Otto Octavius was once a respected scientist, the world’s leading authority on Nuclear Science. He developed four mechanical arms that allowed him to work safely from a distance with hazardous materials. The “tentacles” are attached to a harness around Octavius’ middle. Each arm has three jointed pincers on each end. The arms could extend approximately to twenty-four feet and are very powerful. They earned him the name “Doctor Octopus” or “Doc Ock” for short.

During an argument with his mother, Mary Lavinia Octavius, she died of a heart attack. Otto could not help but blame himself and was in shock for many weeks. While distracted in this semi-depression he caused an accident at the Atomic Research Center, where he worked. The explosion bombarded his body with radiation, fusing the harness to his body and rendering him with brain damage, which drove him criminally insane. He adopted a criminally life and went on a crime spree.

Spider-Man soon caught up to the good doctor and after losing their first battle he beat Octavius in the second round. Ever since, the two have been fierce rivals. In fact he is probably Spider-Man’s greatest foe, next to the Green Goblin. Ock’s greatest defeats over Spider-Man were the hospitalization over the Black Cat and the death of Police Captain George Stacy. (The father of Gwen Stacy, Peter’s first real true love.) Octavius almost married Aunt May after she inherited one of the world’s greatest Nuclear Plants, but failed after Spidey intervened.

During one occasion, the web-slinger was poisoned by Adrian Toomes – the Vulture. As he lay dieing, Otto unmasked and revived Parker. After finding the antidote he saved Peter’s life. Shortly after, Octavius was murdered by Kaine. (See The Spectacular Spider-Man #221.) Even though his body was lifeless, his tentacles lived on in the 1995 miniseries, Spider-Man: Funeral for an Octopus. Octavius’ body was revived by the Mystical Master Zei, under the influence of the Rose. When Otto returned he had lost memory of Spider-Man’s true identity.

Octavius’ arms were copied and modified by a villain known as Carlyle Calamari, so in the 2003 revival of the Spectacular Spider-Man, he dramatically re-designed his tentacles and outfit, increasing his strength ten times. Doctor Octopus remains Spider-Man’s strongest and most intelligent foe to date.