General News
10 January, 2025
Spinning the yarns: comic writer's Aussie visit
SPIDERMAN, the superhero alter ego of Peter Parker, has been fighting crime since 1962. His superhuman strength and agility weaving webs across New York has outfox dastardly crooks in hundreds of comics penned and illustrated by artists with...
SPIDERMAN, the superhero alter ego of Peter Parker, has been fighting crime since 1962.
His superhuman strength and agility weaving webs across New York has outfox dastardly crooks in hundreds of comics penned and illustrated by artists with compelling imagination
But even one of the world’s upper echelon of crimefighters needs a break. And where better that in Australia, lapping up a lifestyle far removed from the bustle of big city America.
As the latest in a line Spiderman writers started for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee more than 60 years ago, Zeb Wells did just that.
He arrived at the Jarklin pub on Friday in time to truly experience the parochialism of AFL grand final weekend.
Time for a battery recharge after completing his final Spiderman assignment and three years “working harder than I ever had”.
Destination Jarklin wasn’t exactly a case of throwing a dart and seeing where it landed on the map.
“I knew Zeb before he was famous,” said hotel owner Heide Polkinghorne of the American comic book writer, screenwriter, director, and voice actor.
“We are old friends,” piped back Zeb in between autographing comics and videos for fans who had been tipped off that Wells would be in the district.
“I first met the Chisletts (Heide’s maiden name) through the Capernwray Bible School in Moss Vale, Sydney, back in 1996-1997,” he said.
“I came here to visit their farm and fell in love with the place. That was back in 1999 and I’ve finally made it back.
“I’d been just so busy that it’s taken this long. I find it hard to believe that it is ... but it’s the place to recharge the batteries.”
Apart from writing the latest chronicles of Spiderman, Wells has been co-writing the Deadpool series of comics and this year’s Deadpool and the Wolverine movie.
The Marvel smash starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman crushed its box office projections, grossing $438.3 million to record the eighth-highest opening weekend haul in movie history.
Wells recently told American reporters that he gets a kick out of watching his jokes being performed on the big screen, especially by Reynolds.
“I know that if he said them, he thought they were funny,” Wells has said. “He can rewrite anything he wants, because he’s hilarious. He knows exactly what the character would say. It’s great to feel like I nailed the Deadpool voice.”
Deadpool is another Marvel creation. Deadpool is initially depicted as a supervillain of the New Mutants and X-Force, though later stories potray him as an antihero. Deadpool is the alter ego of Wade Wilson, a disfigured Canadian mercenary with superhuman regenerative healing abilities. He is known for his tendency to joke incessantly and break the fourth wall for humorous effect.
Wells says there are more projects in the wings. “Lots of balls in the air, a few possible deals, nothing I can talk about.”
But back to Spiderman. The writer grew up in Littleton, Colorado, a fan of Peter Parker’s exploits.
“Writing the Spiderman stories now, I hope I have added some comedy and maybe a little bit of emotion (to the character), Wells said.
“Hopefully my love for the character shines through.”
And then it’s back talking movies. Wells wants a break from comic book writing - the Marvel series of Spiderman meant having two new stories every month.
He then starts talking more about farm life. “My great-grandfather had a farm in Kansas and that’s why I’ve got an empathy for farms and farmers,” Wells said.
“I’m only here in Australia for two weeks. I instantly felt stupid only coming for this long.
“I’ll be back though, probably next summer and who knows, I might even retire here.”
In the meantime, Wells’ words continue to be read around the world. There are thousands of fans in clubs, members probably able to instantly recognise themes from any of the 788 issues since the first release of the comic.
Marvel calls Spiderman the friendly neighbourhood wall-crawler. Wells had the air of a long-lost friend when he stayed in Jarklin last weekend.
It was a world away for the Emmy and Annie Award-winning writer and actor for the TV show Robot Chicken and director of that shows sixth and seventh seasons.
And certainly a nice break after three years penning Spiderman stories and other comics.
Yet it was rural and relaxed ... something Heide Polkinghorne says should have Wells back in Australia sooner and longer to be caught in the Aussie web of fun.