Connect with us
Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review

Comic Books

Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review

Thanks to double shipping, Marvel released Superior Spider-Man #3 today one week after #2 shipped. Call me crazy but this can’t be on purpose. Double shipping should at least be two weeks apart right? Anyhoo, anyone hoping to get a faster resolution now that Doc Ock is Spider-Man (that’s ‘SpOck’ on the message boards to you) should breathe easier. No way this lasts that long when it’s double shipped. I wasn’t a fan of the last issue, but maybe this one can win me over…is it good?


Superior Spider-Man #3 (Marvel Comics)


Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

Last issue was heavily plot-driven and read as if writer Dan Slott wanted to get the whole MJ being raped by SpOck thing out of the way. This issue is a little more laid back, doesn’t feature blue ghost Peter Parker quite as much and actually delivers some much needed character development to Doc Ock Spidey. Hell, it even opens with a fun reference to Batman!

Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review
My Spider-Signal is tingling!

Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review
Batman diss!

Dare I say it, Dan Slott is slowly humanizing Doc Ock. It’s hard to believe considering the evil genius and evil scientist imagery we’ve seen in the last few issues, but this issue is a good step to humanizing SpOck. This is the first issue where I actually felt he was genuinely trying to be a hero and not just trying to one up Spider-Man. I think this is attributed to his interaction with Carlie and Jameson.

Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review
Hmm. Seems the blue ghost aspect is developing as well.

When blue ghost Peter Parker was introduced at the end of the first issue I groaned. I was one of the few who were excited to see a Doc Ock focused book, but that development threw a monkey wrench into that. With Peter floating around we’d always have that additional story mucking things up. That might be why I enjoyed this issue more than the last, because SpOck can actually shine as a character and not be simply a plot device to carry things forward.

Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review
Sir Ian McKellen as Vulture…also Spidey is inside a memory. Neat.

Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review
There seems to be rules to this whole blue ghost thing.

Consider Doc Ock as a villain and most folks assume he’s an evil genius who’s evil for evil’s sake. This issue dispels that, however, and shows a broken man with deep-seated issues, particularly with his childhood. It makes sense and it helps flesh him out.

Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review
You don’t want to see Doc Ock Spidey when he’s angry!

Much props to artist Ryan Stegman who is living proof artists who ink their own work benefit from it. The composition flows very well and I can’t help but look at his work and be reminded of Todd McFarlane. A much cleaner McFarlane at that.

Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review
The ever changing new Spider-Man eyes are a cool addition.

Final Score: 9

Is It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 ReviewIs It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 ReviewIs It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 ReviewIs It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 ReviewIs It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 ReviewIs It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 ReviewIs It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 ReviewIs It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 ReviewIs It Good? Superior Spider-Man #3 Review
  • Great art
  • Two stories evolving well
  • If you hate the premise you will hate this comic

In one sense I find this story gimmicky and a test of the readers’ patience. In another I like that this is a story we haven’t seen before. This issue delivers great action, nice humor and character development. What more could you want from a comic?

Is It Good?

Yes. Come ride this rollercoaster storyline and see if you love and hate it as much as I have these last three issues.

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1 I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1

‘I Heart Skull-Crusher!’ #1 review: Apocalyptic squad goals

Comic Books

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024 Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Comic Books

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Comic Books

DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

DC reveals ‘DC: Pride’ and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup