The Amazing Spider-Man v.2 - Part 3

[Shockdingo]

Solution, it's Reign of the Spider-men! They're all different Spideys!




...I am Spartacus...

 

[Spider-Aziz]

So in one we have a scrawny Superior Spider-Man and the other, he's bigger and bulkier. This is gonna make the Alpha argument go in circles.

He's Gimini Croquette hybrid with Pinocchio

Solution, it's Reign of the Spider-men! They're all different Spideys!

I forgot Mr. Hyde's slim identity name
You reminded me of that story from Sensational v2, Back in Black

 

[Arach Knight]

It's been stated that because of WHAT was happening in ASM #700 went along with the new "NOW" regime/status/change, that Slott was able to keep his writing gig with Spidey...

Actually, from what I read in USA Today, it states that Slott had planned this ark. It never mentioned that this ark was meant for ASM #700. I think it would be a mistake to overlook the power of editorial politics. Look what happened to JMS. Plenty of writers have had to rush a story or alter an idea because of editorial politics. So while Slott admittedly had this story on the works, it does not ,mean that he originally had it set for issue #700.

While "Marvel NOW!" features many of the company's top writers playing musical chairs with the superhero books — Brian Michael Bendis moving from Avengers to All-New X-Men, Jonathan Hickman switching to Avengers after helming Fantastic Four, etc. — Slott made it clear he only wanted Spider-Man.

Plus, he had already been planning this move from fun romp to dark adventure anyway that meets the needs of "Marvel NOW!"

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2012/10/10/superior-spider-man-comic-book-series/1624319/

Although, from what I know so far, I do hate the idea of NOW and the whole gimmicky restart

I can't help but feel that Marvel is simply desperate because of DCs monater success with Flashpoint and the New 52. Even though Marvel still has a slightly higher dollar share than DC (which I attribute to the fact that Mrvel books are $1 more than most DC books), it is inarguable when it comes to the fact that Marvel has lost unit sales and overall marketshare to DC. DC has dominated the top ten (woth Marvel's only title in the top being Avengers x X-Men) for nearly a year. I see Marvel Now! as a good game of catch up to win back those readers that Marvel has been losing ever since Civil War and OMD.

 

[stillanerd]

Someone over on CBR made a rather interesting point that the reason why the lenses on the Superior Spider-Man's mask look different is that they could be an in-costume replacement for glasses. Meaning that not only could this Spider-Man still be Peter, but that he's lost ALL of his powers. After all, Peter wore corrective glasses prior to being bitten by the radioactive spider and the eye-lenses on the mask are actually thicker than the ones on the original costume. And this made me take a closer look at the preview art from Superior Spider-Man #1:

What do you notice about this scene? Speed Demon is able to surprise Spidey from behind and punches him several times before Spidey swings away. Which means that this Spidey does not have spider-sense. If he did, then shouldn't he have been able to not only sense Speed Demon coming but also dodge his attacks? Granted, Speed Demon has super speed so it's easy to hand-wave this, but notice also the lack of the wavy lines around Spidey's head, which is the traditional way artists use to show Spidey's spider-sense. And what else do you notice about this? Couple this with the retractable claws and this definitely gives the impression that whoever this Spider-Man is, be it still Peter Parker or some other guy under the mask, that he does not have Spidey's traditional powers and that the costume itself is making up for it. Also, I think this apparent lack of spider-sense is another strike against the "Doc Ock takes over Peter's body" theory because, just as the case for the retractable claws, Doc Ock, if he is indeed in Peter's body, should also have Peter's spider sense.

Now you might think that if this Spidey doesn't have spider-powers then it also can't still be Peter, but let's not forget that Dan Slott has made Spidey learn kung-fu from Shang-Chi when he lost his spider-sense. Also, Peter is still a scientist and has been inventing suits and gadgets that give him additional abilities. Taking those two things together, it's entirely possible that even if Peter lost all of his spider-powers, he can now use his kung-fu skills and scientific know-how to make up for it (although it certainly would make him seem even more like Batman).

 

[runawayboulder]

It sounds like more and more the Ock/Peter body swap theory is losing steam.

My question is, does a story involving Peter losing his Spider-powers constitute "breaking the internet in half" material? Dan said this is different than anything that's been done before, there was the Powerless arc back in the 90's by Micheline and Larsen.

Based on your observations, I'm leaning towards Peter dying/getting maimed so he can't be Spidey. This could be Alpha, Phil Urich or Harry using tech to masquerade as Spidey. All 3 have the dark edge that's been used to describe this "Superior" Spider-Man.

 

[Thwip!]

Someone over on CBR made a rather interesting point that the reason why the lenses on the Superior Spider-Man's mask look different is that they could be an in-costume replacement for glasses. Meaning that not only could this Spider-Man still be Peter, but that he's lost ALL of his powers. After all, Peter wore corrective glasses prior to being bitten by the radioactive spider and the eye-lenses on the mask are actually thicker than the ones on the original costume. And this made me take a closer look at the preview art from Superior Spider-Man #1:

What do you notice about this scene? Speed Demon is able to surprise Spidey from behind and punches him several times before Spidey swings away. Which means that this Spidey does not have spider-sense. If he did, then shouldn't he have been able to not only sense Speed Demon coming but also dodge his attacks? Granted, Speed Demon has super speed so it's easy to hand-wave this, but notice also the lack of the wavy lines around Spidey's head, which is the traditional way artists use to show Spidey's spider-sense. And what else do you notice about this? Couple this with the retractable claws and this definitely gives the impression that whoever this Spider-Man is, be it still Peter Parker or some other guy under the mask, that he does not have Spidey's traditional powers and that the costume itself is making up for it. Also, I think this apparent lack of spider-sense is another strike against the "Doc Ock takes over Peter's body" theory because, just as the case for the retractable claws, Doc Ock, if he is indeed in Peter's body, should also have Peter's spider sense.

Now you might think that if this Spidey doesn't have spider-powers then it also can't still be Peter, but let's not forget that Dan Slott has made Spidey learn kung-fu from Shang-Chi when he lost his spider-sense. Also, Peter is still a scientist and has been inventing suits and gadgets that give him additional abilities. Taking those two things together, it's entirely possible that even if Peter lost all of his spider-powers, he can now use his kung-fu skills and scientific know-how to make up for it (although it certainly would make him seem even more like Batman).

The more important question however is how goddamn excited are people to see this coloured?

 

[CConn]

****, that's Stegman's art? He's never been better.

 

[Spider-Nerd]

I'd be okay with 616 Pete taking a short break if Ultimate Pete was still around but Marvel had to go and kill him and replace him with Miles who I can't even hate because he's likeable.

 

[Spider-Gnome]

Someone over on CBR made a rather interesting point that the reason why the lenses on the Superior Spider-Man's mask look different is that they could be an in-costume replacement for glasses. Meaning that not only could this Spider-Man still be Peter, but that he's lost ALL of his powers. After all, Peter wore corrective glasses prior to being bitten by the radioactive spider and the eye-lenses on the mask are actually thicker than the ones on the original costume. And this made me take a closer look at the preview art from Superior Spider-Man #1:

What do you notice about this scene? Speed Demon is able to surprise Spidey from behind and punches him several times before Spidey swings away. Which means that this Spidey does not have spider-sense. If he did, then shouldn't he have been able to not only sense Speed Demon coming but also dodge his attacks? Granted, Speed Demon has super speed so it's easy to hand-wave this, but notice also the lack of the wavy lines around Spidey's head, which is the traditional way artists use to show Spidey's spider-sense. And what else do you notice about this? Couple this with the retractable claws and this definitely gives the impression that whoever this Spider-Man is, be it still Peter Parker or some other guy under the mask, that he does not have Spidey's traditional powers and that the costume itself is making up for it. Also, I think this apparent lack of spider-sense is another strike against the "Doc Ock takes over Peter's body" theory because, just as the case for the retractable claws, Doc Ock, if he is indeed in Peter's body, should also have Peter's spider sense.

Now you might think that if this Spidey doesn't have spider-powers then it also can't still be Peter, but let's not forget that Dan Slott has made Spidey learn kung-fu from Shang-Chi when he lost his spider-sense. Also, Peter is still a scientist and has been inventing suits and gadgets that give him additional abilities. Taking those two things together, it's entirely possible that even if Peter lost all of his spider-powers, he can now use his kung-fu skills and scientific know-how to make up for it (although it certainly would make him seem even more like Batman).

Those are very interesting observations, sillanerd!



I just realized that the web pattern on Spidey's face is the reverse of his normal pattern. I know that model sheet floating around specifically said the web pattern comes down above the eyes to make him look angry. But, it hasn't clicked until I looked at that art.

Normally, Spidey has a vertical webline going up from the middle between his eyes, and two weblines going off on angles going down from the center by his mouth.

This "Superior" Spider-Man is the opposite. The vertical line goes down by the mouth and the angled lines go up by the eyes (to make an "angry" look).

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Just webbing SD, didn't make him bleed

I think the body switch with Ock is not what will happen, cause I don't think Ock will start fighting crime, and the secret of Peter Parker he finds might be something else, not that he is Spider-Man

 

[Thwip!]

****, that's Stegman's art? He's never been better.

Yep that's Stegman, he is killing it, looks beautiful

 

[runawayboulder]

Yeah, I wouldn't get too crazy over the webbing.

 

[Spider-Gnome]

Um, I'm not going crazy about the webbing. I just made an observation. Relax.

We were told this is not the same old Spider-Man. It could be a subtle change from a design point, like a small visual clue that this is the "opposite" of the Spider-Man we knew. You know, like symbolism?

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

personally i really hope its not alpha, mainly because and its just my personal opinion, alpha is a boring poor character nothing that happened in the arc made me like him and you can say that's the point but there was little to make me hate him like we were meant to.

 

[moraldeficiency]

Since they're bringing back alpha's first appearance in a recap book the same time as superior it's almost certainly alpha. Shame cause while I don't mind a new spider-man in the slightest alpha is pretty unlikable.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

He might turn likable at some point, Alpha is pretty new, and he's been in how many issues til now? 3? 4?

 

[moraldeficiency]

He could I'll give you that, hell I'll give it a try so long as Peter Parker is out of the picture. I just look at what slott is saying and I'm not convinced this will actually be cool. Alpha so far has been arrogant which I generally dig but not in a fun way just very flat and stereotypical. I also feel the MJ stuff is kinda sad and misplaced. She's like a push button to get people worked up but it doesn't work anymore. OMD basically killed her and she's been haunting things since. She's supposed to get people worked up or something but really she should be with someone else. I'm an MJ/Peter fan (or was one) but she's lost any "shock" value as a character device I think to anyone that's actually liked the marriage. It's off putting in a way.

Also from the previews I'm failing to see how this new Spider-Man is "smarter, stronger, better than peter in every way, just superior". I think that set up idea and just title is a bit jarring.

 

[Spider-Gnome]

He could I'll give you that, hell I'll give it a try so long as Peter Parker is out of the picture. I just look at what slott is saying and I'm not convinced this will actually be cool. Alpha so far has been arrogant which I generally dig but not in a fun way just very flat and stereotypical. I also feel the MJ stuff is kinda sad and misplaced. She's like a push button to get people worked up but it doesn't work anymore. OMD basically killed her and she's been haunting things since. She's supposed to get people worked up or something but really she should be with someone else. I'm an MJ/Peter fan (or was one) but she's lost any "shock" value as a character device I think to anyone that's actually liked the marriage. It's off putting in a way.

Also from the previews I'm failing to see how this new Spider-Man is "smarter, stronger, better than peter in every way, just superior". I think that set up idea and just title is a bit jarring.

With the MJ thing, I think it's more of a bait and switch. If they do go with Alpha, the Superior thing may be a combo of arrogance and his power level compared to Pete. And MJ with Spider-Man thing will probably be as runaway said, she brings the suit to Alpha and guides him. As for the kiss on the cover, it pretty much looks like MJ is in shock and more than likely Alpha being cocky as he has demonstrated. I'm pretty sure if this happens in the book, it will most certainly be followed with MJ slapping the boy across the face.

 

[moraldeficiency]

With the MJ thing, I think it's more of a bait and switch. If they do go with Alpha, the Superior thing may be a combo of arrogance and his power level compared to Pete. And MJ with Spider-Man thing will probably be as runaway said, she brings the suit to Alpha and guides him. As for the kiss on the cover, it pretty much looks like MJ is in shock and more than likely Alpha being cocky as he has demonstrated. I'm pretty sure if this happens in the book, it will most certainly be followed with MJ slapping the boy across the face.

I think it's just a shock ploy type thing. Seeing Slott's interview gave that impression. Problem is it doesn't shock really.

Slott did say this was a smarter, stronger, better spider-man. The stronger thing isn't really an issue but smarter and better?

Don't get me wrong, I'll give it a shot, I'll actually buy SSM considering without Peter my boycott will be over, but I'll be honest in saying I don't have a ton of faith in alpha to be interesting as a character. The vast majority of characters since OMD from vin and his sister, JJJSR to your carlie cooper types have just failed to be interesting as characters. Slott's best character work seems to come from using someone like MJ, JJJJr. or previous villains. I will say I do like the horizon stuff, the new hobgoblin, mr. negative and the bookie was a great idea but the new stuff thus far has been more one note misses then hits IMO.

 

[Spider-Gnome]

I think it's just a shock ploy type thing. Seeing Slott's interview gave that impression. Problem is it doesn't shock really.

Slott did say this was a smarter, stronger, better spider-man. The stronger thing isn't really an issue but smarter and better?

Don't get me wrong, I'll give it a shot, I'll actually buy SSM considering without Peter my boycott will be over, but I'll be honest in saying I don't have a ton of faith in alpha to be interesting as a character. The vast majority of characters since OMD from vin and his sister, JJJSR to your carlie cooper types have just failed to be interesting as characters. Slott's best character work seems to come from using someone like MJ, JJJJr. or previous villains. I will say I do like the horizon stuff, the new hobgoblin, mr. negative and the bookie was a great idea but the new stuff thus far has been more one note misses then hits IMO.

I saw that interview and I think Slott is having fun with people. I think a lot of what he was saying was misdirection as to not give up what he has planned.

I, too, did not like Alpha, and would not like to see him take over as Spider-Man, but so much of what Dan has done has been great by pulling the title up from it's lowest depths (that being Brand New Day) and making it, for me, one of my favorite runs, up there with the post-Gwen 70's era and the Hobgoblin 80's era, that I will give him a chance.

And pretty much agree with your opinions of the post OMD characters, and throw in I actually liked Norah.

 

[CConn]

OMD was its lowest depths, BND was pretty okay.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

The vast majority of characters since OMD from vin and his sister, JJJSR to your carlie cooper types have just failed to be interesting as characters. Slott's best character work seems to come from using someone like MJ, JJJJr. or previous villains. I will say I do like the horizon stuff, the new hobgoblin, mr. negative and the bookie was a great idea but the new stuff thus far has been more one note misses then hits IMO.

I like Carlie Cooper

 

[Spider-Gnome]

OMD was its lowest depths, BND was pretty okay.

What I meant was BND was the status quo set up by OMD. OMD was the "event," BND was the "era" which started with OMD.

And, no, I wouldn't call BND "pretty okay." Drunken hook-ups, Carlie shoved down our throat as the perfect girl for Pete, Menace, Freak, Pete as a slacker loser and more immature than when he was in high school...

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Freak is hilarious, I still pick his stories for good laughs
Then he was shot by Punisher

 

[runawayboulder]

As he should have...