Peter Parker Death: Iconic Marvel Comic Superhero Killed in 'Amazing Spider-Man' 700th Finale Issue, Doctor Octopus a Good Replacement? [POLL]

In the landmark 700th issue of the popular Marvel comic the "Amazing Spider-Man," iconic geek-turned-superhero Peter Parker dies in a shocking twist which sets up former arch-enemy Doctor Octopus to take on the heroic capabilities of the infamous red-and-blue suited Spider-Man. In the highly-anticipated 700th finale issue - which hit newsstands on Wednesday (Dec. 26) - Parker is killed during a face-off with Doctor Octopus... but the evil villain soon has a change of heart and decides that he will carry on the Spider-Man legacy as the "Superior Spider-Man." That new series is set to debut on January 9... so what do comic fans think - will Dr. Octopus make a good Peter Parker replacement as the beloved Spider-Man?

In the latest edition of the popular comic story the "Amazing Spider-Man," Peter Parker finally succumbs to his ultimate rival, Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius). Parker and Dr. Ock undergo a mind-swap thanks to the workings of an Octobot in the series finale... and Parker gets trapped inside the decaying, dying body of his arch-nemesis. But the demise of Parker does not mean the end to Spider-Man's heroic deeds... after taking down Spidey, Doctor Octopus has a life-changing revelation when Parker whispers to him in his last dying breath - "With great power, comes great responsibility."

Dr. Ock will carry on the Spider-Man name in a new series deemed the "Superior Spider-Man" - issue no 1 is set to go on sale January 9, 2013.

According to one of the Spider-Man mastermind writers Dan Scott, "Gone are his days of villainy, but since it's Doc Ock and he has that ego, he's not going to try and just be Spider-Man, he's going to try to be the best Spider-Man ever."

Scott continues:

"For all intents and purposes, [Otto Octavius, who became the evil Doc Ock] was the adult Peter could have become, Spider-Man's dark reflection... So what if we flipped it? What if we gave him a second chance? Peter's final, heroic act was giving Doc all the memories and experiences that kept him on the right path. But is that enough? Can that overcome Ock's true nature?"

This final issue indeed opens up a new chapter for Spider-Man:

"This is an epic turn. I've been writing Spider-Man for 70-plus issues. Every now and then, you have to shake it up," Scott explains. "The reason Spider-Man is one of the longest running characters is they always find a way to keep it fresh. Something to shake up the mix."

According to Editor Stephen Wacker, Parker's death may change the face of Spider-Man, but his spirit will still hold much influence over the iconic role in the new series: "(Parker's) life is still important to the book because it affects everything that Doctor Octopus does as Spider-Man ... Because Doctor Octopus knows all of (Parker's memories and) will make decisions on what he saw Peter going through. In a way, he gets the ultimate victory as he becomes a better hero."

So what do Spider-Man fans think about the shocking comic series finale to the "Amazing Spider-Man" (a franchise that kicked-off back in 1963)?