User blog comment:Nausiated/Oh Please, Spare me your drama (RE: Fan reactions BIG CHANGES)/@comment-4651179-20121227173317/@comment-61022-20121228165027

I think Peter being replaced by Octavius is a brilliant plot point. It's a twist on the old "Old hero dies, successor takes over" Which for the most part was usually a friend, child, or other family member who takes over to keep the tradition alive.

Which is so old and tired. DC Comics does it every other month.

BUT, taking one of the characters greatest villains and making them the replacement? That is brilliant if you ask me. Because the greatest villain is always one who thinks that what they are doing good. Best example of this is Lex Luthor. Superman's most deadly foe, but when you look at what he does -- when you remove his self interest in the matter -- he thinks it is for the better of all.

Dr. Octopus is much the same way, and I think that having him take Spider-Man's place is brilliant in that it creates two very great plot opportunities:

Namely, what would happen if a villain took a heroes place, and what that villain would realize what it's like when the shoe is on the other foot.

I haven't read ASM 700, but I bet you one of Otto's reasons for stealing Spider-Man's identity is to finally be recognized for his brilliance. Of course, as we all know, Peter's life as Spidey is not exactly all fame and glory.

It's a much more interesting direction to take a plot. Because with Ultimate Peter died and he was replaced by his successor, you knew that the guy was going to live up to Peter's example and try to be worthy of the name of Spider-Man. However, with Otto replacing 616 Peter? All bets are off, there is a lot of different places you can go other than "Trying to live up to the previous guys example"