Apparently when it comes to comic books spoilers aren’t a big deal, as anyone who’s seen many of the headlines blatantly blurting out a very, very well-known comic book superhero’s death today now knows.
Maybe it’s because in comic books, the word “death” has little meaning, rendered useless by the endless lineup of popular characters who have at one point or another been killed off by their makers, only to miraculously show up alive again down the road. These are superheros; they do not die easily…if at all.
But if you don’t read comics, do not care about spoilers, and want to know which gigantic superhero figure Marvel Comics made dead (as well as the interesting direction they’re now going in), feel free to continue on below now.
In issue #700 of The Amazing Spider-Man, the final issue of the long-running series, the one and only true Spider-Man, Peter Parker, meets his demise. You can read our review of the comic right here.
Despite knowing the incredible lack of finality in comic book deaths, word of the death of Peter Parker has infuriated many fans, even inexcusably leading to some death threats toward writer Dan Slott.
On top of the death, villain Doctor Octopus decides to take on the responsibilities of Spider-Man, putting his own mind into Parker’s body…effectively becoming the hero. Or at least trying to.
Slott explained the interesting decision to have villain attempting to become the hero to USA Today, saying:
“This is Moriarty in the head of Sherlock. This is Prince John inside of Robin Hood. This is the greatest villain inside the body of the greatest hero and trying to do good.
Peter Parker was selfish and horrible for all of part of one story. From then on, we’ve seen him be a hero. [Doctor Octopus] has a lot to overcome, and on some level, that road of salvation and stepping up and doing the right thing, it’s more interesting to see it from a character who has to fight his basic nature to do that.”
The events of issue #700 lead into the start of a new series titled Superior Spider-Man, also written by Slott, in which we see a more sympathetic side of Dock Ock struggling with his new role.
Slott added:
“He had to be a hero in his own eyes, and on some level Otto Octavius is facing that struggle not with Spider-Man’s world but with the readership. How do you get more Peter Parker than that? Now the readers think he’s a menace. That’s exciting. On a meta level, that is Spider-Man.”
Everyone assumes that Marvel will resurrect Peter Parker eventually at some point down the road, but for now, what do you think of the path they’ve chosen to travel?
[Source: Comic Book Resources via /Film]
Spoilers are ALWAYS a big deal. Thank you guys for always being considerate of that.
Comment by Joey Cruz — December 27, 2012 @ 6:45 pm
slott, you’re a piece of garbage. go write for the disney channel
Comment by Alejandro Roberto Gonzaga — December 27, 2012 @ 9:50 pm
The standard for a permanent death was Captain Marvel. In fact, the term “Captain Marvel Dead” became synonymous for permanency. Then, a few years ago, he was resurrected and now Marvel can’t be trusted with these “deaths”. I’m not wasting my $8 for this temporary scene change. Peter Parker will be back. Just look at Steve Rogers, Clark Kent, Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, etc. They all were iconic figures killed off, only to resurrect.
Comment by Kevin Agot — December 28, 2012 @ 9:09 am
Another sign of the decline in originality at the house of ideas. 3:1 odds we get ‘clone saga’ redux, or maybe someone makes a bargain with Mephisto, or maybe Superman breaks the imaginary divide, spins the globe backup wards, and we’re all back in December 2012 this time next year.
BTW G.O.D. Crew – your site is becoming unreadable with the ads. Seriously, are you trying to monetize clicks so badly that you’d rather we don’t read your articles?
Comment by coolie15 — December 28, 2012 @ 10:44 am
Sure why not what the hell. I know the death thing is a bit redundent but the idea of Doc Oc with the right writers may be somewhat interesting. I’m more upset about the # stop with the reboot of Action and Detective I was holding on to ASM being one of the books that made it to 1000
Comment by Joeybombstyle — December 28, 2012 @ 1:52 pm
That is some desperate shit.
Comment by Ted_kazynski — December 29, 2012 @ 9:47 am
Really Marvel? Copying DC? AGAIN!?
Comment by Paulo Panganiban — January 2, 2013 @ 8:56 am
Apparently creative talent is a rare commodity that the world is running out of at an alarming pace…
Comment by Iain Kopp — January 24, 2013 @ 11:48 pm