DC Has Their Own Spider-Man (and They’re Literally Doing Nothing With Him)

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Spider-Man is Marvel’s most iconic hero and incredibly popular worldwide, easily ranking among the top three most recognizable superheroes. His fans are famously loyal, sticking with the character even through less-successful storylines in hopes of the next great story. He’s relatable and a well-developed character, making him someone almost everyone knows and many children aspire to be. Given his widespread appeal, it’s understandable that DC Comics might try to create a similar character – and they actually have, though it’s a lesser-known fact.

As a huge comic book and movie fan, I was really excited when DC introduced Sideways. He’s this teenager who gets the ability to create portals to different dimensions after a crazy fall, and honestly, he felt like DC’s answer to Spider-Man – a relatable kid with incredible powers and a compelling story. He *could* have been a massive star for them! But it’s incredibly frustrating because DC just… did nothing with him. It feels like a real missed opportunity and a waste of a potentially amazing character.

A Bold New Take on a Classic Story

For many fans, the heart of Spider-Man’s appeal lies in his origin story. He’s just a regular kid who suddenly gains incredible abilities and initially tries to profit from them. But his self-interest causes him to ignore a crime, which tragically leads to his Uncle Ben’s death. This loss motivates Peter Parker to become a hero and atone for his error. Spider-Man’s journey resonates with us because we’ve all made mistakes we wish we could undo. Ultimately, his story is about accepting the past, learning from it, and striving to do better.

Sideways explores similar themes, but with a fresh and engaging approach. Sixteen-year-old Derek James gains extraordinary abilities after a near-apocalyptic event and quickly starts streaming online to gain fame and fortune. However, his carelessness as a hero attracts the attention of Leto Dominus, the ruthless CEO of Dark Star Sciences, who wants to steal his powers. When Derek’s mother discovers Leto’s plans, Leto kills her to keep them secret. Derek must then face the consequences of his actions and accept responsibility for his mother’s death, which stemmed from his attempts at being a hero.

Anyone would be crushed by this experience, but Derek uses it as fuel to become a true hero, determined to prevent it from happening to others. What started as a side project quickly became his life’s purpose – a genuine opportunity to make a difference, simply because he was able to. His journey mirrors Spider-Man’s, but unfolds over multiple issues, allowing readers to witness Derek’s growth and solidifying his place within the larger DC Universe, establishing him as his own unique hero rather than a copycat.

Taking Inspiration, But Growing Independently

Don’t mistake Sideways for just another Spider-Man. While his origin story shares similarities with Peter Parker’s – he’s a relatable teen hero – Sideways is a distinct character with his own unique strengths and flaws. His powers are particularly inventive: he can create rifts not just as portals, but also use their edges as weapons and their surfaces for defense. He can even create miniature black holes by layering rifts within rifts. This versatility makes his powers exciting and opens up a lot of creative potential – exactly what you want from a superhero’s abilities.

Derek also faces personal challenges, including a difficult relationship with his father since his mother passed away and a complex friendship with Ernie. Beyond that, Sideways has the potential to greatly expand the DC Universe. His powers naturally allow for the introduction of countless alternate realities and provide a simple means of traveling between them – something very few characters can do besides the Flash or powerful magic users. He could bring something fresh and valuable to the DC Universe by interacting with its most prominent heroes, but DC hasn’t fully utilized his abilities.

Sideways last had a significant role in the 2019 series *Young Justice*, which tried to juggle too many characters. Since then, he’s mostly just appeared in the background of big comic events. He could be a fantastic new hero for DC, but instead of giving him a chance to shine, they’ve unfortunately sidelined him. I believe we need to see more of Sideways, and I’m eager to hear what others think! Share your thoughts in the ComicBook Forum below!

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2025-09-26 02:12