Superior Spider-Man teams up with Homo Superior. I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE, MARVEL!
Avenging Spider-Man #16
Writer: Chris Yost
Pencils: Paco Medina
Inker: Juan Vlasco
Colorist: Dave Curiel
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Art: Paolo Rivera
Superior Team-up: Wolverine (James “Logan” Howlett) and the X-Men: Iceman (Bobby Drake), Storm (Ororo Munroe), Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey), Beast (Dr. Hank McCoy), Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde), Lockheed
***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD***
PLOT: Spider-Man (Doc Ock in Peter Parker’s body, if you’ve been living under a rock) battles a giant spider monster when Wolverine and his X-Men team show up. Out of his desire to prove his superiority, Spider-Man deduces on his own how to neutralize the monster and knocks it out with the help of Storm’s powers. He also beats up Wolverine for no reason, casting doubt on his identity, but Ock uses “Parker charm” to talk himself out of that situation.
The monster turns out to be a genetically-engineered woman with human, mutant, and spider DNA. The X-Men take off with her, seeing the handiwork of Mr. Sinister, but a few clues (such as the blond hair and her blank mind, like a newborn’s or a clone’s) leads Ock to the (correct) conclusion that the Jackal is back.
THOUGHTS: This is the first regular issue featuring our new “superior” hero, and it’s a very solid team-up story. We begin with Spider-Man making his way to face the giant spider monster, while thinking to himself what a strange life Peter Parker has led. I liked the tone of this opening narration, as it felt very honest, like Ock can’t help himself but respect his once nemesis.
This narration is present throughout the entire issue, and it noticeably changes to a more arrogant tone once the X-Men show up. Historically, Ock’s never had much interaction with them or mutants in general. This fact is acknowledged, so he has his scanner bring up background info on their identities and powers. He’s very much annoyed by their presence, especially Wolverine’s, and the only reason he sticks around to help is because he wants to show everybody up, naturally. Once he does, though, he gets in a fight with Wolverine.
If you’ve been reading Spider-Man comics for a long time, then you’ll probably agree with me that Spider-Man really never gets the credit he deserves in the Marvel Universe. After decades of being a superhero, he’s still thought of as a nuisance at best and a menace at worst. It would seem like Ock feels the same way, given his stubbornness in dealing with the spider alone and his delight at Storm following his orders. Through Parker’s memories, he recalls every time Wolverine has ridiculed him, and he wasn’t willing to put up with it any longer. As weird as it sounds, Ock is seeking to prove to the world that Spider-Man is the greatest hero of all time.
Unfortunately for Ock, his attitude and then this outburst cast suspicion on whether he’s the real deal. One of the common criticisms of the idea of someone impersonating Peter Parker for any lengthy period of time is that, given the likelihood of Ock slipping up and not sticking to Parker’s character, those close to him would (or should) know immediately that this is someone else. Ock himself acknowledges that a mind-scan could easily give him away. I very much enjoyed how he turns on what he calls “Parker charm” to get out of this situation. It basically boils down to him being sarcastic and “in your face” to them. It works for now, and hopefully it won’t be a recurring thing, because it can only work for so long.
I was very excited for the new creative team when it was announced, and they did not disappoint. Yost’s approach to the Superior Spider-Man is great, and his story is entertaining all the way through. The art team of Medina, Vlasco, and Curiel makes everything look really, really nice. The reveal that the Jackal has gotten a hold of Mr. Sinister’s work was pretty cool, and hopefully it will be followed up on pretty soon.
In my opinion, Avenging Spider-Man was the better book over ASM in 2012. After finding out about some of these… elements featured in the main Superior Spider-Man book (such as Force ghosts, silly catch-phrases, and sexual frustration), I have no problem telling you that Avenging Spider-Man continues to be the best value for your money.
FAVORITE LINE: The Parker charm:
SPIDER-MAN: Right. Because saving the city from a giant spider was so suspicious. Not like you X-Men. When you guys get possessed, you take over the planet and set it on fire.
VERDICT: Avenging Spider-Man #16 is a solid team-up story. It’s interesting to see how Doc Ock acts around other heroes that have partnered with Spider-Man in the past and tries to keep up his ruse. The art is pleasing. This issue shows great premise for a future storyline, as well as the general direction of this series. 3.5 Webheads out of 5.
FREE CODE GIVEAWAY: Be the first to ask for the code in the comments, and it’s yours.
SHAMELESS PLUGS: Follow me on Twitter (@2BitSpecialist)!
~My Two Cents
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Pandora
Amazon Music
iHeartRadio
Podbean
Amazon Alexa
Player.fm
Listen Notes
Stitcher
@# 7 Totally agree, i also hope that ghost Peter dont get to used up in Avenging, i think Yost is really geting the posibilities of that the new status quo is giving
@#4 Yeah the fact that is not Peter (as far as we know) takes away a little of the enjoyment, but hopefully some of this respect trascends if f and when th “superior” arc is finished. I agree that been an outsider an unsung hero is Spideys trade mark, but I dont think that in some circles of the super hero community it should be like that, for example Spidey and the FF go way back, and I belive the relationship betwen them must be more complex than the family and the annoying neighbor that ussualy tag along
@#6
Slott won’t bother unless sales tank.
I think Avenging could do well out of this Superior Spider-Man thing. After all, the team-up angle gets a lot more interesting and less been-there-seen-it-done-it when it’s a new Spider-Man doing the teaming. Plus Yost is a good writer.
#5 i could see slot trying to appease all the angry fans by trying to pull that easy and cowardly way out of this god forsaken scenario. And how many telepaths or people with extra sensory perception will he come across and not be read out of curiosity before this starts to look like a parody and becomes the laughing stock at marvel?
#4 Don’t be too sure. I think it may turn out to be Peter after all. Peter with MPD, but still Pete, when all is said and done.
@#3
..except, it’s not Peter. Just not the same for me.
And Ock’s using talons, Spidey 2099 style! That’s actually kinda cool!
Excellent review, and yet again a great story by Yost, Avenging is now my favorite and about one point you mentioned, yes Spider-man in the latest years have been the silly companion at best, never getting the respect that after so many years in the hero bussines should give him, the only thing that feels odd is that now is just because Otto is acting out that we get to see Spider-man standing up.
But even so, its good to see my favorite Marvel character taking a strong role with his fellow heroes (and owning Wolverine). Another thing tha thrills me is Yost using Miles Warren and uping his game to a Sinester’s level, cant wait to see the rest of this one and see where the relationship betwen X-men and SpOck gets after the arc, the team up with Daredevil was kind of a let down for me
Not a terrible issue, but I just haven’t enjoyed Avenging Spider-Man as much as I thought I would. I think this one might be my last issue.
Can I have the code?