Doctor Octopus bullies Iron Man

Posted: 01/10/2013 | Author: Jason Levine | Filed under: Characters, Marvel | 2 Comments

In comic books, geniuses live like kings. Cool powers (both super and authoritative), good-looking significant others, and the respect of billions. While society can argue otherwise, comic books are sort of a soap opera for nerds, so why not glamorize the culture that supports the industry? And in the comic book world, I think Tony Stark’s intelligence gets a little downplayed nowadays in favor of his pew-pew armor, and that’s unfortunate. He’s almost certainly in the top ten smartest people in the world and can easily go scientifically toe-to-toe with genius heavyweights like Mr. Fantastic, Hank Pym, Black Panther, and Beast. Oh, and Doctor Octopus.

In Invincible Iron Man #501-503, written by Matt Fraction and drawn by Salvador Larroca, we see the two scientists at their peak with dangerously high stakes — like most science competitions I imagine. Doc Ock gets Stark’s attention the only way a supervillain should.

We get the crippled, dying doctor this time. As you can imagine, he has a proposition. An evil proposition. By the way, if you’re a supervillain who spends most of his time living in caves and underground sewer lairs, it’s hard to get word out about the whole sickness thing. Spider-Man certainly won’t be able to find an appropriate time to insert this info during Avengers dinner, and Doc Ock can’t make a big announcement holding Oprah’s hand or anything.

You enjoy ego? You’re going to get 20 images of it. Despite discovering he’s nowhere near as invincible as his series suggests, Iron Man still possesses the self-esteem of a high school star quarterback and Octavius has mastered the art of gloating years ago. To recap, either Stark fixes Doctor Octopus or admits he can’t do it. That’s it. And oh, how he’ll try — ego’s at stake after all — but not before a verbal beatdown. I mean, the doctor did shoot a rocket through Stark’s penthouse.

You must be wondering why doesn’t Stark just laser blast him into space and go about his day texting models. Well, two reasons. First, and I didn’t show you this, the slightest repulsor blast will cause the nuke to go off. More importantly, his friends are being held hostage by Electro and Sandman. You can make many criticisms of Doc Ock, but the man’s called the Master Planner for a reason.

By the way, if you’d like incentive to buy this book, have you ever wanted to see Pepper Potts battle two of the Sinister Six? Of course you do. Here’s a taste:

Girl’s been upgraded in the past few years. Far away, the battle of wits commences in the secret Octo-dungeon. And the diagnosis?

In the next few pages, Stark makes one of the most compassionate and honest speeches I’ve read in comics. Y’know, the problem with being a good guy is taking time to make sure even the bad guys don’t die unnecessarily. It’s a tough break.

Look, as the violence starts, just remember that Iron Man tried. He really did. While Stark has matured as a character the past few decades, the same can’t really be said about Octavius.

Would Iron Man win this brawl if it continues? Definitely, but I mentioned it before — Doc Ock prepares for everything. He’s an evil, fatter version of Batman.

Unpredictability and back up plans for back up plans have made Doc Ock one of the most dangerous Spider-Man villains, with his metallic arms usually the least powerful of his weapons. And when Stark faces the situation at hand, he realizes the truth: he just lost to Doctor Octopus. So now, how’s he going to get the bomb disarmed? Remember that other option Stark had back in the beginning of the story?

You should be uncomfortable. This is an embarrassing moment for all of us. But as a character known for incredible narcissism, having Stark so quickly and easily shed his dignity shows Iron Man as the admirable and respected man we expect from our superheroes. Not the crying and begging part, but the sacrifice of Stark’s self to protect the helpless. That’s literature as it should be.

By the way, if you check earlier, Doc Ock totally does call it a bomb. City saved, but a tough day for Iron Man. At least Stark has the consolation of Octavius’ impending doom a few months from then. Well, I mean he did until last month.

We’re done with Doctor Octopus for a while, I promise. Go check out Superior Spider-Man #1 that went on sale this week — mainly to support Dan Slott and his endeavor in trying to tell new, interesting stories for characters that have been around for fifty years. Seriously, I’ve watched some of the YouTube rants that rail against the body switch and there’re wrong. Every one of them. Our culture thrives through innovation and crazy ideas, so why not let Spider-Man get in on that?

Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus rewind, Pt. 3

Posted: 01/08/2013 | Author: Jason Levine | Filed under: Fights, Marvel | Leave a comment

Sick of the two yet? Last day of Spider-Man and one more day of Doc Ock, I promise. For at least a week or two. Finally we get to witness the supervillain in both his classic outfit and haircut. I’m excited too. Let’s delve right into Peter Parker: Spider-Man #39-41, written by Paul Jenkins and drawn by Mark Buckingham.

So the story’s actually about a prosthetic limb conspiracy, which is a super awesome concept. Unfortunately, we’re going to ignore almost all that part.

How the doctor’s fallen from grace. Fusion, who’s a very minor bad guy, has the mutant power to persuade others to do and think what he wants and manipulate senses. Also, more complicated stuff, but that’s the gist of it. Eventually, Spider-Man shows up, because y’know, his name’s in the title of the series.

By the way, “the supervillain who fights like a computer nerd” may simultaneously be both the most hurtful and accurate description of Doctor Octopus I’ve ever read. Unfortunately for Spider-Man, he didn’t catch on to the whole team-up thing going on and in a fight I’m not showing you, he gets a surprise beating. See?

Count another case of massive head trauma for Doc Ock. The proportionate strength of a spider applies to all of Spider-Man’s body parts. And just so you can appreciate what’s coming up, here’s an example of Fusion’s powers.

Scary stuff, I’m sure. So this is Fusion’s last appearance in the comic book world. You’ll understand in a second. Just understand that Octavius’ flair for the dramatics makes him far more formidable than both you and Fusion think.

Wonderful show by the doctor. The dude’s the second (or third if you want to argue Venom) most infamous Spider-Man villain for a reason, and Spider-Man has the largest rogue gallery in comics. Well, probably after Batman. Want to see the aftermath?

Obviously this is a lead up to a climactic battle between the two bitter enemies. But I would like to showcase one aspect of Peter Parker’s personality that’s rarely praised — his detective skills. The guy’s not exactly Nick Fury, but let’s give our hero his due. Or at least his superfriends.

In case you don’t know Murdock, that’s lawyer/vigilante Daredevil. Giving a good name to gingers everywhere. Let’s skip to the fight.

If you don’t feel like using a dictionary, vacuous is a synonym for stupid. I just looked it up. You’re on your own for Doc Ock’s other SAT words he’s used so far.

You know why Doctor Octopus always loses? Well, besides being the bad guy? Ego.

To beat his supervillain, Spider-Man shoots the electricity through his own body to electrocute Octavius. And because of his enhanced spider-durability, he can take a lot more voltage than the poor doctor. To be fair, Octavius should have spent more time killing and less time gloating. Doctor Octopus: the intelligence of a computer nerd, but the combat instincts of one too.

And so Doctor Octopus lives to fight another day. I don’t think he realizes how lucky he is to be Spider-Man’s enemy. I’m just saying the Punisher would have watched him become a green and metallic stain on the pavement. Gleefully.

On Friday, Doc Ock battles Iron Man! Do you enjoy reading bitterness and resentment? Oh, I certainly hope so.

A Green Goblin intermission

Posted: 01/06/2013 | Author: Jason Levine | Filed under: Characters, Marvel | 3 Comments

We have two more days of Doctor Octopus after this, but every once in a while in my “research,” I come across something that makes me do a literary double-take. Yesterday, I read Peter Parker: Spider-Man #44-47, written by Paul Jenkins and drawn by Humberto Ramos. A visceral excitement overwhelmed me. While not perfect, the story amazes and the art’s so emotionally done that I have to interrupt our Doc Ock stories so I can share this with you. Immediately.

Let’s briefly get into a little publication history of Green Goblin. He premiered in Amazing Spider-Man #14 and quickly became Spider-Man’s arch-nemesis. Until Amazing Spider-Man #121 in 1973. I can’t overstate the importance of that issue not just for the characters but for comics in general. At the end of the issue, this happened:

The Green Goblin threw Gwen Stacy off the George Washington Bridge and when Spider-Man tried to save her, the immediate stop from his webs broke her neck and killed her. Brutal, sure, and the first moment in comics that truly shocked readers — before that, the death of a major character was unthinkable. Amazing Spider-Man #121 ended the Silver Age of comics single handedly and brought forth the edgier Bronze and later Modern Age of comics. Nowadays, comics kill off major characters like a throw at a superhero dartboard, but this was a way different time for the literary medium.

Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, accidentally caused his own death in the next issue. And he stayed dead for 23 years. For newer readers and those who caught onto comics in the past decade or two will always see Green Goblin as the web-slinger’s most dangerous and influential foe. How can we argue that a man who was absent for half of Spider-Man’s entire history could possibly be his number one baddie? Today I hope to prove it.

As we start our story, Parker’s had some tough days. He’s still estranged from his wife, for one.

And as thus commanded of a superhero’s life, things get worse. Much worse.

Green Goblin didn’t ambush our hero just to lob a few pumpkin bomb and have his jollies. I mean, he’ll do that, but with his son Harry (currently) dead, Osborn needs a successor to the Green Goblin throne. Comes with a Fortune 500 company and a supervillain arsenal that rivals small countries. Spider-Man’s always been the worthiest contender in Osborn’s mind — all Osborn has to do is rip out that sense of morality and instill a bloodthirsty hatred and vengeance. Sounds easy enough.

Green Goblin’s plan involves a lot of heartbreak and emotional devastation. That’s what makes him the arch-nemesis. Y’see, he knows Spider-Man’s secret identity as Peter Parker since the 1960s, and unfortunately, part of his “convincing” involves forcing Parker to accept and embrace his anger and hate. Very Jedi/Sith stuff. Look, Spider-Man doesn’t have the emotional fortitude of killers like Wolverine (though even Wolverine gets overcome with guilt and runs naked in the forest every five or six years). Parker killing a man will set him on a path that he won’t recover from. A supervillain slippery slope. Green Goblin totally know this.

First on the innocent victim checklist:

Obviously, Spider-Man isn’t about to let anymore of his friends or loved ones get hurt. Time to end this insane, rambling charade. Just a heads up, I cut out large portions of the upcoming issue-and-a-half brawl, but I promise all the important stuff’s still in there.

Did you know Harry Osborn and Liz Allan (another childhood friend) got married and had a son? The kid’s named Normie and probably about three or four years old. There’s some trivia you’ll never need.

And with that, the Green Goblin’s won this round:

Phenomenal page by Ramos. C’mon, the green goop dripping down, the tears in his eyes, that death stare, the purposely tiny text — this page is a masterpiece. I’d print it out and frame it, but I think the picture’ll bring up too many questions without context.

Oh, the beauty of Green Goblin tears. Yeah, that’s probably from the spicy green goop, but can’t a case be made for the frustration and emotional intensity both of them are experiencing? Osborn’s entire legacy hinges on this fight.

Both foes are roughly the same durability and strength, but Parker could absolutely crush Osborn’s skull into goblin paste in a heartbeat. And with that threat the Green Goblin just made?

Of course Spider-Man can’t kill anybody, no matter the stakes or the leverage. That’s what makes him a superhero in the first place. I want you to pay close attention to this next part. Parker and Osborn have a heart-to-heart they’ve badly needed for decades.

The worst part of that verbal exchange? The words hit harder and truer than any punch could. Parker’s shown his unbreakable morality — the reason we love and value him so much as a character. Spider-Man won, Green Goblin lost. As it always will be.

Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus rewind, Pt. 2

Posted: 01/03/2013 | Author: Jason Levine | Filed under: Fights, Marvel | 3 Comments

Thrilled for part two? Look, if this is the man that’s replacing the most popular superhero in the Marvel universe, we should spend a few days on him. Maybe one more day after this. Then Doc Ock versus Iron Man. There’re a lot of options with Otto Octavius. I mean, he used to be a big deal in comics, and now he gets to be the biggest. Though to be fair to every other character, writer, and company, I’m really biased.

Today, let’s take a look at Amazing Spider-Man #43-45, volume 2, written by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by John Romita Jr. I’m picking up a little ways into the story, but Peter Parker’s marriage to Mary Jane is in trouble (not demonic problems, just normal marital strife) and Octavius has been kidnapped. See?

I like this Doc Ock look. He drops the bowl cut and adds in some Mr. Fantastic temple grey-ing to his hair. Combine that to his fancy sunglasses and that’s the kind of flair we expect from a supervillain in his mid-50s.

So a young entrepreneur stole Octavius’ tech. As far as copying supervillain powers go, Doctor Octopus is not a bad choice. First, no weird magic spells or experimental serums to inject. Plus, giant flailing arms intimidate civilians, they can’t be disabled like laser beams or computer systems, and they can reach the top shelves of cupboards. Fake Doctor Octopus commits the most basic of supervillain crimes, as expected from a man who can’t think of any original ideas of his own:

Good deal, especially the whole robbing Los Angeles thing. He’d be whacked with a billy club before he made it a step into the New York City bank vaults. Only one little problem with robbing a supervillain.

What’s the first thing bad guys do when they escape death traps? Hint: it starts with an “r” and ends in “evenge.”

Before the fight, here’s an old-timey joke:

Round 1

For the next picture, click on the double-spread page for a bigger version of the fight montage.

I should mention that Spider-Man’s actually in town. Y’see, to repair his marriage to Mary Jane, Peter decided to fly to LA where she’s currently the lead actress in a big budget superhero movie. Tough break for the bad guys, because the West Coast Avengers abandoned the city years ago. I think California as a whole only has like, Moon Knight defending the entire state.

The fake Doc Ock decides to be bolt, which is the only smart decision he’s made the whole arc:

Do you see that? Doctor Octopus exhibited decency and a sense of value for human life! Combined with Peter’s forced empathy blast in Amazing Spider-Man #700, maybe there’s hope for a real change once Octavius gets back in his old body a few years from now. We got to see a real moment of selflessness in the above picture. Doc Ock can be a good person!

Well, maybe not that good. When fake Doc Ock mentioned the studio, you know who’s there, right?

Okay, let cover some brief back story. About 500 issues before this, Aunt May and Doctor Octopus almost get married. I’m serious — something about Aunt May inheriting an uranium-rich island the evil doctor wants. So despite how we all know and feel about Doctor Octopus, Aunt May actually holds a soft spot in her heart for the man and vice versa. Though I would call it more of a knowing glance of compassion than a disgusting-to-imagine full-blown romantic passion.

If you buy the issues we covered today, Spider-Man has a long and well-written escape from the rubble of the collapsed building. You’d love it.

Round 2

Witness the embarrassing end for the fake Doc Ock:

Beaten by cotton candy or science goo or whatever that is.

At least the danger’s past. Just not the danger in poor Peter’s heart. By the way, it’s been confirmed that Doctor Octopus Spider-Man will be dating Mary Jane again. That’s a step in the right direction, though definitely an icky direction.

Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus rewind, Pt. 1

Posted: 01/01/2013 | Author: Jason Levine | Filed under: Fights, Marvel | 1 Comment

With Doctor Octopus now inhabiting Spider-Man’s body, I thought we should roll back time a bit and check out a few of their previous battles. Most importantly, I want you to see Doc Ock’s outfits over the next few articles. That man may change clothes often, but a fashion connoisseur he is not. Let’s not beat around the bush and jump right into Spectacular Spider-Man #6-10, written by Paul Jenkins and drawn by Humberto Ramos.

As you know, Spider-Man’s one of the few “street” superheroes in New York City. That means he webs out of his apartment and actually swings around the city once or twice a day to check for crime. I actually never thought about this until now, but besides Spider-Man and Daredevil, the city really doesn’t have much in superhero patrol. Captain America and the Fantastic Four think too highly of themselves to busy themselves with bank robberies and muggings. Though to be fair, Spider-Man can’t really take on Galactus anyway.

You like the black trench coat? Doc Ock’s wearing Matrix cosplay. Anyway, the evil doctor has a preposition for our hero.

Doctor Octopus can always be counted on for two things: his enormous ego and long, windy speeches. He’s such a beautifully stereotypical bad guy. Though this time, Octavius has a plan that’ll force Spider-Man to comply with his demands. Did you guess it’ll be unnecessarily world-threatening?

Current events! The best hope for peace in the Middle East depends entirely on Peter Parker unmasking himself in front of the world. Why? I don’t know, that’s just what supervillains do. Doc Ock tries to explain this to his hostage in his normal verbose manner:

I always assumed that the people of New York City knew that Spider-Man was a normal man with a normal face. God knows they’ve seen enough skin with his ripped up costume after brawls. Look, if you ever question Octavius’ madness, just remember that Octavius is mad. The crazy definition.

So Spider-Man has to make a decision. A complicated decision. Aunt May sums it up best:

The suspense getting to you? Don’t you worry, because our dear hero has a plan. A cunning plan.

This next page isn’t relevant to our story, but it’s super cool. I really like Ramos’ art.

Anyway, time to shut Doc Ock down. Oh, did I forget to mention subplots with disgruntled detectives, a New Zealand best friend, and Mossad? I’ve skipped a lot.

Spider-Man wins. He always wins (except for y’know, the most recent issue). All that’s left is a few punches to fell the doctor and everyone goes home fulfilled.

Spider-Man just summarized Doc Ock better than I ever could. Readers sometimes forget just how much of genius that Octavius possesses. He’s easily on Tony Stark or Norman Osborn’s level of intelligence. But like Osborn, instead of curing cancer, he’s content with throwing pumpkin bombs or elaborate plots to destabilize the Middle East if he doesn’t get a spandex mask. Octavius touched upon it earlier: his obsession with proving others to be inferior has prevented him from embracing his own superiority. Hopefully Superior Spider-Man will change that — and a lot more punches.

Anyway, the fight goes to the sewers.

You know those 86 counts of massive head trauma Doctor Octopus mentioned in Amazing Spider-Man #600? There’s one. Now comes the physical and emotional beatdown by our hero. That’s what we expect in comics.