Wake Up, Spider-Fans
Lo, behold the latest iteration of our beloved web-slinger, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, poised to grace the screens of Disney+ come January 29. Yet, ere its debut hath even occurred, it hath drawn the ire of the wretched racists.
Marvel’s latest offering hath dared to alter characters, a practice common in the annals of comic adaptations. This show shall showcase a diverse cast, with characters of color taking center stage. Behold Nico Minoru, portrayed by Grace Song, as Peter’s closest confidant. It is known that Nico is of the LGBT persuasion in the original tales. But alas, the most venomous vitriol hath been spewed at the Osborns, for they have been transformed in hue. Norman and Harry Osborn, pivotal figures in the Spider-Man lore, now sport a darker complexion, embodied by Colman Domingo and Zeno Robinson, respectively.
Verily, those who traverse the online fandom realm are well-versed in the malice directed towards characters and their actors when the delicate thread of race is altered. Halle Bailey, Rachel Zegler, and Nico Parker have all been targets of this base treachery. ‘Tis indeed a lamentable sight to witness these actors assailed for merely executing their craft.
Lo, a recent utterance from a star of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man hath ignited a firestorm of contemplation. Hudson Thames, set to portray the illustrious Spidey himself, hath ventured to expound upon the show in an interview. He hath proclaimed the show to be devoid of annoyance and "woke," a term that hath evoked bewilderment. What, pray tell, doth Thames perceive as "woke," and wherefore doth he view it with disdain? If the show boasts a diverse array of thespians, how can this not be deemed a noble pursuit?
In the annals of Twitter, echoes of consternation reverberate. Inquiries are launched at Thames, imploring him to define his trepidation towards that which is perceived as being “woke.” Alas, it hath become all too clear that when one deems a production as “woke,” they in truth lament the heightened presence of melanin or alternative sexual orientations. A vexing reality hath crept into the confines of fandom spheres, drawing forth a chorus of discontent in the wake of Thames’ commentary.
A stirring reminiscent of a bygone Spider-Man fan film travesty hath been noted. The year 2022 bore witness to fervent anticipation for the release of Spider-Man Lotus, a fan-crafted marvel. Alas, revelations of racism amongst the lead actor and director cast a shadow upon the production. Though the parallels betwixt this past misfortune and the current uproar may not be identical, one cannot fault fans for drawing connections.
In the heart of Spider-Man beats an ethos resolute in its wokeness. The arachnid avenger stands firm against bigotry in all its forms. ‘Tis a pity that Hudson Thames, in his myopic view, fails to behold this truth.
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