And now — due in part to the abundance of social media and the intense interest in Spider-Man’s alter ego, Peter Parker — a firestorm has erupted, after Marvel revealed that Parker will die, and the role of Spider-Man will be taken over by his archenemy, Doctor Octopus.

The just-released “Amazing Spider-Man” #700 marks the end of one of the most popular comic book series of all time after 50 years. All parties involved maintain that the changes are quite permanent, and next month, the saga begins anew with the release of “The Superior Spider-Man” #1, with the Doc, Otto Octavius, stepping into the Spidey suit.

Otto believes that with the combination of his intelligence and Parker’s inherited memories and spider powers, he can be an uber-Spider-Man. He can live Parker’s life better than Peter could — from fighting crime to getting back together with on-again, off-again girlfriend Mary Jane Watson.