Spider-Man J

Spider-Man J (Japanese: スパイダーマンJ, Hepburn: Supaidāman J) is a manga by Yamanaka Akira. It ran in the children's magazine, Comic BomBom, from November 9, 2004 to May 11, 2005. The manga is not connected to Ryoichi Ikegami's Spider-Man: The Manga and takes place in its independent continuity numbered as Earth-7041.[1]

Spider-Man J
Cover Of Spider-Man J, Volume 2
スパイダーマン J
(Supaidāman J)
GenreSuperhero
Manga
Written byYamanaka Akira
Published byKodansha
English publisher
MagazineComic BomBom
DemographicChildren
Original runNovember 9, 2004 – May 11, 2005

Plot

In the year 200X, a supervillain who goes by the name Lord Beaustius (Lord Gokibu in the Japanese version) wants to steal the fossil of the Insect King,[2] 15 year-old Peter Parker (Kakeru Amano in the Japanese version) uses his new spider powers to become Spider-Man J, to prevent this from happening. During his time as a superhero, he meets Japanese versions of Elektra, Dr. Doom, Blade, and the Fantastic Four.

The story does not provide an extensive introduction to the character like previous Spider-Man series published in Japan did. Daniel Stein, author of "Of Transcreations and Transpacific Adaptations: Investigating Manga Versions of Spider-Man", said that "no reintroduction of Spider-Man through a recap or revision of his origin story was necessary[...]".[3]

Characters

Kakeru Amano (天野翔, Amano Kakeru, カケル Kakeru) is a boy with the paranormal abilities of a spider. He keeps his identity as Spider-Man J a secret, fearing his family or friends might get hurt. The only person who knows Kakeru is Spider-Man J is Detective Makoto. He specializes in a number of weapons that he creates using his web-shooters. He is shy and clumsy, and barely has any friends. In the English version, he is known as Peter Parker.

  • His parents are located in the United States.[3]
  • Stein described the Spider-Man J Peter Parker as "a small, preadolescent kid who still sleeps with stuffed animals".[3]

Makoto Jujo (十条 真, Jūjō Makoto) is a detective who became a police officer because he wanted to protect people. He has a goofy sense of humor, but has a good heart and believes in justice. In the English version, he is known as Detective Flynn.

  • Stein described Flynn as "a paternal figure less given to emotional outbursts and childish fantasies than [Spider-Man J's] Peter".[4]

Mami Amano (天野真美, Amano Mami) is Kakeru's young, happy go-lucky aunt. She loves Kakeru like he is her own son, and is overprotective of him. She owns her own dress shop. She is quite relaxed, and is known for her spicy curry.[5] In the English version, she is known as Aunt May.

  • Stein described the Spider-Man J Aunt May as "a somewhat overbearing mother figure".[3]

Megumi (めぐみ) is Kakeru's classmate and girlfriend. She is a tomboy, and is very careful for everyone, especially Kakeru.

  • In the English version, she is known as Jane-Marie, a name based on that of Mary Jane Watson from the American series.[3]
  • Stein describes Jane-Marie as "a friend but not yet a potential love interest".[3]

Densuke (デンスケ) is Sho's classmate and friend. He is a fan of Spider-Man J and Comic BomBom, judging by his shirt that reads "Bom".[6] In the English version, he is known as Harold.

Lord Gokibu (ゴキブ・リーダー, Gokibu Rīdā) is the main villain of the manga. Not much is known about him, or his past. In the English version, he is known as Lord Beastius.

Elektra

  • The Spider-Man J Peter is against forming an alliance with her.[3]

The Spider-Man J Peter/Kakeru has three pets, a cat named Leo (レオ), a bird named Pal (パル Paru), and a dog named Don (ドン), a nod to Toei's Spider-Man Show, where Spider-Man had a giant robot named Leopardon.

There is no Ben Parker-esque character in the story.[3]

In other media

During the Spider-Verse crossover, Kakeru Amano is recruited by Peter Parker from Earth-616 along with Mangaverse Spider-Man and Takuya Yamashiro in a battle against Solus and the Inheritors.[7]

Release

The marketing in the United States focused on the manga's country of origin, Japan.[8]

Reception

When the manga came out in Japan, it enjoyed a loyal fanbase of otakus.[9] The response from American fans was mixed.[10]

Publishing

The manga was translated into English in Spider-Man Family, starting in issue #1, volume 2[11] and has been released also in 2 English sized tankōbon, called "Digests" by Marvel Comics. The first volume was called "Japanese Knights" and the second was called "Japanese Daze".[12][13]

See also

References
  • Stein, Daniel (2013-03-28). "Of Transcreations and Transpacific Adaptations: Investigating Manga Versions of Spider-Man" (PDF). In Daniel Stein; Shane Denson; Christina Meyer (eds.). Transnational Perspectives on Graphic Narratives: Comics at the Crossroads. A&C Black. ISBN 9781441185235. - This is Chapter #9, in Part II: Transnational and Transcultural Superheroes

Notes
  1. "Alternate Earths Appendix" Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z, no. 2 (May, 2008). Marvel Comics.
  2. "Comics: Spider-Man Family (Vol. 2) #7" Archived 2009-10-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2009-6-2.
  3. Stein, p. 154, Google Books PT 223.
  4. Stein, p. 153.
  5. Yamanaka, Akira (2008). "The Bigger They Are...". In Jordan White (ed.). Spider-Man J: Japanese Knights. Translated by Yuko Fukami (1st ed.). New York, New York: Marvel Comics. ISBN 978-0-7851-3212-7.
  6. Yamanaka, Akira (2008). "A New Assassin From Beast Road". In Jordan White (ed.). Spider-Man J: Japanese Knights. Translated by Yuko Fukami (1st ed.). New York, New York: Marvel Comics. ISBN 978-0-7851-3212-7.
  7. The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 3, #12. On page 5, issue #12: "Would you believe Japan?" "Like, three different Japans". As there were three different Spider-Man continuities set in Japan, Kakeru Amano was implied to be one of the three Spider-Men. Also the three Spider-Men were shown, and the cartoony one, who states "Kon ni chi wa!" has the same appearance as Spider-Man J Peter Parker/Kakeru Amano. The character is also seen on page 15, where he is black-and-white.
  8. Stein, p. 152.
  9. Yamanaka, Akira (2008). "Back Cover". In Jordan White (ed.). Spider-Man J: Japanese Knights. Translated by Yuko Fukami (1st ed.). New York, New York: Marvel Comics. ISBN 978-0-7851-3212-7.
  10. "Spider-Man J from Spider-Man Family #1 - Newsarama". Archived from the original on 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2009-08-02. Retrieved 2009-6-2.
  11. Archived 2009-08-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-6-2.
  12. "Spider-Man J: Japanese Knights Digest Digital Comic (2007)". Marvel Comics. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  13. "SPIDER-MAN J: JAPANESE DAZE DIGEST (Digest)". Marvel Comics. Retrieved 2023-05-22.

Further reading
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