Peter Parker has one superpower that allows Spider-Man to beat any telepath: “Parker Luck.”Spider-Man has an impressive, instantly recognizable assortment of superpowers, to the point he doesn’t need to add anything new to his repertoire. Yet, every now and again, Spidey does get a new upgrade that makes him even more powerful (or dangerous) of a superhuman.
The Spectacular Spider-Men #4 by Greg Weisman and Humberto Ramos – highlights Parker Luck as one such upgrade. Parker Luck is best described as an unfortunate string of bad luck for Peter (and sometimes Miles Morales) where no matter what, nothing possibly goes right for Spider-Man. Yet this seeming weakness becomes a strenth, as Peter’s self-awareness about having such poor luck in every possible situation and scenario is enough to give him something of a boost against telepathy users, and anyone who can control his mind. His worst luck becomes the best weapon.
“Parker Luck” Essentially Makes Spider-Man Invulnerable To Telepathic Strong
Peter Turns Misfortune To His Advantage
While trapped with Miles Morales inside of the Arcadium virtual reality world, Peter Parker awakens in a world where he’s retired from Spider-Man duties and is surrounded by his loved ones: Aunt May, Captain Stacy, his children, and his wife Gwen Stacy. He’s oblivous that any shenanigans could be afoot, but he also couldn’t be happier – and he knows it. Knowing that there is no conceivable reality or future where he’s this lucky or happy – all because of Parker Luck – is enough to snap Peter back into reality.
The big test for Parker Luck would be to see if it proves elusive against a real, master telepath like Emma Frost or Charles Xavier.
This isn’t the first time that Parker Luck has prevailed either. Once, all it took was Peter’s overarching sense of doubt to snap out of a Breakworld bullet’s mind-control, which proved how he could be smarter than Reed Richards in the same vein. Before that, when faced with the Mind Stone of the Infinity Gauntlet, Spider-Man overcame it merely by doubting the righteousness of the mission at hand. Parker Luck is the personification of Spider-Man’s guilt and self-doubt, and while it has its personal drawbacks, it proves useful in these mind-control scenarios.
“Parker Luck” Has Its Surprising Advantages, But Also Limitations
Parker Luck Can Only Help Spider-Man So Much
While Parker Luck has certainly come in handy for Spider-Man, it is worth speculating just how far Parker Luck can take the Webslinger. Readers have seen how it can beat one of the Infinity Gauntlet’s Infinity Stones and readers have seen how Parker Luck can combat a magic mind-controlling bullet. The big test for Parker Luck would be to see if it proves elusive against a real, master telepath like Emma Frost or Charles Xavier. To its credit, one would assume it would be a suitable weapon if it could combat an Infinity Gem, but that’s another challenge for another day for Spider-Man.
The Spectacular Spider-Men #4 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
