The Best in Fictional Weaponry: Web Shooters

*Originally published on 3/5/12



After all of the weapons that have been discussed, weapons that are capable of contending with gods, are wielded by gods, or are even made by gods, the web shooters utilized by Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man may not seem all that amazing. In fact, the only question you may be asking yourself is "how do I shot it?" It, of course, refers to the web. As it turns out, these gadgets are quite handy.

Of course, the web shooters give Spider-Man some offensive capabilities. He can fire "bolts" of web to cause harm to his enemies upon impact. Spider-Man also has the option of binding his foes, whether it be ensnaring them in a net or simply tying them up the old fashioned way. The wall crawler can also hinder villains who are trying to make an escape either by tripping them up or by simply firing a line of web at their backs and pulling them towards him.

This may seem like the extent of the web shooter's abilities, but Spider-Man has found other uses for them. For one, they grant him his primary mode of transportation. He may not be able to fly, but he can maneuver through the city quickly by swinging from the rooftops.

If Spider-Man finds himself thrown off one of the aforementioned rooftops (which he does, surprisingly often), the web-shooters also give him a means of saving himself. This also applies to other hostages who may be thrown from high places. Of course, in these instances, Spider-Man needs to be more careful. Simply shooting a line to a falling person and pulling could be deadly, as was the case with former love interest Gwen Stacy, who died when her neck snapped due to the sudden change in velocity.

In those rare instances where there are no rooftops around, Spider-man has shown the capability to weave a sort of parachute that would allow him to land safely. How he does this, I honestly don't know. Science, I guess.

If there is one limitation to the web-shooter it is that the amount of web fluid is finite. Unfortunately for Spider-Man, he often finds himself out of web just when he needs it most (such as when a bad guy throws him off the roof of a building). In that sense, the organic web shooters were more beneficial, but that's a debate for another day.

I'm not sure if Spider-Man has ever done this in the comics, but in some video games, Spider-Man has also been able to weave himself a makeshift shield. This may have just been an ability made specifically to aid in game play, but if it is possible, it does add another benefit to the devices.

What the web-shooters lack in raw power or mystical abilities, they make up for in versatility. Their supposed one-dimensionality belies their usefulness in tight situations. They may not be able to hurl mystical bolts or open doorways to other dimensions, but they get the job done.