The 2018 blockbuster animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” said it best: our universe isn’t the only one out there that exists. In the vast realms of the multiverse, a set of infinite realities with similar qualities and overlapping societal roles, ideas or people can exist in many other facets besides the world` in which people think they are synonymous. As “Into the Spider-Verse” demonstrates, one of those set personas is that of a masked web-slinging vigilante ‒ the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Most commonly associated with Peter Parker, a shy and awkward teenager from Queens, the moniker of Spider-Man has translated itself in many different ways, including a smart artistic boy from Brooklyn named Miles Morales, the fiery daughter of the New York City Police Department Chief Gwen Stacy, and even a flying deformed popsicle that never seems to look like it’s supposed to on the packaging.
Whatever universe a person may find themselves in, there’s no doubt that some version of Spider-Man will appear, but their real identity is something that may be harder to find.
For those people who haven’t seen his stickers plastered around campus, this universe is no exception, as the character of Spider-Man has once again found another variant.
Hailing from South Jersey, “Rowan Spider-Man” aims to help keep the Glassboro campus safe from harm, fighting crime and helping Profs wherever he’s needed during the duration of the school year.
The idea for taking on this role was initially sparked out of his love for the comic book character. One random day during the Fall 2021 semester, he decided to put on a Spider-Man suit and go take a couple of pictures outside. As a Radio, TV, and Film major with a minor in photography, it seemed like a no-brainer to combine two of his favorite things into one, a passion he quickly realized he could turn into his new reality.
“At one point, I was bored and I said, well I like Spider-Man and I have a Spider-Man suit and it just seemed like something fun,” said Spider-Man. “I just did it on a random weekend and then it just kind of stuck.”
Creating an Instagram account shortly after this in September, Rowan Spider-Man began doing photoshoots around campus and during his travels including a stop in Parker’s hometown of New York City, shots that J. Jonah Jameson would die to have plastered on the front page of The Daily Bugle and Eddie Brock could only dream of capturing.
He initially started posting to social media in disguise with very few viewers, however, this all changed when he decided to participate in the College of Communication & Creative Arts photo challenge posted to their Instagram in Sept. 2023.
The challenge required participants to take pictures with at least one of the six Seward Johnson Sculptures around Rowan Boulevard and post them online for a chance to win $100, something he did and uploaded to his account on Oct. 9. A little over two weeks later on Oct. 24, Rowan Barstool reposted his photos on their account, causing him to go viral.
“I started by following a bunch of Rowan people and getting some followers back but then I got a lot more followers when I got posted on Barstool Rowan and that just gave me more followers which was pretty cool,” Spider-Man said.
While he wasn’t bitten by a radioactive spider, Rowan Spider-Man gets his powers and abilities from his training.
In 2018, he began learning the disciplines of parkour, a physical feat that looks to get someone from point A to point B in the fastest and most efficient way possible, using long jumps, dramatic flips, and lots of running. He even works at a Pinnacle Parkour in Washington Township, New Jersey, dressing up in costume for events at the gym during Halloween.
While he may not be able to stick to walls or climb upside down on ceilings, Rowan Spider-Man says he still has a skill set that is similar to those that are possessed by other versions of the character.
“Parkour wasn’t something that was directly related to me liking Spider-Man,” said Spider-Man. “I was like wait, these things are pretty similar and they go hand in hand together, so I thought this should work out.”
Graduating this Spring as a member of the class of 2024, Rowan Spider-Man will have to part ways with Glassboro, taking his talents with him as he discovers new opportunities post-graduation and begins to pursue a career in film production.
As he looks towards the future, he realizes that one day he will have to hang up his suit and move on from Spider-Man. While that day is not today, he understands that eventually, the time will come when everyone will know his true identity.
“I don’t expect to be Spider-Man forever and it’s something I’ve been planning,” said Spider-Man.
While “anyone can wear the mask”, it takes a special person to understand the power and responsibilities that come with personifying the image. He may be an unconventional Spider-Man by some people’s standards, but Rowan’s own has certainly proven to embody the true spirit and character development of the beloved superhero.
Starting college as a shy person who struggled to put himself out there, the idea of Spider-Man pushed him outside of his comfort zone and his acceptance of the role has made him into the person he is today, a cannon event the countless other variants before him have also experienced. Taking his gift and curse and turning it into a blessing by incorporating his passions and hobbies into the mix, Rowan Spider-Man encourages others to never underestimate themselves or what they have to offer this world, saying all it takes is a little “leap of faith.”
“As I started to reach out to different people and stuff like that, I realized that it doesn’t matter,” said Spider-Man. “Just do it within reason and it’ll turn out well for you.”
To see more of the Rowan Spider-Man in action, follow him on Instagram @rowanspiderman.
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