WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #88.BEY, now on sale from Marvel Comics.
Marvel Comics is known far and wide for its heroes that have the power to inspire others to take up the good fight, even if there's a high possibility for failure. A great example of this is Captain America. From his suit to his ideals, the message Cap carries wherever he goes is that anyone has the power to make a difference. This iconography extends even to other heroes, to the point where disappointing him feels wrong. That said, though Cap is the pinnacle of motivation, Spider-Man may be an even bigger inspiration than the star-spangled man with a plan.
It may seem like there's no competition between these heroes over who is the most inspirational. But their track records for who they've inspired show how Spider-Man is so different than Cap and how he makes a larger impact. In the past, Cap has inspired countless heroes to keep fighting even when all hope seems lost. One great example of this can be seen in the final issue of Secret Empire by Nick Spencer and Steve McNiven, which saw the return of classic Cap after an evil version of himself takes over the country in the name of Hydra. This return didn't garner rousing applause, but the heroes that restored him represent the culmination of his impact on these heroes. There's also his speech to Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man #537 by J. Michael Straczynski and Ron Garney when he inspired Peter to keep fighting after betraying Tony during Civil War.
Cap has also inspired others to take on his name across America. Many know that Bucky and Sam Wilson have been the two main Cap's to operate in his place, but The United States of Captain America by Christopher Cantwell and Josh Trujillo revealed even more Caps from across the nation. The three main hero's actions inspired countless people to look after those who couldn't defend themselves. While they aren't taking on supervillains, the flag continues to motivate others to keep fighting. But with Cap being able to inspire an entire country, how is Spider-Man still a better inspiration than Steve?
Cap may have inspired people across the country and often other heroes, but Spider-Man is more known for encouraging his enemies as well as his allies to fight for his side. For example, across the multiverse, Peter Parker has served as a reason for many spider-people, including Spider-Gwen and Miles Morales, to keep fighting because he's often the last one standing in a fight. He's also reformed multiple villains, including Boomerang, Overdrive, and even Black Cat. She will still commit crimes for the fun of it, but Peter instilled enough of a moral code that now when facing a moral crossroad, she will likely choose the heroic side.
More recently, in Amazing Spider-Man #88.BEY by Geoffrey Thorne, Jan Bazaldua, Jim Towe, Jim Campbell, and VC's Joe Caramagna, Hobie Brown has seemingly abandoned his work as the Prowler and fully devoted himself to protecting others in any way he can. The Prowler was formerly a villain who was constantly at odds with Spider-Man in the past. It would ultimately take Peter showing him that his methods weren't working and that he could do much more working as a hero. Since being reformed, he's only ever served to clean up previously made messes and to help Spider-Man whenever he could. In essence, he may be Spider-Man's greatest success story.
Spider-Man may not have touched as many hearts as Captain America, but he instead chooses to stick with those of ill intent and try to help them rather than defeat them. Like Cap, Spidey represents hope. But rather than use that hope haphazardly, he focuses it on his enemies to try and show them a better path. This even worked with Doc Ock, who stole Peter's body and eventually became a hero in his own right. Peter isn't afraid to get into the thick of it to save his enemies. Even though his methods don't always work, his persistence makes up for it because if he can change the worst, then that means anyone can be a hero.
Source: Trendz OH
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