What’s Inside:

Peter Parker is dead. Mostly. Sorta. Not really. His body is
inhabited by the villainous Doctor Octopus, who switched minds with Peter, leaving
him to die in Doc Ock’s body. But Otto has vowed to uphold Spider-Man’s mission
of heroics and, in fact, be a SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN!

After defeating the new Sinister Six (minus 1 – and who had
their own Superior Foes of Spider-Man
series which was pretty amazing), we see Spidey-Ock trying to successfully
navigate the life and relations of Peter Parker, trying his best to play the
part with the help of Pete’s memories while at work and at dinner with Mary
Jane. But memories or not, things like Mary Jane’s boobs are all new to Ock.

There is another confrontation with the new Sinister Six
(minus 1), and Spidey-Ock nearly crosses the brutality line. Fortunately, Peter’s
“ghost”, a seemingly subconscious mental echo, stops Ock from killing unawares,
indicating that Peter could return!

Writer: Dan Slott

Artist: Ryan Stegman

Colorist: Edgar Delgado

Publisher: Marvel

Why I Kept This Issue:

This one of the most exciting Spider-Man eras ever. I adore
writers who take risks with characters and don’t hold back from telling
incredible stories at the risk of misguided fan backlash (I mean, come on, like
anyone doubted for a second that Peter wouldn’t be back eventually). The way
that writer Dan Slott compares and contrasts the personalities of Otto and
Peter in the same situations is a true delight to read.

When I was at C2E2 last year, artist Ryan Stegman offered to
do free sketches for an hour at the Marvel booth. I didn’t have anything blank
for him to sketch on, but I did have this extra copy of Superior Spidey #1, so I asked him to do a sketch of Ock’s head. It’s
so wonderful!

Attached Memory:

The day I had this issue autographed and sketched in
Chicago, was the same day that I met the indomitable Becky Spratford. Becky is
a fellow librarian in the Chicago area who writes a blog about Reader’s
Advisory. She has also written a blog and a book about horror for librarians, a
blog which I follow faithfully and a book which I had just finished reading. She
had given my own book a glowing review, so I just had to meet her.

She met me at the Field Museum, a place I had been eager to
visit for some time, and she got me in for free. Together we toured the museum,
very loudly and enthusiastically. I knew that she was a kindred spirit right
away, and our shared interests and easily-excitable personality traits fed into
ecstatic conversation. It was a simply fabulous, and she has become an
invaluable role model for me as I pursue a career in librarianship.

Condition of My Copy: Superior!