EXCLUSIVE: AN INTERVIEW WITH TIK- NEW YORK STATE TO BEGIN TOK’S INTERNATIONAL SPIDER-MAN SENDING $300 IN UNEMPLOYMENT

SPIDEY: PAGE 1 NEW YORK: PAGE 4

SPECIAL ALTERNATIVE DAILY PLANET COVER SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

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SPIDER-MANAN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH TIKTOK’S INTERNATIONAL SPIDER-MAN By Zack Benz “Everything in my life Daily Planet was going bad and one night an argument trig- Known for his popular gered everything inside of TikTok's and strong Insta- me,” Spider-Man said. “I g r a m p r e s e n c e , I n- stormed out the door and ternational Spider-Man walked. I just kept walking. talks about revealing his Then I found myself walk- secret identity and explains ing up an overpass, climb- his noble mission after his ing over and sitting on the unmasking — becoming freeway sign as cars sped Mental Health Spider-Man. passed under my feet.” Spider-Man has inspired He sat and cried on that c o u n t l e s s i n d i v i d u a l s overpass, his face soaking across the planet since his his hands. emergence within the “The next thing I knew, pages of Marvel Comics. first responders were stop- As many know, Spider- ping traffic, there were Man is a fictional super- cops all over, an ambu- hero created by legendary lance and a fire truck,” Spi- writer-editor Stan Lee and der-Man said. “Someone phenomenal writer-artist had been walking on the Steve Ditko. His first ap- overpass and called the pearance can be found in police.” Marvel’s anthology comic After spending the night book “Amazing Fantasy no. in a hospital he was trans- 15,” which was published in ferred to what he believes August 1962. to be a children’s psychi- Traveling Spider-Man, atric hospital. also known as International “I was ‘51-50’d,’’ he said. Spider-Man, has been “The very first night I was bringing joy to Instagram, there, when it was time to Twitter and TikTok users go to bed, they locked the alike. He also runs a suc- doors and I stood there in cessful branding campaign the cold dark room with a t i n t e r n a t i o n a l- the lights off and my spideystore.com. roommate who creeped “My plan in the begin- me out laying in their bed. ning was to grow as a trav- [That’s when] I realized I eling Spider-Man, hence don’t belong here.” ‘International Spider-Man,’” According to Spider- Spider-Man said. “Then Man, that very moment is maybe, within a year of w h e n h e rea l i z e d h e starting my page, I’d do a Photo courtesy International Spider-Man lacked perspective. face reveal and become a “I took advantage of all hero nobody is really doing “I have over half a million ones, but it’s hard because nerable with my audience,” years old I started to stress the good things going on on social media.” [followers] on TikTok and there are so many things I Spider-Man stated. “[I want about being bullied,” Spi- in my life,” Spidey said. “It When asked about his people think I’m someone want to do that would re- to] tell them my story of der-Man stated. “Then was simple. I’ve been tak- inspiration for donning the and some people are sure quire me to use my face or hardship, and then be- when I was 11, that’s when ing [the good things] for famed webbed red and that I’m someone and the my real voice. It’s so hard come a Mental Health Spi- the unknown sadness granted. I could simply blue super suit, Spider-Man rest think I’m someone sometimes.” der-Man.” started.” come home whenever I stated that since he travels else,” Spider-Man said. Spider-Man said he’s Mental Health Spider- International Spider- wanted after school, I could a lot it’d be fun to be rec- One popular fan theory nervous about his unmask- Man will discuss mental Man mentioned that his leave and go out to get ognized as the wall crawler is that the person under- ing. health and happiness depression hit hard at 14, something as simple as across the planet. However, neath the famed Spidey “Most cosplayers just en- while helping people thrive when he first started high fresh air.” Spider-Man’s plans for true mask is the Marvel Cine- tertain, some even visit in life. He’s looking to rep- school. According to Advanced heroism lies within his plan matic Universe’s (MCU) children in hospitals and resent those without a “During my first week of Psychiatry Associates, en- post face reveal. Spider-Man actor Tom Hol- whatnot, but me… well, for voice. high school I felt so horri- joying minimal daily tasks “TikTok definitely helped land himself. However, I’m starters, I don’t want to be According to Spider- ble, I cried every day and can be very beneficial me grow,” Spider-Man said. not entirely sold on that called a ‘cosplayer,’ I’m just Man, he has the power to even left early most days when battling depression. “I decided to try going story, but we’ll just have to Spider-Man.” do the right thing and sees because I couldn’t com- “In that [hospital] I anonymous as Spider-Man wait for the influencers’ After his upcoming re- it as his responsibility to do pose myself,” Spider-Man couldn’t even go down- on social media and see reveal. veal, Spider-Man looks to so. The masked social me- said. “Then I realized I had stairs to eat in the middle how it would go.” “It’s hard to keep my take on an entirely new dia star struggled with de- depression.” of the night whenever I Since his emergence on identity to an extent,” Spi- genre of heroics — mental pression early on in life. Spiderman lived his life wanted,” Spider-Man said social media, many sub- der-Man said. “It’s not so health awareness. He’s looking to help those with crippling depression “It doesn’t take much to scribers have speculated much like the comics “After taking off the who are also struggling for three years, his sadness become a little happier. It’s the web slingers’ true iden- where I have villains that mask I wanted to let down with mental health. just worsening. Then came all about perspective. tity. will come after my loved my walls and become vul- “When I was maybe 10 rock bottom. Continued on page 3

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Continued in next weeks online edition.

‘The 100’ 101: 7×13—Ain’t no sunshine when he’s gone By Brianna Taggart would die. I refused to be- Daily Planet lieve those theories be- cause how in the world The unbelievable hap- would Bellamy Blake be pened. I’m shocked. I’m killed off? It just didn’t hurt. I’m confused. I’m in make sense to me. mourning. However, the optimism I This review is going to held onto glitched as I dive into spoilers, so I high- watched the season seven ly recommend watching premiere. Bellamy only “The 100” season seven, lasted three minutes and episode 13 “Blood Giant” then he was gone. I origi- before continuing the re- nally assumed his disap- view (or not — you’d prob- pearance would last four ably be better off if you episodes but then another don’t). week went by and then I normally write pretty another and then months hefty intros for my reviews, dragged along until we but I just don’t have the finally got him back; only heart (*cries*) in me to do it we didn’t though. for this episode because The Bellamy Blake we the disappointment is too saw this season was never Bob Morley as Bellamy Blake in ‘The 100,’ 7x13. Image: CW/WB strong. I’ve never been so the Bellamy Blake we had actually known. He was the upset with an episode, and lamy and Clarke faced off en seasons. that doesn’t believe he’s makes his show. husk of the person he used not just of “The 100,” but of in front of the Anomaly The heart of the show, dead (thanks to my friends I will watch the final to be, wearing the same any show. stone in the last episode the male lead of the show, for pushing me into my three episodes because face but with a different The sad part is that I and clutched my heart was killed by his best denial phase of mourning). (whether I like it or not) I mind. genuinely liked “Blood Gi- while Bellamy was shot in friend over a sketchbook Maybe this is all a giant will always care deeply I remember crying after ant” leading up to the last his and the show lost she didn’t care enough simulation, and Clarke’s a b o u t t h i s s h ow. I ’ ve the season seven premiere. five minutes, but that final their’s. I sobbed on the about to pick up and take actually taking the “final poured my heart and soul We were only one episode scene broke me and it ru- floor over the loss of this with her. test” to save humanity but into this for six years and I’ll in out of a 16-episode final ined the entire series — a beautiful character, six Years ago, after Clarke’s she’s not aware of it — sim- stick with it to the end, no season, and I already felt show I’ve considered my years’ worth of character supposed Praimfaya death, ilarly to how Diyoza killed matter how disappointing the distancing of the main favorite for the past few development and dynam- Bellamy vowed to Raven Hope in her simulation on and hollow. I’m done mak- c h a r a c t e r s a n d t h e years up until 7×13 aired ics thrown out into the void that he was going to honor Bardo. ing excuses for bad writing heartache to come. Most Wednesday, Sept. 9 on The over a sketchbook left lay- Clarke’s life, “If we don’t, But after the showrun- though. fans did. CW. ing on the floor. she died in vain… and I’m n e r ’s Twe e t o n ce t h e Killing off main charac- Even so, I held onto Bellamy Blake is dead. This was not a necessary n o t g o n n a l e t t h a t episode finished airing, I’m ters for shock value isn’t hope like Bellamy taught Many fans knew some- death. It didn’t add any- happen.” I guess the same not sure. Killing Bellamy off cool or edgy. It’s lazy writ- me, and I was failed — we thing terrible was going to thing to the story at all. If sentiment doesn’t extend just to spite the fans and ing. were all failed — by the happen with Bellamy’s anything, it took away to himself because that’s actors seems right up his Bellamy Blake deserved showrunner. character this season and everything it’s been trying exactly what happened. alley, no matter how con- better. I watched in fear as Bel- quite a few predicted he to accomplish over its sev- There’s a part of myself fusing and ridiculous that

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Spider-Man continued was blunt and real. To the your insides with positivity,” toxicity from your life.” agrees. Spider-Man also spoke from page 3 point.” Spider-Man said. “If you International Spider- “I needed Spidey in my about the character in the Vee’s work, and a year of can’t leave home, plug in Man has had numerous life when I was a kid and he Marvel Cinematic Universe So I promised myself, once therapy, was what pulled your earphones and listen people reach out to him g a v e m e h o p e , ” I n- (MCU). I got out of there, I would Spider-Man up from his to nothing but positivity.” just because they “initially ternational Spider-Man “Marvel wants me for never ever try to kill myself rock bottom. Spidey advises that If want to say hi,” but then said. “In every comic I read nine movies, three in high again.” When asked what he’d you spend half your day they open up to me be- he was living out mine and school, three in college and He was slated to remain say to those struggling to with social media, learn cause he’s Spider-Man. every skinny boy’s fantasy three as an adult,” Spider- at the hospital for 72 hours seek out help because how to do positively. “Usually they apologize of being stronger, of being Man said. “I think the fans but ended up staying for a t h e y ’ r e e m b a r r a s s e d , “ Wa t c h p r o d u c t i v e and try to stop but I always free of the body I was born will find lots of growth in week. scared or think they can videos, learn about your make them open up more into and that swinging my character arc.” “From that point on, I solve problems alone, Spi- own happiness, how to because I know bottling it sensation of flight.” According to Spider- spent every moment of my der-Man said, “I don’t want build a better life, minimal- up won’t benefit them,” he One thing he admires Man, the MCU made him life prioritizing nothing but to tell you what everyone ism, whatever it may be,” said. most about Spider-Man is very young to allow today’s my happiness,” the web else is going to say and Spider-Man said. “You just Stan Lee once said that his all out innateness for generation a chance to slinger said. ”If it didn’t only tell you that every- have to do whatever you the reason Spider-Man is good. grow along with the char- make me happy, or con- thing is going to be okay.” can to prioritize your hap- so popular is because he’s “Upon receiving his acter. tribute to my happiness, I “I want you to actually piness and push out the relatable, and this Spidey power, unlike most who “I believe there’s a hero wasn’t going to let any- remember what I say when have become corrupted, in all of us, that keeps us thing or anyone make that I say this,” Spider-Man said. he used it for good,” Spi- honest, gives us strength, difficult for me.” “Whatever it is you are der-Man said. “I think we all makes us noble and finally The following three afraid of, judgement, fail- wish that we had the allows us to die with pride. years were a struggle for ure, wasted time, you have courage to stick up for our- Even though sometimes International Spider-Man. to learn to change your selves more, to stick up for we have to be steady and “Things seemed to even p e r s p e c t i v e o n a n y a loved one more, or even a give up the things we want get worse at times,” said thought that you have.” stranger you see being t h e m o s t . E v e n o u r the wall crawler. “I would According to Spider- mistreated and Peter Park- dreams,” Aunt May in ‘Spi- have arguments and even Man, this is the key to er has inspired me to feel der-Man 2 (2004). break things in my room, “happiness before happi- stronger, he made me International Spider- even though I’ve never ness.” braver, he reassured me Man has big plans after his been a physical guy.” “I call it that because, that my doing the right unmasking and will defi- According to Spidey, he while trying to reach my thing, it’s worth it, it’s nitely go on to impact nu- refused to let anything goals of what I would call worth the struggle, it’s merous lives in a positive stop him from reaching his ‘happiness,’ I do what I can worth the pain, it’s even way, just like his comic happiness goal. now,” he said. “For exam- worth the tears, the bruises book counterpart. “Every time someone, or ple, I stopped living for the and the blood.” “[Spider-Man] has in- something would make weekends. Instead, I start- Spider-Man wants peo- spired all of us, he has me sad and would usually ed doing things every day ple to come to his page saved lives, he saved my make me keep to myself, I to make my entire week and leave feeling like a bet- life,” Spidey continued. “For didn’t this time,” Spider- meaningful. In any way ter person. that, I owe everything to Man said. “I took control possible.” “As of now I’m still keep- Spidey and Stan Lee.” and didn’t stop until things Spider-Man mentioned ing things lighthearted, got better” that the main focal point to “Friction creates fire and I want to but as Peter Parker grows, He was tired of the cy- remember is perspective. create warmth and light with fire, not my page will be more seri- cles going nowhere. “Some people don’t o u s , v u l n e r a b l e , a n d International Spider- have what you have,” Spi- burn down a forest.” grounded,” He said. “I want Man couldn’t comment der-Man stated. “Some to be more of a beacon of specifically on how long his people would give any- -International Spider-Man hope for people.” happiness philosophy has thing to be able to do been working due to fans something as simple as possibly determining his going out to eat whenever secret identity premature- they want, hanging out ly, but he did mention that with their friends whenev- he’s in his twenties. er they want, or even leav- “It’s been years now,” he ing the house to get some stated. “Not very long. I’ve fresh air when they want.” come so far, my mentality There are two things has skyrocketed and so has Spider-Man tells himself my career. I’m only getting during hard times. started but I love every- “If my parents died to- thing I do now.” day, would I care so much Spider-Man noted that a about whatever it is I’m key to reaching his happi- stressing about? No? Okay ness goal was “not only liv- then let it go,” he said. ing for the weekend.” The second internal “[I made] my life during commentary Spider-Man the week a little more en- would give himself during joyable,” the webbed hero a conflicting time would stated. “Then a little more, involve the emotional bat- then a little more. Now I tle. make it just a little more “Yea I’m struggling, but enjoyable whenever I can.” at least I have [happiness], Spider-Man spent much at least I’m here and at of his time searching for least it’s possible for me. motivational speakers, I’m on my way,” Spidey videos and literature men- said. tioning Gary Vee was the Spider-Man understands best he’s ever come across. some might have their in- “Motivational videos and dividual limitations. speakers [are] all so bland,” “When your surround- he commented. “Gary Vee ings are toxic, you must fill Photo’s courtesy International Spider-Man dailyplanetdc.com @DailyPlanetDC | 23 Features September 12, 2020 US remembers 9/11 as pandemic changes tribute traditions By Jennifer Peltz due at ground zero — and Associated Press then at the alternate cer- emony a few blocks away. N E W Y O R K ( A P ) — In short, the anniversary Americans are commemo- of 9/11 is a complicated oc- rating 9/11 with tributes casion in a maelstrom of a that have been altered by year, as the U.S. grapples coronavirus precautions with a health crisis, search- and woven into the presi- es its soul over racial injus- dential campaign, drawing t i c e a n d p r e p a r e s t o both President Donald choose a leader to chart a Trump and Democratic path forward. challenger Joe Biden to Still, 9/11 families say it’s pay respects at the same important for the nation to memorial without crossing pause and remember the paths. hijacked-plane attacks that In New York, a dispute killed nearly 3,000 people over coronavirus-safety at the trade center, at the precautions is leading to P e n t a g o n a n d n e a r s p l i t - s c r e e n r e m e m- Shanksville on Sept. 11, brances Friday, one at the 2001, shaping American Sept. 11 memorial plaza at policy, perceptions of safe- the World Trade Center ty and daily life in places and another on a nearby f rom airports to office corner. The Pentagon’s ob- buildings. servance will be so restrict- “I know that the heart of ed that not even victims’ America beats on 9/11 and, f a m i l i e s c a n a t t e n d , of course, thinks about that though small groups can tragic day. I don’t think visit the memorial there that people forget,” says later in the day. Anthoula Katsimatides, Trump and Biden are who lost her brother John FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2001, file photo, the south tower of the World Trade Center, left, begins to collapse after a terrorist attack on both headed — at different and is now on the board of the landmark buildings in New York. Families impacted by the terrorist attacks say it's important for the nation to pause and remem- times — to the Flight 93 t h e N a t i o n a l S e p t . 1 1 ber the hijacked-plane attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pa., on National Memorial near Memorial & Museum. Sept. 11, 2001, shaping American policy, perceptions of safety and daily life in places from airports to office buildings. (AP Photo/Gul- Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Friday will mark Trump’s nara Samoilova, File) Trump is speaking at the second time observing the 9/11 anniversary at the morning ceremony, the longstanding custom of commemorations, the po- canceled 9/11 commemora- drew Cuomo. Flight 93 memorial, where White House said. Biden not allowing politicians to litical significance of their tions because of the pan- T u n n e l t o T o w e r s , he made remarks in 2018. plans to pay respects there speak, though they can focus on Shanksville is hard demic, while others are go- meanwhile, arranged to Biden spoke at the memo- in the afternoon after at- attend. Biden did so as vice to ignore: Pennsylvania is a ing ahead, sometimes with display single beams for rial’s dedication in 2011, tending the observance at president in 2010, and must-win state for both. modifications. t h e fi r s t t i m e a t t h e when he was vice presi- the 9/11 memorial in New Trump as a candidate in Trump won it by less than The New York memorial Shanksville memorial and dent. York. 2016. a percentage point in 2016. is changing one of its cer- the Pentagon. The ground zero cere- Meanwhile, Vice Presi- Though the candidates Around the country, emony’s central traditions: Over the years, the an- mony in New York has a dent Mike Pence is also will be focused on the some communities have having relatives read the niversary also has become names of the dead, often a day for volunteering. Be- adding poignant tributes. cause of the pandemic, Thousands of family the 9/11 National Day of members are still invited. S e r v i c e a n d R e m e m- But they’ll hear a recording brance organization is en- of the names from speak- couraging people this year ers spread around the vast to make donations or take plaza, a plan that memori- other actions that can be al leaders felt would avoid accomplished at home. close contact at a stage but still allow families to Associated Press writers remember their loved Alexandra Jaffe in Wilm- ones at the place where ington, Delaware, and Dar- they died. lene Superville in Washing- But some victims’ rela- ton contributed. tives felt the change robbed the observance of its emotional impact. A d i f f e r e n t 9 / 1 1 - r e l a t e d group, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Founda- tion, set up its own, simul- taneous ceremony a few blocks away, saying there’s no reason that people can’t recite names while keeping a safe distance. The two organizations also tussled over the Trib- ute in Light, a pair of pow- erful beams that shine into the night sky near the A view of New York City's lower Manhattan skyline from the Manhattan Bridge. Photo by Jahlil Rush trade center and evoke its fallen twin towers. The 9/11 New York State to begin sending extra $300 in unemployment next week memorial initially canceled the display, citing virus- By Jahlil Rush due to the COVID-19 Pan- are eligible for money un- shut down back in March. safety concerns for the in- Daily Planet demic. der the Lost Wage As- The New York State De- stallation crew. After the The New York State De- sistance Program, officials partment announced on Tunnel to Towers Founda- Beginning Next Week, partment announced on said. Thursday that extra un- tion vowed to put up the New York will begin dis- Thursday that extra un- New York has paid out employment benefits will lights instead, the memor- tributing the $300 in employment benefits will $43.7 Billion in unem- be provided to New York- ial changed course with The 9/11 Memorial in weekly unemployment be provided to New York- ployment benefits since ers. help from its chairman, New York. Photo by Lars benefits to people jobless ers. the COVID-19 pandemic f o r m e r M a y o r M i k e Mulder on Pexels.com 2.4 Million New Yorkers caused the economy to Bloomberg, and Gov. An- dailyplanetdc.com @DailyPlanetDC | 42