Comics The SUPERIOR Spider-Man - Part 2

[Scarecrow_King]

People used to get married in annuals too. But look how that turned out.

 

[:eek:]

There was also a time when you only got reprints of old stories in the annuals...

 

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

Darn you guys for making me sad!...and nostalgic!....and even more sad!

you know what that's called?... gettin' OLD, man, LOL...

People used to get married in annuals too. But look how that turned out.

and you know what THAT was?... it was SUPPOSED to be an event, but if you go back and re-read it, it was pretty much a meh happening, really...

There was also a time when you only got reprints of old stories in the annuals...

and even though sometimes it was a good thing to get a reprint or two in a 1960's annual, along with an extended story and the bonus features, when they started to put nothing BUT reprints and nothing else within the annual, THAT'S when it started all started going downhill...

hell, I still remember when that happened with the Spidey annuals leading out of the 1960's and into the 1970's... it was reprints for a few years and then when they returned with original stories around annual #10, annuals started being released at the end of the year around wintertime, instead of when they used to be released in the summertime... THAT'S the point when I said that the books and the times they were a-changin'... like I said earlier, they just don't do 'em like they used to in the way of quality , content and when they would release an annual back in the day...

hell, I'd rather re-read an annual of times past ANY day, than read some of the boooorrr-riiing and un-fun stuffs that sometimes comes out THESE days...

 

[Themanofbat]

Annuals stopped being fun around #18ish... definitely by #22 onward... ugh.

 

[runawayboulder]

I remember when events were annual exclusive.

I also remember using the library instead of Wikipedia and using a payphone instead of a cell phone.

 

[KaineMorrison]

It's confirmed that

Spoiler

Peter

is NOT the

Spoiler

Goblin King

!

 

[runawayboulder]

Where was that confirmed? Because it became less likely that he wasn't a few issues back...

 

[KaineMorrison]

This issue... #23

 

[Will Nolte]

The Goblin King just stated he "couldn't remember who Spider-Man was" but feels like he should, which is a reference to to Doctor Strange's spell. I wouldn't confirm it until we see him without the mask...even not then since Norman now has those shape shifting abilities.

 

[stillanerd]

It's confirmed that

Spoiler

Peter

is NOT the

Spoiler

Goblin King

!

The Goblin King just stated he "couldn't remember who Spider-Man was" but feels like he should, which is a reference to to Doctor Strange's spell. I wouldn't confirm it until we see him without the mask...even not then since Norman now has those shape shifting abilities.

Yeah, I mean if

Spoiler

Peter is revealed to somehow be the Green Goblin, or at least has his face, it's possible he might have amnesia, which is when the Ghost Peter, i.e. the memories of Peter Parker, could come into play.

That being said, I think there's one other possible identity for the Goblin King could be someone not too many people have considered and one that I had earlier dismissed. What if the Goblin King is actually...

Spoiler

Dr. Barton Hamilton back from the dead? And the thing is, it's not as far-fetched as you might think.

When Hamilton was the Green Goblin, his MO was identical to what Norman Osborn's original motives were--to unite all the criminal underworld with him as it's undisputed Kingpin...which is now the same exact MO as the Goblin King. Also, Hamilton knew Spider-Man was Peter Parker, thanks to the fact that he was Harry Osborn's psychiatrist and, via hypnosis, was able to learn all about Spidey and the Goblin. This would fit with the Goblin King saying how he feels he should already know what Spider-Man looks like under the mask but can't seem to recall it thanks to, of course, the psychic blindspot. He also has some technical know-how as he was able to experiment successfully with the Green Goblin equipment, although whether that also means he's capable of tampering with the spider-bots is debatable. And, during that particular arc, Hamilton was crazy enough to declare himself "The one and only Green Goblin" which is similar to what the Goblin King has done. Also, Hamilton never actually took the Goblin formula; if the Goblin King is indeed Hamilton, that would fit in perfectly given how the Goblin King operates from behind the scenes as he does.

Now you're probably thinking how can it be Bart Hamilton if he's dead (especially since he supposedly a member of the Legion of the Unliving in Avengers Annual #16). Well, just look at how Hamilton died in Amazing Spider-Man #180. He set off a bomb and fell off a conveyor belt from a great height right as the place exploded...but we never actually saw his dead body. Having someone in a comic supposedly die from falling from a great height and an explosion and there being no body makes it one of the easiest ways to retcon someone's death in comics.

 

[runawayboulder]

I dunno. I usually like your theories.....but that might be too far out of left field for my tastes. It's possible but I'd put that right up there with Gaunt being revealed as Mendell Stromm in the Clone Saga finale.

 

[stillanerd]

I dunno. I usually like your theories.....but that might be too far out of left field for my tastes. It's possible but I'd put that right up there with Gaunt being revealed as Mendell Stromm in the Clone Saga finale.

Oh, I agree that if the Goblin King is indeed revealed to be

Spoiler

Dr. Barton Hamilton

it would be somewhat of a wet blanket given all the built-up towards Goblin Nation that the series has been developing. To me, the only candidates that would be worthy enough of this built up are

Spoiler

Norman Osborn, although I think he's an obvious red herring, or that it's somehow Peter Parker, especially if we get a scene in which the Green Goblin removes his mask and it's Peter Parker's face underneath, which would certainty make readers lose it and demand to know what the hell is going on.

That said, I don't think Slott revealing

Spoiler

Bart Hamilton being the Goblin King

is out of the realm of possibility and would be a nice twist, particularly for long time Spider-Man fans. After all, Slott also has a mysterious mastermind behind Spider-Island whose face he hid and then revealed it to be the Spider Queen from that obscure Paul Jenkins Spectacular Spider-Man/Avengers Disassembled tie-in story.

 

[Themanofbat]

I like the

Spoiler

Dr. Hamilton

theory...

I bet if that's the plan, there's probably a much deeper rooted area for

Spoiler

Peter

 

[stillanerd]

I like the

Spoiler

Dr. Hamilton

theory...

I bet if that's the plan, there's probably a much deeper rooted area for

Spoiler

Peter

Given what we saw in Superior Spider-Man #19 with

Spoiler

Ghost Peter rising out of the rubble from his mind battle with Doc Ock

, I'd say so.

 

[KaineMorrison]

Given what we saw in Superior Spider-Man #19 with

Spoiler

Ghost Peter rising out of the rubble from his mind battle with Doc Ock

, I'd say so.

1 - Glad to see you back, I've missed your insightful posts!
2 - Otto has been asking himself "WHY" he's started doing things again, it seems as if Ghost Peter is "nudging" him again. But seems to be keeping a lower profile this time.

 

[runawayboulder]

That said, I don't think Slott revealing

Spoiler

Bart Hamilton being the Goblin King

is out of the realm of possibility and would be a nice twist, particularly for long time Spider-Man fans. After all, Slott also has a mysterious mastermind behind Spider-Island whose face he hid and then revealed it to be the Spider Queen from that obscure Paul Jenkins Spectacular Spider-Man/Avengers Disassembled tie-in story.

And that's the same reason that I think most newer fans may go WTF?

We'll see though. It's all coming to a head soon though. I'm expecting some answers sooner rather than later. Things really are picking up lately and I have a feeling by the end of the Goblin arc we'll have a better idea of where Ghost Peter is and where Ock's old body went.

 

[Themanofbat]

And that's the same reason that I think most newer fans may go WTF?

Which would then make Marvel release a new trade featuring early appearances and the five issues in question, and making a few extra bucks.

 

[Traveller]

Annuals stopped being fun around #18ish... definitely by #22 onward... ugh.

I enjoyed the Amazing annual 1996 with the flashback to Captain Stacy.

 

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

I enjoyed the Amazing annual 1996 with the flashback to Captain Stacy.

that one WAS one of the exceptionally better annuals to come out back then...

 

[Spider-Gnome]

Yeah, I mean if

Spoiler

Peter is revealed to somehow be the Green Goblin, or at least has his face, it's possible he might have amnesia, which is when the Ghost Peter, i.e. the memories of Peter Parker, could come into play.

That being said, I think there's one other possible identity for the Goblin King could be someone not too many people have considered and one that I had earlier dismissed. What if the Goblin King is actually...

Spoiler

Dr. Barton Hamilton back from the dead? And the thing is, it's not as far-fetched as you might think.

When Hamilton was the Green Goblin, his MO was identical to what Norman Osborn's original motives were--to unite all the criminal underworld with him as it's undisputed Kingpin...which is now the same exact MO as the Goblin King. Also, Hamilton knew Spider-Man was Peter Parker, thanks to the fact that he was Harry Osborn's psychiatrist and, via hypnosis, was able to learn all about Spidey and the Goblin. This would fit with the Goblin King saying how he feels he should already know what Spider-Man looks like under the mask but can't seem to recall it thanks to, of course, the psychic blindspot. He also has some technical know-how as he was able to experiment successfully with the Green Goblin equipment, although whether that also means he's capable of tampering with the spider-bots is debatable. And, during that particular arc, Hamilton was crazy enough to declare himself "The one and only Green Goblin" which is similar to what the Goblin King has done. Also, Hamilton never actually took the Goblin formula; if the Goblin King is indeed Hamilton, that would fit in perfectly given how the Goblin King operates from behind the scenes as he does.

Now you're probably thinking how can it be Bart Hamilton if he's dead (especially since he supposedly a member of the Legion of the Unliving in Avengers Annual #16). Well, just look at how Hamilton died in Amazing Spider-Man #180. He set off a bomb and fell off a conveyor belt from a great height right as the place exploded...but we never actually saw his dead body. Having someone in a comic supposedly die from falling from a great height and an explosion and there being no body makes it one of the easiest ways to retcon someone's death in comics.

Interseting theory, stillanerd, as usual! And Dan likes to flex his vast knowledge of Spidey continuity, which is why I'm digging his run!

Ideally, my first choice would be [BLACKOUT]Norman[/BLACKOUT] as the Goblin King, given the build-up, but [BLACKOUT]Dr. Bart Hamilton[/BLACKOUT] would be interesting. I wonder, could it be [BLACKOUT]Harry[/BLACKOUT], since we saw him near the start of this arc, [BLACKOUT]in the custody of Menace's child[/BLACKOUT], I believe. In any event, it is looking less likely as being [BLACKOUT]Pete[/BLACKOUT].

Which would then make Marvel release a new trade featuring early appearances and the five issues in question, and making a few extra bucks.

Always thinking, you!

 

[HELL N' SPIDERS]

I'm thinking that the Goblin King is actually VIN! He has a connection and hasn't been featured too prominently since getting out of jail.

 

[Compi716]

I still think the Green Goblin is Norman. That line he had in the last issue about feeling like he should know Spidey's identity...it sort of implies that he at one point did, but something happened that made him forget.

 

[Shockdingo]

Stillanderd, welcome back man! Interesting theory, I could say I'd be absolutely blindsided by such a reveal since I'm not familiar with that character's stories. At this point I have no idea what could be the truth.

 

[Themanofbat]

Stillanderd, welcome back man! Interesting theory, I could say I'd be absolutely blindsided by such a reveal since I'm not familiar with that character's stories. At this point I have no idea what could be the truth.

You can buy the trade that'll be for sale after the reeal...

 

[stillanerd]

1 - Glad to see you back, I've missed your insightful posts!
2 - Otto has been asking himself "WHY" he's started doing things again, it seems as if Ghost Peter is "nudging" him again. But seems to be keeping a lower profile this time.

1. Thanks, Kaine.

2. Well, I'm kind of hoping that Ghost Peter comes back to the forefront during Darkest Hours and it would make sense, I think, if he did. After all

Spoiler

considering how SpOck became "The Superior Venom" let's not forget that the Venom smybiote forms a mental and well as physical bond with its host. And considering how there are technically two minds occupying Peter's body at the moment, stands to reason that Ghost Peter would become more than just a shadow buried deep within the subconscious.

And that's the same reason that I think most newer fans may go WTF?

We'll see though. It's all coming to a head soon though. I'm expecting some answers sooner rather than later. Things really are picking up lately and I have a feeling by the end of the Goblin arc we'll have a better idea of where Ghost Peter is and where Ock's old body went.

Same here.

Interseting theory, stillanerd, as usual! And Dan likes to flex his vast knowledge of Spidey continuity, which is why I'm digging his run!

And lets not forget, Slott used the Spider-Queen of all things as the mastermind behind Spider-Island, so he's not above using obscure villains from Spidey history if it suits the story. Also, if you go back and read the Amazing Spider-Man story where

Spoiler

Bart Hamilton appeared as the Green Goblin (ASM #176-180, I believe) you'll see that Hamilton, having learned everything about Spider-Man and the Green Goblin from being Harry's psychiatrist, believed that just by putting on the Green Goblin costume and using his equipment would make him just as worthy, if not better, than Norman Osborn himself. A "Superior" Green Goblin, if you will. Sort of how we have a "Superior" Spider-Man.

Ideally, my first choice would be [BLACKOUT]Norman[/BLACKOUT] as the Goblin King, given the build-up, but [BLACKOUT]Dr. Bart Hamilton[/BLACKOUT] would be interesting. I wonder, could it be [BLACKOUT]Harry[/BLACKOUT], since we saw him near the start of this arc, [BLACKOUT]in the custody of Menace's child[/BLACKOUT], I believe. In any event, it is looking less likely as being [BLACKOUT]Pete[/BLACKOUT].

Spoiler

I think Harry is possible, but doubtful for the following reasons.
1. Harry is just not a leader or criminal mastermind like his dad, and thus it's hard to see Harry being able to organize more than half of the criminal underworld like the Goblin King has.
2. Harry, I don't believe, has the technical skill to be able to hack into SpOck's spider-bots and program the Goblin Protocols into them. That's Norman Osborn or Peter Parker level of caliber.
And 3. We have seen that Harry's number one priority in his life right now is raising his and Lily Hollister's son and protecting him from his father and Goblin cult. Something drastic would have had to have happened for him to even want to associate or having anything to do with Norman or the people who are trying to hunt him down.

That said, I would be very surprised if Harry didn't show up in Goblin Nation at some point.

Stillanderd, welcome back man! Interesting theory, I could say I'd be absolutely blindsided by such a reveal since I'm not familiar with that character's stories. At this point I have no idea what could be the truth.

Well, as I said, the fact this character is pretty obscure would potentially work or go against the theory's favor, but it certainly hasn't stopped Dan Slott before for doing something similar. One other interesting idea about the Goblin King that I've seen also comes the same person at the Spider-Man Crawlspace who correctly predicted that Doc Ock would take over Spider-Man's body. He believes that the Goblin King is

Spoiler

Liz Allan's personal assistant, Mason Banks based off how the Green Goblin, when out of costume in Superior Spider-Man #15, wore the exact same business suit we've seen Mason Banks wearing:

From Superior Spider-Man #15

From Superior Spider-Man #21

And furthermore, Mason Banks is not his real name but an alias and disguise by Norman Osborn. Now, I'm doubtful about that last part due to how I believe Norman Osborn being the Goblin King is a red herring, but I do think the idea that "Mason Banks" is the Goblin King wearing another disguise (and we've seen that the Goblin King is not above using disguises as he's pretending to be the original Hobgoblin in order to frame Kingsley, after all) is a very intriguing one.