Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Superior Octopus #1 Review
    Featured

    Superior Octopus #1 Review

    Matthew PetersonBy Matthew PetersonOctober 7, 2018Updated:October 7, 20184 Mins Read

    Otto Octavius is back, and he’s going to use the scientific method to be a hero.  But does he really know what a hero is?  Your Major Spoilers review of Superior Octopus #1 awaits!

    SUPERIOR OCTOPUS #1

    Writer: Christos Gage/Jed MacKay
    Penciler: Mike Hawthorne/Mark Bagley
    Inker: Wade von Grawbadger/Craig Yeung
    Colorist: Jordie Bellaire/Dono Sanchez-Almar & Protobunker
    Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
    Editor: Nick Lowe
    Publisher: Marvel Comics
    Cover Price: $4.99
    Release Date: October 3, 2018

    Previously in Superior Octopus: After a mind-transfer, Otto Octavius took over the body of Spider-Man and actually made improvements to Peter Parker’s life.  That ended badly, with Ock dead, but not before he took on Spider-Man’s responsibility and mission in earnest.  Now back from the dead in a cloned body, “Elliot Tolliver” is getting past his alliance with Hydra to get on with the business of heroism using his brilliance and refusal to compromise.

    AN INTERESTING TAKE

    In San Francisco, Marvel’s go-to second city, a new hero has arisen!  The Superior Octopus has arrived and his first order of business is The Night Shift, up to their old criminal ways once again.  Ock not only defeats them, he talks them out of their villainous theivin’ ways, instead hiring them to act as his eyes and ears in the criminal element.  Returning to Horizon Labs, where he works as Dr. Elliot Tolliver, we find that much of the Superior Spider-Man supporting cast is back in these pages, including Max Modell, Horizon’s head honcho and Anna Maria Marconi, whom Otto Octavius loved, then romanced as Peter Parker.  In an interesting turn of events, “Tolliver” is aware of and even ashamed of the way he took advantage of her with his false identity, and the moral questions are clearly something he is wrestling with.  Also among his problems, the public’s knowledge of his actions as part of Hydra during Secret Empire, which he hand-waves away as mind-control.  Of course, Hydra itself still wants him back, leading to a confrontation in his lair/hero headquarters with Arnim Zola and a clone of The Gorgon, Hydra’s most dangerous warrior.  It’s a confrontation that goes poorly, with The Superior Octopus turned to stone and shattered!

    GOING BACK TO THE WELL?

    It doesn’t take, thanks to Otto’s purloining of Zola’s personality-transfer equipment and a little boost from The Inheritors tech.  That second part is a bigger problem, as the backup story reveals that by activating that equipment, Otto has opened the door for Morlun and his people to return, thus igniting Spider-Geddon.  All in all, I like the story of Superior Octopus #1 and the supporting cast is pretty cool, but I worry that this book is going to turn into a rehash of Superior Spider-Man, with Otto once again failing to learn his lesson.  It’d be much better to see him come clean and actually take on a hero role in earnest, but I’m not holding my breath.  The art in this issue is solid in both stories, with Mike Hawthorne making Superior Octopus both heroic and unsettling in the main story (his battle with Gorgon is really well-thought-out, thought the reveal of Otto’s survival is unclear at first) and a beautiful backup story featuring the Web Warriors and Spider-UK/Captain Britain really shining, thanks to Mark Bagley.  The Night Shift is nowhere near cool, but Hawthorne and von Grawbadger make them look that way, which is a startling bit of artistic achievement.

    BOTTOM LINE: NOT SOLD ON SPIDER-GEDDON, BUT THIS IS OKAY

    I feel like it’s way too soon to launch into another universal crossover nonsense event, with Spider-Verse barely in the rearview mirror, but the positioning of Superior Octopus on the West Coast, trying once again to make himself a hero is workable.  Superior Octopus #1 is well-drawn, with a few difficult-to-follow storytelling moments in the first tale and breathtaking art paired with a problematic story in the second, earning 3 out of 5 stars overall.  I think that this book and its creative team has potential, if they can avoid the pitfalls of endless crossover mania and avoid retelling Superior Spidey with a green costume.

    [taq_review]

    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    christos gage Doctor Octopus marvel comics Mike Hawthorne Review Spider-Geddon Spider-Man Superior Octopus
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleRetro Review: Showcase #73 (March/April 1968)
    Next Article Wayne’s Comics Podcast #350: Robert Venditti
    Matthew Peterson
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.

    Related Posts

    PREVIEW: Ultimate Black Panther #18

    Read More

    PREVIEW: Star Wars #3

    Read More

    Geek History Lesson – Superman is Better than Batman

    Read More

    Comments are closed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    6.0
    July 13, 2025

    Unchosen #1 Review

    6.3
    July 13, 2025

    Retro Review: Marvel Team-Up #95

    8.7
    July 11, 2025

    Fantastic Four #1 Review

    6.0
    July 8, 2025

    JSA #9 Review

    7.0
    July 7, 2025

    X-Men: Hellfire Vigil #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT