"Is this not what Uncle Ben taught us to do? Is this not what a hero would do? Is this not what...a best friend would do? Use your great power, Peter. The world needs Spider-Man more than it needs me"
-Otto Octavius, Goblin War: Part Four
Otto Octavious is a hero and former antagonist of Marvel's Spider-Man, and the main antagonist of the first half of season 2. He was a former teacher at Horizon High until a confrontation between Spider-Man and Crimson Dynamo resulted in his four mechanical arms being permanently joined with his body. Formally a hero known as The Octopus, his ego and blame of others for the drastic changes in his life would lead him to become Doctor Octopus a.k.a Doc-Ock. Later in season 2, after swtiching minds with Spider-Man, he decides to be a more superior hero than Peter Parker ever could be: The Superior Spider-Man. Currently his an ally of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. In Goblin War: Part Four, Otto sacrificed himself to save all of New York from Adrian Toomes' Goblin Mech, dying in the arms of Spider-Man and in the view of Horizon High as a hero.
Appearance
Physical appearance
Civilian appearance
As Doc-Ock
Otto wore a green suit armor and red goggles during his time as Doctor Octopus (informally called Doc-Ock by everyone).
As Superior Spider-Man
Otto's Superior Spider-Man suit was red and black with tinted lens as opposed to Peter's red and blue Spider-Man suit clear lens. He also had visible, but clunkier web-shooters that could summon his spider-bots
Personality
Despite not showing it before his turn to villainy, Otto had a problem with his ego and trusting others due to a rough childhood brought upon by his father. Even when people tried reaching out to him he believed it was to make him look weak or to steal what was his.
After meeting Anna Maria, his first true friend, Otto has been trying to make amends for his past and be friendly with her help. Though certain people, like Harry Osborn, he can still be bias too.
In the aftermath of the Goblin Wars, Otto learned what it meant to care for others. Having sacrificed himself in order for Spider-Man to continue being a hero, to continue protecting New York.
History
Otto was a brilliant child prodigy who manage to get into high school at a young age. He was quite similar to Peter Parker, however with many differences on how they grew up. Instead of being raised by a loving aunt and uncle, Otto was raised by an abusive father who hated his interests in science. He taught Otto that strength and power was the only thing the world respects. Otto was also constantly bullied by a jock named Steve who would often threaten Otto to do stuff for him.
One day Otto took his father's advice to heart and purposely failed a chemistry midterm that Steve was threatening him to copy off of. Otto didn't mind that he failed because of his superior grades, but because Steve's grades were so bad that the failed test got him kicked off the sports team. This made Steve so mad that he was about to beat up Otto for ruining his life until he was stopped by his father who wanted a talk with him about his grades. Otto took the experience as an amazing accomplishment.
In the aftermath of the Goblin Wars, Otto sacrificed himself so Peter could continue on protecting the city as Spider-Man. Using the neruo-cortex he cut off Toomes mental link with his Goblin Mech and saved the city from being destroyed by a Stark Satellite, losing his body in the process. Asking if it's what a hero, best friend, and what Uncle Ben would have done; Otto died in Peter's arms, one of his new best friends. His grave is in the same cemetery as Uncle Ben and Norman Osborn.
Relationships
Mr. Octavius
According to Otto, his father is the complete opposite of Uncle Ben. As a child his father would berate him for enjoying science and not going outside to play like a normal kid. His cruel parenting style is why Otto Octavius became obsessed with power and respect.
Peter Parker/Spider-Man
While his teacher, Otto saw Peter as nothing more than a slacker and a dolt due his late school work and projects. However, Peter's words about how Horizon wished for him to get well after his arms were fused to his spine did inspire him to become a hero.
Otto's relationship with Spider-Man has caused him to become on of the heroes greatest enemies. Spider-Man tried to teach Otto how to be a hero, but Norman Osborn and Otto's own ego got in the way of that progress. After become Doc-Ock, Otto claimed that Spider-Man has been his greatest enemy, next to Max Modell and Horizon High, and has been planning his downfall ever since being locked up in The Cellar. After months of planning, he finally succeed, having now switched minds with Spider-Man, finding out he is Peter Parker, and now using his body to masquerade as the Superior Spider-Man.
After being unable to defeat Venom as the Superior Spider-Man, Otto gives Peter his body back. Later on Peter is able to place him back into his own body, and after assisting Peter with rescuing the Avengers from Regent, he and Otto are now on good terms, somewhat.
In the aftermath of the Goblin War, Otto sacrificed himself so Peter could continue on protecting the city as Spider-Man. Otto died in Peter's arms, with the two confirming each they saw each other as friends in the end.
Anna Maria Marconi
Anna Maria is the first person Otto considers a friend. Even though she met him as Peter Parker, and saw his true self after Peter placed his consciousness back into his body, she said that his actions made him a true hero. Throughout his time recovering in the hospital she stayed by his side the entire time, claimed that his Doc-Ock persona was in the past.
In the aftermath of the Goblin Wars, Anna Maria was the most devastated at Otto's death, saying that, "In the short time I knew him, I've never seen a light shine so bright."
Miles Morales
Possibly less than Peter, Otto doesn't have a high opinion of Miles. Despite this he did include Miles in the Neuro Cortex project only to use him, Anya, and Gwen's brains to make himself more powerful than before.
After becoming Superior Spider-Man, Otto grew irritated with Miles due to him meddling with his new "Superior" ways of being Spider-Man. Miles seeking the Avengers for help was the last straw.
Despite not trusting Otto's throughout the Goblin War, Miles showed up to his memorial, saying that despite Otto being a horrible teacher, "The entire city owes it's existence to him."
Anya Corazon
Otto has never given his opinion of Anya, but after he became Doc-Ock and returned to Horizon High she expressed great distrust in him, and couldn't believe Gwen thought he deserved a second chance.
During Goblin War Anya still held onto that belief until Otto's sacrifice. At his memorial Anya said that she, "Could not have more doubts that a man like Otto Octavius could change. But I was wrong, which is not something that I say."
Gwen Stacy
Otto has never given his opinion of Gwen, but she appeared to see him as a great scientist. Even after he became Doc-Ock and tried to return to Horizon she was the only student defending him, saying he's not evil just misunderstood. After he tried to use her, Anya, and Miles brains to make himself stronger with the neruo-cortex her opinion of him most likely changed.
Despite not trusting Otto during Goblin War because of the previous experience, Gwen showed up to Otto's memorial. Happy that he's finally become a good man, "I always believed Ock had good in him, this year he really tested that belief. I just wished I had the chance to tell him how proud I am of him."
Harry Osborn
During his first outing as Doctor Octopus, Otto wanted to add Harry to his Sinister Six to hurt Norman.
Despite becoming an ally of Peter, Otto doesn't trust Harry due to him being an Osborn as seen in Goblin War: Part One and vice versa. In the aftermath Harry showed up to Otto's funeral, showing his remorse for his fallen ally.
Ben Parker
Otto has said that Ben was the complete opposite of his father, and eve though he took his advice differently than Peter, he believed in his "With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility" phrase.
May Parker
May was the only person Otto didn't treat badly, purposely or purposelessly, while in Peter's body. He even suggested to her to make a healthier breakfast.
Max Modell
Otto use to appreciate Max for accepting him as a teacher at the age of nineteen. However, when Max began to shut down his projects that could endanger students and faculty Otto grew more hatred toward him. The turning point was Max firing him after Norman Osborn framed him for the giant Lizard attack throughout Manhattan.
Despite the tension between the two, Max was among those who were sad at Otto's sacrifice and death. He attend Otto's memorial alongside Gwen, Anya, and Miles; following up on Otto's request to re-enroll Peter back into Horizon.
Norman Osborn
Otto appreciated Norman's offer to join Osborn Academy once Max Modell fired him. However, once Norman claimed that anything built at Oscorp belonged to him Otto made Osborn another personal enemy of his, and his goal to control Oscorp.
Raymond Warren
Otto was fascinated by Warren's mind-control tech, and his one of the only people he hasn't betrayed due to their shared hatred of Norman Osborn.
Chameleon
Chameleon was a lackey for Doc-Ock. Despite his failure, Ock was happy with what Chameleon had accomplished during the bounty on Spider-Man.
Adrian Toomes
Toomes and Otto were colleagues during their times at Horizon High and Osborn Academy. However, Toomes didn't take to being mind controlled by the Doctor into his Sinister Six too well.
During the Goblin War, Toomes assumed Otto arrived to aid in Spider-Man's defeat; telling him he required no help. In the end, Otto sacrificed himself to defeat Toomes using the neuro-cortex. Even Toomes appeared sadden or surprised at what happen to Otto.
Abilities
Genuis-level intellect
Telekinesis (formerly)
After using Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and Anya Corazon's minds to power the Neuro-Cortex, Doc-Ock used the device make himself more powerful and gained telekinetic abilities. This actually removed the mechanical arms that were stuck to his back.
As Superior Spider-Man
Posses the same powers as Peter Parker.
Equipment
Mechanical arms/tentacles
Superior Spider-Man suit
Spider-Bots
Gallery
Trivia
- Otto is nineteen years old in season one, and twenty years old in season 2.
- This is the first time in any Spider-Man media that Otto debuted still in his youth.
- This is the first Spider-Man cartoon where Otto reforms. The previous series Ultimate Spider-Man hinted at his reformation in its series finale.
- This is the first time in any Spider-Man cartoon that Otto Octavius dies, as a hero nonetheless.
- Otto's role in the series is similar to Michael Morbius' (Morbius the Living Vampire) role during the Big Time story arc of the Marvel Comics. Morbius was a supervillain who Max Modell trusted to work at Horizon Labs, similar to how Max allowed Otto to return to Horizon High in the first few episode of season 2.
- Otto's sunglasses and clothing as The Octopus are similar to his counterpart's design from the 2004 film Spider-Man 2.
- This is the animated debut of Superior Spider-Man.
- While Robbie Daymond (Peter's voice actor) voices Ock as Superior Spider-Man, Scott Menville voices Ock's thoughts.
- During the start of the Superior Spider-Man saga, Scott Menville worked in ADR, most likely to assist Robbie Daymond with portraying Superior Spider-Man.
- The symbol on Superior Spider-Man's suit is based on the one seen on the Iron Spider armor from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The suit also resembles one of the concept designs of the MCU Iron Spider armor seen in the Avengers Infinity War artbook.
- While Robbie Daymond (Peter's voice actor) voices Ock as Superior Spider-Man, Scott Menville voices Ock's thoughts.
- Ironically, a second 12-issue Superior Spider-Man comic series was published and it concluded during the Superior Spider-Man saga of the television series. Unlike the television series, when Otto regains his body he goes back to being a villain and forgets his time as the Superior Spider-Man, including the memories of Peter Parker. The ending to the comic has gain criticism for going back to the "status quo" and Ock losing his character development.
- Despite never equipping the suit with them like in the Marvel Comics, Hasbro's toyline for the show has the Superior Spider-Man figure with its robotic legs.[1]