I recently decided to go back and rewatch the first two Spider-Man movies, to see if they lived up to the nostalgia (they do). While watching Spider-Man 2 though, I couldn't help but think that the character arc of Peter Parker is somewhat similar to that of Superman in BvS. The details are obviously completely different, but the similarities are there. Spoilers for BvS ahead, obviously. And Spider-Man 2, but if you haven't seen that yet, I can't help you. I'll also say before I start that I actually enjoyed BvS, even though most comparisons I make will be in favor of Spider-Man. This is more intended to be a "maybe we'll see more character development like this," not a "let's be fanboys and make unfair comparisons and shit all over anything that slightly irks us" type post.

Let's start with the similarities. Both are facing external pressures that cause them to doubt whether or not they really should be a super hero. Negative public opinion colors into this for both. Both decide to hang up the tights, so to speak. Both are advanced in their arc by their parental figures. Bonus similarity: Both have conversations with their dead father figure and living mother figure. Both are pushed back into heroism at least partly for the sake of the woman they love. And both make a sacrifice at the end. And both sacrifices were immediately nullified. The overreaching themes of (great) power and (great) responsibility are present for each character.

As for which did it better? It is a matter of opinion. My opinion is Spider-Man 2 100%. At no point during BvS did I feel sorry for Superman. It kind of sucked that he got blamed for things he didn't cause. Especially the attack on that village, which was totally Lois' fault. But I just didn't really relate to the problems he was facing.

Peter Parker on the other hand, woo boy, does his life suck. Let's look at the first hour or so of the movie. Loses his job, can't pay his rent, can't pursue his passion of photography, best friend hates him, soul mate is engaged to another man, aunt is losing her home, confesses deep held secret to aunt, now everybody hates him, failing college, new friend turns evil, powers start failing. It's interesting to me that the first time he seems really happy in the movie, is when he stops being Spider-Man. When he focuses on just being Peter Parker, he succeeds at just about everything he does.

Then we have the return and sacrifice. For me, this is where Superman's arc is the weakest. There may have been a moment where Superman realized that he needed to be Superman, but I didn't notice it. His ghost dad tells him a story about some horses drowning and that's enough. I don't remember the details, as this where the movie really, really lulled for me, so feel free to explain the intent behind that scene.

Peter's conscience slowly starts to get the better of him, to the point where he has to act, even at the risk of his life. Combine this with the famous "there's a hero in all of us" speech by aunt May and we can see him gearing up for his return. Without this gradual shift to and from heroism, the sudden return of his powers just because MJ got kidnapped would have felt jarring and stupid quite frankly.

Superman finally sacrifices his life in order to save the world. Some may have found him telling Lois "You are my world" cheesy, but I thought it was good cheese. The only real complaint I have about this is that I never really felt like I got to know Superman as a person. His death felt as empty as Quicksilver's in AoU. Was it sad? Sure. Did it have impact? Not for me.

I can practically hear you typing already "But Peter didn't make a sacrifice you retard!" Hold on! He did. Again, when he focused on being Peter Parker, he flourished. He had the kind of life he could have had if he had never been Spider-Man and it was a pretty good life. He only had a glimpse of it though. He sacrificed Peter Parker for Spider-Man. He was willing to give up what he wanted, including the love of his life, for the sake of complete strangers who may need Spider-Man one day.

Superman will be back obviously, but Spidey never really got a full return on his sacrifice. He did get arguably the most important thing in his life back though, that being MJ.

And then they had to fuck it up in Spider-Man 3. Fuck you Sony. Hopefully we'll see the reverse in future movie appearances of Superman. Not that BvS was as bad as Spider-Man 3, but it definitely didn't hit what it was aiming for.

So, what do you think? Is this a fair comparison? Or am I just talking out my ass?