CBR Spidey has been popping up regularly across the city since August. Photo: CBR Spidey.
Canberra’s viral costumed crusader, CBR Spidey, swapped swinging through the CBD for sitting in on Question Time at the ACT Legislative Assembly this week, leaving local politicians – and the Speaker – amused.
Canberra’s own Spider-Man, AKA CBR Spidey, has been spinning webs in the nation’s capital since he first posted on Instagram in December 2025.
Since then, he has regularly dropped by charity events, visited hospitals, made appearances at Raiders’ games, hosted comic conventions, and greeted fans out on the town
So why has Spidey chosen to defend Canberra and how did he end up at the Legislative Assembly?
We caught up with the webslinger to ask those very questions.
“I have been a Spider-Man fan my entire life,” CBR Spidey said.
“When I was six-years-old, I met him and took a picture alongside him. Ever since, I’ve been obsessed and I’ve used any excuse to put on the costume.
“I first had the idea for CBR Spidey a bit over a year ago. I was working at the hospital and I got in touch with the Canberra Hospital Foundation to volunteer.
“About a week or so before Christmas in 2025, I got the opportunity to go around with Santa, giving out presents to kids on the ward. It was genuinely the most heartwarming experience I’ve ever had and it’s been a flow-on effect from there.”
Minister for Health Dr Marisa Paterson took the opportunity to take a photo with CBR Spidey. Photo: Marisa Paterson MLA.
From January to July, CBR Spidey has appeared in and around town, taking pictures with anyone willing to stop by. However, it wasn’t until August, in the lead-up to the latest Spider-Man film (which is now the third-highest grossing movie of all time), that his popularity truly kicked off.
“The catalyst for me taking it more seriously was when I reached out to all of the cinemas in Canberra, wanting to be a part of the promotion for the new movie,” he said.
“Limelight Cinemas was able to get back in touch with me. They booked me for three days over the opening weekend and it only grew from there.”
CBR Spidey snapped attending Question Time at the ACT Legislative Assembly. Photo: Supplied.
Now with 3900 followers on Instagram and 1500 on TikTok, CBR Spidey is building a reputation as a local celebrity.
He regularly updates his social media with posts of people who want a picture, while also giving updates on where he might appear next.
“I just really enjoy bringing happiness and joy to people,” he said.
“It’s very heartwarming being able to walk down the street, and the majority of people either smile at you, go for a high five or a fist bump or say, ‘ Hey Spidey’.
“As much as it makes my day seeing that joy around Canberra, I think others enjoy it just as much.
“I think back to that picture I took when I was six-years-old and how it inspired me. I hope that I can give that inspiration to someone else.”
Even Deputy Chief Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith grabbed a pic. Photo: Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA.
Even as his local following grows, it’s Spidey’s latest stunt that has captured the most attention
On Tuesday 27 October, Spidey made the trip to the ACT Legislative Assembly to sit in on Question Time and listen in.
“One of my good friends and another Spider-Man enthusiast, Canberra Webslinger, recently had a picture taken with Chief Minister Andrew Barr and the Japanese Ambassador to Australia (Kazuhiro Suzuki), during the Nara Festival,” he said.
“That inspired me to go visit the Assembly at some point.
“I had the week off and I remembered that it was a sitting week. I thought the worst they could do was tell me I couldn’t come in.
“While I was there, I had several members have a laugh and take pictures. The speaker (Jeremy Hanson) even had to remind people to put their phones away.”
Several MLAs took the opportunity to meet Spidey, with Minister for Health Dr Marisa Paterson and Deputy Chief Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith getting a snap.
While Spidey might not be looking to become a local politician himself, he did provide some ideas on how to improve Canberra’s nightlife.
“If I can make a difference to Canberra in any way, I would like to take that opportunity,” he said.
“I think there is real opportunity to improve the nightlife in Canberra, especially when it comes to having live music in the city at the moment.
“There is always talk that Canberra isn’t as interesting as Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, and that’s just not true. There are definitely things that the city can improve, but when people say Canberra is boring, I can’t help but think that they’re boring.
“Right now, I’m just doing my little bit to give people a little bit of joy when they’re out and about in the city.”
If you spot CBR Spidey out and about, be sure to say hi, grab a picture and tag him at cbrspidey to feature on his page.
