DC's Failed Spider-Man Ripoff [Sideways] 

I wouldn’t say the character failed; I would say the company dropped the ball on a new character with incredible potential.

His powers are cool. He doesn't need to teleport himself. He could warp enemies away and directly to jail without even getting anyone hurt. That's pretty OP. And the concept of a character balancing life, school, work and super heroing is something DC doesn't do a lot.

Given the new popularity of The Spot. I think Sideways might have have a chance to be popular in DC soon

Never heard of sideways but definitely going to check him out. Seems like a really cool new original character.

Honestly I wish that line of "Age of Heroes" continued. Silencer, Brimstone, Damage, and Sideways were a great addition to the DC universe for anybody who wasn't intimately familiar

I really liked Sideways too. Yes, at first I thought, "oh he looks like Spider-Man", but also "Hey this is a cool power set. Great art too. This book is actually kinda fun!"

I never actually sit and read comics. I usually get all the info from my friends or my cousin, since she goes through soooo many. Sideways is the only comic series i eagerly waited for and i was heartbroken when it was discontinued.

I always felt like Sideways would’ve fit perfectly with Bat Family given the rogues gallery (like Spider-man) and the ability to do some cool stuff at night

Love seeing Sideways get some attention. The new comics that came out as part of this movement were interesting if only because they were all DC’s take on Marvel Characters (The Terrifics were the Fantastic 4, Damage was Hulk etc) but Sideways definitely had the potential to be a hit. Here’s hoping we get something in the future.

I think "characters inspired to some extent by the competitor's character, but with enough twists and uniqueness to set it apart" is something that's been going on a lot between Marvel and DC, since... Well, basically since they started doing comics.

The sad thing is, I actually found a discarded Sideways comic and read through it, loved it, and realized they killed it. So sad. One of the first "new" comics I had read at the time.

As a hardcore bonafide Spider-Man fan, I totally loved reading Sideways, and felt he would have been a great DC version of Spider-Man. Just enough similarity and nuance to make it something

Sideways is one of the first comic books I read from beginning to end. The growth Derek showed and still had to go was amazing and I’m still pissed it was never finished

The Terrifics was great as well. I liked how it took 4 heroes who had nothing to do with one another and basically forced them to be a team. Seeing them go from strangers to having this family dynamic is pretty cool.

Seems like a pretty cool character and IP. The Peter Parker archetype with a different power set is always cool to see. Also, using teleportation in creative ways is hella fun and hella deadly.

I'm so mad that they didn't make him more unique. I'm a big White Wolf fan, and in Werewolf: The Apocalypse "stepping sideways" means to cross the gauntlet into the shadowlands and I love seeing a character who can make portals named "Sideways". I sincerely hope this character returns one day, without all of the Spider-Man influences.

A while back ago I saw sideways, thought his design and powers were cool, but never really bothered to do a full deep-dive research on the character. And he seemed just obscure enough no one would really talk about him. But man am I glad to be wrong! Thanks for bringing a spotlight on the character! Really is a shame though we only got as much as we did though.

i think if they were to give him a new series now, he’d have so much potential to stand on his own. also, YES a TV adaptation would be PERFECT for Sideways!!

They already had a Peter Parker analogy in Ted Kord. Steve Ditko who co created Spider-Man and created Blue Beetle, stated that Ted was envisioned as an older successful Peter Parker

I would like to see Sideways show up in a DC movie one day that would be pretty sick he does have an interesting backstory

Wow, I feel ancient for understanding the “Who was phone?” joke. That aside, portals can be a really cool power when done right. A shame Sideways didn’t have a unique costume.

Now we need a 3 way crossover, Spidey, Invincible, and sideways

8:15 “My heart broke when Derek said” *ad comes up* “Heritage Banks ability to adjust to our needs is everything”

Great video! Hopefully we get more of Sideways in the future. You were right when you mentioned the character has potential. That whole line of comics was decent and filled with potential. For example Curse of the Brimstone was a run that we really enjoyed with Sideways.

I personally like Sideways and I managed to buy two of his comics, they were actually my first comics I ever bought. I really hope they bring him back at some point. Edit: Since this video, I have managed to attain another Sideways comic. I really hope he makes a comeback.

I was expecting a funny story about "Haha look at this time DC tried to rip off Spider-Man in the 80s" or something. I was not expecting to be mad that a comic I've never read never took off. This guy sounds so cool and based off this video sounds like he could hold his own solo cartoon for at least a season. Maybe more if the writers are willing to make stuff up and take risks.

10 years later Sideways : No Way Home

absolutely loved this guy and silencer! really hope he can get a good meaty run in a young justice/teen titans esque book to get some new fans, i think bendis proved he's worth having around if for no other purpose than as a convenient plot device for getting a bunch of people in one place at one time

I really want to see more of Sideways, he seems really fun

I always saw Sideways as more of a Nightcrawler type character, Drake. He has the exact same power set despite looking like Ben Riley drawing board leftover

*Sideways is a really interesting character, and his story holds the reader, he has references to Spider-Man that are not even a copy, far from it in fact, he is just another teenager like many teenage heroes. I really wanted a sequel to his comics, I really fell in love with the character. I would like your comic to be released in my country (Brazil), but I'm pretty sure it never will be released because of your "failure".*

And now, Sideways is back for a small role in Dark Crisis.

Sideways looks like a pretty cool character. His powers and design looks awesome.

I actually own the entire Sideways run on physical. It was an interesting read, the character had a ton of potential to really grow into his own. Kept me coming back to my comic book store weekly, at least.

Wow. The production quality of these videos has really improved over time. Keep up the great and fun work!

I was really upset when this character was released because I was playing around with the idea of a character that was inspired by Spiderman that used portals to traverse and fight. He couldn't teleport anywhere he wanted to tho because it was kind of a portal gun situation where he'd need line of fire to create the entrance and exit so in order to travel fast he would kinda just "fall" wherever he needed to go. I.E. jump off a building then create a portal that would point him in a safe direction until it was time to shoot more portals. He had a few other abilities like a spacial awareness perk because he obviously manipulates the space time continuum to a degree so why not be able to perceive all space immediately around you in slow motion. That and the beams to shoot portals could also be used as regular beams. I suppose that since it was based off one of the most popular super heroes ever, I can't say I'm that surprised but the degree in which it was similar to my idea really sent me. On top of that, my hero academia came around and that took out the rest of the characters I was working on considering all might was nearly a one to one copy of one of the main characters I was working on

Honestly it’s been a while since anyone mentions sideways, it’s a shame they had to cancel his comic.🐱

I would love to see Sideways added to the Teen Titans someday. I think he’s a pretty great character and would benefit greatly from the bigger exposure being on that team would bring him. Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle would be great too.

Imagine that this video is the whole reason DC actually brings the character back. I'd love to read more than one comic about Sideways.

10:37 that reminds me of people who complained about milestone in the 90s, saying that because a majority of it's superheros we're black or other people of color, that it was "racist against white's".

Read this entire run a couple months ago, absolutely loved it. Still hoping for that Sideways tv show on HBO Max or a (couple of) Sideways movie(s). Hopefully this character gets the spotlight he needed to warrant another on-going comic run, because I loved it for the most part and there's still a lot of unresolved threads in the first comic run.

This character actually sounds cool as heck I'd love to check out his series and I hope DC continues to do more with him

Sideways: Who are you? The Spot: I'm you, but I was done being a joke.

So Sideways (luv the name btw) is basically a combination of TWO Marvel characters to make something new yet familiar. He’s basically the love child of Spider-Man & America Chavez. With Spider-Man’s fashion sense and most of America’s abilities except flight.

Honestly my biggest take away with launching a new character is maybe don't give them a book out the gate. Back door pilot them to just be around established characters and give them a hook. Cool power, likeable character, big mystery, etc. Have you reader base be decently familiar before expecting them to stand on their own. I hope that Sideways will get a second life down the road and his initial run will be looked back on, but more often than not, it ends up being, "well this character is a dud" and they never even appear in the background. Sometimes coming out of the gate swinging works, just look at Kamala Khan, but she had the Captain Marvel association. Even Wolverine took a while to really take off

WhoisSideways2

I'm initially excited when Sideways comics come out because the idea of DC's version of Spiderman is pretty cool. But after it ended I knew it would get no further push and thus be another forgotten character. Glad this video exists and highlights some of Sideways potential

now that the spot is more popular, there is no way this character isn't called a copy

Puerto Rican superhero that can teleport and travel through dimensions? I winder if he'll ever meet Vibe

I found it weird that out of the new Age of Heroes, Silencer and The Terrifics lasted... AWHILE. I remember when these were announced, released, their criticism, and their quick to passing deaths.

Brimstone had so much potential

Sideways does seem interesting but, his powers sound very close to Vibe's. Interdimensional portals, dead family member, gets powers from unusual paranormal event. That's Vibe, right down to his Latino roots.

I actually read sideways first issue like the year it came out and loved him. Something about a event that made some comics free on this official comic app (forgot what it was called) I was a broke kid so I couldn't afford to buy the rest online so I just forgot about him but man was I ready to become obsessed with him. Always wondered what happened to him, sad to see the story never got finished.

Sideways, Silencer, The Terrifics, and Curse of Brimstone were all amazing and I wish we would get new ongoings with all of them.

I remember I was reading one of the issues related to the Lazarus event and he showed up to help a hero called red canary. I’ve never heard of those two before but I found them very interesting and fun characters to read about. I didn’t know if they had their own run or not but after seeing this I hope they do more with them. And now Ill probably buy his run if it’s a trade paperback

I don't see Sideways as Spidey's ripoff, aside of being teen and almost similar look on suit(and the infamous twisted quote), they have different origin/background, personality and skill set. I like him as much as like Spidey and Batsy. Definitely in my top 10 of fave DC characters. I also like the other DC's New Age of Heroes entry, esp Silencer and The Terrifics.

I do remember when this guy came out and it clearly was them trying to make Spider-Man. Here I was thinking Blue Beetle was basically DC’s own Spider-Man

Sideways was coming out when I was in high school and I loved the book so much. It’s nice seeing someone talking as passionately about him as I do!

2:54 Ironically when discussing a Spider-Man ripoff I couldn't help but get reminded of a Spider-Man villain... who is his joke villain that being Spot.

Thanks for talking about this comic. I would have never even have known. I'm totally going to check it out, because it sounds interesting and I haven't read a DC comic in a while that I actually got into. Also... Totally agree with the sentiment about people who say "Don't eff with established heroes... Make your own" because this is exactly what happens.

His comics were pretty interesting. Wish they could have done something more with him. Definitely had potential and loved the artwork!

I really wish this line caught on more. There was something that felt like the potential of a real new generation without the baggage of decades of legacy for new readers

Fans "we want something new and original!" Dc/marvel "ok, try this in for size" Fans "these changes scare us, give us back what we expect" Dc/marvel "puts out another batman event/spiderverse" Fans "typical entertainment, too afraid to try anything new" (smug laugh)

I have the whole run of Sideways actually. I got it when I was still new to following comics week to week. I also followed that Immortal Men book and thought both were fun, solid stories. I definitely think he has a lot of potential. Put him on a team or in a show and I think a lot of folks will resonate with him.

I loved sideways, silencer, and damage so much! All solid stories! Really loved the ending of sideways.

I remember picking up and reading the Sideways series when it first came out. I think I'm missing the last two issues or so, but I can remember having mixed feelings on the book, despite being a teenager myself when it came out. I'll have to go back and read them again, cuz man that suit looked cool (says the very big Spidey fan boi)

I never got why people called him a Spider-Man ripoff. Literally the only similarities are the poses he makes and his mask, and even the latter is a flimsy, debatable comparison.

I guess DC's plans for this hero went... Sideways.

How did this not work? This character has a lot of potential. The Spider-Man vibes are real and he could really use a bit more love. Also he would probably pair well with someone like Static.

Honestly Sideways is my top 3 or 5 favorite character. I wish this series had more issues. It will definitely stay in the top 3 of recommendations for me. I absolutely love seeing him pop up at random since it shows someone at the company remembers him and I appreciate that.

I didn't even knew this character exists and i feel kinda sad he didn't make a breakthrough.

Teleportation is a fucking horrifying power if done correctly.

Sideways is still around in Dark Crisis btw! Just started the video so not sure if it’s also mentioned by Drake lol.

I remember hearing about Sideways years ago thanks to comicstorian. It seemed interesting as did Damage but I am sad neither got the chance to shine. Thanks for covering this Drake 😃

Awesome video!! Great job as always!! I also would love to see you cover the actual “New Age of DC Heroes” sometime in a future video 😁👌

Wish you'd go over Green Lantern: New Guardians, as that series ended with a HUGE cliffhanger regarding the White Lantern Corps, that is NEVER referenced again.

Man I Love Sideways. That cliffhanger had me on the edge of my seat. It hurt realising they weren't going to continue his story

I loved Sideways and was sad his book ended and he didn’t really show up again (besides a random background cameo in BMB’s Young Justice)😢💔

the problem with DC is that they are unable to keep things on a small scale. there is always must be other universes that need to be saved, some kind of deities that want to kill someone. what makes Spidey more memorable is that he is and forever will be a street-level superhero. him being in some kind of big event and not on the streets is a rare exception, not the other way around. and, of course, Sideways is thrown into some kind of intergalactic beef with some kind of team

Seemed like a fun character. For what it's worth, DC has had at least a couple versions of Spider-Man over the years. Firestorm back in the 80's and Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle (an argument could be made for the Ted Kord Blue Beetle as well).

I really like the designs of all these characters. Colourful, visually clear, interesting to look at. I do think Sideways himself could have used a bit of a different design, maybe some portal esc features. I don’t run a comic company but I think what they should’ve done was launch heroes one at a time and make them the centre of attention for a bit. Have a sideways appear in a superman comic.

Did you know that DC actually attempted to ripoff Spider Man back in the day? It was more subtle but when DC made Firestorm they saw the success of a teenager getting powers from a radioactive accident all the while going through school and teen drama and decided to cash in on it.

Do you know where I can buy the full series because I can only find vol 1 covering the first six issues.

I created that character as a kid! not literally obviously. but I once imagined a superhero with the same type of warp teleportation powers and a black Spider man inspired costume. He was a student who got sent to a dark dimension after a freak lab accident and came back with teleportation powers, since he was fan of Spider-Man, he designed a costume inspired by his and even had his girlfriend help him make the costume. And balanced studies, Super-heroics and trying to find his adoptive mother who had gone missing.

Sideways deserves more chances.

Really which Sideways took off more, cause it sounds like a cool concept.

"there is only so much you can get when your power is only a portal gun" the spot:and i took that personally.

The people saying just create new characters don't even read comics, just movie watchers running their mouths

Sideways I thought was a very interesting character.

Honestly seems to be an underrated character. yeah the Spider-Man inspiration is evident but it takes that and makes it it's own. they should definitely do more with the character, I don't understand why it was a failure.

10:37 is where you hit the nail on the head!! You just gained another subscriber simply off of that!!

I remember him being part of their all new lineup that was basically a bunch of marvel rip offs. we had sideways (Spider-Man), damage (hulk) and the terrifics (the fantastic four) And brimstone (ghost rider). Ichecked out the first issues and just couldn’t get into them and from what I understand all of them ended up defunct anyway. I think they had immortal men and the silencer too but I don’t think they had marvel parallels.

Well I guess you could say , that went sideways.

Drake: Forget your Star Signs, tell me when you stopped watching The Flash. Me: Season 7… Yeah.

Dude, Drake, I really really truly positively enjoy your videos. As a fellow geek kudos and hats off to you.

I came into this video thinking it was just gonna shit on this unheard of new DC hero named sideways but after watching this video all the way through I think I’m kinda feelin this new character I absolutely love it when authors write a character with such a simple ability like creating portals and not only thinking outside the box but destroying the box itself by making that ability so much more insanely versatile than just creating portals

I think sideways is awesome and I think with the right care and riders behind the character people would really enjoy it maybe if sideways wasn't being handled by the Sea and instead by a different publisher although that isn't necessarily the solution but I think it's weird that we have a thousand different variants of Superman and Batman with different names and yet one of our first variants of Spider-Man with a completely different name different power set and cool costume that's completely unique gets thrown under the bus by the creators whether it was on purpose or not it means that not only did the creators throw the character under the bus but so did the fans and it wasn't just sideways it was a few of these other new characters I think the fact that DC was trying to make new and unique characters and put some effort into it at least on the creative end by some of the creators and hired new creators to do it was cool

I honestly love sideways. I kinda hope more big swings like this can come from the big publishers. Great video!

I think there are more variables to consider when you look at a new character not being as popular as established characters. With Sideways, his similarities to Spider-Man contributed to both his success and failure…it’s a story all to familiar that draws in new readers (because of the new character) and old ones (because the story isn’t too new) alike but because of the familiarity it’s makes it predictable and boring to some discouraging readers to see what’s next. I think another important thing to consider would be marketing because this is a actually a really cool character but it isn’t shown off as much as it should.

I think blue beetle is the closest representation to “spiderman” being a teen trying to find out what to do with his new strong powers