Two Minds, One Body: Adapting Superior Spider-Man
Today, I created a concept for an animated TV show for one of my favorite comic runs ever: Superior Spider-Man by Dan Slott.
Synopsis:
The Superior Spider-Man is a 10-episode animated series (50 minutes each) adapted from Dan Slott’s comic run. It is rated TV-MA for language, brutal action, and psychological intensity. The series follows Otto Octavius in Peter Parker’s body as he strives to prove himself a “superior” Spider-Man while haunted by Peter’s ghost.
Opening Scene:
The sound of heavy breathing. Otto Octavius, failing, clings to life after being beaten to a pulp by Spider-Man. With a final smirk, Otto, in Peter Parkers body, says: “At last, Arachnid… the end is yours, and the beginning is mine.” Peter, in Otto’s body, screams as Otto deals the killing blow. Title card. Superior Spider-Man
IMDB-style descriptions:
Episode 1: “Perspective”
Dying in his own body, Otto Octavius cheats death by stealing Peter Parker’s. Now wielding Spider-Man’s power, Otto vows to be “superior.”
Episode 2: “You’re Welcome, New York”
Otto makes his violent debut as New York’s new protector, clashing with the Sinister Six to prove his superiority.
Episode 3: “Call it Justice”
A relentless killer puts Spider-Man’s new brand of justice to the test, forcing him to show the world how different he truly is.
Episode 4: “Big Brother”
Otto builds his empire with advanced tech and brutal precision, but his double life fractures Peter’s closest relationships.
Episode 5: “Specter”
As Otto rises, Peter’s lingering spirit claws for recognition, silently watching the life that’s no longer his.
Episode 6: “Good Riddance”
Otto discovers Peter’s ghost within his mind and launches a desperate bid to purge him.
Episode 7: “That Laugh…”
The Green Goblin resurfaces, rallying New York’s underworld and threatening to unravel everything Otto has built.
Episode 8: “Not Enough Arms”
Chaos grips the city as the Goblin’s army spreads, and Otto’s grip on control begins to slip.
Episode 9: “Superior No More”
Outnumbered and overwhelmed, Otto faces the collapse of both his empire and the legacy he stole.
Episode 10: “All of Me”
With New York in flames in a final, devastating battle, Otto makes the ultimate sacrifice.
Individual Episode Synopses:
Episode 1: "Perspective"
Otto revels in his stolen body, testing Peter's strength and agility with scientific fascination. He moves through Peter's life with cold efficiency—dismissing Horizon Labs colleagues, keeping Aunt May at arm's length, treating Mary Jane like a puzzle to solve. When the new Sinister Six attacks, Otto dismantles them with ruthless precision that crosses every line Peter wouldn't. The city cheers. But in the final shot, as Otto stands triumphant on a rooftop, the camera reveals Peter's translucent form behind him—unseen, watching in silent horror.
Episode 2: "You're Welcome, New York"
Otto unveils his redesigned suit—sharper, armored, weaponized. He seeds the city with spider-bots, constructing a surveillance network he calls "protection." His patrols become surgical strikes, each fight solved like an equation. Mary Jane senses something wrong in his touch, his words. Ghost Peter lingers in the background of scenes, trying desperately to reach out. Otto surveys his work from above and declares himself the superior Spider-Man. Only the audience hears Peter's whispered response: "You're not me."
Episode 3: "Call it Justice"
Spider-Man's new brutality divides the city. When Otto tracks down the serial killer Massacre, Peter's ghost appears throughout the hunt, desperately trying to stop what's coming. Otto doesn't hesitate—he executes Massacre in cold blood. The media explodes: justice or murder? Heroes debate. The public splits. Peter's ghost remains at the crime scene long after Otto leaves, powerless and broken.
Episode 4: "Big Brother"
Otto expands his control. At Horizon Labs, he commandeers projects and alienates colleagues with his arrogance. His spider-bot network tightens around New York, recording everything. When Screwball and Jester humiliate him online, Otto hunts them down and beats them savagely on livestream. Mary Jane ends things, telling him she doesn't know who he is anymore. Carlie Cooper starts connecting dots that don't add up. In the shadows, Norman Osborn watches Spider-Man's violence with quiet satisfaction.
Episode 5: "Specter"
Otto consolidates power at Horizon Labs like a corporate raider. His surveillance state watches the city breathe. Carlie digs deeper into Peter's sudden transformation. Meanwhile, ghost Peter's interference grows stronger—during a fight with Cardiac, he physically forces Otto's hand away from a lethal blow. Otto feels the resistance, confused by his own hesitation. For a moment, something felt... right.
Episode 6: "Good Riddance"
Otto discovers the truth: Peter's consciousness survives within him. Furious and threatened, he builds a device to erase Peter completely. Inside a mental battleground, Otto confronts Peter directly, dismissing his memories of Uncle Ben, Gwen, and everyone he loved as weakness. Otto's will overwhelms Peter's spirit, scattering it into nothing. Otto wakes alone, breathing hard, and finally smiles. He's won.
Episode 7: "That Laugh…"
With Peter gone, Otto rules without restraint. His Spiderling army patrols aggressively. His surveillance blankets every block. Crime plummets, but so does trust—New Yorkers fear their protector. In the underworld, Norman Osborn unites fractured gangs into the Goblin Nation. Carlie gets too close to the truth and vanishes. Otto, drunk on his own success, dismisses all threats. He believes he's untouchable.
Episode 8: "Not Enough Arms"
The Goblin Nation erupts across New York. Coordinated strikes blind Otto's spider-bots, ambush his Spiderlings, ignite bridges and buildings. Otto fights back viciously, but Norman outmaneuvers him at every turn. When Black Cat comes seeking alliance, Otto beats her brutally and leaves her for arrest. Carlie, mutated by Goblin serum, escapes long enough to expose Otto's identity. The city realizes the monster behind the mask.
Episode 9: "Superior No More"
New York collapses into chaos. Otto's network crumbles. His forces scatter. Norman destroys him in direct combat, proving Otto's methods were never enough. Surrounded by flames and failure, Otto sees it—Peter's ghost, faint but unmistakable, watching him. For the first time since erasing him, Otto understands what he's truly lost.
Episode 10: "All of Me"
In the mindscape, Otto and Peter meet one final time. No battle. Otto admits his failure, acknowledging that Peter's compassion was always Spider-Man's true strength. With quiet dignity, Otto deletes himself. Peter awakens in his own body and faces Norman Osborn across burning Manhattan—winning not through brutality, but through heart and sacrifice. Peter embraces Aunt May and MJ as the city begins to heal. Otto's final words echo: "For one brief moment... I was superior."
Voice actors:
Otto: Rami Malek
Peter: Josh Keaton
Norman Osborn: Giancarlo Esposito
Massacre: Walton Goggins
Anna Maria: Aimee Carrero
JJJ: JK Simons
Vulture: Michael Shannon
Electro: Aaron Paul
Sandman: Steve Blum
Rhino: Dave Bautista
Shocker: Mathew Mercer
Chameleon: Cillian Murphy
Mary Jane Watson: Saoirse Ronan
Carlie Cooper: Jessica Chastain
Aunt May: Frances McDormand
