Spider-Man may crack one-liners and iconic quips with the bad guys, but beneath his cool, mysterious mask, Spider-Man is really just Peter Parker, “a nerdy kid from Queens” who has experienced his fair share of socially awkward, dorky moments, from costume mishaps to rejected dates with love interests. Thankfully, Peter has established friendships with some of Marvel’s dorkiest characters, in and out of costume.
From Peter’s high school MCU best friend Ned Leeds, to his comic book best friend, Harry Osborn, to his comic book enemy-turned-roommate, Boomerang, Spider-Man has dorky friends that make him seem that much cooler by comparison.
10/10
Harry Osborn Grew Dorkier Over The Years
Harry Osborn Grew Dorkier Over The Years
Harry Osborn first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man comics when Peter Parker attended Empire State University. He was originally Flash Thompson’s best friend who joined the series alongside Gwen Stacy. Harry and Peter grew as friends and eventually lived together in college.
Harry ultimately took over his father’s legacy as the Green Goblin, but after the “Brand New Day” era, Harry resisted his Goblin tendencies and developed a family. He became a charismatic, meek, and dorky businessman who helped Peter during his Parker Industries days.
9/10
Bluebird Tried To Become The Next Spider-Man
Bluebird Tried To Become The Next Spider-Man
Sally Avril actually debuted in Amazing Fantasy #15 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and was a classmate seen in a few panels with Flash Thompson at Midtown High School. Marvel resurrected the character years later as a rival of both Peter Parker and Spider-Man.
Sally wanted to become the new lead photographer of Spider-Man, but when she was unsuccessfully, she became a superhero called Bluebird in an attempt to establish the same fanbase Spider-Man had. Sally was ultimately a pretty dorky character who tried to emulate both Peter and Spider-Man’s successes.
8/10
MCU Ned Leeds Is Dorky & Lovable
MCU Ned Leeds Is Dorky & Lovable
The MCU introduced a new version of Spider-Man and a new social circle. The Marvel Comics Ned Leeds was a reporter for the Daily Bugle who fell in love with Betty Brant, but the MCU version of the character was Peter’s high school best friend.
Ned is about as dorky as they come, but he’s also incredibly lovable, hilarious, and loyal. Ned kept Peter’s secret as Spider-Man and tried to help him when he could, offering friendly guidance during Spider-Man’s battles with the Vulture and enemies from other universes.
7/10
Frog-Man Is A Goofy Superhero
Frog-Man Is A Goofy Superhero
No Marvel Comics fan should beat themselves up for not knowing who Frog-Man is. The character is a rather obscure Marvel superhero who actually recently appeared in an episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, though his debut was only slightly overshadowed by the official MCU debut of Charlie Cox’s Daredevil in the same episode.
Frog-Man was a dorky superhero who teamed up with Spider-Man a few times in the comics. Frog-Man has a good heart, but he ultimately didn’t have what it took to play in the Marvel big leagues with heroes like the Wall-Crawler.
6/10
Grady Scraps Worked With Peter At Horizon Labs
Grady Scraps Worked With Peter At Horizon Labs
When Peter Parker moved away from photography at the Daily Bugle to pursue his love of science, he found a job working for Max Modell at Horizon Labs, a research company that developed cutting-edge technology.
There, he befriended a comedic individual named Grady Scraps. Grady worked alongside Peter at Horizon, often creating hilarious, if not efficient, inventions, occasionally helping Spider-Man as well. Grady definitely fit Dan Slott’s more comedic tone of the series.
5/10
Dr. Curt Connors Was A Dorky Mentor
Dr. Curt Connors Was A Dorky Mentor
Many comic readers and movie fans are familiar with Curt Connors, a.k.a. the Lizard. The character appeared in early Spider-Man comics and the first two Spider-Man film franchises, usually acting as Peter Parker’s scientific mentor and friend.
Curt is not nearly as evil, imposing, or cool as many of Spidey’s other villains. The Lizard may be terrifying, but Curt has always come across as a little dorky and endearing, usually offering a helping hand.
4/10
Boomerang Wants To Be A Cool Supervillain
Boomerang Wants To Be A Cool Supervillain
Boomerang was a Spider-Man villain in the Bronze Age of comics who was an expert at throwing boomerangs. When Nick Spencer wrote the Superior Foes of Spider-Man book, and subsequently took over as lead writer on the Amazing Spider-Man comic series, Boomerang was reintroduced as a lovable, if not annoying, roommate of Peter Parker’s.
Boomerang tries to establish himself as a legitimate supervillain, but his dorky, goofy nature prevents others from taking him seriously, ultimately pushing him more toward heroism.
3/10
Spider-Kid Loved Spider-Man
Spider-Kid Loved Spider-Man
Oliver Osnick originally developed mechanical arms to replicate Doctor Octopus. After a short-lived crime spree, Oliver was so mesmerized by Spider-Man’s heroics that he changed his entre motif and emulated Spider-Man as the Amazing Spider-Kid.
Oliver meant well, but he bit of way more than he could chew. Spider-Man had to go through many struggles to become the superhero he is today, and Spider-Kid was just not on the same level as Peter Parker. Having said that, Oliver continued his superpowered pursuits and developed the masked identity of Steel Spider years later.
2/10
Peter B. Parker Has Dorky Dad Vibes
Peter B. Parker Has Dorky Dad Vibes
Peter B. Parker, a multiversal version of Spider-Man that was first introduced in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, gives off major dorky dad vibes. Peter acts as a mentor to young Miles, who gains spider powers and reluctantly takes over the original Spider-Man’s mission to stop the Kingpin.
Peter B. is lovable, goofy, hilarious, but overall protective of Miles and the other Spider-People. Miles initially viewed him as a great hero, but quickly learned that years of experience that reinforced Peter B.’s dorkier attributes.
1/10
Miles Morales Is Just As Dorky As Peter Parker
Miles Morales Is Just As Dorky As Peter Parker
After the Peter Parker of the Ultimate universe died, Miles Morales took over the role of Spider-Man in New York City. He established a new costume for himself but always felt like he lived in Peter’s shadow. After he met the 616 Peter Parker on a multiversal adventure, his imposter syndrome was put to rest.
Miles is a nerdy teenager, just like Peter was when he first became Spider-Man. Miles has his own fair share of awkward social moments, but those simply humanize him and make him a perfect fit for Spidey.
