Spider-Man was stolen. And I know who it was taken from.

     Hello. My real name is Hugh Jass. I go by the alias MarioLuigiWillSmith on the web because I don't want anyone to know my real name. I am an ex comic book artist, I now work two jobs. One as an aerospace engineer for NASA, and part time as a cybersecurity cryptographer. 

Yes, you read the title correctly. The beloved comic book character "Spider-Man" was stolen. The idea, the design was all taken. Stan Lee and Steve Ditko are NOT the original creators. But I know who was.

It all started in 1960. I had a passion for the comic book superheroes. Fantastic four, Deadpool, Ninja Turtles, The Dark Knight (2008), were just some of my favorite pieces of media. I was so obsessed in fact, that I started drawing comic book art. Not just that but making my own stories. I would make my own plot lines for Batman for example, and I was quite proud of them. I had one where he defended Gotham Steel Pans and various other cookware, from dastardly grease and grime. 

Anyways, I wanted to take my passion and turn it into a money-making profession. So, I took my drawings and set out to take my opportunity. I had heard about a big get together happening in my town. A giant summit, hosted by Marvel Comics. Now I knew they would never let some random guy like me in, so I had to work my way in. I saw one of the organizers outside, a pretty burly man. He packed some pounds. I asked him, "Hey, is there any way I could maybe do some work for you guys? Maybe I could help hand out drinks. Oh please Mr. kind organizer, give me a chance. I'm just a wee lad lookin for some spare change. This is my only hope of survival. I'm fighting out here. Please sir, have mercy and let me at least be of some service to you for a little money."

He replied, "Ok."

So, I was in. Handing out drinks to some of the world's most prominent names in comics. I saw Nat King Cole. 

But then there they came. Lee and Ditko, together, coming up for their round of drinks. I knew I couldn't fuck this up. I nervously poured the drink into the glass and handed it to them. 

I then cleared my throat and began. "Hey Mr. Lee and Mr. Ditko," I began. "I draw comic art, and I was well wondering if you could give me a shot at maybe being featured in one of your new comics. I promise if you don't like what you see, I'll never show my face again." 

They both looked at each other, perplexed. Then Ditko spoke. "Okay, kid. Let's see what you've got. Right now." 

My eyes went wide. Holy shit, I thought. This was happening. I reached into my pants pocket and gave them my crumpled drawing of Darth Vader. They stared at the drawing for what felt like 30 seconds. My breath hitched.

"This...is...different." Said Lee. I could feel a lump in my throat. I think it was my "adams apple" contracting from stress. 

"Look," They both said at the same exact time, "This art is a little too bizarre. A little too off kilter." 

My heart sank. I poured my heart and soul into that drawing. I put in at least 10 minutes into it. My dreams were crushing one by one in my head. And I was ready to crawl into a ball and go into the nearest manhole. But then, a miracle.

"I don't think this will work for our comics, but I'll tell you what. The art is still impressive. Come in and be an overseer. Help us choose the next artist for our comics. Like a judge". Lee said.

I came.

This was it. I could finally break free from my 9 to 5 Economic Policy Advisor job. "Oh my god, thank you!" I exclaimed, reaching out to eagerly shake both of their hands. "I'll do my best. I promise. I will give it my all. 100%. No excuses. Top performance. Once in a lifetime. All in. No excuses. No setbacks. I will do this. I won't let you down. No way. I'm so happy. I won't disappoint. 110%. Big time. Go time. Game face. 

He replied, "Ok."

It was the greatest day of my life. Or so I thought.

Fast forward weeks later, and I'm at Marvel HQ overseeing at least 15 different aspiring Marvel comic book artists. Some were really great, while others were really poor. Like piss poor. But there was no doubt I saw potential. 

One of the aspiring artists, was named bruh tbh or 1337snake888. I didn't really look at them much, just because their name was so typical and common around these parts, I figured they weren't anything that special. Boy was I wrong. 

As I was doing oversight, I saw bruh drawing on the canvas. I froze. On the canvas, was a beautiful design. A badass looking figure, with an imposing presence, handling another human being (obviously a bank robber) like it was nothing. He was also swinging on what appeared to be some sort of rope. But most of all I remember that spider symbol. Right in the middle of his chest. Something about it sent shockwaves through me. I don't know how to describe it. It was like an electric pulse emanating out of me and going all over everything that surrounded me. 

I carefully made my way over to bruh, making sure not to disturb them. 

"What are you drawing there?" I said, trying to sound relaxed. "It looks really interesting."

"Oh it's just this new superhero concept I came up with for one of the comics. I want to show them that not only can I draw but I can also come up with original ideas." 

"Okay...and what's your new idea?"

"I'm calling it Spider-Boy. It's a teenager who gets bitten by a radioactive spider and then possesses all the abilities of the spider. Super strength, wall crawling, web shooting, lightning-fast reflexes, that sort of stuff. I think it's pretty unique."

You bet your bottom fuckin' dollar it's unique. That's what I said in my head. Also in my head, I was thinking of how much potential this idea has. It was truly so different to our other ideas, I mean not like they weren't unique or anything, a fast blue hedgehog is unique at least in my eyes. 

"Oh, interesting." I said. I was trying to act cool. I then tried to calmy shift away, not wanting to make it too obvious that in my mind, bruh had already earned the illustrator position. "Keep it up." I said, patting bruh's shoulder. 

Couple days later I talked to Lee and Ditko about bruh. I told them about how good they were at drawing, and made sure to let them know that I was really really considering them. I made sure not to tell them about the idea, because I had forgotten about it.

That's when the nightmare began. 

"Well, uh, yea bruh's certainly special", Lee started. "But I don't know. Jimmy John is impressing Ditko and I little bit more if we're being honest."

"Oh, okay." I said, but in my mind I was saying Jimmy John fucking sucks. Because he did.

I turned to leave, still optimistic that I could persuade them to give bruh a chance in due time. But then, Lee put a hand on my shoulder, and my blood went cold. 

"Oh by the way, Ditko and I came up with this really nice and new concept for a new hero. We think it's got serious potential, and we'd like you to hear it." Lee said.

"Oh...okay sure. I'm all ears."

"We're calling it Spider-Man. It's a teenager who gets bitten by a radioactive spider and then possesses all the abilities of the spider. Super strength, wall crawling, web shooting, lightning-fast reflexes, that sort of stuff. I think it's pretty unique." Lee said.

I couldn't believe what I just heard. It was bruh's idea, just with "boy" instead "man." I tried my best to hide my shock, but I swear for a moment Steve sensed my panic. Stevey sense.

"Uh, um, yea wow that's awesome sounding. C-can't wait to see what that ends up looking like haha." I replied, giving the worst fake laugh ever. 

"You won't have to wait much longer my friend. As soon as we pick our new artists, it'll be the first in line." 

I nodded and quickly escaped the bathroom. As I nervously exited the building, all I could think of was that I NEEDED to tell bruh. Phones didn't exist at this time, so I'd have to wait and get on my iPad to contact them.  

When I got home, I searched for a way to reach them. Nothing. Not a single mention on any sort of comic forum or LinkedIn resume. 

"Dammit!" I cried out in frustration. It would have to be tomorrow then. 

Tomorrow came. But 1337snake888 didn't. 

They were missing. Everything I saw them drawing, every utensil they used. Gone. Empty.

I asked Lee about it, and all he told me was that bruh got fired. Nixed. Disqualified. 

I was shocked. I was angry. What the hell was he even talking about? How could this happen? What the hell was going on?

But in the pit of my stomach, I knew. I knew what happened. They somehow had been told of the idea. I don't know if bruh did or not, but it doesn't matter. They stole it and then got rid of him. How I don't know. But I pray to this day that they didn't use foul play.

What could I do? To my horror I realized I had no direction. No proof. No nothing. I could literally do nothing. Dammit. Dammit Hugh. DAMMIT HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH AUAHAHAHAHHGGGGHG.

From that point on, nothing was the same. I couldn't sleep. 

But one day, weeks after the incident, I got up from bed and I got a phone call from Lee. I was being let go. I'm not sure what it was. The subtle tension. My awkwardness. My Batman fan-boying. I don't know. But we parted ways. Guess it was back to my explosive ordinance disposal job. #Lame. 

But at the same time, I was glad. I wasn't working for those fraudsters anymore. I was free. But I know somewhere, bruh wasn't. They had been robbed. And there was nothing I could do about it. I'm sorry. 

And now you know the truth. Every time you see some little kid with a Spider-Man shirt on, or one playing with his or her little stupid toys of Spidey, you will know the truth. Their hands are dirty. With deception. 

Justice always comes in due time though. So for now, I will be patient. 

Please believe me.