"Why everyone is obsessed with Spider-Man?" comedic mock video essay
- Platform: YouTube (video)
- Original post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3yOdVGPANI
- Posted: 2023-06-29
- Length: 257 s
- Stats at archive time: 765 views, 18 likes, 7 comments
- Video file: https://clips.linus.gripe/media/Youtube_u3yOdVGPANI.mp4
- Original caption: Join us as we unravel the enduring appeal of Spider-Man, from comic book origins to modern-day cinematic triumphs. This video essay examines the unique combination of relatable storylines, character development, and universal themes that make Spider-Man a global icon.
Expect exclusive interviews, fascinating insights, and a deep exploration of the web-slinger's world. Spoiler alert for various Spider-Man comics, films, and TV series.
SpiderMan #Marvel #ComicBooks #PopCulture #Superheroes #PeterParker #MilesMorales #MarvelComics #MarvelCinematicUniverse #MCU #Comics #StanLee #SpiderVerse #VideoEssay #Analysis #CultureAnalysis
Summary
A 4-minute mock-serious investigative video essay in which Linus, who is not a Spider-Man fan, tries to understand why people on Discord all have Spider-Man profile pictures. After interviewing people and watching the new movie in a cinema at night, he concludes that the movie itself is the reason.
What happens
- 0:00-0:35: Dark, dramatic intro: a Spider-Man avatar icon, a person hugging their knees in a dark room (stock/dramatic footage), then Linus on webcam wearing large headphones in a dim bedroom. The narration frames him as horrified at Discord.
- ~0:40-2:00: Linus talks to camera while Discord-style messages are quoted; red on-screen quote text from a user: "Both of us grew up with a father figure we pushed away / Then was upset we lost them / And that changed us as a person."
- ~2:00-2:20: Static glitch and distorted Miles Morales/Spider-Man frames, transitioning to TV noise.
- ~2:30-4:00: Cinema-trip section and conclusion, including a Discord message on screen: "Do u understand the obsession w spidey now ?" with a skull emoji. Ending is mostly black frames.
Spoken content
English narration. Linus recounts logging into Discord one afternoon and being "horrified" by all the Spider-Man avatars, even a friend becoming obsessed. He asked many Discord users; most (all the girls except one) said Spider-Man is hot, with Andrew (Garfield) the most popular actor. Others said he is relatable because of the person behind the mask and, for some guys, because of a lost father figure; one user shared a comic panel ("this panel hits different"). Linus then saw the new Spider-Man movie alone at 12:20 am on a Tuesday, says it had "the best pixels my eyes have ever seen", felt like one hour though it was over two, and concludes: "This movie is the reason why everyone is obsessed with Spider-Man... Case solved." Some transcript wording is garbled.
Audio / music
Voiceover with dramatic/sad underscoring likely; no track named.
Topics & keywords
Spider-Man, Spider-Verse, Across the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales, Andrew Garfield, Discord, video essay, parody documentary, fandom, father figure, cinema, meme, "spidey"
Context
English-language comedic essay, uploaded 2023-06-28, 257 s; the longer video promoted by the Short. Audience: teens/young adults on Discord. 765 views, 18 likes, 7 comments.