Religion: alien; Galactic Alliance of Spider-Men (spiritual leader)
Name: Father Spider
Classification: supporting character clergy/religious leader
First Appearance: Marvel Comics Presents (vol. 2) #1 (Nov. 2007): "Unfriendly Neighborhood"
Creators: Stuart Moore, Clayton Henry, Mark Morales
Super? (Has Super Powers/Special Abilities/Technology): Yes
Number of Appearances: 1
Gender: male
Note: senior member of the Galactic Alliance of Spider-Men
Father Spider is an alien (extraterrestrial) who is the senior member of the Galactic Alliance of Spider-Men, a grouping of various versions of Spider-Man from myriad alternative realities and different planets.
The organization's goal is to sustain policy throughout the galaxy for one hundred thousand worlds that with great power shall always come great responsibility. This is, of course, Spider-Man's personal credo, and it is apparently some type of commandment or religiously followed principle for all Spider-Men throughout the galaxy.
Based on his title ("Father" Spider), it is reasonable to assume that Father Spider is regarded as not only the senior member, but also as the spiritual leader of the group. Use of "Father" in a name or title this way most often signifies a clergyman or religious leader. The fact that the Alliance has a central objective the promotion of an overriding ethical or religious philosophy (about great responsibility coming with great power) further suggests that there is at least some spiritual or clerical aspect to his role and title. But whether "Father Spider" really is a formal religious leader (either on his own planet or as a sort of spiritual leader for the Galactic Alliance of Spider-Men) is unconfirmed and perhaps unconfirmable.
Father Spider has not been since since his initial appearance. Even that story may be more of a dream or some other alternative type of experience rather than a purely canonical, historical event for Spider-Man, whose encounter with the Galactic Alliance of Spider-Men is depicted in the story. Father Spider and the whole Galactic Alliance of Spider-Men is probably a dream-spawned reflection of Spider-Man's own personal anxieties, beliefs, and values. Father Spider may be a sort of religious leader Spider-Man imagined for himself to lead his ad hoc "church of great responsibility coming with great power."
Suggested links for further research about this character and the character's religious affiliation:
- http://www.marvunapp.com/master/faofd.htm
- http://www.spiderfan.org/comics/reviews/marvel_comics_presents_v2/001.html
- http://www.marvunapp.com/master/gaagal.htm
- http://comicbookdb.com/team.php?ID=1038
- http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/119073501615294.htm
- https://www.comics.org/issue/374786/
- http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=105695