Spider-Man usually has a sunny and lively attitude, which is contrasted by the utter lack of happiness in his life for the most part. While he does have a loving aunt, a wife and a child in some incarnations, in key versions of his story, he loses them too to some tragedy or the other. A new theory has been posted online, stating that Spider-Man’s life would be infinitely better if not for his famed Spider-Sense.
Spider-Verse #1, released in 2019 and penned by Jed Mackay, revealed the inner workings of the Spider-Sense and how it functions for each Spider-Person. The ability comes as a part of the Web of Life and Destiny, a concept that connects all Spider-People across the multiverse. However, as with life and destiny, there is always a price to be paid. And in Peter’s case, the cost is all the tragedies of his life.
The Spider-Sense is the root of Peter’s Problems
The theory, posited by Reddit user u/Calm-Hovercraft2851 states that the Spider-Sense, as a cost for its power and to balance out the effect it has on the timeline, makes Peter’s life a little worse for every alteration it makes to the timeline.
Essentially, given that the Spider-Sense is an extension of the Web of Life and Destiny, the theory posits that Spider-Man is altering his time every time he reacts to his Spider-Sense. The Spider-Sence can give Peter a view into the future, which he then changes to save himself, given that it is only activated when Peter is in danger.
However, as a consequence of this, since there is a balance to be struck, Peter finds himself suffering tragedies in other aspects of his life, such as the death of his aunt, a break-up with MJ, the death of Gwen Stacy, his identity being revealed to the public or the death of his father (in the case of Miles).
Peter’s life even gets better after he loses the Spider-Sense
In Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker suffers a crisis of faith, something that manifests as him not being able to use his powers: No Super strength, no organic webbing, and no Spider-Sense. This, while freeing up Peter from his responsibilities of being Spider-Man, also improves his life significantly. He is acing his classes, has more time for Aunt May and MJ, and also does not have to worry about trouble when it brews in the city.
While external forces make it difficult for him to keep this side of life alive, it cannot be denied that Peter Parker would have led a much less tragic life if it wasn’t for his Spider powers. However, such is the fate of Spider-Man, who snugly fits into the role of the Tragic Clown, whether he has powers or not, but it cannot be denied that his Spider-Powers have made his life a little more miserable.
