Arrow Drops a Major Spider-Man Reference

CBR

Arrow Just Borrowed an Iconic Line From Marvel Comics

By Meagan Damore

Published Mar 19, 2019

In the latest episode of Arrow, Connor Hawke used a famous Marvel Comics line to try and convince Mia Smoak to join the vigilantes.

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for "Star City 2040," the latest episode of Arrow.

Arrow just borrowed a page out of Spider-Man's book. As the truth behind Felicity's disappearance and the bomb plot came to light, Connor Hawke attempted to convince Mia Smoak fight alongside the other vigilantes. To do so, he used the web-slinger's motto.

The deeper Mia got involved in the plot, the more she questioned her place in it. Ever since she defied her mother and moved to Star City, she had rejected vigilantes and learned to hate them. She believed they had not only ruined the city, but her life as well; after all, her mother Felicity had kept secrets from her for years, while Oliver was nowhere so be found. Naturally, she struggled with the decision to give in and do what was right in spite of the law, even though she had come to resent everything vigilantes stood for.

Connor, who had lied to her about his involvement in the Nightwatch agency, attempted to steer Mia in the right direction with a pep talk. "With great power comes great responsibility," he said. When she frowned, he admitted it was a line from Spider-Man. Unfortunately, she didn't get the reference, but Arrow fans are sure to pick up on it.

Of course, this line has been part of Peter Parker's mythos almost as long as Amazing Spider-Man has existed. Though the line has been popularized by his Uncle Ben in the films, the critical lesson was provided by a caption, not Peter's beloved uncle. Nevertheless, Spidey has used it as a mantra for years, so that the idea has transcended comics. It didn't quite seem to do the trick for Mia, although she did eventually come around to her mother's vigilante ways.

Airing Mondays at 8 pm ET/PT on The CW, Arrow stars Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, David Ramsey as John Diggle, Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity Smoak, Rick Gonzalez as Wild Dog, Juliana Harkavy as Black Canary, Colton Haynes as Arsenal, Kirk Acevedo as Diaz and Katie Cassidy as Black Siren.