So my brother sat me down and excitedly told me about about the brand-new
Spider-Man comic series. With eyes full of wonder he explained the outline of
the plot. I looked back at him and said the same thing a lot of you will say,
"That sounds really stupid." But then I actually sat down and gave it
a chance. Much like the wall-crawler, I had a hard time putting it down.
Part of the "Marvel NOW!" campaign, The Superior Spider-Man is
the spawn of Amazing Spider-Man Alumni, Dan Slott. Picking up right where the
grim conclusions of "The Amazing Spider-Man" series ended, Doctor
Otto "Octopus" Octavius has switched his mind with Peter Parker
inheriting the body of Spider-Man, leaving Parker to die in his own emaciated
meat-suit.
Now this is where the series almost lost me.
We've seen the Freaky Friday body switch a thousand times over in the DC
and Marvel résumé (J'accuse Lex Luthor), but generally it finds itself resolved
rather quickly. What happens when it doesn't? You've got a classic villain
running around in the body of a beloved hero, getting into shenanigans, even
going as far as to engage in Tom Foolery. Sounds like a tired premise until you
consider the variables.
With Spider-Man's body comes his memories, hopes, dreams, in essence
everything that made him who he was. When Ock moves in he is overwhelmed by
Peter's sense of obligation to humanity. Deciding to cast off his villainous
mantle (and metal appendages), he dawns the mask of the Spider-man (but not
without making some high-tech adjustments of course). This all seems fine and
dandy, except that, while Ock is now working for the forces of good, his moral
compass isn't exactly pointing due North. With a blend of intelligence,
cutting-edge technology, black and white attitude, and even an alliance with J.
Jonah Jameson, the Superior Spider-Man takes justice to the city whether they
want it or not.
So this is Otto's new profession, but what about his personal life? He went
from a dying old man, to a young athletic scientist. A second chance at life,
it almost seems endearing. Until you notice the subconscious of Peter Parker
living in the back of Doc Ock's mind. Constantly there, watching, criticizing,
yelling, and occasionally just hanging out. Chiming in while Ock battles the
Sinister Six. Revolted while he goes on a date with Mary Jane Watson. Not to
mention when Otto reviews some of Peter's more *ahem* personal memories.
So get ready for a world hanging upside-down. Where Doc Ock is Spider-man,
Peter Parker is hardly a voice of reason, Spidey and J. Jonah Jameson are fast
friends, and the Spider-Man isn't afraid to employ capital punishment. To quote
Peter it's, "Crazy-Town Banana-Pants." So please do yourself a favour
and check out this new take on "With great power comes great responsibility."
By: Logan Thomas Dillon