One of the most popular yet controversial versions of Spider-Man is returning to Marvel Comics, as Doctor Octopus once again becomes The Superior Spider-Man in a brand-new relaunch of the series.The 2013 Spider-Man storyline "Dying Wish" saw a decrepit and dying Otto Octavius swap his consciousness into Peter Parker's body and trap Peter's in his own soon-to-be-dead form. The story ended with Peter "dying" and Otto becoming the "Superior Spider-Man," working as a heroic yet violent hero. Now, in a cryptic Tweet, Marvel has revealed that The Superior Spider-Man will return this fall.

Marvel's announcement of The Superior Spider-Man relaunch - which will be written by original series creator and writer Dan Slott - reveals very little about the new series. Many fans are assuming that it will see Otto Octavius somehow becoming Spider-Man again, or it will be a flashback series detailing events from the original that were never shown.

Superior Spider-Man Was Incredibly Controversial

Otto Octavius becoming Spider-Man was controversial for many reasons, starting with the fact that Marvel had Peter Parker officially die. Even though a sliver of his consciousness was alive in Otto's mind, and he did eventually return, it was one of the longest lasting "deaths" Peter has ever had. Many fans also had big feelings about Otto making Spider-Man into such a violent, murderous hero, as well as the fact that he was romantic with Mary Jane while allowing her to believe he was Peter. However, many fans were won over throughout Otto's tenure as the Superior Spider-Man, mainly because it was actually an incredibly fresh new era for the hero, and it was also fascinating to see Otto "improve" Peter's life so dramatically, like having him finally get his degree and even founding the ultra successful Parker Industries.

While many fans consistently decry Marvel's seeming inability to progress Peter Parker's life forward or give him real character development, Superior Spider-Man was a brilliant way to refresh the Spider-Man title, with Otto's decisions leading to some actual changes in Parker's life once he came back to his body. Otto eventually sacrificed his own life to bring Peter's mind back so that he could defeat Norman Osborn and save Otto's love interest, Anna Maria Marconi, although he was later reborn after revealing he had placed his consciousness in a separate device. Since his rebirth, Otto has almost entirely been villainous; because of a very confusing set of circumstances involving Mephisto, he appears to his time as Superior Spider-Man but not as Peter Parker. Otto has reclaimed the identity of Superior Spider-Man several times since the original series ended in 2014, like in a 12-issue Spider-Geddon tie-in series, but it has never stuck.

Doctor Octopus Has Been A Villain Again For Almost A Decade

It is still very unclear how or why the Superior Spider-Man is returning, but Doctor Octopus is definitely due for an update. The character has been frustratingly stagnant and one dimensional since his time as Spider-Man, with Marvel in many ways trying to erase his time as the webslinging hero. Otto's run as the Superior Spider-Man was one of the most impressive and complex portrayals of a classic villain realizing the error of his villainous ways and vowing to change, while also being unable to change his inherently violent and condescending personality. Most recently Doctor Octopus updated his classic tentacles for a battle with Norman Osborn's Gold Goblin and Spider-Man. He also had a stint leading the "Superior Four" in Devil's Reign, so it will be exciting to see if Otto is going back to heroics, or if this is another flashback series like Marvel's Storm or I Am Iron Man.

While the first run of The Superior Spider-Man was controversial, it also ended up winning over many fans. Only time will tell how Doctor Octopus will become entangled with Spider-Man again, and if it will be just as controversial as the original.

Source: Marvel

The Super Spider-Man will debut this fall from Marvel Comics.