But What About Spidey?

I was reading an article in the newspaper this morning which covered this fun new book called 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived: How Characters of Fiction, Myth, Legends , Television and Movies Have Shaped Our Society, Changed Our Behaviour and Set the Course of History.

And was terribly disappointed to see that Spider-Man didn't make the list?

What the heck is that about? I mean, a "Johnny-Come-Lately" character like Buffy the Vampire Slayer made the list, but Spidey didn't? And after he changed the fact of comic book history? (Before Peter Parker came along, super-heroes didn't have complex or in-depth alter egos in their civilian life. Parker was a shy nerd loser teenager who struggled with typical teenage angst during the day and by night fought crime and super-villains. Later in his career, he succumbed to the flu, colds and ulcers. Peter Parker added a unique element of realism to the world of comic book characters and, in my mind, changed the face of comics forever)

Now I know that Buffy has had a huge influence on popular culture, and of course, her being a television character (yes, I know, first a movie character, then, more popularly a television character) ultimate makes her more accessible to people -- but I'd argue that more people who never read comic books know who Spider-Man is at first glance rather than Buffy. But I am definitely curious to check this book out and see how Buffy ranks in there and Spidey doesn't.