Captain America and Spider-Man Restore Their Good Names [Review]
In the newest episode of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!, Captain America pals around with the spectacular Spider-Man. Click “More” to read our review!
S2, Episode 13: Along Came a Spider…
In the wake of the Skrull Invasion, public opinion of Captain America is low. A big part of the problem is a smear campaign run by the Daily Bugle’s publisher, J. Jonah Jameson. Stark confronts him and when offered a chance to interview with the real Captain America, Jameson sends Betty Brant and Peter Parker. When a prisoner transport is attacked by the serpent society, Cap has to spring into action. When Brant and Parker can’t be taken to safety, Parker disappears. As Cap is overpowered, Spider-Man swings onto the scene to lend a hand. When the two heroes help a subway car full of passengers, they are forced to save the group who believe both are menaces. The Serpent Society catches up with the group. After showing their bravery, the heroes get an assist from the civilians to stop the Serpent Society.
After a relatively disappointing conclusion to the Secret Invasion arc, this episode brings back the slightly more character-driven slant. Unfortunately, it also reveals my most major issue with the previous episode. Thanks to the media storm over whether or not aliens had truly disguised themselves as heroes and if Captain America truly told the world to surrender to those same aliens, the world no longer trusts Cap. It’s a fair conclusion to be drawn. Those who are easily led by what they see on TV or in the papers, or believing everything they hear are easy pickings for media outlets trying to push agendas. There’s a reason to believe the world might be suspicious of Cap, and in American society, those who tend to speak out the loudest are the most close-minded or the least educated on the matters they speak out against. In that way, this episode works, but forces me to go back to my critique of last episode – we don’t really know what the real cost of people believing Cap and letting the Skrulls take over. We only saw those glimpses of the reaction to the idea of aliens landing on Earth. Why would they be so mad if the threat has passed?
The real reason why this episode works is in Spider-Man and Cap’s relationship. It’s no secret that Spider-Man idolizes Cap. There’s been many a time in print when Cap’s taught Spider-Man a lesson or two about being a real hero. Most of the time it’s about continuing to do what he does and ignore what people are saying about him. In other words, actions speak much louder and those he saves will always know the truth and that’s what’s really important. That’s the key theme of this episode. Cap’s not concerned what people are saying about him. While Spidey knows how awful that really is, what he doesn’t understand is that it really doesn’t matter what people think of him. His actions will reveal his true nature and those he’s helped over time will never forget who or what Spider-Man is. Captain America will never have to go on a campaign to clear his name. As long as he keeps fighting the good fight, people will see him for what he is, and they will realize those things written and said about him wasn’t the truth. This doesn’t just for superheroics, either. This is a theme that most everyone can take to heart.
While this episode still reveals even more issues with the hurried conclusion to the Secret Invasion, the characterization of the Cap/Spidey team and the themes shine through to make this a pretty darn good episode.
A COMIC BOOK BLOG RATING
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good situation with lots of tension. Great themes about ignoring the bad things said about you and focus on what you know about yourself and let others see that shine through. | Reveals even more why I had issues with the previous episode. |
| Rating |
1 Comment
I take it you don’t hate Drake Bell, then? I thought he did Peter’s nervousness and Spidey’s quips alright, but things such as grunting could still use some polishing.