Web of excitement

Everybody’s favourite friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man swung into action last weekend at Lulu Hypermarkets across the kingdom to promote the store’s back-to-school range.

Hundreds of excited fans flocked to the Ramli Mall, Hidd and Riffa branches to meet and greet the comic book and big screen superhero.

The wall-crawler took time off from fighting crime to spin a web of fun and friendship by posing for pictures with shoppers of all ages.

The event was jointly organised by Lulu and Walt Disney Company MENA, who acquired the rights to the Marvel franchise the iconic character belongs to.

There is a dedicated Disney area in Lulu stores, which stock a wide range of merchandise including essential back-to-school items such as backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, stationery, notebooks, pencils and, of course, toys.

David Marque, Walt Disney Company MENA, sales manager for UAE and lower Gulf, said: “There have been a few imposters over the years, but this is the first time the ‘real’ Spider-Man has officially been to Bahrain.

“At Disney and Lulu we have one aim, to please the kids and make our events as special and unique as possible, giving people the best experience possible.

“A lot of work went into this and we have a great partnership with Lulu. We always try to bring exciting events and character appearances and this was one not to be missed.

“The dedicated section at Lulu is the best shopping destination for Disney fans, it has everything in the same place from toys, to bedding, stationery and clothing.”

A large stage had been set up for the hero to make his entrance and hordes of delighted youngsters squealed with joy as Spidey finally appeared with his infamous theme tune playing on repeat over the sound system. 

It was very much a family affair and brothers Aiden and Kieran Jones were both excited to meet their hero.

Aiden, 10, from Saar, said: “I like to watch the movies but not the cartoons. I definitely like the new movie better than the old ones. I’m looking forward to having my picture taken with him.”

Kieran, seven, was literally climbing the walls with excitement. He might just have made it too, had he been able to find his treasure Spider-Man costume before the event. He said: “I wanted to wear my costume but I couldn’t find it. I like Spider-Man when he spins his web and climbs up the walls and I like him because he’s really strong.”

Other siblings in the crowd included Akhtar Farhan, 16, and his brother Abdulla, nine, both from Isa Town.

Akhtar said: “I used to really like Spider-Man when I was younger but we came here because my brother is a big fan. He wanted to arrive early so we were waiting for over an hour!”

Abdulla said: “It was worth the wait to see Spider-Man and I’m happy we came.”

The youngest fan in the crowd was three-and-a-half -year-old Tahera Toorani, from A’Ali. Dad Hadi, 32, said: “She is without doubt the biggest Spider-Man fan in Bahrain. We got the dates and venues wrong so we came here yesterday and obviously Spider-Man wasn’t here. Tahera was so upset, she cried, but I think meeting him eventually has made her feel better!”

The event appears to have been a super hit with customers and Lulu’s management alike.

The company’s regional director, Juzer Rupawala, said: “Lulu Hypermarket was delighted to bring Spider-Man, a children’s comic book superhero, to meet fans in Bahrain.

“Judging from the tremendous response, it gave the children a huge buzz to meet him. I think it is a great way to get set for the new school term for the kids – it’s inspiring to meet your superhero because it gets you to aim higher and have fun doing it!”

FACT-FILE
Spider-Man is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. In the comics, Spider-Man is often referred to as ‘Spidey, ‘web-slinger’, ‘wall-crawler’, or ‘web-head’. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962).

Character biography: High school student Peter Parker is living with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May when he is bitten by a radioactive spider at a science exhibition and acquires the agility and proportionate strength of an arachnid.

Along with super strength, he gains the ability to adhere to walls and ceilings. Through his native knack for science, he develops a gadget that lets him fire adhesive webbing of his own design through small, wrist-mounted barrels.

He becomes a press photographer and his local newspaper loves his exclusive Spider-Man shots.