In Spider-Man, Marvel successfully took the Superman formula and turned it on its head. But Peter Parker isn’t the only part of his story that’s an inversion of Superman. Three members of Spider-Man’s supporting cast are Bizarro counterparts to Superman’s supporting cast, specifically Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Perry White.
The most important member of Superman’s supporting cast, and probably the most important supporting character in all of superhero comics, is Lois Lane. So we’ll start with her.
Lois is the character who best explores the dichotomy between Clark Kent and Superman, with her wildly different opinions on both personas. Perry and Jimmy treat both Clark and Superman with respect. Villains, if they ever interact with Clark at all, treat him and Superman with contempt. Lois is the only one who consistently rolls her eyes over one of Superman’s personalities while desperately fawning over the other.
Lois and Superman’s relationship is built on fun paradoxes. Lois is a daring, ace reporter who will do anything for a story, but she’s oblivious to Superman’s true identity, which would be the story of the century. Superman is in love with Lois but is afraid being with her would put her in danger, so he spends all day pretending to be someone Lois hates.
Whether this sort of dynamic works outside of cartoon logic is beside the point. It’s charming, funny, and ultimately boils down to a man who wants to protect the woman he loves, and a woman who wants him to be honest with her. It’s a screwball comedy that’s endured for 80 years.
If Spider-Man is the Bizarro Superman, then it’s time to talk about Bizarro Lois. It’s time to talk about Betty Brant.
Both women are love interests who work at a newspaper with the hero. They’re someone the hero can flirt with, or have simmering romantic tension with, while they’re overhearing news about some crime in progress. Lois and Betty prevent scenes set at the Planet or the Bugle from being strictly business.
But while Lois is brave, almost reckless at times, Betty is timid. Lois is thrilled by the idea that Clark might be Superman. When Betty suspects that Peter might be Spider-Man, it’s a nightmare to her.
There’s no Lois style, snooping shenanigans here. Lois’ desire for action and thrills manifests itself in the fact that she prefers Superman to Clark Kent. With Betty it’s the reverse. Betty’s brother is mixed up with the mob and gets gunned down over gambling debts. She’s had enough excitement in her life and wants a dull, reliable guy to bland up her life with. She doesn’t want Superman, she wants Clark Kent. She wants Peter Parker.
Lois’ love for Superman is pretty easy to explain: he’s the perfect man. Betty’s attraction to Peter is a bit more complicated.
She sees Spider-Man the same way she sees her doomed brother Bennett, as a thrill seeker, and as a result she’s more attracted to the quiet stability she sees in the mild mannered Peter Parker. If Superman didn’t pretend to be Clark Kent, he could be with Lois. If Peter Parker didn’t pretend to be Spider-Man, he’d be with Betty Brant. Both men are kept from the women they love by pretending to be someone they’re not.
Though maybe “pretend” is too strong of a word when it comes to Peter’s relationship with his alter ego. Clark Kent is a complete fabrication, and thus, when Lois rejects Clark Kent she’s not rejecting a real person. With Spider-Man it’s a bit more complicated. Spider-Man’s personality is still rooted in Peter Parker. Early on the two personas are different enough, but as the story progresses Spider-Man and Peter Parker become two sides of the same coin. Betty only loves the studious, responsible part of Peter. But when she rejects Spider-Man, she’s not rejecting a sham persona, but a big part Peter Parker. Instead of the screwball comedy antics of Lois and Superman, Betty and Peter’s relationship is tragic.
Very bizarro.
Loved this comparison!