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The tragic events of September 11, 2001, were portrayed in Marvel Comics' Earth-616 quite similarly to how they transpired in our world. The World Trade Center was destroyed in this reality, and thousands of people died as a result of the coordinated terror strikes against the United States.
Although many superhero stories set in New York City have used the World Trade Center as a backdrop or setting, Marvel's address of the 9/11 event was most notable when Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 #36 was released.
This edition, often called the Black Issue because of its entirely black cover, was released in December 2001. It gained widespread recognition for its sincere and poignant depiction of the events of 9/11 and their aftermath.
What happened in Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 #36 ?
The issue opens with Spider-Man looking down in shock at Ground Zero shortly after the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed in the wake of September 11, 2001.
Walking among the rubble, he saw various firefighters and even superheroes, including Captain America, Thor, Daredevil, and Thing, helping out, so he started helping Cyclops out. Even supervillains such as Juggernaut, Doc Ock, and the Kingpin had come to the wreckage. Magneto helped lift a few steel beams, with even Doom shedding tears.
Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Mister Fantastic, and Vision helped Daredevil and Thor. As Wolverine and Storm stood among the civilians, Spider-Man then reflected on the heroes of 9/11, who were not superheroes but just ordinary people.
Marvel Comics and the World Trade Center
An important landmark in the comics universe is the World Trade Center. For example, the Avengers faced off against Zodiac atop the World Trade Center in Avengers #121. Master of Kung Fu #88 featured a battle between Shang-Chi and one of his father's enemies on the observation deck of one of the towers.
In Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 #12, Spider-Man and Mysterio squared off atop the World Trade Center. Moreover, in Dazzler #8, the super-villain Techmaster even occupied an office in the World Trade Center.
Popular comics had their continuing stories momentarily halted after the events of 9/11, with the ensuing issues of the comics focusing on the aftermath. In addition to Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 #36, Captain America Volume 4 #1 also depicted the aftermath of the attacks, with the Captain being seen picking through the debris.
Alternate realities in the comics
Much like its cinematic counterparts, in various alternate realities within the Marvel comics multiverse, the status of the World Trade Center diverges significantly from the events of 9/11, as experienced on Earth-616.
On Earth-555, the Twin Towers remained intact in 2006, with the attacks never occurring. Conversely, on Earth-7940, seen in Marvel Two-In-One #100, most of the World Trade Center was destroyed, and a massive Nazi flag was planted in the ruins of one tower.
The Twin Towers remained standing in the dystopian setting of Earth-18138, as seen in Cosmic Ghost Rider #4, even though this reality emerged after the events of 9/11 on Earth-616.
Similarly, the World Trade Center in Exiles #70, on Earth-58163, stood tall even after the events on Earth-616, indicating that the tragic events did not occur in this parallel reality.
