If you gave up on Spider-Man after Amazing #700 then shame on you! Superior Spider-Man has been a solid read from the beginning and now as the series winds down, even those who hate Spider-Ock get some redemption, as Otto’s world is crumbling around him and his secret revealed to those he should fear most.

Official description from MARVEL:
The so-called Superior Spider-Man has failed. Under his watch, the Green Goblin took control of New York’s underworld. This is all Otto Octavius’ fault. Now it’s his responsibility to take the Goblin down. Win or lose, this shall be Otto’s greatest battle. The End starts here. Superior Spider-Man versus… THE GOBLIN NATION!

Even when Otto’s is on the losing end of a battle he still brims with confidence and maintains his super-ego. Superior Spider-Man #27.NOW begins 31 days after the Goblin Wars began and New York is literally burning and chaos rules supreme. Watching his territory overrun he realizes that he has been after the wrong goblins. Norman Osborn is Otto’s true enemy and with it the downfall everything Otto has built as the Superior Spider-Man. Dan Slott is a man with a plan and it appears as though he has as much in store for Otto as he did when he killed off Peter. Slott continues to give a glimpse at Peter’s mindscape and the few remaining memories he has but he will have to do the unthinkable to keep hidden from Doc Ock before it’s time to make his move.

Just as Otto schemed behind everyone’s back when becoming Superior, Slott also puts the shoe on the other foot as J. Jameson plots to take Spider-Man down behind the scenes. The rebuilding of the Spider-Man versus Jameson feud is a winning formula. While Otto may be arrogant he reminds us and the Green Goblin that’s he’s not stupid or sloppy. When Spider-Man and Goblin meet face to face all is not as it appears.

In the end you may or may not feel a little sympathy for Otto as his world and the illusion he has created slowly crumbles away. Either way it’s exciting, action-packed and an all around excellent issue from Slott and Co. Giuseppe Camuncoli handles the art this issue and while his style is slightly less cartoonish than Humberto Ramos it’s still full of life and expression. The action is fluid and epic with plenty of dynamic angles and perspectives even in the more pedestrian panels. His presentation of Goblin and his army is just what Spider-Man fans clamor for and punctuates the hurdle Otto faces going forward.

Superior Spider-Man #27.NOW is a great beginning for what looks to be an epic fall and a war that will usher in the reemergence of Peter Parker as Spider-Man. Slott has been a master at this entire shift from Peter to Ock and now back to Peter and fans should have never doubted his plan from the beginning. Now that Goblin has come face to face with Ock, Spider Island under attack and a new Spider slayer waiting in the wings, Superior Spider-Man is hitting on all cylinders and is more fun than it’s ever been. If you haven’t jumped on board yet jump on this “point NOW” issue and see what you’ve been missing.

5/5