Anghus Houvouras reviews The Superior Spider-Man #16…
“How has the Hobgoblin evaded the Superior Spider-Man for so long? And does that hold the key to the Superior Spider-Man’s greatest success — or greatest failure? It’s the end of the line for Hobgoblin, and possibly an end for a big chapter in the history of Spider-Man.”
The pieces are falling into place. A reckoning is coming. It’s only a matter of time. Since Doctor Octopus successfully bested Peter Parker and took up residence in his cerebellum, he has systematically alienated his allies and enraged his enemies. The barbarians are amassing at the gates as the Superior Spider-Man is about to embark on an all out war.
Dan Slott has done such an admirable job putting his own wonderfully weird stamp on Spider-Man. The Superior version is a schizophrenic, maddening take on the character. For the first time, I can see why villains would tremble in fear at the character. His agenda has become so megalomaniacal that he is giving his rogues gallery no other option but violent retribution.
The Hobgoblin has been eluding capture. Rather than take him out with a surgical strike, Spider-Man takes control of the airwaves and outs his secret identity to the city: Phil Urich, nephew of famed fictional Marvel reporter Ben Urich. This isn’t your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. This is a high tech mad scientist who has slowly turned New York city into a police state. His spy-der drones are everywhere. His henchman patrol the city. Doctor Octopus was never one to be accused of subtlety, but his draconian tactics are beginning to alarm not only the other heroes of the city, but the citizens.
Cornered, and out of options, the Hobgoblin tries to flee, but it’s no use. The Superior Spider-Man is five steps ahead and has already planted the seeds of his downfall. The cerebral Spider-Man is downright terrifying. Fortunately for Hobgoblin, the bad guys are getting more organized. The Goblin King is preparing to strike, and he recruits Hobgoblin to join his crusade of terror, dubbing him The Goblin Knight.
Things continue to escalate in Superior Spider-Man. The eventual confrontation should be epic and Slott is doing a masterful job putting all the pieces in place. Superior Spider-Man #16 is another great read.
Anghus Houvouras is a North Carolina based writer and filmmaker. His latest work, the novel My Career Suicide Note, is available from Amazon.
Originally published August 22, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
