Dr. Octopus:Neglected into evil Article by Stafffighter, 01:09 AM 22nd Jul Disclaimer: The following opinions are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the other endless crew staff. In fact they all disagree with me and persecute me regularly. Quick overview: Otto Octavius was both highly gifted in and highly devoted to his scientific endeavors. When an accident during a nuclear experiment left mechanical arms grafted onto his body these were the only factors of his life that didn’t change. In cases of disfiguring injury it is of paramount importance that the victim have immediate moral support from loved ones and in some cases even counseling. This is to combat the feeling of alienation and assure them that the altered appearance has not changed who they are. Of this Otto receives none. Seeing as the change is a pronounced one, namely four large and incredibly strong metal tentacles, his alienation is equally pronounced. This goes to the point where he divorces himself entirely from concerns for humanity as he feels humanity has lost concern for him. This is aggravated by another ailment more physiological than psychological. Notable almost instantly when he awakens in his hospital room is a powerful new tendency towards paranoia. Given the nature of his accident this was simply the luck of the draw. Exposure to radiation has been known to alter the human brain, exaggerating or depleting personality traits as it goes. In Otto’s case it happened to leave him paranoid. This does not go towards negating the previous point made in that had he gotten the attention he needed this condition could have been diagnosed and dealt with. Since it wasn’t he became the criminal mastermind Dr. Octopus. When I say that he became the criminal Dr. Octopus the distinction I make is that the name itself was not new to him. This was his nickname at the research facility. The fact that he holds onto this piece of his old life indicates that he is not so much a new man as he is the same man with one exaggerated trait. He is a man of science and could tell you that alteration of one factor can and will affect the whole. I say is because his quest for scientific discovery remains. Only his methods are changed. His methods are direct, violent and overall criminal, but they remain rooted in and springing from science. Without concern from humanity he is free to moves in ways most of us consider inconceivable. He sees them logically as the most direct path to his goal. But this is not to say he doesn’t like it. Otto once knew the embrace and acceptance of others. Now he does not. He is not merely neglected, he is abandoned. Like any victim who develops strength to fight back he faces the choice to grown past it or strike back. Humanity as a whole abandoned him and thus he strikes back at all of humanity. His extra arms, made from his true passion, are the physical representation of the uniqueness he draws his rage from. It was always just him and his science, and now that was just more obvious. How much difference one get well balloon could have made. Disagree? Bring it up on the forum. Suggestions? E mail me. But don’t write an essay. If I use who you suggest I’ll only say what I have to say Back to Rants