As a devoted fan of Spidey, I’ve come to accept that with such a rich history spanning over six decades, not every tale will be a masterpiece. It’s just the nature of superhero lore – some yarns will captivate audiences and reshape the genre, while others… well, they might be better off forgotten.
Usually, it’s those stories that garner the most criticism from fans and critics alike that Marvel tries to sidestep or even erase from memory. They want us to move on, to forget about them. However, there’s one Spider-Man story that Marvel has stood firm on, despite countless complaints – “One More Day”, penned by J. Michael Stracynyski and Joe Quesada. Despite the criticisms, they’ve chosen not to undo this story, which is quite remarkable in the world of comics.
The tale known as ‘One More Day’ has left a lasting impact not just on the chronicles of Spider-Man, but across the Marvel Comics universe. This narrative was intended to alter Spidey’s life for years to come and indeed, it brought about change that was permanent. However, many fans argue that this transformation wasn’t worth the cost. Now, around two decades later, it’s natural for our viewpoint to evolve. So, considering this shift in perspective, we question if Marvel’s most criticized Spider-Man story truly deserves the negative reputation it has garnered.
One More Day’s Problems Don’t Really Start Until the End
From the perspective of the creators themselves, it’s hard to label “One More Day” as a poor story. J. Michael Straczynski, renowned for his ’90s sci-fi series Babylon 5, demonstrates his exceptional writing skills in this comic work. His tenure on The Amazing Spider-Man is often praised as the best of the 21st century, so he’s not seen as a subpar Spider-Man writer by any means. Artist Joe Quesada is also highly skilled; he’s considered one of the greats in the penciling field. His art for “One More Day” is visually stunning and flows well throughout its four-issue run.
As a devoted Spidey fan, I can’t help but express my excitement about “One More Day,” a gripping tale set in the aftermath of the epic showdown, “Civil War.” In this heartrending narrative, our friendly neighborhood hero, Spider-Man, finds himself grappling with the dire consequences of his identity reveal during the superhero conflict. His family, particularly Aunt May, now faces imminent danger, especially since he departed from Iron Man’s pro-Registration forces, making them targets for adversaries like Kingpin’s assassins.
The core of this story revolves around Spider-Man’s desperate search for a means to save Aunt May, who was critically wounded by one of Kingpin’s assassins. From the pieces I’ve seen so far, it promises to be an outstanding Spider-Man adventure. The initial part of the story even features Spider-Man engaging in fisticuffs with Iron Man, a common occurrence during the post-“Civil War” era. Just considering the elements at play – a talented creative team, a captivating premise, and the ever-present risk of one of Spider-Man’s cherished family members meeting an untimely demise – this story seems destined to be among the greatest Spidey tales ever told.
The initial three chapters of “One More Day” are actually quite an engaging Spider-Man tale. Stracznyski skillfully crafts a suspenseful, emotional Spider-Man story with high stakes, while Quesada’s illustrations perfectly capture the essence of Spider-Man. Throughout the early stages, Spider-Man is desperately searching for a way to save the woman who raised him, but keeps coming up short. However, things take a turn at the end, and the narrative loses its footing.
The primary intention of “One More Day” wasn’t to advance Spider-Man’s storyline, but to rewind it. For years, Marvel editorial had desired to annul Spider-Man’s marriage to Mary Jane Watson. “One More Day” served as the means to achieve this goal. At the time of its publication, Quesada was not only a renowned artist, but also held the position of Marvel Editor-In-Chief; he strongly advocated for the marriage’s dissolution, and that’s where the concept of “One More Day” originated from.
Towards the end of the tale, Spider-Man and Mary Jane seek aid from Mephisto in a desperate attempt to revive Aunt May. They’re prepared to forfeit anything for her life. When Mephisto sets his terms, he requests their marriage as payment, but it’s not just about parting ways or filing for divorce. Instead, Mephisto intends to erase their marriage and relationship from the very fabric of existence. Strangely enough, they consent to this deal. Aunt May is rescued, but in exchange, their bond is obliterated.
Wishing for a marriage to end is one thing, altering the entire history of the Marvel Universe is another, and modifying Spider-Man’s past because you dislike a decision from an earlier editorial team is yet another. The ‘One More Day’ story could have been acceptable, but it ended up being a very selfish and misguided tale that didn’t capture the essence of Spider-Man. This story presents Spider-Man as a character who doesn’t want to accept the consequences of his actions, which is ironic given that ‘responsibility’ is a key aspect of his identity. In a twist of irony, Quesada and colleagues felt that the 2007 version of Spider-Man was far removed from their cherished classic character, so they made changes to bring him back to his original form. However, these modifications undermine everything that Spider-Man has historically stood for.
One More Day Really Is That Terrible
It’s often believed that many Spider-Man fans dislike the storyline “One More Day” primarily because it erased Spider-Man’s marriage. While this is a significant factor, it’s important to note that the story is also widely criticized for other reasons. Marvel editors aimed to revert Spider-Man back to a character type they were familiar with, one that aligned with their vision of what Spider-Man should represent. Unfortunately, this approach seemed to overlook a crucial aspect of Spider-Man’s character – the principle that “With great power comes great responsibility.
The narrative titled “One More Day” is widely criticized, yet it boasts impressive artwork and competent writing. One of the more peculiar aspects of its dislike lies in this contradiction. If “One More Day” had chosen to carry out Aunt May’s death, making Peter Parker shoulder the responsibility for the tragedy, it could have evolved into an exceptional story. However, Marvel editorial’s fixation on early Spider-Man led them to create a tale that not only took steps backwards but also failed to grasp the essence of the character. In effect, they achieved their goal and readers have been subjected to 18 years of Spider-Man stories that have consistently fallen short of restoring the character to his former potential, had Marvel simply allowed the story to unfold naturally.
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2025-03-08 07:11