OH GOODIE, ‘SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN’ TO BE “DARK” AND ‘EDGY”

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Posted October 11, 2012 by Jeff Carter in Comics

I don’t read comics much anymore (they are just too gosh darn expensive), but from what I can gather, it seems initiatives like DC’s “New 52,” and Marvel’s “Marvel NOW,” are fully embracing everything that sucked about comics in the 90′s. Characters are going “dark” or “extreme” again; storylines are “gritty” and “edgy.”

I wrote a piece yesterday about Superman’s new black costume and “dark” look, which will debut in March, and now Marvel is getting in on the act by making Spider-man “dark” when his old flagship title Amazing Spider-man, relaunches under the Marvel NOW banner as The Superior Spider-man. Apparently Spidey will have a re-worked costume with lots of black in it (because black is totally badass, bro), sharp edges everywhere, facial webbing that’s “angry” and “alien,” and a claw on his big toe:

As part of Marvel NOW!, Superior Spider-Man joins a number of titles that will take the Marvel Universe in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes to deliver all-new ongoing series, great for new and lapsed readers alike!

Peter Parker has spent a lifetime living up to the responsibilities his powers foisted upon him but his Amazing story finally ends dramatically in the historic Spider-Man #700. NOW! the new Spider-Man has arrived and he is better in every single way. Smarter, stronger…Superior.

“Spider-Man has learned a lot during his time as a super hero, making him not just amazing anymore, he’s more than that,” said Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief, Marvel Entertainment, in a news release. “Dan and Ryan have Spider-Man on a path that will challenge him in every way. Just because Spider-Man is Superior, it doesn’t mean things are even close to getting easier.”

 So…wait…is this “Superior” Spider-man even Peter Parker? Are we dealing with another Ben Reilly/Clone Saga situation here? Because that worked out soooo well the last time, right? Dan Slott, what’s the deal?

“This is still very much the world of Spider-Man. There may be a new Spider-Man here, doing things in a new and different way, but you’re going to see the Spider-cast reacting to this. You’re going to see how this Spider-Man will deal with our Spider-Man’s villains. How will he react to this Spider-Man’s supporting cast? That is clearly the world of this book. The world hasn’t changed, just the hero.”

Oh. Okayyyyy. Um, so this is a new Spidey. Well, that sucks far worse than any costume change. Oh wait, hang on, there’s more to this press release:

An all-new direction! An All-New Spider-Man! All-new justice! This is Superior Spider-Man NOW! This January, Dan Slott and Ryan Stegman swing a new chapter in Peter Parker’s life in Superior Spider-Man #1!

Now I am legitimately confused. Maybe I am just really old and out of touch with all of these changes. If it keeps the dying comics industry alive and thriving with the demographic that really matters – kids and teenagers – then who am I to say that some dude running around in a darker Spider-man suit with claws and a bunch of new powers sucks? Like anything else in comics, it’s the story that matters. If this was done for pure shock value with nothing to back it up, then we can write it off as crap, but if there’s a compelling narrative behind it that enriches and advances Peter’s life, these aesthetic changes can be overlooked. 

However, for now, I’m just going to say it sucks.  


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About the Author

Jeff Carter
Jeff Carter

Jeff is the defining voice of his generation. Sadly, that generation exists only in an alternate dimension where George Lucas became supreme overlord of the Earth in 1979 and replaced every television broadcast and theatrical film on the planet with Star Wars and Godzilla movies. In this dimension, he’s just a guy from New England who likes writing snarky things about superheroes, monsters, and robots.
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  • Dan Slott

    Jeff, Jeff, Jeff… Before you get all cynical and internet-snarky, give the darn thing a read first. We’re being very cagey about what we’re revealing because we don’t want to spoil any of the big surprises. There are many twists and turns ahead. Reading BEFORE judging will probably help here.

    • http://www.geekleagueofamerica.com/ Jeff Carter

      Mr. Slott – first off (if you are actually Dan Slott and not just one of my readers messing with me), snarky is kinda what we do around here. It’s all in good fun. ;) Secondly, I’m not someone who believes that words like “superior,” “aggressive,” or “dark,” should ever be associated with Spidey, at least not for any extended period. I don’t think I’m being overly judgmental here; as my final wrap-up paragrpah indicates, if the narrative is compelling, this stuff can be overlooked. Thanks for stopping by and chiming in, I’m sure many of us are curious to see where this goes.

      • Kyronic

        I agree with you. I don’t think “superior” or “aggressive” sound like Spider-Man. Superior makes him sound like he thinks of himself as above everyone else, and aggressive makes him sound like an angry Spider-Man. I hope he’s still witty and wise-cracking, while still being that relate able guy as Peter Parker, and not some new anti-hero. Wolverine is aggressive; Dr. Doom thinks he’s superior. Spider-Man just wants to do the good thing. He’s responsible (you can see where I’m going with this).

    • Itai Lev

      *okay to print*

      Captain America was dead for 5 years, Johnny storm was dead for less then a year, and Peter couldn’t stay dead for one lousy issue! Mr. Slott, why do you feel that killing off characters automatically gives a story drama. We know you won’t kill Peter for good, so what we have with Superior Spiderman is a lamer version of the current Scarlet Spider(a darker Spiderman comic, but still with strong emotional ground). This was a lame attempt to do something edgy and I am very closing to dropping your book, and am aware that many fans are thinking the same.

      You ruined Dock Ock. He’s spent years trying to kill Peter and now he’s been defeated by the power of love. THat’s the most corny bull-crap I’ve ever heard. That’s not edgy, dark, and meta, it’s a fricking Hallmark Card. I love your work and I want to love spiderman again. Cut the crap.

      P.S. I’m not angry cuz’ you killed Peter, I’m angry cuz’ you are telling a terrible, cliche’ story which is preventing me from getting my Spidey fix

      From one of many angry fans,
      Itai Lev

  • Pingback: ‘AMAZING SPIDER-MAN’ COMIC COMES TO AN END WITH INSANE 700TH ISSUE | geekleagueofamerica.com

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