Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Manga Spinoff Turns Doc Ock Into A Schoolgirl
Sony is gearing up for the release of "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" this weekend, hoping to surpass the original with a bigger, better sequel. It's clear from the trailers that the multiverse is in full swing, and with over 200 unique Spider-Folk designed for the movie, there's sure to be a Spidey for everyone.
However, as if that wasn't enough, "Spider-Verse" is getting a spin-off manga focusing on the iconic villain Doctor Octopus — but as a schoolgirl. Yes, you read that right. Famous manga publishers Shueisha and Marvel have partnered to bring fans the story of "Spider-Man: Octopus Girl," written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, who previously worked together on "My Hero Academia: Vigilantes."
In "Spider-Man: Octopus Girl," Doc Ock has fallen into a coma, and when he wakes up, he finds himself inhabiting the body of Japanese middle schooler Otoha Okutamiya. No further plot details were revealed, but fans won't have to wait too long to read the story, as the manga releases on June 20 on Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ app.
Doc Ock has been in this situation before
"Spider-Man: Octopus Girl" will mark the first time Doc Ock becomes trapped in the body of a middle school girl. However, the villain has previously been in a similar situation that resulted in a widely popular comic book run, so fans could be in for a treat with the upcoming manga.
In 2013, comic book writer Dan Slott introduced the world to "The Superior Spider-Man." Following Slott's "Dying Wish" arc, Doc Ock switched bodies with longtime nemesis Peter Parker, taking over Spider-Man's body while leaving Peter's consciousness in Otto Octavious's dying body. To prove he can be the superior hero, Doc Ock uses Spidey's strength to beat enemies mercilessly, taking things to the next level when he kills villains Massacre and Alistair Smythe.
Eventually, Otto relinquishes control back to Peter, whose consciousness conveniently never really left his body, allowing the Amazing Spider-Man to live on — but not before giving readers an incredible story arc. Since then, "Superior Spider-Man" has become a fan favorite, so there's a lot for "Spider-Man: Octopus Girl" to live up to.
With Marvel and Shueisha labeling the upcoming manga as a "Spider-Verse" spin-off, we could see Otoha Okutamiya in either "Across the Spider-Verse" or its sequel. All Sony has to do now is throw Superior Spider-Man into the mix, and the stage is set for two multiversal Doc Ocks to meet, both in bodies that aren't their own.