Spider-Geddon #0

Marvel Comics

Writer: Christos Cage

Artist: Clayton Crain

SPOILERS FOR SPIDER-MAN PS4 AHEAD!

If you’re a human living on Earth at the time of reading this, then you’ve probably also been playing Spider-Man on the PS4. And like anyone else playing it, you’ll probably be thinking it’s brilliant.
If so then you’re in luck! Look who’s turning up in the Spider-Geddon event!
If you hate it then go back to playing Batman: Arkham Asylum and tell your parents all about how that game did it better, first.

‘The die is cast!’

Those of you still with me, let’s get to it.
Spider-Geddon #0 is a sort of tie-in, sort of prelude which introduces Peter Parker (with his canon designation of Earth-1048) to the comics world.
Many of the features of the game are readily seen here, being set after Peter defeats Otto Octavius.
Web-bombs, his now famous white-detailed suit and even the little icon in the bottom of the screen when he’s on the phone are all here, and the humour of this particular Peter is present as well.

Whilst a sort of tie-in comic for a recently released game wouldn’t necessarily warrant a review, the game’s runaway success and the events of the comic make it worth a look in. Those of you who’ve played 5 minutes of the game will know that this particular Peter Parker idolises Otto Octavius, and was heartbroken when Otto pulled a heel turn. Peter is still reeling from the man he looked up to most (other than a brand of delicious instant rice) betraying his ideals, so when none other than the Superior Spider-Man of Earth-616 makes an appearance it has a profound impact.

‘Can we put the brakes on variant Spider-people for two seconds?’

What makes this issue so important in my opinion is that we’re clearly heading towards another showdown for regular 616 Peter and Superior Spider-Man Peter-but-actually-Otto, but the brand-new and very popular Spider-Man of Earth-1048 will evidently be lining up behind Spider-Ock (Spock? Will I get sued if I say that?).

His hero worship has clearly shifted from his Otto to this new and supposedly heroic Otto (who looks presumably identical to him? And it’s not mentioned at all why he has a different name?) and I’m not looking forward to breaking the poor guy’s heart when another Octavius turns out to be a d**k.
Either way, it’s a brilliant way to incorporate this new iteration of Spidey into the existing canon and it feels completely natural, dismissing my main worry that his inclusion was a cheap cash-in.

‘Now let’s make haste…’

If you enjoyed the Superior Spider-Man arc and the relationship between Otto and Peter in the PS4 game then this, and the rest of Spider-Geddon, will be essential reading for you. This issue, in particular, helps to reaffirm just how important Otto was to Peter before his fall, and this high opinion might affect how Spock (I’m going with it now) will act during the event.
The Superior Octopus persona is also planned to make an appearance, so I’d love to see 616 Peter, 1048 Peter, Spock & SupOck (awful nickname) all arguing and getting on each other’s nerves.

Bring on the rest of Spider-Geddon!