I think the MCU's version of Spiderman has followed a pattern in which most of its supporting cast seems to be based around two comic book characters each. Ned is a combination of himself and Ganke Lee. Betty Brant would be Gwen Stacey, Aunt May has elements of Rio Morales' character, and I would argue that, in Far From Home, Brad Davis takes on the role typically filled by Flash Thompson: specifically, those aspects of Flash's personality which aren't present in the actual character. Which is why I'm positive that Flash is meant to resemble Harry Osborn. I think it's possible that someone else named Harry might show up separately, but I'm betting he'll have elements taken from a different character if included.
In Homecoming, Flash is shown as extremely rich and intelligent, but constantly overshadowed by Peter - which bothers him and fuels his bullying tendencies. This is expanded on in Far From Home, where he tries to use his social media feed to garner his parent's attention, to no avail: they appear to be cold and distant, and don't even bother to show up at the end of his trip. He has a major inferiority complex, and in the deleted scenes it's mentioned that he has asthma. His skills are in his wit and intelligence, and he's mostly on his own: he's definitely not the athletic, inarticulate jock Flash acts like in the comics.
I'm not sure if this theory has been mentioned before, or if it's a common idea, but, thoughts?
Patrick O'Brian's novels have that special extra kick which sets them above the competition. There's a richness, a level of style - his best books feel like great historical novels - that elevates them above similar fare.
Unfortunately I've found this spoils most other nautical novels for me. There's a cheesiness, superficiality and flatness to many other Age of Sail novels, and few rise above the level of gung-ho adventure.
Anyway, earlier this year I came across Harry Thompson's "This Thing of Darkness", and enjoyed it tremendously. It's about the relationship between Charles Darwin and his captain on the HMS Beagle (Captain Fitzroy), and details their various voyages together.
The novel offers a great look at British society at the time, and the changes taking place all over the Empire. The book delves into various scientific discoveries, the tensions between liberals and conservatives at the time (Darwin a scientist, Whig and abolitionist, Fitzroy, a stalwart Tory and man of Empire), looks at the toll sea life takes on sailors, deals with colonialism, map making, geology, biology, has adventures with genocidal warlords, and shows Fitzroy's pioneering efforts in the field of communication and meteorology. And of course it also observes Darwin's work on the theory of evolution, and how this affected his faith, and his relationship with his Christian wife.
It's a big meaty nautical book, and touches upon things which obviously influenced O'Brian's Maturin character. Fitzroy/Darwin have their own Aubrey/Maturin, Kirk/Spock relationship that's quite fascinating.
Highly recommended for anyone starved for a certain type of nautical fiction. Lots of vivid character work, and works well as a nautical adventure, and an intellectual/philosophical/political tale.
