Spoilers ahead so, please, ...

After all the controversy and outcry over the events of this book, I read it and thought...

This is what everyone is so upset about?

So Peter Parker is dead. At least, Peter Parker's soul is dead.

Or is it?

Just before the body he is inhabiting dies, Peter Parker fuses his memories with Doc Ock's consciousness in Peter's body. (confusing I know). So we get a Spider-Man who is still out to do good, but now he is influenced by the mind of Doctor Octopus.

This is really just a way to make Spider-Man stronger. As we learn during this issue, Peter Parker has been holding back all of these years and hasn't tapped into the full potential of his powers.

This appears to set up stories where Spidey is stronger than ever and maybe even developing some new powers.

The book is well written and action packed. When Ock sees Parker's memories we are reminded what makes Spider-Man, well, Spider-Man. The tragedies and triumphs that have shaped him also persuade Doc Ock to follow Peter Parker's lead. This, I believe, also sets up a future showdown between the souls of Parker and Octopus as I have a feeling Parker's consciousness was implanted by the octobot.

The art is pretty good. But the one complaint about the book that I have is that, for an $8.00 cover price, we get a slightly longer story and TWO previews of upcoming Spider-Man books. I feel like I am paying about $2.00 extra just so Marvel can market to me.

I would have given this issue 4 stars if not for that.