)
The thing with DC is that over the years ALLOT of stuff went down, and unlike with Marvel, things DID stick with DC, and many stuck even after the most recent re-boot.

And yeah, One More Day was one of the main factors why I forsook Marvel. The others being Ultimatum, Secret Invasion, and the indefinite hiatus of the Runaways (they were supposed to return after Dark Reign, and they still didn't)
Only recently I broke my embargo on everything Marvel (except the movies and TV shows), and started reading The Infernal Man-Thing, which might be THE ONLY good comics Marvel is publishing at the moment.

And as for the Deal With The Devil itself, this was dumb even by the standards of this sort of stories
The very idea that the Devil could not screw you over simply because of having "noble intentions" is in itself flawed
I'll heavily recommend the anime "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" (according to some people it's the most depressing, cynical, and mean-spirited deconstruction of the Magical Girl genera in existence, and according to others, including my self, one of the greatest animes ever created) for a good example of a "deal with the devil" story - the Incubator will grant you'r wish, and will not
not only uphold the letter of the argument, but also it's spirit, but despite this, no matter how noble and selfless you'r wish might be, you WILL get screwed-over, because ultimately every solution to any problem is only temporary. Want to save someone's life? They'll be fine. They'll live long enough for you to see them get hit by a truck. And you have no more wishes.
The videogame SkullGirls also plays with this, bringing up the point that there is NO SUCH THING as a selfless wish, as the very act of making a wish is selfish in its self. It is YOU who WANTS the laws of the universe to bend to YOUR will. just to get YOU'R way. This realization adds additional torment to the damned soul, so ironically, those who went in wanting to make a selfish wish in the first place are much better off in the end.
In fact, we don't even have to leave the Marvel universe for this one. The origin story of Ghost Rider is essentially this. He sold his soul to save his father's life, only for him to die of a different cause.
There are just SO many ways for the devil to take even that small speck of hope from you
Mephisto is just a damn lazy ass; August 3, 2012 at 4:31 PM
Anonymous said...: THAT WAS A BRIILIANT DE- CONSTRUCTION! But I am not as forgiving as you are. I've seen some of the Post-OMD Spidey books and I am NOT impressed. Most of those stories could have been written with Pete and MJ still married! And frankly, Carlie Cooper was about as interesting as a pack of dental floss! I'm just plain done with "new" Spidey.

Oh, and I'm glad I'm not the only who noticed that Peter Parker looks like a bloody monster half the time!

Good Job!

-Leader Desslok-; August 3, 2012 at 5:02 PM
Tegan Dumpleton said...: Happy 200th!

For years now, you've been inspiring a lot of us. I look at comics much more seriously now and I'm happy for that (I once... liked... One More Day. Ugh. Can't believe I just wrote that without cringing). Thanks for all the impacts you've made on us!

And also...Your right, by God, your right...

Oh, well of course your right about One more Day. I figured out a long time ago that thing was terrible.

No, I'm talking about everything you said about the Spiderman's character. I've been reading Amazing spiderman since Spider island and as much as I liked it... neither Peter, nor the writers seemed to have learned anything in the long run. Peter has had moments where it seems like he's taken responsibility. That he's growing up. But then when the "saga" is over, he seems to be right back as square one and learns the same story all over again. (and don't even get me started on Cooper. She actually dumps him because he never told her he was Spiderman. Making him single. Again.)

Lately I'm only interested in the comic for the supporting characters, not the main. And now their going to give the least responsible character ever... a sidekick. So. Ya. I'm done with spiderman for a while.; August 4, 2012 at 12:20 AM
Sekele said...: me again

You know, I really have a growing urge to pay a subscription to DC's Animal Man for Joe Quesada, and have a note saying "this is how you do it!" or "this is why you'r company sucks" attached to every issue

the only problem I have with this is that I would actually have to spend my money on it; August 4, 2012 at 5:21 AM
Anonymous said...: Where is the dull "yay" at the end from? I cannot find it from youtube. It sounds like it's from MST3K.; August 4, 2012 at 8:18 AM
Catgirl the Crazy said...: Some other thoughts on OMD. I've never read it (and don't really plan to) but I've read so much about it that it's hard not to develop opinions about it.

It seems to me like the writers went out of their way to make Peter's reasoning for what he did was totally and completely selfish. All his reasons for wanting to save her basically come down to "I couldn't cope without my only remaining parental figure" and "I couldn't cope with my own guilt." Nowhere in there is any consideration of what May herself wants.

I know at some point Peter is somehow able to commune with May's spirit while she's unconscious, and she tells him to let her go. And yet he ignores her, because apparently his inability to cope with that loss is so much more important than her own wishes. I was slightly surprised you didn't bring it up here. I know yo've mentioned it elsewhere (Top 15 Worst Heroes becoming Villains and Top 15 Comics You'll Never Review, I believe), but I still think it would've been worth a line or two of mention here. It nicely illustrates the "me me me" tone of Peter's self justification.; August 4, 2012 at 9:12 AM
Le Messor said...: I don't think you could've found a more perfect comic to review for your 200th!

Spider-Man should've also tried Shaman (but I'm glad he didn't... with an Alpha Flight appearance, I'd've bought this mess).
Didn't Doc Oc used to date Aunt May?

Love the Spider-Ham reference!; August 4, 2012 at 5:47 PM
derDomino said...: Great episode, though I thought Lupa was unnecessary (but that business doesn't belong here)
I would really like to read OMD as written by Linkara.; August 5, 2012 at 2:26 AM
Anonymous said...: was getting ready to watch, but then decided to read the comments. Lupa is in this. Sorry dude, I'll not watch. I hate that "person" that much.; August 5, 2012 at 6:12 PM
Anonymous said...: Man, didn't he look young 200 episodes ago?; August 5, 2012 at 6:21 PM
Sabre said...: Normally I wouldn't comment this long after an episode. However, I didn't find mention of this in the comments.

Quite some time ago while gaming was still fighting busy bodies and trying to get recognized as a artistic medium, a comic artist/writer was asked about games and said something along lines of "Games are for kids, grownups who play them are losers and paedophiles" I forget the exact quote and don't remember the guys name so can't find the details, but in gaming circles he was rightly mocked for a day or 2. The main gist being attacking gamers for being to old to game, but he himself working in a medium that is most known to appeal to kids and teenagers.

I bring this up, because given the time frame and the message, it wouldn't surprise me if it turned out to be the same guy.

Also, loved the SF debris cameo.; August 5, 2012 at 11:37 PM
Lewis Lovhaug said...: "Where is the dull "yay" at the end from? I cannot find it from youtube. It sounds like it's from MST3K."

Yep, MST3K - specifically the short on Junior Rodeo Daredevils.; August 6, 2012 at 3:37 PM
shikome kido mi said...: You're right, this writing is just stupid, even beyond the basic idea.

It would have been so easy to stop the plot holes. Like you said, Doctor Doom has saved terminally ill or injured people all the time (and usually turned them into super-villains). Plus, the guy has a working time machine and not one whit of Dr. Strange's care for preserving history.

Given that she's dying, it would have been so easy to install a ticking clock, like you said, to prevent these plotholes of him reaching people who can fix things in time.

There's a lot of other issues, but you covered them so well.; August 6, 2012 at 11:36 PM
ParadoxPersona said...: I hate to say it, but that bet you made is pretty much guaranteed for them to not reverse this comic for a long, LONG time. If someone at Marvel sees this, then they'll prolong the status quo for as long as they can milk it, to the point that they probably won't reverse it at all for at least a decade, maybe even more. You doomed yourself on that. I'm sorry, but you should have thought that through; you've only ensured that "One More Day" will remain in canon even longer because the longer it lasts, the more money they can get from you.; August 7, 2012 at 2:03 AM
Chelsey Magnuson said...: Wow - this was a /great/ episode, definitely a good representation of all the stuff I love about AT4W. You're without doubt my favorite TGWTG contributor, and so much of it comes down to these in-depth, spot-on analyses (I think that's the proper plural?) of what's so wrong with these comics.

Regarding the comic and the lack of Spider-Man's growth as a character...I wonder if the same problem is one of the reasons for the same-decade movie reboot. I know there were other reasons for restarting, but now I wonder if the filmmakers had nowhere to go (that the Marvel half approved of) after the original trilogy. Hm.

Congratulations and thank you for 200 amazing episodes! Hope we get to see another two hundred and beyond!; August 7, 2012 at 7:48 AM
Anonymous said...: So Linkara, when are you going to do a Chick Tract?; August 8, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Le Messor said...: ParadoxPersona said...
"that bet you made is pretty much guaranteed for them to not reverse this comic for a long, LONG time."
""One More Day" will remain in canon even longer because the longer it lasts, the more money they can get from you."

His bet was the exact opposite of that - until they erase OMD (or, better, explain it away), he won't be buying any Spider-Man. When they do, he'll buy Spider-Man.

Chelsey Magnuson said...
"analyses (I think that's the proper plural?)"

Yep!; August 8, 2012 at 2:40 PM
the darkdriver said...: Well, you finally ended your running joke--or at least explained it to casual viewers. (But really, do you have casual viewers? I think we're all hardcore fans of yours.)

I agree with everything you've said on this event comic except for one thing. In regards to the social recluse Peter in the 3rd issue (the one reading Ayn Rand), I think that was written by JMS--but not directed at the reader. No, it appears to me that it was directed one only one person: Joe Quesada, the person who came up with this inane and insane idea to revert Peter to his older Steve Ditko version. It looks to me that JMS was arguing with Quesada, telling him that he's a loser for preferring the immature angsty version of Spider-Man, that he at heart is a man-child who loves simplified escapism because he can't handle the real world. (And given that Quesada came up with OMD and is a former Warrior contributor, I'd say that point is valid.)

By the way, if JMS and Quesada really wanted to make this story poignant and touching, they could have MJ and Parker make the deal--and then the very next scene is back in the room with the assassin taking a shot--but with Peter jumping to get Aunt May protected, resulting in MJ being shot. She looks at Peter, realizes that, given the choice, she's his second choice, and she died crying, saying with his dying voice, "You never really loved me, did you?".
Now that's tragic.

Granted, OMD is tragin too--but for entirely different reasons.

By the way, more Brodsky!; August 8, 2012 at 7:19 PM
Anonymous said...: This. This is why I watch your videos. You'e not only incredibly fun to watch, but you have a real point to make, and you do so really well. Both your views on feminism (which helped shape my own feminist views, so thanks for that) and on characterizing and plotting, you really know what you're talking about. You don't just point at something and say its bad, you explain why and show how much it totally sucks.

The cameos and such were also delightful, so thanks for them.

The point you made, by comparing to similar stories and how easily it could have been done right is also fairly good, why didn't they think of something like that? But, alas, we got this.

The escapist digs they made probably was Joe Quesada, he's made it clear before he has a low opinion of the fanbase, what with his 'fans can't relate to Peter if he's married to an actres/model, real fans can only relate to Peter if he's living with his elderly aunt and trying to download porn without her knowing' comment and other similar remarks. And how insulting he can be as well at panels, like the time he basically said to a fan that all they really want is to see Peter grow old and die. He's a really tool sometimes.

Congrats on reaching 200, always a pleasure watching your videos so I'll try to see more.; August 8, 2012 at 8:14 PM
TimeTravelerJessica said...: Sorry to double post, but I had to say this.

Please, please do Civil War in some capacity, even if it's a "Top Ten Problems I Have With Civil War", similar to the way you handled Identity Crisis. I think there would be a lot of material to work with, and Civil War is the origin of One More Day and a lot of other things everyone hates. And I have to say, I have a friend who is my go-to guy for pre-Civil War Marvel continuity. But he hasn't read a darn thing from Marvel since then, it made him that angry, and I'm sure he wasn't the only one.; August 13, 2012 at 12:33 AM
Enigma_2099 said...: Cold shower... cigarette... somebody give me SOMETHING!!!!

It's been said, but bears repeating..

BEST... EPISODE... EVER!!!!; August 13, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey, Lewis, remember during the Mightily Murdered Power Whatevers I told you, "More snark, less bark", over the anger you seemed to be displaying toward that comic?

Well, this time the comic, and the guy responsible deserved it. This time it was a righteous, justified anger not at a silly, half-hearted parody, but at a work that seemingly insults its own readers and fans.

No, that's not hyperbole, that comic straight-out fucking insulted us right to our faces.

Bravo. Seriously, just.. fucking bravo for calling it out on that bullshit. This wasn't just a lazy, mishandled project. This is worse than Ultima 9 ravaging Noah's childhood. That's his own personal torment. This book actually fucking called its own fans and audience LOSERS.

If anything, you showed restraint at this steaming pile of crap, and I only wish we got to see it stuffed under a pile of thermite the way it deserved.

Captain planet should take every copy of that book, turn them back into the trees that were sacrificed to bring that abomination to print, then stick 'em up Joe Quesada's... eh, whatever.

Good review, Lewis.; August 27, 2012 at 12:16 AM
Anonymous said...: Correct me if i'm wrong... but you said you won't buy ANY Spidey until the "Mephisto-pact" is undone. Then this means that you HAD TO buy EVERY Spiderman comic since One More Day. Why?
Because the comic states that it never happened! IT'S A LOOP! They just retconned Spidey. They warped back in the time when P.P. and M.J. wasn't a couple, Aunt May was stil "alive" (i think she never lived at all because all she does is the same no matter the conditions) and the Osbourne kid is stil alive too (which means he wasn't killed). Correct me but this happens only in retcons.
By the way if Mephisto did this, then he is not a villain anymore but the most kind living thing ever! And the most dumb also. How on earth can M.J. play a trick on him? (I'm sure that Mary whispered those assumptions that made the retcon)

So Linkara, get used to that your wallet is empty cause you have to pay for soooo many webbed-comics. (pun inserted)

Untill next time,
Skarakien

PS: i love your show but i don't want to register to the blogger site to wright comments. And sorry for misspelling but i'm not native to english.; September 6, 2012 at 2:51 PM
Segatron said...: Future Linkara is smiling at the final bit because he still remembers the comic where Deadpool shot one-more day in the back as part of a scheme for free tacos. Retconning it in the silliest canon way possible.

It also introduced his long suffering comic-relief villain sidekick. "The JoeQuer"; September 18, 2012 at 4:38 PM
Le Messor said...: Um, Anonymous...

"you said you won't buy ANY Spidey until the "Mephisto-pact" is undone. Then this means that you HAD TO buy EVERY Spiderman comic since One More Day."

Your logic doesn't resemble our Earth logic. Even if you're right that it retconned itself and never happened (which I disagree with), Linkara saying "I won't buy any Spidey until the "Mephisto-pact" is undone' is NOT the same as "I will buy EVERY one if it IS undone."

If it (gets or has been) undone, he is free to buy or not to buy - his choice. Until then, to keep his word, he cannot buy any.

Do you see the distinction?

(OTOH, I may have just embarrassed myself - I haven't watched the vid in a while, and don't remember his exact wording.); September 23, 2012 at 3:42 AM
DefectiveType40 said...: Also, this might be a nitpick, but after thinking about it a while, I realized that your "my favorite thing about Lord of the Rings was the USS Enterprise" joke was a bit off. I think Spidey's reference failure was more like if he said "My favorite thing about Lord of the Rings was when Aragorn returned from death as Strider the White."

That may just be my anal-retentiveness shining through, though--I like to make my comparisons as parallel as possible, which is why I call bullshit on people calling Rocket Red's death in JLI "another Lian Harper." Though the JLI one bugs me far more.; September 30, 2012 at 10:08 PM
John "Juce" Bruce said...: Bravo, Linkara. This is one of your best reviews ever. You not only explored what was wrong with this comic, you explored the mechanics behind those wrongs. You isolated how this work is an insult to the character on both a superficial and a thematic level. And you proposed alternatives, alternatives that transcended your loathing for the dissolution of the marriage and showed how that idea could have been done better than this. You dug into this work in a way you don't always get a chance, and this review is better for it.

Also, your ultimate point, that when we critique something, we are hoping to make future works better, not asking for the critiqued work to be unmade, is a lesson most of the internet needs to hear. Because too many people don't get that.

And through that argument and through your careful critique, you justify your review; you elevate what could have easily been an extended, Superboy-Prime-worthy rant to a higher level of criticism. Bravo, and good luck on another 200.; October 2, 2012 at 2:52 AM
JPG said...: Now, I was born in 1987 and so I've been working on catching up on the Spider-Man comics for a while, I'm nowhere near One More Day yet so I can't comment on it. However, I disagree that Peter Parker is one of the most irresponsible superheroes ever. The real problem is that he's TOO responsible, and at the same time he has far TOO much responsiblity for any one human being to handle. Peter has to deal with his finances, his job, and his relationships on one hand, and swinging around and saving people and fighting supervillains on the other. The latter Peter can't even cut back on much less give up because he's too responsible to just up and forget about all the potentially dozens of people that get hurt or die because he decided he was going to limit his Superheroing to 15 hours a day instead of 16 and he wasn't there to save them, and saving lives tend to be just a little more important that whatever little problem with his personal life that happens to have cropped up this week.

That, and the fact that even when he DOES cut back or even briefly abandon being Spider-Man the entire universe conspires against him to ensure that it won't work. His attempts to get any job not involving selling pictures of himself never work out, he constantly runs into people that are in trouble that he could be saving, his love ones get kidnapped by supervillains, etc. Add in JJJ's own constant bashing of Spidey in his papers which constantly sabotages any effort Peter ever makes to make a legitimate living off of being Spider-Man besides selling photos of himself, and it's a testament to his strength of character that he hasn't gone INSANE after all these years.

Hell, One More Day's plot could have been solved in any number of ways that didn't involve a deal with the devil, but it didn't happen precisely because of the writers.

I agree with your assessment of the writers, however I don't agree that Peter is stuck in some sort of permanent teenager mode, most real people, including adults wouldn't have it in them to deal with the kind of kind of things Spidey does constantly and be responsible enough to continue putting on the mask. In fact, the reason why Peter may appear to still be acting like he is in high school is because he's shown a level of maturity far beyond his years from the very beginning to not only use his powers for good and to continue to use them and not succumb to the tempation use them irresponsibly and for his own personal gain half the time like a lot of other kid superheroes end up doing, Peter was pretty much an adult from the start of the comic, even if not physically.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, I highly doubt "hurt/killed fighting a supervillain" is covered in insurance claims in the Marvel universe, and even if it was Peter would have to reveal his identity in order to get the insurance anyway, which is wasn't able to do precisely because he didn't want his love ones in danger (which is why it makes sense he's blaming Tony in OOD, Tony talked Peter into finally revealing his identity thus causing the very plot of OOD to happen, so he does have some blame here) so moot point.

I don't know when I'll get around to reading One More Day, but I'm guessing I'll more or less like it, because I don't take fiction seriously, so I have a much easier time enjoying it.; October 3, 2012 at 11:08 PM
boooratt said...: Found something you might like on Stan Lee's youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjS6e9_F7B0&feature=em-uploademail-new; October 8, 2012 at 7:45 PM
Enigma_2099 said...: I can't believe I didn't comment on this! Fine. I'll do it now... Best... episode... EVAR.; December 9, 2012 at 11:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Why is Civil War being polarizing and politically charged making you not sure about reviewing it? Super hero comics talking about politics hasn't stopped you before.; January 18, 2013 at 8:25 AM
Shanethefilmmaker said...: Great Review as always. I read on TVTropes that most people didn't watch it because of Lupa. Not that it's any of my business, but I am ashamed to say I would have been one of them. When I heard Spoony left TGWTG I was a little peeved I mean you 3 were like the DC Trinity of Internet Reviewers. Then when I heard that it was over some business that shall remain nameless, that wasn't brought up until a month after all I could think of at the time was "That was a pretty childish thing to do on both sides." However after hearing Spoony's side of it on the Commentary I understood completely. I even get in the occasional argument with a Spoony fan who despite hearing the commentary still believes that Spoony's departure was her fault. I normally ignore this kind of thing but when I heard that Lupa got death threats over it I must admit I was pretty angry and confused at how disgusting fans could be in terms of their pointless hatred. As both someone whose had his life threatened, as well as a fan of TGWTG and a fan of you, I would like to be one of what I hope to be many that apologize as well to say that your message on tumblr telling other fans still giving her grief to grow up is right on. I'd ask for Lupa's Email so I would apologize to her myself but I know for her own protection as well as your loyalty to your friend will not allow that and I respect that.; April 1, 2013 at 8:35 PM
Anonymous said...: I actually got to meet a guy that Joe Quesada hired named Gary Mack at Free Comic Book day today. Ironically, the signed poster I chose to hang on my wall was a Spider-Man pin up. But actually even though this comic sucked, at least I met a nice and talented person the writer worked with.; May 4, 2013 at 2:33 PM
Anonymous said...: I actually like your voice, I think it's very unique. But sometimes, I feel the same way about myself. I have Autism and for some reason that gives me this very odd voice (seriously, how does that work?) especially when I have spring allergies. Sometimes I don't know if I should feel unique or different because of this raspy voice of mine. But I often feel better about myself when people compliment that my voice is cute or unique, and you know what? I finally have the confidence to do some of those lecture videos in YouTube instead of just having pictures and title cards do it for me. Ever since then, I have a fascination with people who have accents or voices that are different from everyone else, including you. :)

I just realize that was the weirdest motivational speech ever O_O; May 5, 2013 at 7:13 AM
Tzipporah Machlah Klapper said...: Er... what Hebrew words? I don't understand how that name is derived from mashchis and shikran. Maybe it's derived from other shorashim? Sorry, I'm just confused as to how the words are related.; May 19, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Unknown said...: I can't help but wonder if the stories' problems weren't a result of trying to keep Peter as blameless as possible in everything that goes on.

Take say your suggestion for having it be MJ that was shot and Peter being willing to do absolutely anything to save her. It'd make more sense and would make for a much better story but the 'problem' with that from the editor's perspective would be that they want to get Peter away from a set romantic interest. If Peter makes the ultimate sacrifice for love would readers soon after accept him with another romantic prospect?

Wheras if MJ sits down with Peter and agrees it's for the best... well, at least this way they're *both* horrible people for it.

Likewise someone in the comments observed that Dr. Strange does basically say "I could save you because it's not your time, I can't save her because..." - why not actually just say it? I assume because it'd make Peter childish and immature in being unable to accept that. So instead there are simply (makes vague waving hand motions) *Deep Profound Reasons* why he can't do it.

Kind of weird to think though - take Dragonball. Over the course of its eleven-year run the main protagonist goes from childhood to adulthood - marriage, fatherhood, and by the time it ends he's a grandfather with his children having grown up and gotten families of their own. Spiderman's been around for fifty years and apparently even just him being married is too much to take.

Oh, and the only reason I could see for not burning this comic is that fire is better than that.; June 2, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Unknown said...: Is it just me or at around 5:50 of part 2 do you start going a little Shatner?; October 11, 2013 at 10:15 AM
MacCashman said...: Man I love this episode I don't know how many times I've watched it.

I was thinking you should do your 300th episode on another comic from your top 15 comics you won't review list

I think a webcomic, specifically, Lightbringer, you've often commented on how not proud you are of the first few stories, you could talk about the learning process you had what you learned from criticism and I think it'd be great if after 300 episodes of you making fun of other people's work you poke fun at yourself.

Just a thought.; October 24, 2013 at 3:27 AM
Max said...: Something I noticed when reading an earlier issue from JMS's Spider-Man run; Spidey saves one of Loki's illegitimate daughters from some magic thing (there, now I don't have to explain it, right?), and Loki says that he owes Spidey one favor. WHY THE HELL DIDN'T SPIDEY JUST ASK LOKI TO SAVE MAY?! Oh, right, because then we couldn't have this idiotic story.; January 22, 2014 at 5:36 AM
Felix Brunschede said...: It's been half a year since I first watched this episode and I still love your rant on the first sentence.

Also in the newest Superior Spider-Man issue it seems that Peter has been reduced to his "greatest moments" via Octavius's mind-wipe. I hate that they are doing it without letting Peter mature(or punch Mephisto in the face, for that matter), but finally they are rebooting Spider-Man. And they are doing it via his second most iconic and popular villain, Doc Ock while simultaneously giving our favourite eight-limbed Doc an anti-hero spin AND including Spidey 2099 into the main 616 time-frame.

If anybody has learned from the backlash against OMD, it's Dan Slott, whether you like the idea of Pete dying at Ock's hands or not.

(Yes, technically Pete is dead(His soul was shown to go to heaven, although because of OMD I had expected hell), therefore killing the one who made the deal. But as far as I'm concerned he still needs to relaim his marriage from Mephisto via web to the face or it doesn't count.)

Okay, and that was my daily dosis of ranting.

Have a nice weekend,
Felix; February 15, 2014 at 3:44 AM
Leta said...: Firefaerie81 mentioned Ghostrider, plus Spidey visited Dr. Strange.

Either one would have directed Spider-Man to any of the agents of A.R.M.O.R., all of whom (except Man Thing) could have helped (probably wouldn't as Spidey doesn't stop being violent until 2014). Morbius brought someone back from the dead and a few years after One More Day created a cure for the zombie disease (two, actually), Jack Russell is a werewolf who can heal bullet wounds easily, Jennifer Kale had the power to become the next Sorcerer Supreme (though wasn't chosen), and Daimon Hellstorm has the powers of Satan, but is a good guy. Heck, if they all teamed up, they could probably have cured Aunt May in a week and all they'd have asked for was not to get punched in the face.

Also, I've taken a look at Spider-Man starting in the 60's and it's very clear a lot of this is all Aunt May's fault. She's fostered an unhealthy, clingy, and co-dependent relationship with peter since high school to the point where even her best friend worries why she didn't teach Peter to be more independent. She has no social security, Ben had no life insurance himself, no 401k, no stocks, bonds, etc. All she had was old junk jewelry to pawn and yet she puts nothing in a savings account, she just buys more frivolous junk the next issue (by COD of all things). Meanwhile, Mary Jane had a high profile job, balanced it with college, saved for the future, supported them both, managed household finances, had health insurance... did Mephisto lie about the marriage and just take money out of their accounts?; January 30, 2016 at 12:25 PM
Lewis Lovhaug said...: Leta, you are aware this site is now defunct, yes? XD; January 30, 2016 at 12:27 PM

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Atop the Fourth Wall

Monday, July 30, 2012

200th Episode

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