2013 was a disruptive year for comic books. Costumes changed, titles were rebooted and renumbered, and a lot of very memorable moments took place. While most of it was a continuation of the status quo of the big two publishers, most of it felt like natural evolutions of the recent reimagining.
In the midst of some of the best runs in comicbookdom, Dan Slott's Superior Spider-Man blew everyone away.
Doctor Octopus/ Otto Octavius was last year's runner-up, and for more than a year now, Superior Spider-Man has taken the character and the title into new territories. Earlier in the year, he took out Peter Parker out of the picture, which changed the tone of the title entirely. Eventually, the Marvel Universe started picking up on him being a complete dick and started calling him on it; even the Avengers put him on probation.
What's weird is that in a world full of psychics, mind-readers and mind-controllers, no one has been able to prove that Spider-Man has been taken over by Otto Octavius beyond a shadow of a doubt. I guess it'll have to be one of Peter's former flames to figures it out.
The quality of the writing is also something to be admired, as well. Almost every issue has you captured, enthralled at how much of a Dick Spider-Man can be while still being way more effective at being a superhero than Peter Parker was. His methods may be harsher, his moral compass less reliable, but Otto is still doing the work of a hero (for the most part, at least).
Despite being received quite harshly at the start of the run, Slott's Superior Spider-Man has won the hearts and minds of Spidey fans worldwide. And as the arc seems to be drawing closer and closer to its inevitable conclusion, to the return to the status quo, I would not be remiss to say that this would be one of the more memorable Spider-Man story arcs in history.
Runners-Up:
Damian Wayne - Being a Robin is probably the most hazardous occupation a young boy could have. It has a 50% mortality rate. However, no Robin death shook the caped crusader to his core more than Damian's. It sucks that he died, too, since he was probably the most unique Robin.
Hawkeye - Clint Barton's series, written by Matt Fraction, is arguably the best title of 2013. The issues Clint faces are mundane compared to his adventure-loving team, but the way his story is told is very refreshing.
Who else do you think should be named Character of the Year? Let us know in the comments!