One word to describe the first issue of this new era of Spider-Man's life: amazing. Everyone is going to have their personal opinions of this book before they even read it. Whether you're a long-time fan, casual reader, or this is your first time picking up anything with the name Spider-Man on it. The internet fervor has been widespread. Most of it has been hate. I think that's sadly unfair. You have to go into this series knowing full well this will not be permanent. How much in comics ever is? And this won't be the first. But what it is is an interesting tale, if you give it a chance.
This was the first time reading a Spider-Man comic that I felt like I knew what it was like to be in the costume. Marvel's characters have always been more relatable than any other companies'. But this took it one step beyond that. We as the readers are experiencing what it's like to actually be in Peter Parker's shoes along with Otto Octavious. And it's not easy. Would we be able to do it? Would we do it differently? Could we do it better? These are all things the former Doctor Octopus will be figuring out in his new lease on life. He's struggling with things he's never had to deal with before. He's helping innocents where he never would've cared before. He's dealing with relationships he never had the opportunity to do before. And he's getting admiration from the public for the first time. It's a very unique chance to see Spider-Man from behind the mask in a way that's never happened before.
Dan Slott being the writer to create this drastic change is a very smart move by Marvel. With their NOW! initiative, almost every creator has switched books, but it was very important for Slott to stay on Spider-Man. He can continue with storylines that have been going on for many months, while at the same time making everything brand new. Ryan Stegman on art is adequate. A bit too rough on the Spider-Man scenes for my taste, but very spot-on with the "Peter Parker" scenes. Hopefully his style improves on the action sequences.
I know most of you are going to be hesitant with trying out this book, but you need to look past your bias and see what Slott has planned. It's a well thought out story that is just beginning. It deserves to be allowed to play out. And if you think Peter Parker's legacy will be trampled upon, I just have two words for you: Last. Page.
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