SAM EXMORE
Real Name: Sam Exmore
Identity/Class: Human
Occupation: Daily Bugle intern
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Toni Harris, Iron Man (Tony Stark), J. Jonah Jameson, Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Zane Whelan
Enemies: Mysterio (Quentin Beck)
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Manhattan, New York
First Appearance: Fast Lane insert#1 (November, 1999)
Powers/Abilities: Sam was a typical newspaper intern, but would engage in moronic activity when under the influence of marijuana.
History: (Fast Lane insert#1) - Sam Exmore was an intern for the Daily Bugle's "On Target" youth insert alongside Toni Harris, with assistance from photographer Peter Parker. Sam and Toni decided to do an article on actor Zane Whelan, Sam's personal idol. J. Jonah Jameson was not thrilled with their choice, recognizing that Whelan was promoting marijuana use. Peter, Sam and Toni drove to the studio to meet Zane, and Sam reached for his bong to light up while he was driving. Suddenly, their van was lifted into the air by a supermagnet being wielded by Mysterio, who held a grudge against Zane and all those who idolized him. Reaching for his bong, Sam fell out of the van.
(Fast Lane insert#2) - Peter was able to save Sam and get the van back to the ground without exposing himself as Spider-Man. Sam recovered his bong, scarcely aware of how close he had come to death. They went on to the studio where they watched Zane film a music video for "Fast Lane." In the video, Zane smoked pot, was surrounded by beautiful women, and walked off a building (surviving thanks to a safety harness). Toni began to question whether Zane was the risk-taker that he claimed to be, but Sam remained faithful to his hero. However, when Sam listened in on Zane as he talked to his agent about the false image they had created for him, Sam realized that he had been tricked. Calling Zane a fake and a sell-out, Sam took off in the van and lit up his bong.
(Fast Lane insert#3) - As Sam drove along, he began to hallucinate. Arriving on the Brooklyn Bridge, he stopped the van in traffic and started to walk along the outside of the safety rail. Quickly tiring of this he returned to the van, but an impatient driver struck the van from behind. Sam was knocked unconscious as the van began to fall off the bridge. Spider-Man arrived to save him, but did not have the strength to support the van alone.
(Fast Lane insert#4) - Iron Man helped Spider-Man catch the van and bring Sam to a hospital. Sam now regretted idolizing Whelan. Zane visited Exmore in the hospital and informed him that they were reconsidering Zane's image because they wanted him to be a more positive influence on his fans. Sam decided that he and Toni should finish their article for On Target, and use his recent experiences to tell teenagers what he thought about smoking pot.
Comments: Created by Glenn Herdling, Gregg Schigiel and Richard Case.
The Fast Lane inserts became so notorious at the time of their release that it even prompted this Bullpen Bits (#36) by Chris Giarrusso. (it's a parody of the cover from Green Lantern/Green Arrow#85, for the non-DC fans out there)
For artist Gregg Schigiel's take on the Fast Lane controversy, check out this interview.
More interviews with the creators of this comic, providing interesting insight into the making of these: interview
--Kevin Garcia
by Prime Eternal
CLARIFICATIONS:
Sam Exmore should not be confused with:
Images taken from:
Fast Lane insert#3, page 5, panel 4
Bullpen Bits#36
Last updated: 05/20/14
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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