Superior Spider-Man #32; A Roundabout Review

By Dan Slott & Christos Gage

W/Giuseppe Camuncoli & John Dell

This issue takes place around the same time as Superior Spider-Man #19. It tells the tale of where Otto Octavius disappeared during his jaunt to save the city in his guise as Superior Spider-Man. So I ask, what's next? Where does the Superior Spider-Man go from here, especially after the title was ended? Asking how many Spider-Men will be involved is like asking how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, not to mention, why didn't Marvel just start at #1 like they've done with practically everything else?

Recently, I asked a few of my friends who write for The Next Issue Outpost, what recent villain was created that was worth his/her merit. They answered, but I couldn't find anyone villainous enough, until now. This spider slayer introduced in this issue killed multiple spider-men across the multiverse and I have yet to find out his name. His first appearance in Superior Spider-Man #32 is surrounded by questions.

There have been different universes, where others have carried the mantle of Spider-Man. The most notable is Peter Parker from the 616 universe. The first I remember of a different Spider-Man (and yet the same) was from What if...? #1 (1977). That iteration of the wall crawler was displayed inside this newest book along with others from House of M, Civil War, and one that looks reminiscent of Web of Spider-Man #100. Each scene is a corpse for Otto to find. Someone is killing the various "spiders" and any that are in the way.

In the eighties, the biggest story line was the 12 issue maxi-series, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars. This helped introduce one of the biggest changes in Peter Parker's life. In the modern age, Dan Slott has come a long way from writing Ren and Stimpy, and after his amazing tale of Otto taking over the Spider mantle in 31 previous, consecutive issues, I am salivating on what's going to happen in his Spider-verse. Will Otto Spidey help Peter Spidey? Will the symbiotic Spidey Suit swing through New York again? Will Flash Thompson and the Guardians arrive? How long will we have to wait until Morlun returns? And will this new Spidey killer be working for him or something far more sinister?

4 out of 5 stars 

Amazing Spider-Man #4: a Roundabout Review

Amazing Spider-Man #4

Written by Dan Slott

Pencilled by Humberto Ramos

Spoilers spoilers spoilers

The Long of it...

I always loved the romance between MJ Watson and Peter Parker. I grew up with the flirtations and was rewarded with issue #290, when Peter proposed. Annual #21 was a jackpot issue, with two covers to choose from. I never thought about buying both. 

Joe Quesada changed all that, treating decades of continuity with wild abandon, giving Peter a Brand New Day.  And ever since Dan Slott took over, I've truly enjoyed the title. Superior Spider-Man was exceptional, but having Mr. Parker back is like wearing comfortable shoes. 

Issue #4 of the Amazing Spider-Man never made it home unread. On my public transit commute, I realized I couldn't wait. I pulled the comic out of the brown paper bag and engulfed myself. I was finally getting more than a few pages of a character rumored to change Peter's life forever. I was expecting Silk to be another Speedball or Alpha, but Dan made her so much more. Here was a character who was built right into Peter's origin as Spider-Man. The story was even mixed with another tale from years ago with Ezekiel and Morlun, but don't tell Marvel that, they might start over again with a number one.

Cindy Moon was a classmate of Peter Parker,  and before you ask, "Why are we just hearing about her in 2014 and not 1963?", I will tell you it is because of Original Sin. If Thor could have a sister, why couldn't the radioactive spider bite one more person?

Ezekiel hid Cindy away from Morlun. She practiced her abilities in secret as Peter used his in public. She's stronger, faster, and has even developed a more advanced power set, including barbs in her webs; yes,"her" webs, but it doesn't stop there. Peter's Spider sense reacts to Cindy in a whole different manner; it attracts him to her, much like I imagine his spider tracers do after flicking them on his prey (super-villains). 

I'm going to skip the part about the Black Cat and the part where we find out Morlun is alive. I'm even going to skip where Silk freaks out as Peter mentions that Morlun was killed...and killed again. Silk is so enraged with this news that she quickly lands one on Peter...twice; once with her hand, and on the final page with the final panel, once with her lips!

Suffice it to say, not only was this the best Spider-Man comic I have read in a while, it was the best comic book I have read in a long time, period! I think once I get done at work I'm going to read it again.

The Short of it...

Buy it.

5 out of 5 stars 

 

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Is Superior Spider-Man, Superior?

I have to imagine when Amazing Spider-Man #700 was released, no one expected what happened at the end, myself included. I associate the final pages of this historic issue with page 271 of Star Wars: Vector Prime. What happened was so unexpected; so terrifying that it had to be read again. I couldn't believe what was on the printed page even after reading it the second time. The final pages of ASM #700 had me experience the feeling of What The...? once again. Dan Slott had me riveted with excitement, followed by dread. The impossible was possible, Peter Parker was no more.

Issue seven hundred ended a series beginning back in 1963. This changed to Volume Two with a new #1 right after issue #441 somewhere in the late nineties (Nov. 98') and reverted back to its original numbering with its milestone five hundred (Dec. 03') while becoming volume one, once again. And if that's not confusing enough, Marvel might start over again to make sure the readers aren't thoroughly confused. Oh wait, they did, this time however, instead of starting over in a brand new direction with Amazing Spider-Man #1 (or #701), they started over with something superior.

But is Superior, superior? A CGC copy of Amazing Spider-Man seven hundred in a 9.8 condition has sold anywhere between $18 and $2550 (with a universal label), variants included. To be fair, the $18 price tag had a broken slab; if you do not include that particular copy then $22 was the next cheapest sale price. If I include the signature series versions, the price tags become loftier. I could only imagine if one eventually turns up with Steve Ditko's signature on it. And if the last issue is fetching these prices, did speculation cause the first issue of Dan Slott's re-visioning of Stan and Steve's 1963 creation to be just as successful?

An encapsulated copy of Superior Spider-Man issue #1 sold for $13 while the highest cost was a variant by Joe Quesada (sketch cover) at $450, (once again, a universal label). This is nowhere near the famous issue where Peter Parker dies (?), which was released only a few months earlier. Covers might not make a comic superior, although it could make it somewhat more desirable, look at the recently released Forever Evil #1 lenticular 3D cover. Although the cover might be the reason to pick the comic book off the shelf, I feel it's the writer that keeps you coming back.

Dan Slott has completed almost two years with an exceptional title, I speak of Superior Spider-man and not the amazing title that preceded it. Even after death threats and hate mail (aplenty) he chugged away to tell a story. It might not be Peter Parker's story, but it is Spider-Man's story, which once again begs me to ask, is Superior Spider-Man superior? With the recent annual released, written by Christos N. Gage, I had the chance to find out. Ever since the first New Mutants Annual was published I always believed the extra issue added to the overall story. This favorite tale of mine, “The Cosmic Cannonball Caper” was written by X-Men scribe Chris Claremont, the same writer of the first fifty four issues; two more in the sixties, one in the eighties, and the first three annuals. Superior Spider-Man could not say the same. 

Christos N. Gage started writing comics in 2004. Dan Slott started in the early 1990's as an intern at Marvel until his big break with his first monthly title, Ren and Stimpy. After his first successful title, of which number one was a scratch-N-Sniff polybagged issue (and yes I bought two), Dan cut and sharpened his teeth on many titles before landing the "big comic book". Although Christos has co-writing credits on a few Superior Spider-Man issues (11, 12, and 13), it was Dan's creativity that filled in the slot. (I am so sorry, I couldn't pass that up.)

With great power comes great responsibility was not only Ben Parker's greatest advice, it was also Peter's greatest crutch, which is what made him Amazing. Otto Octavius wasn't the first Superior Spider-Man. That credit goes to Kravenand J.M. DeMatteis. Otto isn't even what makes Spider-Man superior, as the unexciting annual that was recently released ascertains. 

I perused through the copy at Fat Jack's Comicrypt in Philadelphia and decided against its purchase. The money would be better off spent in other ways, but at least it helped me answer the question of "Is Superior Spider-Man, superior?" Yes it is, but only because of Dan Slott, much like the reason why Spider-Man was so amazing when it was written by Stan Lee.

Thanks for Reading

Reading Books Last: A Roundabout Review

My reviews have been mostly about Marvel, it might be because I am biased on the company that helped ease me into collecting comic books the same way my sister taught me how to swim. They pulled me into the water and then when I was comfortable, let go. My sister of course would grab hold of me again, it never occurred to me she could have drown in the pool as well as I could, if not easier, she had no water wings on her arms to hold her afloat, I did. Marvel would do the same by introducing characters in various comics and then put them in an explosive environment that would have me riveted and waiting for the next month so I could find out what happened in the very next issue, this time I had no water wings, I was at the dreaded mercy of the writer.

As my weekly allotment grew and grew I would set aside my favorites to read last. It’s almost 30 years later and I still do the same thing. I remember reading in a “forward” from a trade paperback that they too saved the favorite for last until they were older. Now, as they are older, much like I am, they read their favorites first because they don’t have time for the crap. I might partially agree, but there has to be something last, there has to be something to make you wish it was the following month already and the latest issues of comic books are in your hands begging to be read. Which, once again, is why I read my favorites last, once in a while there are a few. This week I have to compete with Marvel’s Daredevil by Mark Waid and IDW’s Locke & Key by Joe Hill, not to mention DC’s Justice League by Geoff Johns.

Nine books made their way home from me from Jack’s Comic Crypt in Center City Philadelphia, Nine bags and boards accompanied them as I took the first one out on the elevated train. It wasn’t the worst but I started to read Justice League of America #1. It was new and also by Geoff Johns. By the end, I am willing to give #2 a try. I normally will read a second comic before I get to my stop, but today I was tired from working a night shift and wanted to be as alert as possible to enjoy the rest of my haul. Once home I thought I would sleep but both Harbinger and X-O Manowar begged to be read. I obliged. This company continues to impress.  My Fourth book for the week was Justice League, the conclusion to “Throne of Atlantis”. This book has been my last to read from time to time, and this book is good, so why do I still have five more to go.

Avenger’s #5 by Jonathon Hickman has me on the fence. It could be great, rather than just good. The last four I have yet to read. Of the remaining four, three are from Marvel and one is from IDW. Dan Slott’s Superior Spider-Man is, well, Superior. Joe Hill’s Locke & Key is coming to a close and Indestructible Hulk by Mark Waid is my surprise hit of the year competing against Daredevil, also by Mark Waid. So Instead of deciding what to read next I finally slept and woke up refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to read… to read, well to read the next book, whatever comic book that is.

 Thanks for Reading

Superior Spider-Man #1: A Roundabout Review

Superior Spider-Man #1: A Roundabout Review

Wednesday arrived and I left work to go home and change for my weekly ritual. This consists of coffee with my Dad and a trip to my Comic Book store. My Comixology.com e-mail was checked through my iPhone and my weekly pulllist had the comics I am waiting for, primarily Superior Spider-Man #1.

I picked up Star Wars #1, Shadow-Man #3 and decided to stick with a digital download only for Non-Humans #2. With only three books to read on the way home from Fat Jack’s Comic Crypt in Center City Philadelphia, it was the twice a month Superior Spider-Man #1 by Dan Slott and Ryan Stegman that I waited until I got on the twenty bus to start reading. When I got home, I read it again.

Previously in Amazing Spider-man, and if you are reading Superior #1 before ASM #700, then shame on you, Peter Parker dies. Yes, Marvel allowed the one of the main bread winners to receive a dirt nap. Otto Octavius reigns supreme in the body of Aunt May’s favorite nephew and for anyone who remembers, this has some gross overtones because Otto almost married Peter’s Aunt May. I truly hope this is a story thread they never follow up on. So how does one of the greatest villains on the planet become a 100 percent rehabilitated super hero in the body of his greatest adversary? The answer is he doesn't.

Spoilers Abound

The sinister six arrives on the scene which includes The Shocker, Speed Demon, Boomerang, Living Brain, Beetle, and Overdrive which brought to mind the cover of issue #183. I don’t understand what it is about a big wheel. For a change of pace it was actually pretty enjoyable to watch Boomerang call the shots. Of course who else but Dr. Octopus would be so insulted about a new Sinister Six, and I find it quite ironically pleasing that this is the Superior Spider-Man’s first battle. Otto/Pete seems so enraged he rips into them but seriously realizes how hard Peter had it when Speed Demon pummels him repetitively to the point Otto decides to flee. By the way, Dan pulls off all this action in the first six pages and that includes Peter paying his respects at Otto’s gravesite.

          So Otto being Otto, he runs, but Spider-man being who he is, returns as he sees an innocent cop about to get in the way of a deadly boomerang. Without even fully understanding why Otto/Pete is saving someone who "states the obvious" he also would make Wolverine proud by slicing Boomerang with claws? Later Peter is being talked to by Max Modell and on these two pages I almost feel like I should be listening to Dr. Horrible’s singalong.

               Another two pages and Peter hits the Jackpot. Mary Jane interacts with Peter in a way she never did before, she wasn't passed off for him to go run and be Spider-Man even though Otto/Pete is listening into the Sinister Six’s next conspiracy through “eighty nano-spider tracers”. Otto/Pete is much more interested in the dinner,drink, and the view.

Dan Slott keeps the comic rollingalong in a smooth flow of story worthy of being a #1 issue.

               The action speeds up again as Otto prepared for the Sinister Six, and instead of a six Issue story, he wraps them up in one measly issue, which makes me wonder, is the Otto Spider-Man really that superior. He’s vicious, calculating,and arrogant, many things Peter never was, so as he pummels Boomerang with the intent of ending his life we have none other than his subconscious staying his hand from the killing blow, or is it something more. I’m not going to spoil everything, read the book and figure out for yourself if Dan Slott is the story weaver you think he is.

Thanks for Reading

Amazing Spider-Man #700: A Roundabout Review

I have been collecting Amazing Spider-Man since issue #251,titled “Endings”. I do have a few other books before that one, but it was thegloved hand coming through the water holding up Hobgoblin’s mask that enticedme.  I followed Peter Parker when he wastransported with hero and villain alike to participate in the Beyonder’sexperiment throughout the 12 issue Maxi-Series, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars.His own series with issue #252 was sold out before I got out of school topurchase it. I didn't even realize I missed its release. Remembering back, itall started with a very well read copy of Issue #181, the origin of Spider-Man.I have an idea how I got that issue, but that's a story for another time.

Over the years I collected the adventures of Peter Parker. Ifollowed as he asked Mary Jane to marry him. I watched as he took on newvillains and old ones alike, each time reciting what he believed in "WithGreat Power Comes Great Responsibility". At times he was beaten, but hefought back. He never gave up, he never quit, a real life lesson.

SPOILERS AHEAD

I am a huge Star Wars fan and ever since Vector Prime by R.A.Salvatore killed offa vital character to “its” universe, I was shocked. I understood the reasoning,how could you fear for the characters you love if they would always survive in the end. A line from The Never EndingStory rings truer than anything else at the moment when the old man in thebook store told Sebastian "You're books are safe". Spider-Man issue#700 was not safe.

The comic book is packed, but after reading the first portionof the book, the important portion consisting of the first fifty pages wasenough to destroy any thought of being safe again. The Ultimate Universe wasfun to be part of and when they started to kill off major characters likeSpider-Man, I’m considering if it was just a test run. I mean seriously, howwould the media and the fans actually accept the death of Peter Parker, theAmazing Spider-Man?

Dan Slott has kept fans riveted with his story telling prose.As other artists joined Peter on his journey none I felt were as strong asDitko and Romita Sr and Jr. Many characters were slain, most by villains, andmaybe none as well known as Gwen Stacey by either the hands of the Green Goblinor Spider-Man himself in an effort to save her, by the superior skill of GerryConway, nothing against the legend and creator himself, Stan “The Man” Lee. 

Marvel is trying to capture the magic that DC initiated withthe New 52. Their attempt of rebooting their universe reminds me of a band aidbeing pulled of wounded skin. The only Marvel Now book that I thought wasworthy was Indestructible Hulk, a book I was hesitant to collect. Both Avengers#1 and Cable and X-Force #1 I found lacking. Thor I have heard good thingsabout but I think it's going to be The Superior Spider-Man that is goingto be pivotal in my monthly rotation of comic books. Mark Waid, you have beenwarned, please keep Daredevil my favorite title.

R.I.P. Peter Parker, you deserve it.

Thanks for Reading