Alas, poor Peter....

Before it even hit the shelves a week ago, Amazing Spider-Man #700 caused quite a stir.

That's not all that surprising: it's not every day that you kill off one of your more popular characters in a particularly horrifying way. Yet that is what Dan Slott and Marvel Comics did to Peter Parker, as they ended the historic series and prepared to launch a follow up, Superior Spider-Man, which hits stores next week.

For those who hadn't heard, the issue opens with Parker's mind trapped in the dying body of his long-time nemesis, Dr. Otto Octavius (Dr. Octopus), while his old enemy is getting accustomed to his body and friends. As Doc Ock, Peter races against time and his own failing body—even enlisting the help of other old enemies—in an attempt to reverse the process and therefore save his legacy.

He fails. Alas, Peter Parker is no more (for now, anyway) and Octavius is left, alive and sound, in Parker's body.

It's quite a bold stroke on Marvel's part and it has, understandably, been met with strong criticism from long-time readers of the franchise.

I'm on the fence with it. I've read comics for about 30 years now, but can't recall ever picking up an issue of Amazing Spider-man (although I did try out the 'Ultimate Spider-Man' series when it first started). I'm familiar with the character, of course, and all he's been through and I have always been fond of him—even if I didn't shell out a few bucks every week to follow his adventures and misadventures.

Slott's story is well done. Even though it is the end of a story arc and I sensed there were nuances I had therefore missed, I had no problem jumping in and following along. There were moments of real emotion that seeped out of the page and, even though I had read all the spoilers and knew what was going to happen, I still thought Parker would make it out in the end.

I have two problems with it. First, I didn't buy Octavius' abrupt change of heart. I understand that, as he felt his way around Peter's mind that he experienced what Parker had experienced, including the tragedies that led to his guiding philosophy of 'with great power comes great responsibility.' I just don't think Octavius would care. I don't think that would be enough to make him want to turn from his past in order to carry on Parker's legacy and become a 'Superior Spider-man.' I think he'd be more likely to be scornful of Parker's ethics and conscience.

I also think it sells Mary Jane a bit short—although one interchange between her and Octavius/Parker made me laugh out loud. She's a smart woman, and, given the history they share together, I think she'd sense something was up right away and seek help.

Perhaps I'm just a bit picky.

All that said, there is tremendous potential for new plotlines and great character building as this story develops. I have no doubt Peter Parker will return and can only hope, when that happens, that is handled in a thoughtful manner. Until then, there should be plenty of drama, excitement and more than a few laughs along the way.