Thoughts for SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN # 16 by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos.
"Run, Goblin, Run!" Part 2 of 2 How has the Hobgoblin evaded the Superior Spider-Man for so long? And does that hold the key to the Superior Spider-Man's greatest success -- or greatest failure? It's the end of the line for Hobgoblin, and possibly an end for a big chapter in the history of Spider-Man." In this issue, it's all about the fall of Hobgoblin, Phil Urich and what comes after seems to prove the theory that there will be another Spider-Man-centric event in the near future. Anyway this issue is packed with talk and it's really the meat of the story which is good. It's supposed to be good. The only problem here is that the issue lost what got me liking it. Those WOW and INSANE moments are absent in this issue which for means a lot. On the upside you're reading something that's focusing on two bad guys on opposite ends of the spectrum. Here's Slotto on one side, a villain masquerading as a hero and using more-than-dubious methods to ensure that people will like the Superior Spider-Man AND at the same time forwarding his goal (whatever the hell that is). On the other end there's Phil Urich aka Hobgoblin who's motivations are just as shady and who's barely scraping by much like how the real Parker did before he started with Horizon Labs. Two weirdos clashing over pride and duty. Interesting but not THAT interesting. Again the issue follows the classic "The Cover Lies" trope. Nuff said The real thrill for me here in this issue happens in the form of the fallout, the reactions of the supporting cast and the start of the investigation on just who is this SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN. Seriously, that's what got me more here. Carlie Cooper (Peter's ex) teams up with the Wraith here and starts going for the Spider; Nora Roberts and Ben Urich of the Daily Bugle are in the outs and without spoiling the end, there's something brewing underneath.
VERDICT: B- Get your books online through COMICX HUB.
Some thoughts on this week's SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN # 15. Warning might contain spoilers.
I think I like this issue. There were somethings that IMHO was unnecessary or contrived but it's otherwise astounding. Long have I seen Superior as a book detailing the downfall of Spider-Man and the subsequent rise of Parker and with the recent issues I'm reading, can't help but chuckle knowing that I was partly right. The issue revolves not so much on Slotto but more on Phil Urich who also happens to be Hobgoblin. We find out that (a) He's broke (b) he gets money from selling videos of himself and Spider-Man fighting (c) He's on Slotto's hit list for the mere fact that he survived the fall of Shadowland.
This is kind of a miss for me because Slott had a chance to tell us a really great story of Hobgoblin after the many changes in his life and instead everything's crammed tightly. Can't blame him though, this book is on a really tight schedule lately. Plus the fact that nobody really cares about Urich, the one-time "Good" Green Goblin.
To some extent this cover lied. Slotto never revealed those eight legged things on his back. We do find out who's been working on Hobbie's gear in this issue and that's something that falls under the category of 'meh'. Who cares whats happened to him. Although I need to track back to learn if this guy was also partly responsible for the Horizon Lab accident that created Alpha (blergh).
The issue's ending was pretty nifty. It's a mix between showing how low Otto Octavius has sunk ever since he inhabited the body of Peter Parker and it's also partly showing us the change in status quo for Urich who I can see will become a more permanent part of Spider-Man if he ever pulls through. The Spider-Man's murderous intent is also coming into a more public light which definitely will have bigger ramifications in the future.
RATING: B+ Get your copies of SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN # 15 from Comicx Hub and Castle Geek!
Solicits for August 2013 shows that SpOck (or Spider Ock) aka Superior Spider-Man will be doing battle against Phil Urich aka Hobgoblin.
SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #15 DAN SLOTT (W) • HUMBERTO RAMOS (A/C) “Run, Goblin, Run!” Part 1 of 2 • What’s it like to be a villain in the Marvel Universe...once the Superior Spider-Man sets his sights on you? • Find out, from Phil Urich’s point of view, in what might be the final days of the Hobgoblin. • Plus, what is the secret of “The Tinkerer’s Apprentice”? Who’s been helping the Terrible Tinkerer? And how is he, of all people, the reason everything in Spider-Man’s life will be changed forever?! More after the break
