Barack Obama: Nerd

To quote Ben Parker, "With great power comes great responsibility." If you were to repeat this trinket of wisdom to president-elect Barack Obama he would not only agree with you, but also appreciate the dork reference.

As it turns out, Obama has a soft spot for comic books, particularly Spidey and Bats.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Obama told reporters: "I was always into the Spider-Man/Batman model. The guys who have too many powers, like Superman, that always made me think they weren’t really earning their superhero status. It’s a little too easy. Whereas Spider-Man and Batman, they have some inner turmoil. They get knocked around a little bit."

Obama's nerd factor is gaining +3 charisma Wednesday as he makes an appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #583. Word on the street is that the Chameleon will attempt to foil Obama's inauguration only to be stopped by Spidey. Spider-Man's heroics are then repaid with what could turn out to be one of the most glorious fist bumps in Marvel Comics history.

While I am excited to see a president who enjoys comic books and Wii in the White House, I do have my concerns. Comic books are like the gateway drug to nerd culture. I'm perfectly fine with the ruler of the free world keeping up with the Cyclops, Jean Grey, White Queen love triangle, it's when he starts having the Senate over for D&D nights that I'll get concerned. Even though C-SPAN's ratings would be through the roof.

Despite not identifying with Superman, Obama spends a suspicious amount of time with the Kryptonian.