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I am not a reader of Spider-Man comics. I will dive into a title once in a while for a crossover or because another character is showing up for a few issues, but that's rare. The longest run of issues I've read recently were the issues of The Amazing Spider-Man published during the "Spider-Island" event. The only reason I even went into that title was because I wanted to see what they were going to do to Shang-Chi and I had a feeling they weren't going to keep his impacts restricted to the mini-series focusing on him. While most of Shang-Chi's involvement was in Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu I was still glad I picked up the main title for the rest of the story. Dan Slott definitely crafted a fun read. While I had some problems with the timeline due to how Captain America was used, it was an enjoyable read. Of course, once the story was done, so was I.
Fast forward to Marvel's NOW initiative. I hear The Amazing Spider-Man will be ending and that a new title called Superior Spider-Man will be starting. Titles getting relaunched during this initiative isn't anything new. So, I didn't care about that. However, when I hear the Spider-Man in the pages of the new title will not be Peter Parker, but an actually someone else, I'm a little interested. Still not enough to decide to pick up the title though. When I see artwork showing the new Spider-Man with talons on his hands and feet, then I'm having a bit of a 2099 feeling in me and I have to see what it's all about.
After reserving the first few issues of Superior Spider-Man things start to lead out. It's confirmed that the new man in the costume will not be Miguel O'Hara. I'm disappointed, but still interested as I want to know why Peter hangs up the suit for a while and who will fill in. The next thing that is dropped is massive. It's about the story closing The Amazing Spider-Man. Peter Parker is being killed. While I usually hate spoilers I decided to read up anyway as I knew I had committed to the first few issues and wanted some idea of the story that led to it. I find out it's related to a mind-switch with Doctor Octopus and I find myself relieved. I immediately think (and say to friends), "They're gonna pull a Sylar." I figure Peter will still be in his head and it will just take time to work his way out to the front and it's going to end up with Doc being "pushed" into some other form (probably a freaking clone).
The best part of reading up on the story (and actually reading the final issue of The Amazing Spider-Man) was getting to see all the people freaking out online. Now, I get that people are upset about Peter being "killed", but if anyone thinks that it's permanent . . . they're crazy. This isn't the Ultimate Universe. Sure, there was the whole "Heaven" seen in the ASM's final issue, but that doesn't mean Peter was done. To know for sure readers would have to follow Peter's body into the new series. Many were swearing not to do so. I wasn't worried as I figured in the least I was doing my part as a good customer and I was going to pick up the issues I reserved anyway.
I have to say that I'm glad I did. After the first issue of Superior we all saw that Peter was NOT out of the fight. The character was probably more surprised to find that out than most of the readers were. Now, beyond that I have to wonder are there other gripes that upset readers offered that are valid. I haven't seen any. The idea of a mind-swap is nothing new. Heck, you throw in some clones and some mistaken identity and it's already happened in that form. You get some mind altering/influencing via a symbiote and we've been there too. This is NOTHING NEW in as far as what is happening. How it's happening, yes that's new. For me, that's why I'm reading.
The first issues of Superior does a great job of making it look like Peter was really not doing all he could to help himself as Spider-Man by not using his scientific skills more often. Sure, Doc Ock is able to do some things because he's familiar with those he fights, but is that all there is to it? Doc Ock continues to look at what Spider-Man has done in the past and ask himself, "How can I do this better?" Is it to show that he's better than Peter, or is he simply making improvements to how he is Spider-Man that shows he's "better"? While there is some concern of Dock Ock going over "the line" in harming criminals and doing things to/with others, it's shown very quickly that the fact that Peter is still somewhere within his own body will keep most of those concerns from happening. At least for a time.
When I look at the other Marvel NOW titles that I have chosen to check out I have to say that Superior Spider-Man has definitely had the superior start. While Indestructible Hulk is still my favorite title (and Deadpool the first I'm giving up on) Superior just had a better "grab" on my interest. Plus, looking at how things are now I'm pretty sure I'll be with the Hulk in his new title for as long as his new mission goes. I'll probably only be with the new Spider-Man until Peter returns. I still have to give credit to Dan Slott for getting me to read a Spider-Man title because I want to read about what's happening to Spider-Man.
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