We can now talk about Amazing Spider-Man #698′s big reveal, right…? Tell you what, let’s do it under the jump for those who have managed to remain unspoiled until now – which means that those of you who’re reading this on an RSS feed should really stop reading right now for fear of accidentally seeing something that you don’t want to. Okay, one last chance. Scram if you don’t want to be spoiled.
First things first: Congratulations, Dan Slott. That’s a really nice revelation, and an even better set-up for a story (It also gives a double meaning to the cover, which I particularly enjoy; instead of it being Otto discovering who Spider-Man really is, now it becomes Peter-in-Otto’s-body telling the reader who he actually is. I love that kind of thing); as bored as I’ve been by the Doc Ock storyline to date – Sorry, but it’s just not been working for me, especially as he’s died once already – this is a swerve that guarantees that I’ll be picking up the next couple of issues, especially if Superior Spider-Man goes where I suspect it will.
Secondly, let’s be honest: Slott was likely entirely correct when saying that retailers hadn’t ordered enough of this issue, especially if Peter does die in it… Not that I think that that’s the case, because (a) it’s comics, and (b) heroes that “die” in the first part of a three part story generally make some kind of return before everything’s over and done, not to mention (c) it’s Peter Parker, face it, he’ll be back sooner or later.
And third… With the exception of the last-minute spoilage yesterday (And, really, poor show, whoever did that. Everyone had been doing so well up until then), am I the only one who really appreciated the fact that they didn’t know what was coming in this issue? Perhaps it’s raging against an overly familiar machine at this point, but the secrecy surrounding this issue – and the fact that Marvel itself didn’t spoil it with a mainstream news outlet revealing all yesterday – added to the feeling of this storyline being something that’s important and exciting to read, making the book an event in and of itself. Perhaps it’s just the constant pleasant unspoiled surprises of 2000AD lately that have put me in this mindset, but can we have more of this kind of thing again in mainstream US comics, please…?
All around, then: Good show, Amazing Spider-Man #698. Looking forward to seeing what’s next.
November 21st, 2012 at 8:49 am
Its 10:30 eastern time on the day of release. How many non-’jounalist’ comic fans do you know have read it??? None? Maybe that’s cause it’s the dang morning of release!! So no it’s not cool to talk spoilers!! I skipped your entire article Graeme. Great way to encourage readership; spoil books there’s no real chance fans will have read yet.
November 21st, 2012 at 1:55 pm
I had the exact opposite reaction because of the secrecy. I know I sound like a cranky old comic book fan, but this is the kind of story that used to happen all the time and was never hyped up as an event. It was just another story.
All the hype surrounding it had me expecting something more, which, I suppose, is silly, given that ultimately everything will revert to the status quo.
I don’t know why anyone would be mad about this story, but perhaps they’ve never read comics before. I also don’t understand how anyone could claim this change is permanent, but I’m not certain anyone has — I think I’m getting that second hand.
I mean, I think it will make for an interesting and entertaining story, but it’s not like it’s changed the face of comics or even just Spider-man (okay, I guess that’s not literally true).
November 21st, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@Robin get over it. He asked you not to continue reading right off the bat. It’s called free choice and you chose to keep reading. I appreciate the write up because I wasn’t sure if I was going to try and jump back on board to Spider-Man. This little twist has convinced me to give it another try. But spoilers exist its how everything is now so deal with it.
November 21st, 2012 at 10:44 pm
I read digitally. I had already read it by 10:30am. People do have early access to comics. Blame Diamond and your LCS if you can’t get books early. Also there was a spoiler warning.
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November 22nd, 2012 at 8:12 am
When were the “Parker Particles” first mentioned/created? If it happens after the end of Ends of the Earth, then Alpha is 100% the creation of Octavius. Which raises a ton of additional questions.
November 24th, 2012 at 10:55 am
I completely agree with your article. This was a lot of fun – a true “WTF??” moment. I miss that in today’s obsessive, “tell-me-what-will-happen” culture. Well done, Dan Slott! I am now a regular Spider-man reader.
November 27th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
I can only get to my comics shop every two weeks, I’m never going to be the first to know, so if I really don’t want to know what happens I avoid every comic site on the Net. It isn’t that difficult.
April 20th, 2013 at 7:10 am
I’ll immediately clutch your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please allow me recognize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.