Superior Spider-Man: The Complete Collection Vol. 1

RATING:
Superior Spider-Man: The Complete Collection Vol. 1
Superior Spider-Man The Complete Collection Vol. 1 review
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  • North American Publisher / ISBN: Marvel - 978-1-302-90950-5
  • Volume No.: 1
  • Release date: 2018
  • UPC: 9781302909505
  • Contains adult content?: no
  • Does this pass the Bechdel test?: no
  • Positive minority portrayal?: yes
  • CATEGORIES: Superhero

Dan Slott’s conceptual masterstroke of having Doctor Octopus overwrite his personality onto Spider-Man’s brain has proved one of Marvel’s enduring 21st century projects. A run of paperbacks beginning with My Own Worst Enemy was rapidly followed by three hardcovers starting with Vol. 1, and prior to being combined in a bulky Ombibus the entire series was split over two volumes of this Complete Collection. It should be noted this is only a complete collection of the core series under Dan Slott, and the content of spin-offs like Superior Spider-Man Team-Up and Superior Foes of Spider-Man isn’t present.

Otto Octavius has always been defined by an absolute confidence in his own abilities well above the threshold tipping into arrogance. When he finds himself dying he pulls off his greatest feat, and the opening chapters deal with a desperate Peter Parker now occupying the enfeebled body of Doctor Octopus and on the verge of death. There’s no last minute reprieve, and we’re left with Octavius as Spider-Man.

Slott’s premise hinges on the ego of Octavius. Having a new young body isn’t enough. He has to prove himself better than Peter Parker, so a better Spider-Man. He initially maintains Parker’s personal relationships, leading to an extremely unsettling date with Mary Jane Watson during a period where the residue of Parker’s personality can still manifest, visually represented as a ghost. It’s eventually purged, and Octavius follows his own path, using his technological genius to improve Spider-Man’s crimefighting efficiency. The differences are greater than that, with Octavius never able to suppress his contempt for lesser intellects. Who else would answer a priority call from Captain America with “What is it?! I’m in the middle of something here!” However, while the acerbic state is the default, Slott gradually surprises by softening Octavius a little, most obviously when the opportunity for an honest relationship manifests.

The art rotates around three primary artists. Humberto Ramos is the most distinctive, his exaggerated people interesting at times, but also sometimes distorted beyond the necessity of stylistic consistency. It’ll bother some while others will see striking individuality. Giuseppe Camuncoli starts influenced by John Romita Jr, but definitely alters his work on seeing Ramos’ pages, pulling away into more angular figures. Ryan Stegman isn’t featured on the sample spread, but is solid and he’s a real workhorse when it comes to filling his pages with people.

The Complete Collection is the only book version of Superior Spider-Man to supply two short stories from the 700th issue of Amazing Spider-Man, while the extensive celebratory letters page closes the book. J.M. DeMatteis and Camuncoli take a glimpse into a possible future, while Jen Van Meter and Stephanie Buscema charm with a Black Cat solo outing. Neither are deal busters rendering this the essential format, but they’re nice bonuses.

By the time this content ends Octavius is comfortable in the Spider-Man costume and has seen off a few old foes, but it’s Spider-Man 2099 up first in Vol. 2.

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