What is the Purpose of SPIDER-MAN's Underarm Webbing? (SpiderMan Homecoming) || NerdSync

Spider-Man's classic costume as drawn up by Steve Ditko had an interesting feature. Spidey had underarm webbing or "web wings" that seemed to serve little to no actual function. But with the news that Marvel Studios' Spider-Man Homecoming movie will feature the first big screen appearance of the web under his arms, and that Peter Parker will be using them to glide, I wanted to take a look back and see if Spiderman ever used those web wings for gliding in the comics.

—————RELATED VIDEOS—————

Did SPIDER-MAN Break the Fourth Wall in the CIVIL WAR Trailer?!

SPIDER-MAN'S Web Shooters VS Organic Webbing!

NerdSync Sidekick Channel Update

————PATRON SPONSORS————

Thank you to:
Lucas Burlock
Will/Peyton Schultheis
Jonas Helmerichs
Yosi Berman
Cristoffer Lange
Sebastian Parks
Daisy
Wilson
Paul Ringkamp
Vesko Hristov
Dennis Smith
Dylan
Haley Shipley
Andrew Kramer
Stefan Anundi
Filip Bojanowski
Reg Cruickshank
Ricky Anderson II
Eric Galperin
Paulius Šaltauskas
Craig McCormick
Selin Maden
Todd Clark
Krister
Keaten Lampert
Maximilian Greeves
Nathaniel Naranjo
Ron Harnik

———————SOURCES———————

What Purpose Did Spider-Man’s Underarm Webbing Serve?
What are the webs under Spidey's arms for?

——————SOCIAL MEDIA——————

LISTEN to the NerdSync Podcast!

[tyflyproductions]

The reason he has underarm webs is because puberty hit him pretty hard.

[jonathanstiles]

Unsubstantiated Fact: People don't like touching spider webs
Pretend Fact: Peter Parker is incredibly ticklish and it triggers his spider-sense.
Conclusion: The Web Pits deter criminals from exploiting his one true weaknesses.

[stewdippin]

I always thought it helped with wind resistance, like it helped him land more gracefully and what not.

[TromaEntertainment]

Spider Man 2099: the tattered cape on the back of his costume is actually functional material that allows him to glide for short distances.

[theapplecommunity]

When I die bury me in a spiderman costume with spiderweb wings. 10/10 for style.

[TooMuchThought]

Gliderman, Gliderman does whatever a glider can.
Floats on air, like a leaf
Catches thieves, like you won't believe.
Look out here comes Gliderman!

[dearformerself]

Plot Twist: Peter doesn't have armpit hair. He has armpit webbing

[awesomeperson]

fun fact. In spectacular Spider-man, the costume had the webbing under the arms.

[silentpaw]

I always thought that maybe the "web wings" were more like training wheels, a way to give him more drag so he would have more control while web slinging. As he got older and better at the whole web swinging, he got rid of them.

[ShadyDoorags]

I don't think Spidey NEEDS to glide, but if it showcases Peter's nerdy aspects, I'm all for it. Part of what made Spidey special was that his enemies expected the powers of Spider-Man, but never the brain of Peter Parker.

[ColdFuse]

I think a practical use for those Web Wings would be to create drag and cushion his typical high landing. Yes he can make a web parachute, but I mean for just regular high landings.

[Grimmijaggers]

I think it's great that they have some aspects of the original costume in the movie, like they did with the Iron Man movies, showing the progress from the first outfit to the most developed version of it.

[joshthenesnerd]

in spider-man 2099, Miguel O'Hara (the spider-man of the year 2099) had a web cape that went half way to three fourths the way down his back and he used that for gliding. I think the comic said that it can slow him to a point where he can land from extremely high heights without getting hurt.

[michaelburgarino]

I wonder what Jack Kirby's design looked like

[lpmmxvii]

That would be sick if they put that costume in spidermanps4

[captaincomic]

I like the idea of the "web wings, " but not the idea of gliding; Spidey using web-slinging for transportation is too iconic, and him having the ability to glide would take away from that too much.

[thickmclargehuge]

I remember peter in one comic book, from romita sr. run on the book in the 60's where peter had finally found a  replacement nylon material sturdy  and flexed enough  to replace the missing webs. implying that that was the reason that he hadn't been wearing them in the comics, and he goes on to do a few poses in them. stating that from the front with his arms pointing straingt at a person in front of him, the wedding was almost unseen, however when he  he spread out his arms out he said and I quote " Ta-Dah, 'ol web pits is back." so that is why I have always called them web-pits. also the webbing wasn't for gliding but for wind resistance, slowing his descent when free-falling. Helps to keep him in the air when web-swinging. (don't know how it does that with holes in it, but still)

[someguycalledgoober]

*Sings a bit*
GLIDING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND! GOT PLACES TO GO, GOT TO FOLLOW MY RAINBOW!
CAN'T STICK AROUND, GOT TO KEEP MOVING ON, GUESS WHAT LIES AHEAD, ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT!

[Nightcoffee]

I always thought the web wings were meant to redirect air to assist with the web slinging, sort of like rudders. He can spread them out if he has to slow down or really pitch a hard angle or just keep them tucked for speed. This is pure 100% uncut headcanon, but that was how I justified the web wings to myself.

[MrMike]

If they're going to do this, they had better be:
*Amazing*
*Spectacular*
*Superior*
*Webs of Spider-Man*