Marvel honors 9/11 with "The Four Fives" - A spiritual successor to The Amazing Spider-Man #36 "Black Issue"

 

It's been 20 years since that day when the world saw tragedy strike, and people united in an act of solidarity where heroes rose and many sacrificed to help their fellowman. Even if some time has passed, people remember... And we will never forget.

To pay tribute to those that were affected and made sacrifices during September 11, 2001 - Marvel has released a free digital comic called "The Four Fives" - which is free to read at Marvel.com and acts as a spiritual successor to The Amazing Spider-Man #36, aka the Black Issue written by J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr.

In this story by joe Quesada and John Romita Jr., Spidey and Cap meet and remember those that have fallen during 9/11, as well as converse about the impact this event has had on their lives and others. You can read the entire issue here.

Remembering 9/11 15 Years Later... The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36

Today marks 15 years since "9/11" happened in 2001... And it will be forever a day where we will "Never Forget" the heroism and sacrifices so many made that day. People tried stood tall in the face of adversity and hopelessness... And one of the comics that paid tribute and remembered that day of shock and tragedy was Marvel's "The Amazing Spider-Man" - which printed a black covered issue released on December of that year and had its story titled "Stand Tall".

A lot can be summed about that issue in its way to depict the aftermath of the attacks that saw the destruction of the twin towers and many souls lost - heroes like Spidey in the story gathered to help their fellowmen and try to save as many lives and comfort those who were in dire shock. However, it was also a story penned by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by John Romita Jr. that honored those real life policemen, firemen, and soldiers - brave souls who answered the call to just make a difference and help the victims of that horrible event. Literally - everyone "Stood Tall"... And it brought everyone together because of the terror that hit innocents unexpectedly.

We Remember 9/11... Never Forget.

Remembering 9/11 and Comics that paid tribute to the real heroes...

It's the week where we remember and will never forget... And where everybody stood tall and came together to honor those who fell and gave their all to assist those in need.

That being said, I couldn't take my mind off particular issues of comicdom that reflected on the event, which was both ominous, silent, and poignant in conveying the thoughts and feelings of what many felt during the events of 9/11 12 years ago. One miniseries in particular by DC Comics shared the notion of paying tribute to the brave men and women who gave their all with "extraordinary courage" in the two-part "9-11".

Marvel also had a dark and solid take on the matter with their "Black Issue" of "The Amazing Spider-Man #36", which saw Peter Parker's alter ego and the rest of the Marvel Universe band together in the midst of the crisis that befell all during that dark time.

Outside of the superheroics and villainy, the real heroes do what they do to lend their fellowman a helping hand. We honor the brave and courageous by remembering.

Always remembered. Never forgotten.

Remembering 9/11 and The Amazing Spider-Man #36... 10 years later

9/11. The date alone evokes a lot of unpleasant and sad memories. It also makes me remember a certain issue of The Amazing Spider-Man that I have, which served as a remembrance of that day that will be forever remembered as one of the worst attacks by terrorism.

Yes, the simple black cover to this issue said it all. Originally released on December 2001, The Amazing Spider-Man #36 was one of the rare instances a comic book deviated from its ongoing storyline and focused on a situation/ event that was as real as it was going to get. Written by J. Michael Straczynski and illustrated by John Romita Jr., the books serves as a medium for the writer and artist to voice out their feelings regarding what transpired that day, showing Spider-Man wracked with shock and grief like many others, as he looks over and searches for survivors over the remains of what was once the World Trade Center.

The message sent here was simple and clear -  it was a tragedy nobody could ever forget. The damage, fear, and chaos that was a result of those attacks still haunt many who experienced it first hand to this day, and those of us around the world who watched helplessly over various mediums could only feel pain, remorse, and anger over what transpired. My own memories of watching the horrible events unfold in CNN were as clear as yesterday, and even though 10 years have passed, we still remember and honor the memories of those who died and gave their lives bravely to help those in need that day.


Straczynski and Romita Jr. presented one of the most heartfelt tales that reflected the obvious shock people had over this event, as well as the overwhelming guilt and responsibility fictional heroes like Spider-Man felt over a terrible crisis like this. As someone who has fought for the safety of others, the webslinger is grounded and helpless to do anything even with all of his powers at his disposal. Arriving at Ground Zero after the dust clears, he valiantly looks for signs of life, joining his fellow superheroes to work with other rescuers and emergency units in finding as many survivors as they can. It was a heartfelt message of remembrance and heroism at a time when America truly needed those heroes. Even though it's been almost 10 years since this issue hit newsstands, it still resonates with me as one of the clearest and honest reactions to 9/11. We will never forget.