In the mid-2010s, much was made out of the Spider-Man series undergoing a massive change when Peter Parker was replaced by Doctor Octavius who inhabited Parker’s body to become the Superior Spider-Man. It’s been cited as both Dan Slott’s best and even worst works, based on audience perception.
Quite a lot of the Superior Spider-Man’s stories are underrated due to the majority of the fanbase wanting the Amazing Spider-Man back. However, there are comic book issues concerning the character that have aged very well and deserve another reading to appreciate the good bits that came with it, as these highlight certain strong points that weren’t apparent before.
10 The Superior Spider-Man #1 By Dan Slott In Which Peter's Conscience Resurfaces
The first issue of the series was critically well-received but was lambasted by readers for establishing Otto as the main Spider-Man. However, what many didn’t get was how the issue was setting up the parallels between Otto and Peter, the latter of whose conscience was revealed to have survived.
This served as a superb hook for the story going forward, as Peter still existed in some form and made his presence known by vowing to take back his body. The issue also established Otto’s way of thinking, as his manner of thinking remained villainous even though he wanted to be a hero.
9 The Superior Spider-Man #5-6 By Dan Slott Where Otto Begins To Fall In Love
Octavius is revolted at the idea that Peter never finished his doctorate and enrolls in university to do so. He then formed a connection with his tutor, Anna Maria, whom he saved from a group of bullies. The issue is the first one where Octavius begins to display genuine humane tendencies.
Fans weren’t too keen to move on from the idea of Mary Jane being Spider-Man’s main love interest, but there was something pure about someone as dastardly as Octavius actually falling in love. The issues display that there’s more to him than his own agendas.
8 The Superior Spider-Man #9 By Dan Slott Featuring The Clash Between Superior And Amazing Spider-Man
Doctor Octopus has been Spider-Man’s villain in all his appearances in media, with the battle in this comic being their most personal yet as the two fought for control of Peter’s body. At the time of its release, not many appreciated how Peter ended up losing and his conscience helplessly disappeared.
However, credit has to be given for how the Amazing Spider-Man and the Superior Spider-Man clashed in this mental struggle, as the two brought out their strong points to highlight the differences between the personas, and for the way the comic keeps the intrigue level at its peak.
7 The Superior Spider-Man #20 By Dan Slott & Christos N. Gage The Beginning Of Parker Industries
Peter was used to taking ill-treatment in the number of jobs he had, but Octavius showed how he wouldn’t take abuse lying down. To this end, this issue showed him establishing Parker Industries after he was fired from Horizon Labs.
What’s interesting about this issue is that it showed how Octavius differed from Peter in taking initiative, as running his company allowed him to take control. The issue also featured a clash with the Black Cat, where Octavius didn’t engage in any pleasantries as Peter would have and left Black Cat to be taken by the police.
6 The Superior Spider-Man Vol. 2 #8 By Christos N. Gage In Which Otto Has An Identity Crisis
During the War of the Realms arc, the Superior Spider-Man was shown helping across the realms as he arrived in Jotunheim to locate the strike. In this issue, it’s made clear how he’s just one of many superheroes when the larger picture comes into play, as nobody wanted to take his orders.
Gwen Poole reminded Octavius that he was the hero in his own story and that his identity crisis at this point was a result of him not realizing that even helping one person made a person a hero as opposed to his way of thinking. It’s a good issue that helped create a boundary in the mind of the Superior Spider-Man.
5 The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3 #11 By Dan Slott Where Superior Spider-Man Resurfaces
Superior Spider-Man would’ve made a good Batman villain considering how many times he’s resurfaced. This appearance was set during the Spider-Verse storyline where Peter Parker encountered Octavius, with the latter thinking Peter was a version of the past.
The great thing about this issue is how it presents a different point of view from previous events, as it’s from Peter’s perspective where Octavius is shown to be wrong in considering himself to be the prime Spider-Man from Earth-616. This comic tends to be overlooked due to the wider consequences of the Spider-Verse but makes for a good moment between the two Spider-Men.
4 The Superior Spider-Man #30 By Dan Slott & Christos N. Gage Where Otto Accepts He Isn't Superior
The Superior Spider-Man hated a lot of people, but those who wanted to harm Anna Maria made the top of the list. However, this issue showed that he was still essentially selfish, as he chose to abandon Spider-Man 2099 and even save the life of a little girl due to him wanting to pursue the Goblin King.
While the comic did gain attention at the time for bringing Peter back as the prime Spider-Man, the focus was only on this aspect. However, Otto’s act of redemption deserves to be mentioned, as he finally admitted he had failed as the Superior Spider-Man and willingly let Peter take control again.
3 Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #20 By Dan Slott & Christos N. Gage In Which Otto Destroys Peter's Conscience In His Body
With the increase in Peter Parker’s popularity due to the MCU today, the idea of his demise wouldn’t fly well today. This issue wasn’t well-liked back then as well, seeing as the Octobot conscience of Octavius killed the resurrected conscience of Peter so unceremoniously after reviving the original body of Octavius in which Peter had died.
And yet, this is how he was supposed to act as the Octobot Octavius didn’t have the character development of the Superior Spider-Man Octavius. The act of brutality in this comic should thus increase one’s appreciation of the Superior Spider-Man, as the Octobot showed just how evil Octavius could be.
2 The Superior Spider-Man Vol. 2 #1 By Christos N. Gage In Which Otto Decides To Partner With Anna Maria
Once he gains another body, Octavius decides to become the Superior Spider-Man once more, this time in San Francisco. With Peter Parker’s return, not many fans paid attention to this comic, which is a shame since it established how Octavius could now very well be a true Spider-Man.
The story saw him take on Terrax and behave like a classic superhero rather than display any malevolence. It also showed Anna Maria’s influence on Octavius as she agreed to help him be a real hero, as the Superior Spider-Man turned over a new leaf.
1 The Superior Spider-Man Vol. 2 #5–6 By Christos N. Gage Where Superior Spider-Man Teams Up With Doctor Strange
Among the many superheroes Spider-Man has teamed up with, a Superior Spider-Man and Doctor Strange duo is certainly unique. The issue wasn’t very popular upon release due to the low stakes involved, but it should be appreciated for giving the Superior Spider-Man a fun diversion.
He teamed up with Doctor Strange to take on Master Pandemonium and had a humorous exchange where the two swapped their abilities as Doctor Strange used the spinnerets while Superior Spider-Man donned the Cloak of Levitation.