Anghus Houvouras reviews The Superior Spider-Man #11….
“The Spider-Slayer is scheduled for execution and Mayor J. Jonah Jameson is leaving nothing to chance. To ensure that everything goes according to plan, Jameson’s called in the one man he can trust to oversee everything the Superior Spider-Man. Since the startling events of Superior Spider-Man #9, will anyone realize that things have changed…?“
Be careful what you wish for.
Otto Octavius was a super villain who wanted to rule the world. A genius scientific intellect and an epic Napoleonic complex. After years of being defeated by Spider-Man, he finally gets revenge not only destroying Peter Parker, but assuming his identity. For ten issues, Octavius has considered this to be his greatest victory.
Superior Spider-Man #11 presents a new wrinkle. What if being Peter Parker is a prison? It’s certainly starting to feel that way. His superiority complex is taking over causing complications at his job and the university where his contempt is beginning to show. Alienation has been a constant theme in the title. Writer Dan Slott has done a great job by not softening Octavius’ nastier side but indulging it. He’s a creature of ego. Every action is fueled by an effort to prove himself to be superior. Now he’s beginning to wonder if the ruse is even worth the effort.
This issue sees the Superior Spider-Man being called in for a favor my Mayor J. Jonah Jameson. Alexander Smythe, the Spider Slayer, is being executed for the murder of Jameson’s wife. J. Jonah accurately predicts that Smythe will enact some kind of escape plan. At his request, Spider-Man joins him on The Raft, bringing Otto back to the hole where he was once left to rot. It stirs a lot of dark feelings. As Smythe attempts to stave off his own execution, he uses some super villain science to empower some of the villains Octavius has recently beaten the high holy hell out of. By the end of the issue, Smythe now has the Vulture, Boomerang, and Scorpion ready to tear the Raft apart and kill everyone on board.
Once again The Superior Spider-Man succeeds by being a great blend of action and pathos. There’s a lot in this issue. Octavius’ struggles with the doldrums of Parkers life. J Jonah’s soul crushing lament over the loss of his wife. And an action packed confrontation between Spider-Man and Smythe. Whether you love the current direction Marvel has taken Spider-Man, it’s hard to dispute the quality of the writing and there isn’t a book on the shelf with more happening in each issue.
As the series dives deeper and darker, it has managed to become even more engaging.
Originally published June 6, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
