Warning: SPOILERS follow for Amazing Spider-Man #700 and Superior Spider-Man.
With Amazing Spider-Man #700, writer Dan Slott reshaped everything Spider-fans knew about good ol' webhead. The final issues of Slott's Amazing run focus on the classic conflict between Spidey and Doctor Octopus, except this time Doc Ock found an especially sinister way to turn the tables. The dying Otto Octavius found a way to swap minds with Peter Parker, forcing Parker to live out his final moments in Doc Ock's decaying body.
The result? Superior Spider-Man, Slott's new Spider-series that focuses on Octavius taking on the Spider-Man role in his own twisted way. Since January 2013, Superior has followed Octavius has he utilizes the power of Peter Parker while fighting off the remnants of Parker's do-good attitude.
Of course, Doc Ock wasn't content to don the classic Spider-Man threads without making his own modifications, and the upcoming issues of Superior bring out the villain within even further. Newsarama got an exclusive look at the August issues of Superior Spider-Man, which reveal the latest evolution of Octavius' take on being Spidey. Otto's old ways are certainly back in the spotlight, as his new costume looks more animalistic than ever while featuring the classic octupus arms that made the villain such an icon.
Superior Spider-Man 15 and 16 will focus on Ock-Spidey's battle against the Hobgoblin. The story will be told from the Hobgoblin's point of view, and could potentially lead to an end for one of Spider-Man's most iconic villains.
If the ever-developing tale of Otto Octavius' adventures in the red and blue suit aren't enough for fans, there is still plenty of Spider-action to look forward to in the comic world. Marvel is dubbing July "Superior Spider-Man Month," as a variety of new books devoted to the character will be hitting comic shops.
According to ComicVine.com, the Avenging Spider-Man series will be renamed Superior Spider-Man Team Up, which will focus on how the new Spidey interacts with the rest of the vast Marvel universe. Readers can also look forward to Superior Carnage, a limited five-issue series that will bring fan-favorite villain Carnage into the world of Ock-Spidey.
With a new look and a variety of new books, it is certainly an exciting time to be a Spider-Man fan. How do you like the character's new direction for 2013?