Superior Spider-Man #12 // Review
The end of an era has arrived, and the Superior Spider-Man is no more. But can Otto Octavious find a way to succeed where Spider-Man failed?
Superior Spider-Man #12 is written by Christos Gage. Pencils are by Mike Hawthorne, inks by Wade von Grawbadger, colors by Jordie Bellaire, and lettering by Clayton Cowles.
After a shocking deal with Mephisto, Otto Octavious has been restored to his original body: younger, free of disease, and the pain of decades of punishment. All it cost the man was his memories of Peter Parker, memories of responsibility coming with power, and all the pain that he had gone through as Spider-Man. As Otto comes to face the Norman Osborn of an alternate universe to save the life of a young boy, the question remains: Does the man who once declared himself the Superior Spider-Man still wish to be good, or is he forever gone? And if he is gone, who remains?
The restoration of Otto Octavious as his old self feels like an editorial mandate, to be entirely honest. However, if it is, then this is a fantastic execution of such a decree. Otto is back to the best version of his old self: devious, diabolical, and ready to use every tactic to his advantage. Christos Gage must have read some of Otto’s best appearances while getting prepared for this issue because he is note-perfect. There is a core of nobility to Otto’s actions, and it comes through clearly here.
The art is also fantastic. Mike Hawthorne has a great knack for making Otto appear both ugly and frightening without being demeaning to the character. The action is fast and frantic, making for one hell of a final showdown. Wade von Grawbadger’s inks and Jordie Bellaire’s colors blend perfectly with Hawthorne’s pencils to make a great comic artistically, with nuance and emotion added to some already spectacular art.
Otto Octavious has returned, and all shall fear his wrath should any cross him. Fans of Octavious, though, should really consider picking up this entire series. It has been one of the most genuinely great comics to come out in 2019, and well worth your comic dollar. To see Otto rise, fall, and be reborn in a way that feels organic and not at all hamstrung by editorial wanting a villain restored is pure comics magic, and the entire comics crew should be awarded for this.
