Spider-Man Life Story - Why Endings Matter

Thanks for watching my first video essay, I plan to do more content like this in the future, so if you
like this sorta thing stay tuned! I thought I'd begin by delving into my favorite Spidey comic, and attempt to figure out what went so right with this run.
Spider-Man is owned by Marvel Comics.
I don't claim any of this intellectual property...please don't sue.

[@seliteguitarist3664]

We just completely gonna skip the part where the Venom symbiote helps Peter hold the ship together as one last act of apology/helpfulness to its first host?

[@maskluigi1370]

I also like the idea that by this point of time in the real world (Late 2010s Era of Comics), Venom is no longer trying to kill Spider-Man anymore and rather one of his allies.

[@ManSpider92]

Yeah, a lot of these reviewers gloss over this fact. It was heartwarming, choosing to be a hero like its first host, and dying with him. Because in the end, Venom does love Peter.

[@kamikazehound3243]

​@ManSpider92 well who wouldn't love Pete lol

[@BlueEyesWhiteCinnamonRoll]

Idk about first host (yk retcons and stuff) but imo Peter was ALWAYS that symbiote’s first love

[@leafyishereisdumbnameakath4259]

​@@ManSpider92i genuinely do not remember this and i read the comic

[@xpeter1000]

I think miles being peters “Terry mcguinnes” works really well

[@ryszakowy]

no it doesn't it could if they didn't try to replace peter with miles completely

[@MichaelBurling13]

Small thing, Ben didn’t die. He just lost all of his powers and now has to walk with a cane.

[@Remix-pr4xd]

Better outcome then the two other Ben’s.

[@AGGSab]

Wait which Ben? Peter’s son or Peter’s clone?

[@Remix-pr4xd]

@@AGGSab Peter’s son

[@AGGSab]

@@Remix-pr4xd ok thanks 👍

[@kazuki3146]

Damn that’s a huge difference than what I thought

[@Wiki1184]

I do wish this series had more issues to flesh stuff out. 1 issue per decade makes it feel pretty rushed and makes me want more.

[@namename-ko4pf]

I've heard the original plan was 2 issues per decade but they didn't let the writer cook

[@odog3964]

@@namename-ko4pf yup, it was posed to be 12 issues but Marvel said nah iguess. Don’t remember the reason tho

[@MilkLover-ql7vz]

​@@odog3964You assume Marvel needs a reason to ruin good things

[@mosquitopyjamas9048]

Probably thought 6 was neater than 12 but yeah 5 years per issue would have been sweet

[@SeMetin]

The whole clone saga arc felt very rushed.

[@ultimateslinger9857]

See, this is how you do a Spider-Man story. It’s not about watching him fail or get crapped on by life and everyone else. That’s only part of it. It’s about watching him overcome it, and still coming out on top in the end.

[@assassin8636]

You gotta realize not all SpiderMan stories aren't going to he like this. I mean you don't like seeing someone fail because it's relatable or I'm looking at it wrong

[@3headedsnake388]

⁠​⁠@@assassin8636Spider-man doesn’t have to win at the end to make a good story. The problem with near every Spider-man run since the 2010s started is that they just make him suffer. _Everything_ is bad. Nothing good happens to Peter Parker. His character doesn’t even develop when the bad things happen. He’s just learning nothing and losing everything, the main reason I personally dislike recent spider-man runs. Peter/any spider losing or failing isn’t what makes the stories bad, Ben Reilly’s original ending/arc is beloved and that dude suffers all throughout.

[@ultimateslinger9857]

⁠@@3headedsnake388Yeah, that sums it up pretty much.

[@MiniMight]

i desperately want a full fleshed out spider-man series structured like this. completely standalone, no larger universe attached to it to complicate the lore, a straight read with a defined start and end

[@NationalPjVillain]

That pretty much was ultimate Spider-Man. Yes there was his ressurection after his death, but that version of the ultimate universe gets erased anyways and peter has his ending where he rides off with Mary Jane

[@thegreatacolyt1277]

That would be cool

[@thegreatacolyt1277]

​@@NationalPjVillainhuh?

[@assassin8636]

So larger universe is considered bad or something?

[@thegreatacolyt1277]

@@assassin8636 no we just need a break

[@zacharyharris2177]

This story never fails to give me an existential crisis. The moment peter dies is actually a beautiful moment though. I noticed that in his vision, he and mj are young again which just tugs at my heartstrings for some reason. It puts into perspective how beautiful youth is and how it shouldn’t be taken for granted. I’m almost 24 and sometimes I still somehow forget about my mortality. It is scary to think about, but consistently remembering that you will eventually wither away can help you stay focused on what is really important to you in life and hopefully minimize distractions (especially in this day and age)

[@doorsfan173]

As someone prone to existential crises, this story does the exact same to me. And to be honest, that scene makes me sob. I think it has to do with how tied to youthfulness Spider-Man is in our minds. I'm almost 29, not much older than you, but heading ever-closer to 30. In the grand scheme, there are still (hopefully) decades left, but I'm realizing it is never going to be enough. It's an odd feeling. I've learned to just cherish the people I love, especially having already seen some go. Whatever quirks they might have, whatever baggage life has given you, remember the important people (there are no "things" more important than the people). Sometimes I catch myself just looking at my family and my girlfriend, and my eyes well up when I recognize that whatever the moment is, it will pass and things will change. Despite that, it matters so damn much while it's here. It helps me appreciate all of them.

[@aidanshowers8366]

I love life story so much. It feels like a cohesive version of 616 and just a sort of celebration of spider man’s comic history. Practically nothing is excluding, the clone saga, the symbiote redeeming itself, superior, miles, and Peter having a kid. It’s just perfect.

[@nothingwrong2293]

They forgot to include Paul - the best Spider-Man character. Smh

[@OMGYasuke]

Re-reading this story, I don't love it as much as when I read it the first time but it's still a good Spidey story with my favorite Spider-Man ending ever. “I know dreams are boring…but I *KEEP* having this one. It’s the day uncle Ben died. The day I let his killer run away… It’s so *REAL* mj. And yes, I know what you’re going to say but this isn’t me beating myself up as always. It’s different this time. It’s a *good dream* ”

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

100% agree. No comic book moment has made me cry but that final page, it came pretty close. It's an ending that shows Peter has fairly come full circle and made up for the mistake that made him Spider-Man in the first place. In his final moments, he's let go of his guilt and it is beautiful. 🥲

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

No comic book has ever made me cry, but that last speech by Peter to his wife comes pretty darn close. "MJ. Look, I know dreams are boring. But I keep having this one. It's the day Uncle Ben died. The day I let his killer get away. It's... so real MJ. It's like I'm there again. And yes, I know what you're going to say... But this isn't me beating myself up again like always. It's different this time." "It's a good dream." I genuinely cannot believe you didn't cover that speech in this video! It's the most emotional page I've ever read in a comic book and nothing less than a perfect ending. It's the kind of ending that stays with you. It's the kind of ending that says everything about the book and the character. It's an ending that's perfect for the story because when push comes to shove, it IS the story encapsulated in a single page. It's pure beauty and nothing less than a masterpiece.

[@SpideyfanX]

24:39 One detail I like is that when Ben's mask lens is cracked, it makes him resemble the original Ultimate Spider-Man Peter

[@shinyocelot04archive]

I cannot describe how much I love this story. Seeing a Spidey who grows in real time is refreshing, especially when the main 616 stuff is stuck in the 1960s for some reason.

[@magdavillafuerte]

Something i Liked about the story is that each run adapts and pays homage to iconic runs of those decades. The 60s pays homage to Stan Lee and John Romita Sr run; the 70s pays homage to the Stan Lee and Gil Kane run and the Gerry Conway and Gil Kane Run, the 80s pays homage to the Tom Defalco run and the J.M. Dematteis run, the 90s pays homage to The Clone Saga, the 2000's pays homage to the J. Michael Straczynski run and to Civil War and the 2010s pays homage to Superior Spiderman and Ultimate Comics: Spiderman.

[@mr.protagonist5639]

For me these types of standalone continuities are WAY better than mainline. This and white knight for batman are so much better because the characters are actually allowed to progress and permanently change.

[@assassin8636]

Doesn't comic books does that regardless of the genre or how it's done

[@joeclarke7982]

​@@assassin8636ongoing comics in the marvel and dc universe get reboots and retcons all the time, like when they had pete sell his marriage to the devil to undo aunt may dying and undoing petes identity being let out

[@mythosinfinite6736]

​@@assassin8636 With new writers being cycled in constantly to muck up whatever just happened for the past year or so, it never truly feels like anything substantially gets done. Writers with grudges competing with each other to see who can one-up each other in petty imaginary contests, is the only vibe I get from comics anymore. Best to stick with stories like these, or the DCAU, that stick with the same stable from beginning to end.

[@MelonDude23]

Life Story is such a great read, The superhero involvement with Vietnam is super interesting to me so I really wish they had fleshed out the 60s and 70s with a few more issues

[@jaymaddox4181]

One more Day…. The story that ended my lifelong habit of collecting Spider-man comics.

[@brandonspencer5594]

The story that BROKE so many spider fans Biggest character assassination

[@mariuspatrick4524]

Ever since reading Chip Zdarskys daredevil run I was sold on him as a writer and life story definetely solidified him as just a writer who understands these characters

[@higgi9494]

As a HUGE spidey fan, this is beautiful. Actual perfection for Pete’s story.

[@Kizsito]

He stole the vid from my bud

[@jbstudios3000]

The best way to end, Peter’s story, to allow him to finally find perfect balance between being Spider-Man, and having a happy family life. That way he never abandons his responsibility and he doesn’t have to be miserable. He needs to GREATLY defeat all of his greatest enemies, so that threats are, for the most part gone from the world. Show him swinging off into the sunset happily married to Mary Jane, and as a father. But most importantly, someone who never abandoned his code and responsibility.

[@HockeyM.M.]

its especially beautiful when you look at modern spider-man and where the amazing spider-man run is going nowhere, and how a satisfying and conclusive ending like this is what we needed and what this character deserved, long ago and for a long while now.

[@stoffelthedestroyer3741]

That's why I love the Punisher MAX series (+ the Born standalone) You get to see Punishers whole life from birth to death. No overly censorship, no rubber bullets and "superheroes" to stop him from killing criminals. He ain't neutered like in the main timeline but given free reign and it is absolutely glorious! Meanwhile Spiderman once again breaks up with MJ due to Mephisto or whatever and goes back to status quo. He is stuck in limbo. That's his canon now. No hope anymore.

[@mikeburkhart8336]

Peter Parker should have stayed home from that public science experiment as a teenage and saved himself all this misery.

[@defecctive6138]

I want a redo of life story that covers 1 issue per year. Like a full life story run. I just think itd be cool.

[@davidbjacobs3598]

Damn, that would be epic. Like a 60-issue run. Give it to me, Marvel!

[@justbny9278]

Ngl i was Very disappointed Life Story is so seemly short, one issue for each decade is just too little for these ideas

[@superfrog5008]

i remember reading this for the first time and genuinely crying at the end of the final issue. Even if the pacing could’ve been a little better with more fleshed out chapters the overall story is beautiful and it feels so fresh. Even if you already know of the basic plot points of this novel due to the 616 progression it still shocks you and you really feel like you’ve grown to know these characters well over the course of the graphic novel. One of my favorites ever

[@DarthFhenix55]

Man, I love the rendition to the Last Stand suit of the 00's and 10's comics. It just fits this older Peter so well and is also a good detail.

[@Hans140]

I find it funny how even with super heroes, in the life of Spider-Man timeline the Vietnamese war goes on for years longer then it did in ours.

[@RainbowMan9407]

I love comic book stories like this; stories that aren't some cog in a larger, neverending wheel, but a self contained event that's allowed to have a beginning and, ultimately, and ending.

[@jamalhartley5863]

I bought the graphic novel and i was so impressed with it. I was really curious about this world cuz it kept changing. How thr Vietnam War actually went on longer because super heroes got involved. The passing of the OG costume to Miles was chefs kiss especially since it was given by MJ a character who knows what it means to be Spider-Man almost as much as Peter. I would've loved to have seen more of Peter's kids too. Which os honestly my main critique i just wanted more lol

[@creeper4481]

I was really hoping for “In the 99’s” issue for this comic run As you said, The avengers either died in battle or died of old age, which sounded like a tease to the year 2099: since the avengers were known as legends in that era

[@Non-Legit]

Wild to see the comics being fumbled so hard even though Spider-Man has had an amazing run this year

[@rogueguardian]

I feel like marvel and fans do have a fetish for seeing peter suffer. Like look i GET that his whole MO is being relatable. but at this point i have no problem saying that the MCU and games have more respect for him than his current comic run it's not a bad thing if Peter has a happy life. There's even an alternate universe story where he raises his own daughter (mayday) and we get to see him be a dad. Plus we get to see him cut loose if his family is ever in trouble. Seriously make that cannon marvel.

[@mosquitopyjamas9048]

This was one of the best spider stories ever written, loved it loved it loved it, this and Daredevil has Chip in my top writers in the medium

[@shadowanderson2004]

Zdarsky is an amazing writer. Spider’s shadow is amazing and so is his Daredevil run. His Batman run is quite interesting not sure what my thoughts are yet. Batman Failsafe was spectacular though

[@ryszakowy]

story that actually starts in 50's and ends in 2010's on peter's sacrifice is great loveletter for spiderman

[@Mojj2099]

I love ultimate but stopped reading around issue 80 something and haven’t read much since, but this convinced me to finally read life story, because I’m itching for comic runs with a real conclusion and I know ultimate has something of a conclusion but this is what I really want. And only 6 issues ? Perfect.

[@joemdude]

This is you FIRST video essay? I put this on to have in the background and I sat and watched it HOOKED

[@sarcasticsuperjerk18]

I was so engaged I checked your channel to see if there was more…holy shit this was your first video essay? I love it, dude, if you ever feel like it you should totally do more, man!

[@aster1760]

Man I cant tell you how wild it is as a Superior Spiderman fan to see the entire Spiderman community going from absolutely HATING the run when it was ongoing, to accepting it as one of the best additions to the modern mythos. I KNOW that's not what this video is about, but even just the minor mention makes me amazed at what's stuck and what dropped the ball HARD with Spiderman stories.

[@Gary.009]

0:07 The wedding? How about... THE WEBBING!? I'll be here all night ;)

[@johnz.2351]

Good one

[@Gary.009]

@@johnz.2351 Thanks mate, i love you.

[@rockmanmix6242]

Benjy’s not dead, that’s him with a cane

[@amazingspiderdude97]

Yeah lil mistake there

[@letso1000]

Read this story over a day a few months ago, really struck me how much love and passion for Spider-Man was poured into it. Very nice video going over the story and what it meant to you.

[@nitevce]

Bro i love this vid just poped up in my feed and you sold me on this story i love comics but been out of the loop of buying them for a while but man i really want this book i hope so see more things in the future

[@lemonynora]

I hate status quo. It gets tired. We stan character development

[@gamejtv]

The idea that the world would fall to ruin without legacy heroes really interests me. It works as a meta dig at the company's overreliance on them, but I feel like the writer got a bit uncreative with it. Seeing how a new generation of x men, fantastic four, or avengers could affect the world would've been cool

[@jefferyjones8399]

Often, it feels like Spider-Man stories don't get a real ending. I love how this one does that.

[@ericemanwu]

I like the idea that comes at the end for old peter. That his inner mind comments that he's had a good life. Had friends, had a lifelong love with Mj, and 2 great kids. The only thing he's wanted more of was to save uncle ben. But since he can't, he'll have to settle for saving EVERYONE. Which is pure spiderman and I love it.

[@DJisslightlyaverage]

Fun fact MJ is actually the one who makes the deal with Mephisto

[@deckieslol]

This was an amazing video! Keep up the content bro, I’m gonna go read this run now! I was so confused by the costume in 2 but this really cleared things up.

[@SickVoid]

I always assumed the Soviet missile attack was during secret wars and vision was simply one of the few superheroes not sucked into battleworld. So the super heroes didn’t dissapear because of the Cold War but rather because of secret wars.

[@ThatTravGuy]

Fantastic breakdown of my favorite modern Spidey story. Great stuff.

[@CT-55555.]

Great video dude 👍 can't wait for the next one

[@spundt125]

I wish that one panel with the symbiote helping Peter hold the ship together at the end was included, that was amazing.

[@hattoripool1533]

I wonder how people would react if in the main 616 Peter had a ending like this and it’s the end of his story permanently

[@Tom-jg9de]

Man this story make me so sad

[@drewsome]

great video dude. i hope this inspires more people to read life story. it’s my favorite spiderman story

[@aronhoffman7111]

Loved this comic essay. You should do more. This video made me buy the whole series of spider man life story

[@amazingspiderdude97]

Awesome to hear!

[@3rdDantetherapist]

​@@amazingspiderdude97 hi I saw your channel and I'm doing something similar. Any tips for growing a comic channel

[@magdavillafuerte]

@@amazingspiderdude97 i also loved the video, although There's a mistake in the video, you say captain america sides with the vietcong, he doesn't, the second issue makes clear he's siding with the civilians and protecting innocent people from the war. I don't think Cap would side with the Vietcong, as i'm a history nerd and is a well known fact that the viegcong was racist.

[@wolffang489]

At least this Pete got *years* longer with a Gwen.

[@TheAzulmagia]

Oh, if you weren't aware, there's an annual that deals with Jameson. It's pretty good! Also, Morlun doesn't kill Benjy. That's him with the cane in Part 6. You also glossed over the Symbiote coming back to help Peter stop the ship from collapsing!

[@AnnabellePalmerbestever]

Fantastic first essay!! 🎉🎉

[@Whoisthatguy906]

I find myself reading this once every year. It’s just so damn good

[@foxstomp4016]

Incredible essay; you just sold me on this book.

[@MorKmbt]

You have a very captivating voice for narration, i look forward to seeing whatcha do next!

[@richardlaceyfield9]

Im not sure I like this story. But I can say you did a great job on the video. I try to stay with what I know . I stop reading modern comics around 1994 . I've tried several times but I can't read much beyond that.

[@Mayhem5150]

Great video. You earned the hell out of my subscription.

[@Spider-Drip]

You, sir have earned your 100th sub

[@yveswolfgang]

I would like to see the writers of this run to write another "Life Story" tale but with Iron Man or even Captain America

[@apersonwhomayormaynotexist9868]

Fun fact: Chip Zdarsky (the writer of this) is currently working on a series called "Avengers: Twilight" set in a future reality where the avengers are all older and worse and a bit corrupt and Steve Rogers is left to try to put things right

[@spiderzilla7o7]

Was that the wedding of 87?

[@CorbinLeonard-rp4et]

Spider man WRITERS I will hunt DOWN TO End,s of the earth

[@wbab1756]

This was a great video man! Would love to see more content like this👍

[@Edwardrabbit]

Genjutsu joke got me good

[@dwnlg565]

great video. i’m currently reading the straczynski amazing run. would love to see more comic book spidey content !

[@HerbCoswellBornAgain]

Not only the best Spiderman story, but also the best Marvel story in general.

[@shielfoxftw8279]

Great video man. Your channel has a lot of potential

[@supertrashedits]

Subscribed, w vid just keep grinding bro.

[@knuxuki1013]

Very surprised with the Otto and Miles reveal

[@AricTWS]

They should just reset every 20-30 years for everyone.

[@tropiccheekss]

"since tony learns from his mistakes" LMAO WHAT

[@Viceking17]

Life story needs to become it’s own game. Simply amazing

[@VaibhavShewale]

sad, peter never gets to happy for long!

[@M3Giggs10]

This is Beautiful, thank you

[@OniLink99999]

I hadn't heard of Life Story before, so this was really interesting! I like to treat the Spider-Girl comics as my headcanon ending for the original continuity. But this seems like a brilliant alternate continuity that keeps the essential elements of Peter and MJ's lives intact, and you make your points really well! I wholeheartedly agree with what you're saying, and am hoping for the best with future Spidey material. Though, I think they've lost me for life with the main continuity modern comics after what they've done =P

[@DredgeTom]

I’ve always thought Spider-Man ends up dying after defeating his enemy. Succumbing to his wounds sustained in battle. Going down like the old hero he always will be.

[@Marsawd]

This video made me wanted Miles Morales to take over as THE Spider/Man. Will definitely be picking up the Life Story mini-series when I can.

[@DHworldwide185]

Absolute fantastic video. Spider-Man life style going through all decades of Spider-Man made me nostalgic and melancholy for how his life turns out at times. However I absolutely loathe The Fantastic Four life story. It ruins both Reed's and Sue's characters, the story was a disappointment, and the ending was beyond terrible.

[@SomeStupidBastard]

This was one of the best Spiderman stories simply because it had a real consistent idea and executed it.

[@boxingpedia]

Spider-Man: Forrest Gump edition. And I adore it.

[@dogecursor5190]

nice to see the algorithm has been kind to you recently spider....Dude

[@loubnafarah2926]

This is a beautiful and wonderful love animation

[@crackedegg1746]

Awesome video dude thanks

[@dweeep03]

15:39 small thing, i think this moment is how it originally happened which was that peter went to the wrong machine which had venom source:- some comic drake video i dont remember the exact one still great video, loved the comic and subscribed

[@ramirez6127]

Dude you missed the last panel. The part where he saves Uncle Ben showing that he is finally content with his life.

[@thegreatacolyt1277]

Yeah when a story ends instead of continuing for way too long it's way better but endings aren't always better if the story is actually good still and this series is amazing! I like that mj knows who peter is thats cool it looks so cool from the looks of it i now really want to read it now thanks i subbed for this your great and underrated and this is the first time i'v seen your channel😂thanks for the great video

[@assassin8636]

I mean don't you like it when things continue, I like it

[@Theghostkinh]

The fact that I got the venom three trailer right when we got into the 80s is hilarious

[@stupendoushorrendous8258]

MJ actually knew Peter was Spider-Man before he told her in 616 continuity as well.

[@ultimateslinger9857]

This might be my favorite modern Spider-Man story ever. Actually I think it’s just my favorite period

[@richardofredemption]

Great video ❤

[@boryontotheleader2328]

Id like to think that one more day was an amternate timeline of the amazing universe and they just want to continue with the "what ifs" for peter because they dont have any idea how to continue his story

[@lybluewonder6]

I wanted to read a family man spider man one grow up not to mention marry. The true love m.j. and have kids.

[@raw5889]

Finally giving us what we want

[@Draw4Dame]

This book reminded me that ultimate Spider-Man is the best Spider-Man and that Chat is wildly under appreciated