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Spider-Man fandom is in Tyler Scott Hoover's blood, but not because he was bitten by an irradiated arachnid. His father had collected Marvel comic books featuring the character since the 1970s.

"He passed down a ton of comics to me," says Hoover, 32, of Glen Burnie, Maryland. "It kind of makes it almost like a religion. It would have been hard for me not to become a fan of Spider-Man."

There are legions of fans of Spider-Man, who this month marks 60 years in the vast world of comic books, movies and merch. Among those fans are devotees such as Hoover, a professional Spider-Man cosplayer and model who doesn't resemble the longtime "canon" presentation of the character. However, in the cinematic and comics universes, a black Spider-Man is now reality.

Hoover is biracial - of black and white ancestry - and stands at 188cm. And the story of his fandom illustrates an important point about New York City's favourite wall-crawler: the appeal of the character long ago transcended its original iteration as a white, unimposing, orphaned teenager.

Spider-Man's classic costume is a key ingredient to the character's appeal across race, gender and nationality. Almost anyone can imagine themselves behind the character's wide-eyed, web-patterned mask.

"The older I got, slowly but surely, I saw how relatable the character was," Hoover says. "He had to work through his struggles while still maintaining a secret identity and doing good for the people. That kind of moral compass is powerful, especially for an impressionable mind."

Created by the late Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Spider-Man appeared in comics as early as June 1962, although the canon date of his debut is August 10, 1962, in Marvel's Amazing Fantasy #15. Peter Parker, a highschooler who was bitten by a spider from a science experiment and developed superhuman strength, the ability to cling to solid surfaces and fast reflexes aided by the ability to sense and anticipate danger.

But on his journey to becoming a superhero, Parker fails to stop a burglar who kills his Uncle Ben, leaving his adoptive aunt widowed. The character then strives to honour the words etched at the end of that debut issue: "With great power, there must also come great responsibility."

Racially and culturally diverse superheroes, generally absent from mainstream comics during their first decades, began to emerge in the years after Spider-Man's debut, particularly at Marvel.

In 1966, Black Panther, also known as Prince T'Challa of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, became the first black Marvel superhero. Making their debut in the 1970s were Storm, the mutant goddess and member of Marvel's X-Men; Luke Cage, Marvel's black Harlemite with superhuman strength and nearly impenetrable skin; Shang-Chi, the master martial artist who is among the first Asian Marvel superheroes; and Red Wolf, the expert archer and first Native American Marvel superhero.

"Sometimes when we think of superheroes, we think of billionaires in suits, brilliant scientists or Norse gods," says Angelique Roche, host of the podcast Marvel's Voices and co-author of the upcoming book My Super Hero Is Black.

Spider-Man turned the idea of mostly privileged humans using their wealth and power to become heroes on its head, she says. Spider-Man iterations, in the comics and in film, have appeared across the so-called "spiderverse". Miles Morales, a teenage, Afro Latino Spider-Man, has become wildly popular and starred in his own animated feature film. Cindy Moon, a Korean-American known as Silk, was bitten by the same spider as Peter Parker.

In July, Spider-Man was inducted into the Comic-Con Hall of Fame during the annual convention in San Diego. Fans flooded the convention hall in costumes that spanned various iterations of the character.

Because of the mask, Spider-Man has been a safer choice for cosplayers hoping to avoid the staunch purists, or those who criticise others for deviating from canonised representations of superheroes. But cosplay doesn't have to be canon, says Andrew Liptak, a historian and author of the book Cosplay, a History: The Builders, Fans, and Makers Who Bring Your Favorite Stories to Life.

"Ultimately, it's about your relationship to the character," he says. "You're literally wearing your fandom on your sleeves."

Liptak also says it's unfair to expect fans of colour to dress up only as superheroes whose appearance or skin colour matches their own.

In the recent film Spider-Man: No Way Home, Electro, the villain played by Jamie Foxx, joked to Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man that he was surprised Spider-Man wasn't black. Whether or not that opens the door to a live-action black Spider-Man, Hoover says Spider-Man should never be boxed into just one look.

"Spider-Man was never really defined by his ethnicity, but more so his social status and the struggles he went through," Hoover says. "That's even more relatable for people of colour and different ethnicities, because there's a lot of struggle involved in life that you have to persevere through."

© AP 2022

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Olivia Newton-John's niece says her family will accept a state funeral for the Australian entertainment legend if a formal offer is made.

The British-born, Melbourne-raised performer died in her sleep at her California home on Monday aged 73.

Victorian Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan says further discussions with the family are taking place.

"The family is grieving the loss of an incredible woman and we just need to give them some time and space to work through those matters," she told reporters on Wednesday.

Actress Tottie Goldsmith, a niece of Newton-John, appeared on A Current Affair on Tuesday night to remember the Grease star.

Her family would accept the offer of a state funeral, she said.

"On behalf of not just our family but I think Australia needs it - she's so loved. I think our country needs it, so we're going to accept it," Goldsmith said.

Meanwhile, Newton-John's only daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, shared a tribute to her on Instagram.

"You are my lighthouse mama. My safe place. My heart space. It has been my honour and continues to be my honour to be your baby and best friend," she wrote.

"You are an angel on earth and everyone touched by you has been blessed. I love you forever my life giver, my teacher, my mama."

A number of famous Melbourne landmarks - including Flinders Street Station, the Arts Centre, the MCG and other sporting venues - were lit in pink on Tuesday night to mark Newton-John's contribution to cancer awareness and research.

The performer, who was best known for her role alongside John Travolta in the smash movie musical Grease, endured a recurring battle with breast cancer.

Premier Daniel Andrews said her generosity saved lives and her advocacy provided hope for others.

"She took her cancer journey and used that to save lives and change lives, and that's just a deeply impressive thing," he said.

Austin Health, home of Melbourne's Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Centre, said it was a particularly sad day at the facility and they were planning a memorial service.

Adelaide also lit up its entertainment centre in pink on Tuesday.

Travolta was among the first to pay tribute to his former co-star, while Australian music guru Molly Meldrum said her passion for life was unwavering.

"Tonight, the stars will shine a little brighter and I am heartbroken," he said.

© AAP 2022

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Serena Williams will have one last shot at equalling Margaret Court's all-time record grand slam singles titles after revealing she's "evolving away from tennis".

The American superstar plans to retire from the sport she dominated with 23 slam wins after the US Open, which begins later this month.

Williams played on Monday only her second singles match since returning to action at Wimbledon in June after a year-long absence from competition, beating Spain's Nuria Parrizas Diaz to reach the second round of the Toronto Open.

But the 40-year-old said after that match that she could see the light at the end of the tennis tunnel.

"I have never liked the word retirement," Williams wrote in a Vogue article on Tuesday.

"Maybe the best word to describe what I'm up to is evolution. I'm here to tell you that I'm evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.

"A few years ago I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family."

Williams won her 23rd slam in 2017 and has been chasing an elusive 24th crown that will draw her level with Court, the Australian great who holds the record for the most majors.

She came tantalisingly close to achieving that feat, featuring in four major finals since giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017.

"There are people who say I'm not the GOAT (greatest of all time) because I didn't pass Court's record, which she achieved before the 'Open era' that began in 1968," the former world No.1 said.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want that record. Obviously I do. But day to day, I'm really not thinking about her. If I'm in a slam final, then yes, I'm thinking about that record. Maybe I thought about it too much, and that didn't help."

Williams later said in an Instagram post that it was time to move in a "different direction."

"That time is always hard when you love something so much," she added. "My goodness do I enjoy tennis.

"But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I'm gonna relish these next few weeks."

Williams announced herself on the grandest stage by winning the 1999 US Open, a tournament she would go on to claim five more times.

In a storied career during which she dominated rivals like no other athlete, she also claimed seven Australian Open titles, three French Opens and seven Wimbledon crowns.

Williams also owns 14 women's grand slam doubles titles with older sister Venus and has won four Olympic gold medals: singles (2012), doubles (2000, 2008, 2012).

While she has well-earned the reputation as tennis' fiercest competitor, Williams played down expectations for her final major, after losing in the opening round at Wimbledon.

"Unfortunately I wasn't ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don't know if I will be ready to win New York. But I'm going to try," she wrote.

"I know there's a fan fantasy that I might have tied Margaret that day in London, then maybe beat her record in New York .. It's a good fantasy. but I'm not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment.

"I'm terrible at goodbyes, the world's worst. But please know that I am more grateful for you than I can ever express in words .. and I'm going to miss you."

SNAPSHOT OF SERENA WILLIAMS' GRAND CAREER

Age: 40

Born: Saginaw, Michigan, USA

Lives: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career-high ranking: No.1 (319 weeks 2002-2017)

Career prize money: $US94,588,910

Career titles: 73

Grand slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)

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It smells like things are looking up for Johnny Depp.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 59, seems to still be on an upswing after winning his defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard in June, in part thanks to the multi-year contract he just signed with Dior, TMZ reports.

The reportedly seven-figure deal will see the three-time Oscar nominee, who originally signed with the fashion house in 2015, resume his role as the face of the company's Sauvage scent for men, the outlet has learned.

Dior Beauty took to Instagram Monday, in a partnered post with Depp, to share fashion photographer Greg Williams' black and white stills of him ahead of recently taking to the stage with Jeff Beck in Paris.

"Fearless yet human, just like Sauvage," the caption reads.

The images shot by Williams would reportedly be used in a new campaign for Dior, insiders told TMZ.

Though Depp's ad for the cologne disappeared from TV following Heard's allegations of abuse, they eventually returned to the small screen even before Depp's win.

© DPA 2022