EARTH PRIME TIME: SINISTER SIX SULLIED BY SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN – SPOILERS

Here at Earth Prime Time, we have plenty to fidget and sigh about. Books are expensive and when our heroes make it to the big screen, we’re either elated or extremely disappointed. Today, an extremely hyped up book hits the stands and tablets across the world and fans of Peter Parker are fidgeting and or sighing with relief. Writer Dan Slott promised one more trick up his sleeve after he killed Peter Parker in the last issue of Amazing Spider-Man #700 just after Christmas. We’re going to talk about that trick and pull a first for this comic book column. We’re going to spoil it so look no further if your Spider-sense is tingling!

I know what you are thinking, there’s a million blogs and tweets about this issue today, mostly from credible sources with great insight and creator access. Why turn to an unprecedented Earth Prime Time single issue review for news about Peter Parker’s fate and Doctor Octopus occupying the Spider-Suit? It’s because these comics are fun and we’re having fun with our torn-up feelings about Slott’s run.

From Big Time to Spider-Island to Marvel NOW the ideas are huge and the character of Peter Parker has felt more authentic than he has in years.

Why kill him off or replace him like oh-so-many stories of Dick Grayson filling in for Bruce Wayne after Final Crisis? To sell more issue #1 comics? Sure. To expand on a 50-year-old property with many television shows, games and movies in it’s wake? Definitely. What’s clear to me after reading this was that Slott and Marvel calculated the fan reaction and let us stew in our own fetid juices for weeks before hinting at a trap-door for Peter.

For weeks we were made to think that was THE END and there was no possible way for Parker to survive a body switch with a decrepit Doc Ock.

The transference of memories and empathy from Peter Parker to his enemy Doctor Otto Octavious in the finale of ASM #700 pointed fingers at permanence and we thought we lost our hero. But did we? Find out after we showcase the breakout stars of Dan Slott and Ryan Stegman’s Superior Spider-Man #1, the all-new Sinister Six.

The villainous group known as Sinister Six has always had an internal problem. Turns out supervillains aren’t that awesome with getting along with one another to act as a team. One person that had the wherewithal to assemble such an unruly heard and orchestrate plots against the Web-Head was Doctor Octopus. The tables have turned on the good Doctor lesser baddies Living Brain, Shocker, Speed Demon, Beetle, Boomerang, and Big Wheel take the moniker.

Snobby Superior Spidey not only balks at the gall of these rogues, but quickly trounces them, injuring Boomerang with his new claws. “Wha?! Since when does Spider-Man do that?!”

More Aggressive...Kind of a Dick! It's Superior Spider-Man by Ryan Stegman

Dr. Otto Octavius aka The Superior Spider-Man is enjoying his new role and has defeated the threat. Out of spite and protection of his Sinister Six brand, Otto-Spidey puts an end to a daft weather control plot and justifies his position to Max Modell at Horizon Labs that he is using research to help humanity. Which he is, because the lesson of “Great Power and Great Responsibility” has transmuted over to the memories of Octavius and is now duty bound to do the right thing.

Apparently the next move to do the right thing is to get back together with Mary Jane Watson. We are witness to a date mid-issue between Parker and nightclub owner Mary Jane. She hasn’t picked up on his arrogance quite yet or … has she? What’s interesting here is not the question of rape by impersonation but that she is once again interested in the love of her life. She’s used to Peter being aloof and missing important dates but tonight he is there with her at dinner, even if he’s glued to his Bluetooth receiver, staring at her breasts, and having way to many chardonnays.

I’m curious as to where this is going because maybe Mary Jane has just been in love with Doc Ock this whole time and thinks Peter is just a down on his luck nerd.

Not likely, but with Slott you never can tell.

Can this save the relationship? You actually being a different person? - Superior Spider-Man & M.J. by Ryan Stegman

OK, so as Farnsworth says, “Good News, everyone!”. This is where the spoilers are. So don’t read it if you are one of those types, but like the story on the page below and you will be done here and our relationship stays strong and you’ll be back for more next week, like me on my little bike on my way to the store on Wednesday mornings.

Peter Parker is seen at the last page, in ghostly form, staying the hand of Superior Spider-Man from mortally wounding Boomerang at the end of battle. Peter’s spirit, soul or otherwise spectral form is also occupying the body of Peter Parker as Otto Octavius takes on the suit. The back door is in place and Peter’s ghost will be a non-communicative force in the decisions that Ock makes. Otto cannot hear Peter’s words, but Peter is able to stop the beating. Peter Parker then swears he is going to find his way back and all hope is not lost.

Dan Slott and Marvel Marketing really did do a stellar job of getting everyone all webbed up over this.

I’ll admit it. I’m stuck right there to the wall with the rest of the fans. What I did do at the end of this issue was breathe that big sigh. A Spidey sigh of relief this this time, not the sigh of disappointment I had on July 4th at the movie theater for The Amazing Spider-Man. As much as I missed Peter already, I was starting to miss Doctor Octopus as Spidey’s big bad.

Over the next year or so, I will continue put Superior at the top of my stack and wonder how that old Parker luck is going to get him back in the suit again.

And when they do, maybe put him in the black suit again because black suits and bow ties and fezzes are cool.

Pre-Venom, Pre-Raimi, Pre-Superior. The Classic Spectacular Spider-Man Black Costume by John Byrne

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League of Ordinary Gentlemen #138 — And Now On To Sports
This week: our take on the end of Amazing Spider-Man! Plus, Indestructible Hulk, All-New X-Men, Morbius, Walking Dead and, of course, sports! Direct Download / Mp3 Stream (opens in new window).