The Mostly-Superior Spider-Man
January 16, 2014Throughout the history of comics, there are times when someone assumes the mantle of a beloved superhero. Dick Grayson became Batman for a time, and Bucky Barnes assumed the role of Captain America as well. However, they were both apprentices of the aforementioned heroes, so it seemed logical in many ways for them to eventually take a step forward. But that isn’t the case when it comes to the newest Spider-Man.
SPOILER ALERT!
Doctor Octopus is now Spider-Man…and supposedly, a superior version.
Now, I’ve spent a fair amount of time on GCE complaining about things I don’t like when it comes to the world of comics and pop culture. With that said, I’ve come to really enjoy The Superior Spider-Man.
Peter Parker never lived the high life, at least not for a sustained period of time. He was a lovable loser, who in many ways, was someone that a lot of us could relate to… besides having the powers of a spider of course. He was benevolent but capricious, honorable while also misleading, and perspicacious yet ignorant.
Otto Octavius is nothing like Peter Parker, which is why he is his greatest foe[1]. He isn’t governed by a noble principle such as “With great power, comes great responsibility.” To say that Otto has an ego would be an understatement. He is so dismissive of everyone else and their opinions, that one might surmise that he is in a state of solipsism most of the time.
That contrast is what makes The Superior Spider-Man a great read. Peter Parker is gone and now we have to watch and read as Otto destroys everything that Peter stood for. He is cold and calculating; his actions pushed away Mary Jane and drew the suspicions of friends and family members. Perhaps his greatest offense is his lack of restraint when engaging criminals. Everything we knew and loved about Spider-Man has been torn to shreds page-by-page.
It’s like watching a train wreck… I can’t look the other way. I originally hated the idea, but was willing to give it a chance. There were enough twists and turns with every issue (after the first few) that held my interest. Dan Slott has done a very good job of including as many characters as possible so that Otto can destroy the relationship. Yet, I am intrigued by how few people seem concerned about the new Peter Parker, as if the original was in some ways a lot like Otto, or rather Otto was in many ways like Peter.
The Amazing Spider-Man and Peter Parker are set to return shortly before the Amazing Spider-Man 2 releases in theaters on May 2nd. If you’re reading this daring take on one of the most well-known superheroes of all-time, then you know that things are reaching a climax. I don’t want to spoil too much, but another arch-rival of Spider-Man has returned and is hell-bent to destroy Spider-Man once and for all. A recent love interest might be the only one who can save Peter, and Miguel O’Hara is stuck in the present. Okay, maybe that spoiled a little more than I intended.
The point is, while dramatic changes like this can often leave readers weary, The Superior Spider-Man delivers. I’ve enjoyed the direction Dan Slott has taken Spider-Man; I can’t wait for the conclusion of this storyline, and how he’ll reintroduce Peter Parker in a few months. Let’s just hope that he understands the power that goes along with the responsibility of ending this great storyline. My guess is that the ending will truly be superior.
