The Spectacular Spider-Man #6 - 10 "Countdown" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Spider-Man]

Doc Ock is back!

SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #6

http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/SPECSM006_t.jpg

COVER BY: Humberto Ramos
WRITER: Paul Jenkins
PENCILS: Humberto Ramos
INKS: Wayne Faucher

THE STORY: “COUNTDOWN" pts. 1 (of 5) Doc Ock is out to destroy Spider-Man once and for all but this time he's doing it in style. Check out Humberto Ramos' cool new redesign of Spider-Man's most devious villain.

Comments?

[Spider-Man]

Wow - no one wants to talk about the return of Doc Ock - especially in his new look. What does everyone think of Ramos' redesign of the character. I gotta admit, Doc Ock looks completely different with his new get-up. Granted it is him, but the redesign is really radical, and hard to get used to. Where's the bullcut and chubbiness we're used to?

[Stu]

Being that I finally got around to reading this, I'd like to say that this was better than any part of the average Venom arc. I'm not fond of Ocks new design, its not as good as Ultimate Ock or the design Romita Jr used in Amazing a couple of months back.

It's great to see Ock again, and with the movie coming out, I bet we'll be seeing plenty more

[Icer]

How did he all of a sudden make his arms 10x stronger? There needs to be a valid explanation.

And right now, all the Ock is cool but I wonder how I will feel when the movie rolls around.

2 Ock Mini-series, and 5-parter here.

[wonderfly]

Did anyone see "Zombie Mary Jane"? The first panel she appears in in the comic...I can almost hear her say, "Peter, I want to eat your brains!!!"

:p

I liked it overall...but Ramos' art, man, it takes sooooo long to get use to this guy's style!!!! And just when you think you've gotten use to it, in comes Zombie Mary!

[Spider-Man]

I liked it overall...but Ramos' art, man, it takes sooooo long to get use to this guy's style!!!! And just when you think you've gotten use to it, in comes Zombie Mary!

I noticed that, too. Even her first appearance made her look undead! It was uncanny! I'm sure it'll take a bit of getting used to, like Ramo's rendition of Aunt May - a truly frightening design.

[Fett One]

So far this sounds like a good story-arch. I don't care much for his redesign but atleast somebody finally realized that Doc Ock is smart enough to realize that he needed to make his tentacles stronger in order to beat Spidey. That is the one thing that has always bugged me. Ock is suppose to be a genuis yet over the years he has never thought to upgrade his arms.

[Spider-Man]

Doc Ock continues to plague Spider-Man!

SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #7

http://www.marvel.com/copycat/onsale/covers/SPECSM007_t.jpg

WRITER: Paul Jenkins
PENCILS: Humberto Ramos

THE STORY: Doc Ock is out to destroy Spider-Man once and for all but this time he's doing it in style.

Comments?

[wonderfly]

Eh, it's taking it's time building up, but I'm liking this more and more as it goes along. Mary Jane actually looks pretty, (as far as she can in Ramos' artwork) and Doc Ock looks pretty friggin cool.

Did Jenkins actually say that their is a Palastinean State in the Marvel Universe's Middle East? :eek: They usually don't stray that far from real Marvel Earth, (unless it's Latveria or Genosha). ;)

[Fett One]

This is starting to get interesting. I liked how Doc Ock outsmarted Spidey and he didn't even realize it until it was too late.

[Stu]

Good issue. Ramos is getting better, but thats probably only because he didn't draw Aunt May. It was a great trap set up by Ock, but I still don't like his new design. I'm sorry, but it doesn't look like Doc Ock at all. Looking forward to next months

[wonderfly]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention: Mary Jane doesn't look like a zombie this issue! Hooray! :p

[Spider-Man]

Doc Ock sets his plans in motion!

SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #8

http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2003-12/marvel/t-spectacularspiderman08.jpg

Written by: Paul Jenkins
Cover & Pencils by: Humberto Ramos

"Countdown" Pt. 3 (of 5) Doctor Octopus is out to ruin Spider-Man once and for all and has given the wall-crawler an ultimatum. For the safe release of the Palestinian ambassador, Spider-Man must reveal his identity to the entire world!

Comments?

Spectacular Spider-Man Vol. 1: The Hunger, collecting issues #1 - 5, is also on sale today.

[Spider-Man]

I guess I'll be the first to chime in here. I found the script to be engaging, but the artwork keeps holding it back. Scenes where Doc Ock should have been intimidating came off as goofy at times. I do like how Ramos portrays Spider-Man as lanky and agile, but Doc Ock doesn't look right. It's a real shame - his new look is awesome, as far as I'm concerned. It gives us a new darker scheme for the guy, but Ramos makes him look goofy at times.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is Jenkins's decision to transform the Palestinian ambassador into something other than just a bystander. He's getting involved with the situation and providing to be a worthy foil of Doc Ock. He's playing a dangerous game with Ock, and it could bring a huge tail spin into the story-arc.

[Spider-Man]

SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #9

http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2004-01/marvel/t-spectacularspiderman09.jpg


Written By: Paul Jenkins
Pencils By: Humberto Ramos

“Countdown” Pt. 4 (of 5)
It’s High Noon in Times Square as a defeated Spider-Man confronts Doc Ock, with countless innocent lives hanging in the balance!

Comments?

[Spider-Man]

I guess I'll get this little discussion going. First off - Jenkins is really breathing some new life into Doc Ock. He's always been a great villian, but Jenkins has unearthed some new shades to him that I find very interesting. Jenkins really knows how to write these characters. I wish Mark Buckingham was the artist here, but Humberto Ramos is doing just fine for the arc. His art can get a bit silly, but the tone and the art do work alright.

And I really want to see what Spidey did to his face!

[Stu]

With the mediocre Venom arc out of the way, Jenkins has managed to shine with the current arc, his Doc Ock is simply great, much better than the 2 mini's, which I have actually been enjoying.

Not sure what Peters neighbour (Kiwi kid?) has planned, but he actually sounds British, which is a bonus. Is Jenkins british?

It wouldn't surprised me if Spidey simply blacked out his face, covered it in make up or something, or another mask. However, I'm intrigued by the results.

And Spider-Man, keep these talkbacks coming. Whilst only a few reply usually reply, this is one of the more contraverisal book out there, where opinions tend to differ a lot, mainly due to Ramos oftn dodgy pencil work. I'm usually late with my replies, but I just like discussing this title, it's improved dramatically in the past few issues, can't wait for The Lizard!

[Marc]

This entire storyline has been a blast so far. The payoff at Times Square seems to be approaching Bendis-like pacing, I have a feeling we're all patiently waiting for a whole lotta nothing. Maybe Johhny Storm will bail Peter out yet again and it will be the Human Torch under that mask! Stranger things have happened.

The real story here is Doc Ock. I love his redesign and we're given great insight into his childhood. Damn he was a cute little kid. How could someone so adorable turn into such a monster? The reason: abandoned by his caring mother and left to watch his stern father die. What child's mind wouldn't be warped by that? Cliched yes, but effective.

Not sure what Peters neighbour (Kiwi kid?) has planned, but he actually sounds British, which is a bonus. Is Jenkins british? Yes, Jenkins is British. However, I believe "Big" John Anderson is supposed to be a New Zealand native ("Kiwi Kid", get it?). John obviously has some part to play in Peter's unmasking, but what? What could he be filming with that camera perched atop a telephone pole? Something Peter said about the cameras getting his "good side"?

We'll have to wait and see.

- Cap

[Spider-Man]

I'll do my best to keep putting these up, Amazing Spidey. No one else is putting them up, and I like talking to other Spider-Man fans about these books, even if they get a handul of replies. I really hope this board gets a jolt of life, soon. A new background and some more discussion would really move this board along nicely.

And I hope the ending isn't some cop out. I think Jenkins can pull off a nice twist.

[Cyber E.]

Hunger was certainly an interesting arc. It developed Eddie Brock while displaying the evil of Venom, showing us the man and the monster behind the villain. He is doing it again with Dr. Octavius and it is certainly working. We have a wonderfully illustrated re-cap of his childhood and what molds a man into what they will become as they age. He isn't just an angry man with metal arms anymore.

Peter is faced with a grave decision and must decide if his identity is truly more important than two countries at war. Not only does he have to think of the matter at hand, but the consequences of his actions later on and its portrayed wonderfully here.

Its amazing how many people dislike Ramos' art. He has some great attributes, giving his Spider-Man an extreme agile feel and Doc Ock's design shows that he is a force to be dealt with. His women aren't too great, I must admit. But it really amazes me the number of people who dislike his work .

**** 1/2

[Fett One]

This story has really gotten interesting. I can't wait to see what he did to his face. I wouldn't be surprised if it is the Human Torch behind the mask.

[Spider-Man]

This story has really gotten interesting. I can't wait to see what he did to his face. I wouldn't be surprised if it is the Human Torch behind the mask.
I'd feel cheated if it was just the Human Torch under the mask. I hope there's something clever rigged up for this. There has to be, especially with Kiwi Kid's as yet undefined role. It can't be as simple as Johnny being under the mask.

[Samhaine]

The real story here is Doc Ock. I love his redesign Agreed. Ramos makes it look good (and he would, he created it). Can't say the same about the way it looks in the movie, though.

I think this arc has been better than the last, but it doesn't have the strength Jenkins showed early on in his PP run. Hopefully that will come back soon.

[Spider-Man]

Agreed. Ramos makes it look good (and he would, he created it). Can't say the same about the way it looks in the movie, though.
Humberto is doing fine on the series, and I am getting used to his style. I think he does a fair job presenting Spider-Man in that elastic, spastic, agile way. His "regular" people do look alright, although he can't hit every character. His Aunt May looks like the undead on occasion. However, his Doc Ock design is pretty cool.