Superior Spider-Man #6 Review

This series, for the last couple of issues, has finally started to be what it was supposed to be from the very start. Slott is starting to really get into the character, and the development has been amazing. This issue is no different, as we start to see more of Doc Ock's nasty side come out. Not only that, but a certain group of superheroes are becoming very concerned over Spidey's actions.

This issue started as making me think it was just going to be a one and done. Jameson ordered Spidey to take down Screwball and Jester after he got embarrassed by them in public. I was under the impression that he was going to do that and then that would pretty much be it. Oh how very wrong I was.
Before he took them down, we were shown Doc Ock back at college, where he harmed a couple of bullies for the way they treated his friend Anna Maria. This was once again a quite aggressive way of dealing with a problem, so we were once again reminded of the fact that this is how Doc deals with things. We were not actually shown him dealing with these guys, but we were still given a pretty good idea as to what happened. This actually shocked me, and I am glad that Slott is starting to be consistent regarding his toughness used on certain enemies.

We were then shown how he eventually dealt with the two pranksters, and let me tell  you, he didn't let them off lightly. The thing is, all of this was being broadcast live on the internet, so I am looking forward to see what I expect to be a bit of a backlash towards Spider-Man from the public.
This is the number one reason this issue surprised me; the fact that now the public at large are more familiar with the way Spidey is now dealing with his enemies. It has opened up a can of worms that I am sure are going to make some problems for Doc.

As touched on earlier, a certain super group were discussing how to deal with Spidey. This was once again something that I was not expecting to see. I am happy that they have picked up on the fact that he is acting totally out of character. I had a feeling with this series that it would take everyone ages to pick up on things, but Slott seems to be doing everything perfectly regarding this. The next issue, where it looks like Spidey gets confronted by these guys, will be very interesting. I really can't wait to see this stand off / discussion take place. I really wonder hoe Doc will be able to control himself in a situation like that, but I am just going to have to wait and see.

I am absolutely loving this series at the minute. I am even becoming a fan of Ramos' art too. Everything just seems to be clicking at the moment with this, and I really think Spidey fans who abandoned this when it first came out are missing out big time.
 I really recommend this issue, as once again we have seen some important character development. Some people may read up on the plot and decide to skip it; but honestly, pick it up. It is a great little story, and some of the outcomes in it will be having an effect on Docs' future. Definitely not just a filler issue.

Rating: 9.1 / 10

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Superior Spider-Man #5 Review

I said this when I reviewed #4, but it really does feel like Slott is settling in with this series. I don't think it is just Slott who is settling in though, as I think the readers are finally starting to understand what this new Spider-Man is all about. This issue focused on Doc and his search for Massacre; which after last issue I could not wait to see how it was going to end. So how did it end for the baddie? Was he sent to the authorities or did Spider-Man cross a line he promised never to cross?

I thought the overall story telling in this issue was tremendous. The reasoning behind Massacre wearing a certain attire during his shoot out at Grand Central was brilliant. Touches like that are not normally found in comic books, as they are not expected to be there, however I loved the added detail found here.
We all knew going into this issue that Spidey would have a choice, and ultimately he did. I was desperate for him to go a certain way, and that is exactly the route that he took. I am loving the freedom that Slott has with the character, which I am sure he does too, so I am glad that we are still treading a fine line between good and bad. It suits the character as well as making an awesome tone for the book. However, he is not always doing bad, as at one point in this issue he was saving lives which he would not normally have attempted to do. The line is getting thinner!

Earlier on in the issue we were shown how the new and improved Spider bots have a face recognition system installed into them. This is something very worrying, and I am glad it got touched on at the end of this issue too. Doc Ock is now watching everyone at all times, which led to the final page of this issue. His last words in this were chilling; and I certainly cant wait for more development in this particular area in the future.

On a side note of this story we saw the introduction Anna Maria Marconi. I am not aware of this character, so I assume that it is a totally new one, which I am already wanting to see more of. Her and Doc seem to be hitting it off; so I wonder if these two may be getting even closer in the near future?

So, this little story has come to an end, and I really can't wait to see where we will be going next in the forthcoming issues. When this series first arrived it seemed like options going forward were limited, but now that has definitely reversed. I am loving the way Doc is developing as Spidey, and I am also very much enjoying Peter being there on his shoulder, which is surprising as I thought that this would ruin the whole "new" Spider-Man thing; which is has not done at all. If you want to read some great comic action then pick up #4 and #5 and I have a feeling you will be sticking with Superior for a while after.

Rating: 9.1 / 10

Superior Spider-Man #4 Review

Dan Slott kicks off his second story arc on this title in quite some style in this issue. We saw even more development for Octavius as Spider-Man, as well as the reintroduction of a villain  We also got a very well known character make an appearance in the last couple of panels; which was something I was just not expecting at all. This was a fantastic issue, which once again showed us why we should trust Slott and the team.

The start of this issue showed Otto using his newly created spider-bots  to help him see crimes that were happening throughout the city. I absolutely love this new system that he has going, and hope to see a lot more of it in the future.
This directly led on to some interesting conflict that showed another difference between Otto and Peter. I like the way Slott has blurred what is right and wrong here. In one way, Otto is not doing much wrong, and is actually doing things which Peter probably should have done. On the other hand though he is also not doing things that Peter would have done for sure. The writing here is very clever, as there is enough of a difference between these characters, but you still can't say that Otto is being a "bad" version of Spidey.

We saw the reintroduction of "Massacre" here, who I can say I have actually never seen before. Considering I have never seen him before, I was very very impressed with the scenes he was involved in. It gave the book a darker edge, and the content was actually something I was not expecting from a book such as this. It impressed me and made Massacre look pretty awesome at the same time.

I also enjoyed the way Otto has now returned to college due to his outrage at Parker for not officially being a doctor. This looks like it is could be quite an interesting development, especially if it something that is going to continue for a while.
As well as that, I am also very excited to see what is going to come from the character involved in the big reveal at the end of this issue. I am sure there will be a massive story arc just round the corner; which, by the way, has the potential to be brutal.

The art was superb in this issue. I really could hardly fault it. Good to see that the art is still improving in this book, which is something I feel that had to be done. In total, I can honestly say I can hardly fault this issue. Slott is really starting to feel comfortable here, and I think this is now the time to really start to get behind this title.
This issue really felt like a proper Spider-Man book, and I can't wait to see how the threat of Massacre will be dealt with in the next issue. Otto may have to do something that Peter would never do, and I for one am expecting fireworks if things progress like I think they will.

Rating: 9 / 10

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Superior Spider-Man #3 Review

I enjoyed Superior Spider-Man #1; not as much as I thought I would, but I enjoyed it enough. I did not review #2, but I can tell you that I enjoyed it a lot more that the first issue of the series. With #3 now having been read, I can say with confidence that I think this series is getting better with each passing issue. This latest chapter was extremely well written, which makes me think that Slott is really get to grips with this new Spidey, and he is less scared of what people are going to think about what he is doing. He is getting in to full flow and reminding us as to why we love the fact that he writes Spider-Man books.

There were many elements of this book that I just really enjoyed. I loved the way that the ghost of Peter is now being transferred into Doc's memories when he is having a flashback. These scenes are very enlightening for the readers, and they are also helping Peter understand more about his biggest nemesis. It also seems pretty logical considering Doc can access Peters' old memories, so it is not too strange that this can be done the other way around.
These flashbacks helped us understand why Doc decided to fight Vulture they way that he did so too. He fought him the way we are used to seeing this new Superior Spider-Man fight, but this time we got a bit more of an explanation as to why he chose to fight like this on this specific occasion.  I am not going to ruin it, but I will say that it actually made me feel some sympathy for Doc; which is something essential I think that readers have to feel to care about the character at all.
Speaking of the way vulture was defeated in this issue; I, yes you guessed it, loved it. It was done in a very clever way. A way only Doc could do due to his intellect. It was impressive and tactical, which is something we are used to seeing in a spidey book, but Doc really gives added emphasis to the impressiveness.

It is also starting to become more clear that Carlie knows more about what has happened to Peter than she is letting on. I am really intrigued as to how this is going to develop in future issues. Will Doc decide to get rid of her? Or will she ultimately be the factor that helps Peter back into his own body? Only time will tell, and I trust that Slott will keep on building it up in just the right way.

The art in this book was also something I found mightily impressive, which is a change for me as I am not really a fan or the artists used currently in recent months on spidey books. However, Ryan Stegman does a fantastic job in this chapter. I have seen his work before but not been overly impressed, but I think he really stepped up to the plate in this issue. He may just have got a sense of just how important this issue was when he saw the script, so came up with some of his best work yet? That is the impression I got from some of the panels in this issue anyway.

This is a great issue, and what I think is a great advert for the Superior Spider-Man. I do really think that it is getting better with each passing issue, and I feel that the plot points are really starting to develop and multiply too. I am interested in this series for many different plot points, and I am sure I am will be more invested in it due to many more in the future. I highly recommend people jump on with this issue if they have not done so already with this book.

Rating: 8.5 / 10

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Superior Spider Man #1 Review

So, it is finaslly here..the new Spider Man status quo for the forseeable future. Doc Ock is Peter Parker, and Peter died in the body of his greatest nemesis. I really could not wait for this to be released. I had to wait until today ( Saturday ) to pick this up so I have been avoiding spoilers around it all week. Was I dissapointed after reading it, or did it live up to my very high expectations?

This issue is a strange one. I got half ay through and I wasnt too sure if I liked it at all. Even at the end when there was a big reveal; I was still slightly unsure. It was only after sitting around thinking about it that I realised that I enjoyed this issue very much. One of the reasons for me being totally unsure at first, is the fact that this new Spider Man is a complete ass. I thought after the last issue that maybe Doc Ock was going to become a real hero; but that is not what we got. It was only after finishing that I realised that this is the whole point.
We as readers are never supposed to like Doc Ock; in fact we are supposed to dislike him a lot. Some of his actions as Spider Man in this issue will anger long time fans; but remember they are supposed too. There is also a scene with MJ that was really creepy. He only wants one thing from MJ, and I think we all know what that is.

What I did really enjoy was how he defeated the Sinister Six. It was in a very Doc Ock way, but you can't help but applaud the ideas that he came up with. This new SS in this issue did not look too danger ous at all, however their purpose was to only show how our Spider Man behaves in battle.

I can't review this issue withut mentioning the massive reveal at the end. A reveal that showed that maybe our long time hero has not gone away completely after all. It makes sense to progress with the story in this way, and his role in this issue also made sense to me.

Lastly, I just want to briefly mention Ryan Stegmans' art. It is a style that I am not overly familiar with, so I was not enjoying the first battle with the Sinister Six at all. However, the normal everyday scenes did look beautiful, and by the time the final battle came I was really enjoying what I was seeing. Peter also looked very confident and slimy throughout, which really showed just who he was now. He was nearly unrecognisable to the Peter that we are used to seeing.

This series still intrigues me alot. This issue was all setup so it is hard to judge just how this series will go. To me though, all the key componenets are here to make this a great title. Saying that, it is going to be a frustrating read at times due to the charcter inside Parkers' head. I do think readers need to remember though that we are supposed to get annoyed reading this. That is the whole point, and it also shows just how great a writer Slott really is.


Rating: 8 / 10

Amazing Spider Man #698 Review

I have only just picked this book up today (Friday) so have had to try and escape spoilers all week, which I have been lucky enough to do successfully. After reading this issue I was very happy that I did avoid the internet for two days, so if you are not sure what happens in this issue then DO NOT read this review as it will contain some major SPOILERS.

Ok, with that out of the way lets go right into this issue, and what an issue it was! I thought the end of the last story arc was OK, however I was a little disappointed with it as I did not believe it was doing enough to build up to the milestone issue arriving on Boxing Day. However, the start of this story arc has really taken things to another level.

Throughout the issue we see a Peter Parker that we have not seem for a long long time. A confident, self assured young man who seems to be wanting to do the things that readers have been screaming at him to do for some time now. For example, he finally decides that he cant understand why he and MJ are not together any more so he tries to rectify that. It looks as though his life is finally getting back on track, but you can tell by the pace that we are being told a red herring. Everything is happening far too quick, and he has not even encountered Doctor Octopus yet....

So towards the end of this issue he finally does go to see  the Dr, and it is in this scene where this book becomes a key issue in about three panels. We learn that Doc Ock has some how switched his mind with Peter, so he is in Peters' body, while Peters' mind is in his as he lies on his death bed. WOW. The issue ends with Spider Man leaving with the Avengers, but of course it is not the Spider Man that they think he is.

What a great issue. Forget the big shock at the end of the issue for a second, this whole book was fantastic. Dan Slott is back on top form, and just in time too. This really was pretty much a flawless issue. And the art by Richard Elson?  Well that really impressed me too. I hope he is the artist in the next couple of issues too. It was a massive improvement on what we have had in the last couple of arcs. Well, that is my opinion anyway.
Literally anything can happen now in the run up to #700, and I am sure that there will be more shocks on the way. Pick this book up so you can say you were involved in this. Even if you do not pick up this title on a regular basis then jump on with this issue, it really is ideal.


Rating: 10 / 10

Amazing Spider Man #696

With the last issue of ASM hitting stores in December, we are currently working our way through the build up to that historic event. So lets see what happened in this issue, and if I am more excited for #700 (if that is even possible).

So Peter Parker has been kidnapped by the current Hobgoblin (Phil Ulrich), and taken to the Kingpin. Luckily for Peter they just assume he is a friend of Spider Man, and not the main man himself. Max Modell was then sent a video of Parker tied up, and told to bring a suitcase that Spider Man had taken from them to their current location.
This next scene of Modell snooping around Parker's lab was genius  and really had me believing that Modell would find evidence proving that Peter was the wall crawler. It is clear to see that Max is currently in the process of putting the pieces together, but I am not too sure whether he will figure it out in time for #700 or whether we are just being teased.

Another nice scene was seeing Roderick Kingsley (the old Hobgoblin) looking around Ulrich's apartment. It felt creepy, while also making Kingsley seem dangerous at the same time. It may have only lasted two pages, but this was one of my favourite scenes in the book, which is impressive considering my knowledge of Hobgoblin history is pretty minimal.
This led us to a fight between the two Hobgoblin's which to be honest I was pretty disappointed with. I thought the art made it slightly confusing, and it just was not as epic as I expected it to be. But I guess with so much going on in this issue, it may have been hard to give it any more room.

I enjoyed Peter Parker using the web shooters against Kingpin's group of Ninjas in order to escape. He had to pretend that he was only slightly familiar with them, which you could tell Max was not too sure he believed.
The two Hobgoblins then realise they must team up in order to retrieve the Goblin Key, which has been stolen by Peter and Max. This leaves us waiting until next issue to see just how the two "geeks" escape the Hobgoblins, as well as what happens next in general in this series. Surely Peter is going to use some of his powers to fight them off, but can he hide this from Max?

I really enjoyed this issue, which is not unusual for an issue of ASM considering that Spider Man is my favourite superhero. However, issue #700 feels a long way away unfortunately, and I believe that if this milestone was not approaching then I may have enjoyed this issue even more so. I think I can speak on behalf of many Spidey fans when I say I am just desperate to have the last issue in my hands, and to know how everything ends. Saying that, #700 would be nothing without the build up leading up to it. So with that in mind, yes, this was another solid issue of ASM. Pick it up as I am sure it will make #700 even more enjoyable when it finally does arrive.


Rating: 7.25 / 10