Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Year One Talkback (Spoilers)

[Zebi]

This talkback is for the Year One mini-series, and is for discussion of all five issues of the story. This thread will be updated with the covers and synopsis for all five issues of the comic, as they are released.

Issue #1



Written by Zeb Wells
Pencils & Cover by Kaare Andrews

Every kid thinks he's different; some are. Now, peer behind the curtain of Doctor Octopus' childhood to witness the formative years of this mad genius! Plus: When the military attempts to harness his brilliance, have they made a deal with someone they can't hope to control? Featuring the first encounter between Doctor Octopus and Peter Parker, the first appearance of Doc Ock's arms, and the true inspiration that led him to build his remarkable appendages - which may have come from a certain wall-crawler!

Comments?

[Zebi]

Mile High Comics has the first issue of this series featured on their Marvel Previews page, complete and uncut. If you are curious about this story, give this preview a look.

Last Friday, CBC's very own Ace the Bathound reported that the creative team behind Year One, writer Zeb Wells and artist Kaare Andrews, were recently interviewed. Wells was featured on Newsarama.com, and Andrews on Comicon's PULSE News.

Both interviews were very interesting reads, and I'd like to share a clip from each of them:

WELLS: Whenever I could, I tried to expand on things that were in Amazing Spider-Man #3 rather than just changing things to make the story longer," explained Wells. "The cool thing was how many springboards were in the original text for me to riff off of. Right before his accident, Doc Ock says, 'Others fear radiation, but I alone am able to make it my servant!' Just that line says so much about the character, his motivations, and his attitude. I'm updating because I'm basically telling the same origin about the same character, adapting outright from Stan [Lee] and Steve [Ditko], but I'm trying to flesh out the character and story complexities, making it more appropriate for the times.

THE PULSE: How are Peter and Doc Ock similar?

ANDREWS: This is the essence of the mini-series. This is what this story is about. How are these two people similar? What makes them different? What choices do people make and how does that affect who they become. Peter and Ocky are both social outcasts. They're both untapped geniuses. They both end up losing a father figure. One chooses to celebrate that fact, the other chooses to help people because of it. There's always been that question. Are we a product of our genetic structure or are we a product of our environment. I've always thought the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

[Zebi]

This week, Marvel releases the second part of the "Year One" mini-series.

Issue #2



Written by Zeb Wells
Pencils & Cover by Kaare Andrews

Synopsis is the same as that for Issue #1.

Comments?

[Zebi]

Issue #3



Written by Zeb Wells
Pencils & Cover by Kaare Andrews

Emerging from a brutal accident that nearly took his life, Otto takes his first steps into the depths of madness ... with the help of four of the deadliest weapons on the face of the Earth. Featuring the first face-to-face encounter between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus!

Comments?

[Zebi]

Last week, Marvel released part five of the Year One mini-series. I'm sorry for being so late in updating this.

Issue #4



Written by Zeb Wells
Cover & Pencils by Kaare Andrews

As poisonous radiation courses through his bloodstream, a vicious Doctor Octopus cracks the secret of Spider-Man and prepares for a battle that will forever define his relationship with the wall crawler.

Comments?

[Zebi]

Last Wednesday, Marvel released the final chapter to the Year One mini-series.

Issue #5 - Series Conclusion



Written by Zeb Wells
Pencils & Cover by Kaare Andrews

The brutal conclusion to the fantastic series, featuring the first epic battle between The Amazing Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus!

Comments?