Major SPOILERS for Superior Spider-Man #30.
With Part 4 of the 5-part Goblin Nation upon us, Superior Spider-Man #30 preview here, the question was always would Peter Parker reassert himself in this issue of the Superior Spider-Man series or in its finale issue? (After all, he is returning to headline his own new series under the All-New Marvel Now publishing initiative starting in the brand spanking new Amazing Spider-Man #1.)
Well, Superior Spider-Man #30 answers that question. Does Peter “return” in this issue or next month’s Superior Spider-Man #31? Well, read on Marvel Zombie. Read on.
This was an exciting fast-paced issue that went by really quickly. My only criticism was that the Spider-Man 2099 was pointless. It almost was just there to remind readers that he’s around in advance of writer Dan Slott’s Fall 2014 Spider-Verse event storyline across his Spider-Man books. Also, I found the intended-to-be-dramatic-cliffhanger-page poorly drawn. Everything else in the issue had depth, passion and action. Superior Spider-Man #30 is well worth the read for any Spidey fan, lapsed or current.
Before, we get into the meat of the issue, let’s look back on some key moments from the last year or so of Superior Spider-Man.
- Amazing Spider-Man #700 depicted how Doctor Octopus swapped his dying body with Peter Parker’s young and vital one. Peter presumably dies in Doc Ock’s place in latter’s decaying body.
- Superior Spider-Man #1 had strong support by Marvel Entertainment brass who from the outset said that they had at least a one-year commitment to the series.
- Superior Spider-Man #25 depicted that Peter Parker was really alive in Doc Ock’s “mindscape” who stepped forward to save Ock from Venom.
- Superior Spider-Man #26 showed how Peter Parker has been fighting to reassert himself while the Avengers get suspicious of the Superior Spider-Man.
- Superior Spider-Man #27 jolted readers when the Goblin Nation kingpin Green Goblin confided in Doctor Octopus that HE KNOW it was him under the Spider-Man mask.
- Superior Spider-Man #28 depicted Peter Parker’s continuing mindscape escapades hiding from Doc Ock’s awareness.
- Superior Spider-Man #29 showed the return of Spider-Man 2099 in the middle of the Goblin Nation New York City siege.
Now, onto Spider-Man #30. SPOILERS follow. You have been warned.
The Green Goblin and Goblin Nation have overrun New York City. Doctor Octopus’ Superior Spider-Man has been humbled. Peter Parker can not hide in the mindscape any longer from Doc Ock. With that resolve, he reveals himself to Otto Octavius and makes his intentions clear: he wants his life back! Not just for himself, but to save New York City from the Goblins.
Peter confronts Ock on his failure and Doc Ock agrees that Peter Parker needs to return to make things right for New York City. Doctor Octopus really believes in the hero ideal and Peter Parker, the real Parker as the Amazing Spider-Man, can save NYC where the Superior Spider-man could not.
Doctor Octopus heads to Parker Industries to enter the mindscape and enable Peter Parker’s full return to the body that Octavius has co-opted over a year.
Doc Ock erases his memories from Peter Parker effectively allowing Parker to reassert control over his own body. He is touched by Doctor Otto Octavius’ sacrifice and will save his beloved Anna Maria and the citizens of NYC from the Green Goblin his Goblin Nation.
It’s on! All roads lead to Superior Spider-Man #31; the end of this series.
Thanks for reading. All feedback welcome.
