What Is Superior Spider-Man?

Superior Spider-Man (2013–2014) is one of Marvel's boldest Spider-Man runs, written by Dan Slott with art largely by Ryan Stegman. The twist: it's not Peter Parker under the mask — it's Otto Octavius, a.k.a. Doctor Octopus, who swapped minds with Peter, leaving Peter to die in Otto's dying body. Otto, determined to prove he can be a better Spider-Man than Peter ever was, adopts a more ruthless, efficiency-driven approach to heroism — building Spider-Bots, running his own company (Horizon Labs spin-off Parker Industries), and even earning a doctorate. Peter's consciousness lingers as a ghost in the background for part of the run, trying to reclaim his body. The series ran 34 issues and is a must-read for anyone who wants to see a villain genuinely try — and sometimes succeed — at being a hero, before Peter ultimately returns.