Is the news that Spider-Man is to lose his job really news? His alter-ego, Peter Parker will undergo a trial nowadays common to many journalists, says Marvel.

Peter Parker, official photographer of the mayor by day and New York City crime fighter by night, is going to face new challenges, including unemployment.

"He's going to struggle with unemployment and trying to save the city while he can barely afford to keep a roof over his head," said Steve Wacker, Marvel Comics senior editor.

But is this really something altogether new? Back in late January, the ABC's Hungry Beast TV program alerted us to the dangers faced by those fabled, overachieving citizens who protect us from giant, flesh-eating spiders, as the video reveals.