A first look at Ultimate Spider-Man #5 has been released today which sets the stage for Dr. Otto Octavius to make his debut in the new Ultimate Universe.
Unfortunately, Marvel Comics hasn't shared any additional details. However, the image below was accompanied by a teaser which reads, "Get a sneak peek at Jonathan Hickman and David Messina's Ultimate Spider-Man #5, the next issue in Hickman and Marco Checchetto's expectations-shattering new run!"
So, yeah, it isn't exactly giving much away!
Back on Earth-616, Otto was initially portrayed as a brilliant scientist and became the villainous Doctor Octopus after a laboratory accident fused four mechanical tentacle-like appendages to his body, which he controls via a neural interface.
Sporting a distinctive mechanical suit and utilizing both his intellect and tentacles, Doc Ock became a formidable adversary to Spider-Man and even the wider Marvel Universe, something which was evident when he killed Peter Parker and stole his body to become the "Superior Spider-Man."
As for what we can expect from this version, while Marvel Comics is blatantly teasing Doctor Octopus' debut, we wouldn't bank on it happening just yet. With Ultimate Spider-Man #5 set to explore Harry Osborn's secret origin, we'd bet the scene below relates to his Green Goblin tech rather than Otto's extra appendages.
His arms are included in the teaser, though, so this new-look Otto - who clearly found a greater level of success without Spider-Man being part of his life - is bound to eventually embrace his inner villain.
It's interesting that he's working at Oscorp, particularly as the previous Ultimate Otto also called that company home before Norman Osborn's transformation into the Green Goblin left him with four extra arms and some serious brain damage.
And yes, that is indeed Gwen Stacy. In this new universe, she never met a tragic fate. Instead, she married Harry Osborn and now co-runs Oscorp Industries. We recapped her first meeting with Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson earlier this week; check that out here.
THE SECRET HISTORY OF HARRY OSBORN! How does the heir apparent of Oscorp become a masked vigilante? And what does Green Goblin know of the true status of the world he lives in? All and more will be revealed!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #5
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by DAVID MESSINA
Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO
On Sale 5/29