With the fervent buzz about the film “Amazing Spider-Man 2” dulling to a low hum, one pivotal scene in particular warrants closer examination into the two comic issues that inspired it.

Stony Brook University has achieved a new national record. Based on recent statistics from “US News & World Report,” the university jumped to 82nd among the best national schools. Additionally, the School of Engineering was ranked at 65th among doctorate programs in engineering.

Stony Brook University’s biggest financial sponsor is officially broke. A history of rising debt ceilings culminated in a last-ditch effort to correct the country’s financial problems: automatic spending...