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Van Lente on Chameleon rape
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We all knew that the “Red Headed Stranger” storyline was going to be controversial, but things taken another interesting turn.
The rest of this article contains spoilers about unreleased issues of “Amazing”. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read anything after the image.
When the Chameleon (disguised as Peter) made advances towards Michelle in “Amazing Spider-Man” # 603, it appeared the intent was to imply they had sex. Due to the nature of Chameleon’s deception many people cried “rape”. Steve Wacker later said all they did was steal kisses and the internet said “yeah right”.
A fan e-mailed Fred Van Lente asking him about the storyline. In the e-mail Fred confirmed that issue 605 would confirm what Wacker said about Chameleon and Michelle having platonic fun. When the message was reposted online, Fred e-mailed the following message to the fan requesting he share it.
First off, while I believe he had the best of intentions, the poster "DrSevarius" wrote me under his real name and asked me a question I thought I was answering in private, to him. He posted my response without my permission and without telling me beforehand it was supposed to be for public consumption.
If he had told me that, I would have, first off, made it clear that I am not a Marvel employee. I am not a Marvel spokesperson. I am a freelancer. I speak only for myself. That is just as true for the following statement as the previous one.
Also, if he had told me that, I may have been less coy about the following "Spoiler Alert". Anyone who cares not to have stuff that's in ASM #605 revealed now should avert their eyes.
Amazing Spider-Man #605, which went to the printer weeks ago, makes it clear that Michelle and Chameleon did nothing more than make out in the kitchen scene in #603.
There was no sex, and therefore no rape.
And I'll simply point out that in the scene in ASM #604 when Peter comes home he has no idea why, exactly, Michelle is treating him differently, only that she is. He learns why-- at least partly -- and he responds, in #605.
Thanks for listening. I appreciate it.
Best,
Fred Van Lente
Interesting. The general response from fans has been to assume that it was sex but changed due to strong negative reactions. I doubt that was the case due to "Amazing's" publishing schedule. Still, those who read issue 603 must admit the scene did seem to be written to imply a sexual encounter.
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