Superior Spider-Man #20

Writer - Dan Slott

Art - Giuseppe Camuncoli

 

There is a pattern to storytelling.  Start with a basic idea and build to the crescendo.  Superior Spider-Man #19 was that crescendo.  Several storylines hit major touchstones and we were given resolutions.  This follow-up issue, the twentieth of the series, is in stark contrast to that feeling.  We are now at that point where the build-up needs to begin again.  Sadly, this transition issue does not live up to previous stories.  

We're given a solid glimpse here into what is coming for "SpOck," and it's looking grim.  My main issue is that the Goblin storyline was completely avoided here.  We know certain stories and interactions are coming, but they still need some build-up.  That is what I wanted out of this issue.  We need the Spider-Man conflict as well as the Peter Parker conflict.  That balance is what has always made Spidey an intriguing character.  I have faith in Slott, so this issues shortcomings do nothing to change my mind on the story as a whole, it just leaves me wanting the next issue to make up for this.  The other though in the back of my my is as Otto Octavius slowly dismantles Peter Parker's life, we have to wonder what Peter's mindset will be like when he eventually returns.  So much time has passed, I would have hoped more people would have caught on to the fact that something was amiss.  There's a thread on the /comicbooks Reddit board that I would suggest checking out.  There is a good discussion there that hits on a lot of my feelings.

The Verdict...

This was a momentum killer for me.  I'll stick around because I know great things are coming, but that doesn't take the bland taste out of my mouth from this installment.