Writers: Dan Slott, Christos Gage, Artists: Ryan Stegman, Humberto Ramos
IANN ROBINSON: Hands down the best superhero comic of 2013. Superior Spider-Man had me slicing up a big piece of humble pie with a side order of crow. I was not on board at first, but there is no way to deny the excellence of this book. Dan Slott’s entire run on Spider-Man has been the stuff of legend, but Superior Spider-Man knocks it into the next stratosphere. No longer just a great run, Slott’s Spider-Man will go down in history as one of the best, and most important, eras in the history of the character. Doc Ock is an absolute joy to watch, and Slott brings in so many elements without losing track of any of them. The entertainment value is so high that most other books feel like a let down. Brilliant. I tip my hat to Mr. Slott. The combined art styles of Ryan Stegman and Humberto Ramos have also allowed Superior Spider-Man to have its own voice. When all is said and done, the work here will become the definitive benchmark of excellence in Spider-Man.
ANDY HUNSAKER: No argument here, because it was such an amazingly ballsy move on the part of Slott and Marvel in general to shelve Peter Parker for an entire year and change (at least, assuming Pete’s due back in time for Amazing Spider-Man 2, which is what everybody’s taking for granted, even though Slott obviously doesn’t do what’s expected of him) in order to put Dr. Octopus into his body and ruin his life. Controversy has raged about this, but Otto Octavius’ twisted attempts to be a better hero than his old archenemy ever was – and more specifically, his hilariously condescending attitudes toward everybody he meets – have made this book the most unbelievably consistent and entertaining reads throughout the year. Twice a month, multitudes of plotlines, and somehow it feels overflowing with ideas rather than being stretched thin, even when he appears in Christopher Yost’s really cool Superior Spider-Man Team-Up, Al Ewing’s very fun Mighty Avengers and various other guest-starring duties. When he shows up, we’re eager to find out just how Otto is going to mouth off to people. Dr. Octopus is now Spider-Man’s greatest villain ever, Green Goblin be damned (although Ol’ Gobby may soon have something to say about that), and Slott’s even brought Spider-Man 2099 into the present to stay! If you can unclench about Peter Parker taking the year off, Superior Spider-Man is fascinating, fun and fantastic.
