Summary
- Spider-Boy claims his existence was erased from history by the Totem Dagger, which is why no one remembers him as Spider-Man’s sidekick.
- Spider-Boy knows a lot about the Marvel Universe, but the heroes and villains of Earth-616 have no memory of him, suggesting he might be from a different timeline in the multiverse.
- Inconsistencies in Spider-Boy’s history could reveal that he is in the wrong universe, which would have devastating consequences for Spider-Man’s new sidekick.
Warning: spoilers for Spider-Boy #1!
The existence of Spiderman the new companion becomes even more complicated. The word “new” may have to be used loosely, because during his presentation, 10-year-old Bailey Briggs claimed he’s been a hero in the Marvel Universe for at least three years, serving as a sidekick of Spidey at that time. The reason no one remembers him is that, until now, he had been erased from history by the Totem Dagger.
Bailey’s explanation for why no other Marvel heroes remember him – that his existence has been erased from collective memory – is, as far as the standards of a superhero story go, certainly plausible; this has happened to established characters before.
Spider Boy #1 – written by Dan Slott, with art by Paco Medina – shows Spider-Man doing his best to believe Bailey’s claims; However, there may be holes in his story, leading Peter Parker to develop suspicions about the new hero and the true nature of their hero-sidekick dynamic.
This is not to say that Bailey is lying about everything he talks about, as he has expressed too much accurate knowledge about the Marvel Universe around him to be considered a liar. However, there are signs that while Spider-Boy may be a hero in his universe, Earth-616 may not be its original reality.
Nobody remembers Spider-Boy or his villains
As has been the recurring theme with Spider-Boy thus far, no one – not even his own supposed rogues gallery – remembers who Spider-Boy is. Yet no one remembers these villains either. Facing Gutterball at the start of the issue, Spider-Man has clearly never heard of or seen him before. Meanwhile, Spider-Boy knows everything about him, suggesting that he is one of his “deadliest enemiesYet, adding another layer of uncertainty, not even Gutterball himself remembers Spider-Boy. The same can be said for Professor Emilio Helio, aka Balloon Man, someone only Bailey recognizes, but who apparently has no memory of the young hero.
The simplest explanation for all of this is that Bailey, the new Earth-616 Spider-Boy, hails from a different timeline in the Multiverse.
Bailey’s explanation for why no other Marvel heroes remember him – that his existence has been erased from collective memory – is, as far as the standards of a superhero story go, certainly plausible; this has happened to established characters before. The existence, but lack of recognition by Spider-Man of villains like Gutterball and Baloon Man, further calls into question the true nature of these characters. You’d think the villains should be just as titular as Spider-Boy claims. and if that’s the case, heroes like Spider-Man and Squirrel Girl should have at least distorted those villains’ memories, even if they were tampered with.
Theory: Spider-Boy is back in the wrong universe
The simplest explanation for all of this is that Bailey, the new Earth-616 Spider-Boy, hails from a different timeline in the Multiverse. It’s possible that he doesn’t even realize he’s in the “wrong” universe. All these inconsistencies with his story could set the stage for the revelation that Bailey’s true universe is adjacent to Earth-616, but not 616 itself – which is why he holds so much sensitive knowledge about Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, but they don’t recognize him. The same can be said for Bailey’s villains. All these new characters may have just crashed into the wrong universe. If it’s true, the truth will crush Spiderman acolyte.
Spider Boy #1 is on sale now from Marvel.
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