Spidey? Jewish? Oy Vey!

Here’s something comics fans don’t read every day: the author of a new book on the Jewish influence on superheroes explains to the Brooklyn Heights Courier how Spider-Man’s story parallels Scripture (h/t to Stu Levine).

“Peter Parker’s a nerd who grew up in Forest Hills, his middle name is Benjamin and he’s motivated by guilt … I see a connection,” jokes Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, author of “Up, Up, And Oy Vey! How Jewish History, Culture and Values Shaped the Comic Book Superhero.”

Weinstein obviously shares at least one power with Spidey: the ability to spout quirky quips at a moment’s notice.