Superior Spider-Man Is Best Friends With The PS4 Spider-Man

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Spider-Geddon #0, by Christos Gage and Clayton Crain, in stores now.

The PS4 Spider-Man game includes an interesting take on the Peter Parker/Otto Octavius relationship. Gone is the outright antagonism of the mainline version of the characters, replaced with a tragic story of a student forced to revolt against his well-meaning mentor, and stop him from doing something terrible.

With the announcement that this version of Spider-Man would appear outside of the game and in the upcoming Spider-Geddon, it’s been interesting to consider how he would respond to the other versions of Otto. Marvel didn’t waste any time getting to that, introducing the PS4 Spider-Man to the Superior Spider-Man (aka Otto Octavius) in Spider-Geddon #0, and allowing them to form a surprisingly strong bond in the span of a single issue.

Where We Left Off

The prologue issue doesn’t just serve as the first part of Spider-Geddpn, but also as an epilogue to the hit videogame. By the time the comic begins, Spider-Man and New York City are still trying to pick up the pieces from the game’s events. Miles has gotten powers and is learning from Peter, MJ and Parker have reconciled, and Aunt May has died from complications due to the Devil’s Breath. All the main villains have been caught and sent to the Raft, including their leader Dr. Octavius.

This version of Otto was more tragic then most, genuinely wanting to use his gifts to help improve the world. His words echoed the lessons Uncle Ben had imparted on Peter in his youth about the importance of responsibility. But he was also suffering from a neuromuscular disease that rendered him immobile. A neural interface allows him to control replacement limbs, but it also amplifies other emotions, including his rage at former partner Norman Osborn.

That anger cost him everything. This sad reality of this alternate self humbles the 616-Otto Octavius, who comes through a portal to recruit the PS4 Spider-Man for the war against the empowered Inheretors. That physical failing and attempt to take drastic measures to change his fate harkens back to Ends of the Earth, where an incapacitated and dying Otto tried to destroy half the world just so he could at least be remembered. It speaks to a common rage between both, and if 616-Otto can really conquer it.

It’s a powerful moment of reflection for the Superior Spider-Man, and something that speaks to his new found approach to life. He takes note of what happened and decides to take it as a cautionary tale. He even leaves a Spider-bot looking over the Raft, implying he wants to keep an eye on his tragic counterpart.

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Petey & Otto: BFF

After teaming up to stop the Tarantula, the PS4 Spider-Man agrees to go with Otto, but they make some stops first. It’s here that a real sense of comradery forms between the two. Earlier in the issue, their technical knowhow turned out to be similar, with Peter noting that his spider-drones (if severely outclassed) are much like Otto’s own take on the same concept. But it’s more than just talking about science that connects them.

Otto’s tone noticeably shifts from forced politeness to genuine kindness towards this Spider-Man after this point. He even tells him how in many realities, Peter and Mary Jane find one another and fall in love, something that carries a lot of weight for Peter following the up and downs of his relationship with his MJ. It strengthens his resolve, and means a great deal to him.

There’s no discernible manipulation in their conversation about relationships. It’s just a quiet moment of empathy for two men who typically hate one another, one where Otto is genuinely trying to be a better person. And that bond positively impacts both men.

For Peter, getting to meet a version of Otto who could overcome his hate and try to become a better person gives him closure. The last he’d seen of his Otto, he was ranting and screaming for after his defeat, a harrowing vision of his former mentor. But now, seeing an Otto who could at least try to be a hero is heartening for the young man.

And for Superior Spider-Man, it’s just as important. This is a version of Peter Parker who makes jokes, who annoys him, who makes dumb decisions – much like his own. But he also recognizes, especially with this version being more forgiving and emphatic with Otto than most versions, that Peter Parker is a brave and good man.

They can see the positives in the other, positives that outweigh the negatives. It’s a quiet friendship, but a strong one nonetheless. This issue showcases the snarky but good relationship that can actually grow between both men if they could actually come together, and allows a compelling friendship to grow out of something they both thought broken.

These two need a reality hopping good cop/bad cop comic series, so creators like Gage can continue to explore one of the most unexpected and immediate endearing Spider-Man relationships in years.

Spider-Geddon #0 is currently available in stores and digitally.