All in all, the darkness coming from Doc Ock made this comic very memorable and makes me look forward to whats happening in the actual series. This issue was great and deserves a read from any Spider-Man fan. Those not reading Superior Spider-Man are surely missing out. Read Full Review

Frequent Slott collaborator Christos Gage's script is engaging and fluid, capturing the energy the regular series has been lacking. However, the real star is Javier Rodriguez, whose economic lines and acrobatic characters are bolstered by Alvaro Lopez's clean inks, and Rodriguez's own moody colors, which create a perfect dynamic between Spider-Man and Blackout. Read Full Review

Which brings me to the final point. I've seen Spider-Ock through Mike Costa, Al Ewing and now Christos Gage. I want to see more of this character. Think I'm finally going to take the plunge and start reading the main series. I'd initially thought to go through Dan Slott's entire run on Amazing Spider-Man before taking up Superior Spider-Man but I kind of don't want to wait for that anymore! Read Full Review

Javier Rodriguez illustrates this issue, providing a style very much in the vein of artists like Paolo Rivera " Silver Age-inspired, but with a darker edge. And it suits the script very well. Early on, Gage and Rodriguez pay homage to the opening scene of Amazing Fantasy #15 before shifting into much darker territory. It's a look I wouldn't mind seeing more of on the main series. Read Full Review

Christos Gage proves that he is the best writer when it comes to portraying SpOck as a truly “superior” Spider-Man Read Full Review

Very interesting change of pace from the old Spider-man stories (formula: Peter messes up + bad luck = tragedy). Superior Spider-mans world is a lot more controlled and somehow also a lot more chaotic. Probably because Otto is freaking evil. I will probably pick up the other Superior Spider-man series when checking out the next issue of this one. Seeing Ghostrider and Dr. Strange referenced from Superior Spider-man: Team-Up really caught my attention. 4/5 Read Full Review

The story may be somewhat ordinary, yet the characterization and strong art makes this annual quite fun despite its few weaknesses. A nice read overall. Read Full Review

A solid issue worthy of the Superior Spider-Man. An action packed story, wonderful artwork and a bunch of seeds being planted for the upcoming ‘Goblin Nation' Spider-Man looks like he's going to have his hands full and I for one want to see what's next! Read Full Review

Overall, this was an annual issue that was a one shot story. Hopefully the decisions made by Ock show up going forward in the series. The art looks excellent in this issue, and the action scenes are beautiful. Now will someone please call out Spider-man on this “mood swing?” Read Full Review

Annuals can sometimes be easily avoided, but that's not the case here. Even if you think this story isn't going to have that much impact on the main title, this is an excellently told story that deserves as much attention as the rest of the series. The artwork is worth the price alone, but Gage's script is just as solid as those of Slott, and his storytelling here has changed New York's attitude to Spider-Man for what seems like the tenth time in twenty or so issues. Well done all around, team. Read Full Review

Well, it's just okay really. The problem is not a lot happens, and on top of that it ends like so many issues have, with our green villain hanging around screaming that he's going to do something. The fact that this has started to get frustrating says a lot, because dang, Green Goblin is the bestest. Read Full Review

The book has all the components for a good Superior Spidey book, The snarky wit of Ock is there, as is the humour. It isn't essential to read this book if you are following Superior Spider-Man but it is a decent read. Read Full Review

While Blackout might not be the greatest villain to pit against Spider-Man, Gage and Rodriguez make a solid story of it. The outcome of "Superior Spider-Man Annual" #1 is going to have definite ramifications on the lives of Spider-Man and Peter Parker for issues to come, and the final page of this issue confirms that those ramifications will only be in addition to the machinations already underway thanks to dramatic return of one of Spider-Man's most sinister foes. This is as solid a read as any issue since the mind-swap between Parker and Octavius, but it lacks soul. There are consequences in store, but they seem temporary until things magically find themselves undone. I'd like to see Gage build on this, but I'm sure he's more than comfortable to hand the next steps in this adventure over to regular "Superior Spider-Man" writer Dan Slott. Read Full Review

Superior Spider-Man Annual #1 is a dark tail that is a nice departure from the typical Slott stuff. There are a number of problems, but its a breath of fresh air compared to some of the inconsistencies in previous issues. The $4.99 price tag sucks and will turn most people off. Actually, you dont even need to read this in order to understand future issues of Superior as this is a stand-alone tale. That being said, you could do far worse with your five bucks. Read Full Review

Overall The Superior Spiderman Annual is a good book with a few hiccups along the way. If you're a fan of The Superior Spiderman, and the direction things have been going in, then there's definitely no reason not to pick this up. If you're just reading this series to be there when the real Peter Parker comes back, then maybe you can skip this one. I'm giving this book a 3/5. Read Full Review

Javier Rodriguez’s art is satisfactory. It’s nothing to rage about, but it tells the story. Rodriguez is coming with the same nod-towards-the-silver-age vibe of Chris Samnee, but somehow doesn’t elevate the work past mere cartoons. It’s hard to take Blackout seriously when he looks like Morbius dressed up for a western themed wedding. I’m sure in another setting Rodriguez’s art would work, here it just feels too goofy. Read Full Review