I AM WAS SPIDERMAN

The child of a military family that moved around a lot, the author found solace in his passion for comics; with his purchase of The Amazing Spider-Man #39, Leva’s life changed. As he grew older, collecting comics combined with a love of acting, gymnastics, and kung fu, resulting in a job working for Marvel Promotions playing the character of Spider-Man in live appearances. This prompted the author to move to New York to seek out other acting roles. A life-changing meeting with Superman stunt coordinator Alex Stevens led him to take part in some of the movie’s New York–set action scenes. Financial necessity led to stunt work on a low-budget film called Mother’s Day in 1979. Adding some stage-combat training to his gymnastics and martial arts expertise, this opened a completely new career. Leva recounts his journey working on various productions and growing his reputation as a stunt man, sharing plenty of photos and anecdotes as he goes from barely making ends meet to winning a 2006 Science and Technical Achievement Oscar for a revolutionary airbag that he developed. Concurrent to this is a chronicle of the author’s attempts to become Spider-Man as a movie about the character was being developed in 1985, but never quite came to fruition. Leva writes with honesty, self-reflection, and great respect for his fellow actors, stunt workers, and coordinators. What is particularly touching and inspiring is the author’s account of “the beginning of a beautiful friendship” with Stan Lee, which will surely enthrall comic book lovers. Occasionally the tale meanders a bit; the discussion of TV shows, movies and toys that influenced Leva in three separate chapters at the beginning of the memoir is a little too much, but it’s still a charming celebration of one person’s passion for film.

May 12, 2025 - 05:22

The child of a military family that moved around a lot, the author found solace in his passion for comics; with his purchase of The Amazing Spider-Man #39, Leva’s life changed. As he grew older, collecting comics combined with a love of acting, gymnastics, and kung fu, resulting in a job working for Marvel Promotions playing the character of Spider-Man in live appearances. This prompted the author to move to New York to seek out other acting roles. A life-changing meeting with Superman stunt coordinator Alex Stevens led him to take part in some of the movie’s New York–set action scenes. Financial necessity led to stunt work on a low-budget film called Mother’s Day in 1979. Adding some stage-combat training to his gymnastics and martial arts expertise, this opened a completely new career. Leva recounts his journey working on various productions and growing his reputation as a stunt man, sharing plenty of photos and anecdotes as he goes from barely making ends meet to winning a 2006 Science and Technical Achievement Oscar for a revolutionary airbag that he developed. Concurrent to this is a chronicle of the author’s attempts to become Spider-Man as a movie about the character was being developed in 1985, but never quite came to fruition. Leva writes with honesty, self-reflection, and great respect for his fellow actors, stunt workers, and coordinators. What is particularly touching and inspiring is the author’s account of “the beginning of a beautiful friendship” with Stan Lee, which will surely enthrall comic book lovers. Occasionally the tale meanders a bit; the discussion of TV shows, movies and toys that influenced Leva in three separate chapters at the beginning of the memoir is a little too much, but it’s still a charming celebration of one person’s passion for film.