Spidey 3 Dominates

"At least we didn't have to go up against the Passion!"

Spider-Man 3 cast a worldwide web with a blockbuster first day, hauling in $29.15 million in 16 overseas markets and beating the debuts of the previous two ''Spider-Man'' flicks in each locale.

The film had the best opening day ever Tuesday in some countries, including France, Italy, South Korea and Hong Kong, distributor Sony Pictures said.

''Spider-Man 3'' opens over the next couple of days in dozens of other countries, including the United States on Friday. A Sony spokesman excitedly reported that the Second Coming of Christ actually took place on the European Continent but did nothing to dampen a strong opening in the foreign market, but we're keeping our fingers crossed because supernatural and religious competition is always totally unpredicatable. Go Spidey.