In 2013, Dan Slott and Ryan Stegman introduced readers to a decidedly different kind of web-slinger with Superior Spider-Man, which starred an Otto Octavius who had implanted his mind in the body of his old foe, Peter Parker. As Spider-Man, Octavius lived by a code: “With great power must come great responsibility . . . to prove yourself a better hero and scientist than Peter Parker ever was.”

Despite early trepidation, the book became a fan-favorite series thanks to its mix of classic Spidey elements and its ruthless, egomaniacal hero. Eventually, though, Peter Parker regained control of his own body, and thus, the rein of the Superior Spidey came to an end.

That doesn't mean Otto Octavius went away, though, nor has he abandoned his quest to be what he believes is a hero. His consciousness currently resides in a cloned body of Peter Parker, complete with Peter's spider powers, and a few of his memories. In Amazing Spider-Man #800, readers saw the Superior Octopus use all of those and a new set of his trademark tentacles to defend Aunt May, and then later relocate out west to San Francisco where he plans to establish and carve out a name for himself.

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EXCLUSIVE: Mike Hawthorne's pencils for The Superior Octopus

This new era of heroics for Otto continues in October with the Superior Octopus one-shot by Christos Gage, who wrote and co-wrote a number of Superior Spider-Man stories, and artist Mike Hawthorne. CBR spoke with Gage about returning to Otto's life, and using the City by the Bay as a backdrop for this new era of the former villain's story.

CBR: It's pretty big news that Otto Octavius is back this October in Superior Octopus. Otto has gone through quite a lot since his days as the Superior Spider-Man, of course, so what's your sense of the character when you pick up with him, here?

Christos Gage: I think you mean OCK-tober! Otto’s trying to start fresh, and be the superior hero he knows the world needs; the problem is, he’s still Otto Octavius. It’s the same conflict at the heart of Better Call Saul or Breaking Bad -- can this person rise above who he is? Will his flaws make him better…or doom him, and those around him?

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CBR: The teaser at the end of Amazing Spider-Man #800 suggested the Superior Octopus has moved out west and made San Francisco, a city that a number of Marvel heroes have called home from Daredevil to the X-Men, his new stomping grounds. Now that we know this is the case, I wonder, what made San Francisco the right backdrop for this new era of Otto's life?

Christos Gage: I’m definitely reaching back to the rogues galleries of books like Spider-Woman, Daredevil and West Coast Avengers for antagonists for Otto. I think it’s a good setting because it’s one that is less used in the Marvel Universe, and sets the book apart from the New York based adventures of Peter Parker and Miles Morales.

Some of the supporting players in Superior Octopus will be the staff of San Francisco's Horizon University, which means you're returning to the cast of the former Horizon Labs. How does it feel to come back to these characters? Are there any Horizon staffers you especially enjoy writing?

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EXCLUSIVE: Mike Hawthorne's pencils for The Superior Octopus

It’s always fun to return to these characters. I like Max Modell – he has a good, open heart, even when that sometimes gets him in trouble. And I love Anna Maria Marconi. She takes no crap from anyone. She’s a key character in this story.

The set up of Otto in his guise as Dr Elliot Tolliver at Horizon University gives you the opportunity to have some of the same sort of dual identity fun as Spider-Man. So will Otto's out of costume life and how he balances it be part of the story you're telling here

Yes! Part of the fun of writing this book is exploring various superhero tropes, like the dual identities, but seeing how it’s different when you’re, well, a super-villain deep down. So there’ll be familiar situations to longtime fans, but hopefully with a new spin.

You're working with artist Mike Hawthorne, who's perhaps best known for his work on Deadpool. I think his run there, where he showed a knack for humor, action and big poignant moments, means he's an especially great fit for Superior Octopus. What's it like collaborating with Mike on this book?

It’s been great! I worked with him on some issues of Amazing Spider-Man, and you’re absolutely right that he’s a terrific fit. He’s bringing his A game, and he’s as enthusiastic as you could ever want someone to be! It’s the best kind of creative partnership, where you’re all having fun and that fun is the gift that keeps on giving…whenever I see new pages, I get excited to write more and see what he does with them!

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EXCLUSIVE: Mike Hawthorne's pencils for The Superior Octopus

Earlier, you hinted at some of the antagonists we'll see in Superior Octopus. Can you talk anymore about the foes you and Mike are pitting Otto against?

I’m bringing in some West Coast Marvel villains, and there will be some Spidey-world antagonists as well, but we’re also planning to bring in some villains you might not associate with Otto or the Spider-Man books. Oh, and Otto was associated with Hydra not too long ago [During last year's Secret Empire event]. Wonder how they feel about him being San Francisco’s new hero…?

Finally, can you leave us with a few hints about the tone and action of Superior Octopus?

It’ll be a lot of what people seemed to enjoy about Superior-Spider-Man, but without the Peter Parker of it all…now it’s Otto Octavius trying to be the superior hero on his own terms. AND THE WORLD SHALL TREMBLE! I mean… feel safe.