- "Rather than him being in control of the tentacles, the tentacles are now in control of him... Which, I guess explains why he is so miserable all the time."
- ―Peter Parker to Norman Osborn[src]
Doctor Octopus' Tentacles are mechanical appendages used by Otto Octavius. They possess artificial intelligence, giving them their own motivations and independent thoughts.
History[]
Creation[]
- "So the chip in the back of Doc's neck was designed to protect his brain from the AI system that's controlling these tentacles, but if you look here, the chip is fried."
- ―Peter Parker to Norman Osborn[src]
To help him perform a sustained fusion experiment, Otto Octavius developed a set of artificially intelligent mechanical arms, designed to allow a high degree of precision and agility necessary for the experiment. The tentacles are controlled through a metal harness and Octavius protected his higher brain function with a Neural Inhibitor Chip. However, after the malfunction of his fusion reactor, the tentacles became fused to his spine, and the inhibitor chip was destroyed.
Due to the loss of the inhibitor chip, the tentacles realized that they gained free will as they used their ability to manipulate Octavius. The tentacles convinced Octavius that the reactor's failure was Spider-Man's fault, and they soon came into conflict with Spider-Man. During the final battle against Spider-Man, the tentacles drowned in the river with Octavius and the reactor.[1]
Spider-Man Multiversal Crisis[]
Battle at the Alexander Hamilton Bridge[]
Doctor Octopus' tentacles prepare to fight
- "I'm in control, buddy, of this whole tentacle situation you got going around here."
- ―Peter Parker to Doctor Octopus[src]
When Doctor Octopus was pulled into an alternate universe by Doctor Strange's failed spell, the arms were still controlling Octavius. With nothing else to ground them in this universe, the arms insisted Octavius find the fusion reactor, and blamed Peter Parker for its disappearance. The arms attack Alexander Hamilton Bridge where they and Doctor Octopus met this universe's Spider-Man but believed that he was their Peter Parker and attacked him.
Doctor Octopus' tentacles lift a heavy item
The tentacles grabbed and dragged Spider-Man around the bridge, until they flung him into a UPS truck. When Spider-Man revealed his own arms in his suit, the tentacles and Doctor Octopus noticed that they would have competition as their fight resumed. During the fight, Doctor Octopus grabbed Spider-Man again with his tentacles as they tried to kill him with a helicopter propeller, but he evaded them. Doctor Octopus then attempted to stop Spider-Man from rescuing a woman in danger.
The tentacles upgrading with Nanotech
After losing sight of Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus used his tentacles to head for under the bridge as they found Parker and grabbed him once more. Doctor Octopus then restrained Parker and used his arms to integrate a piece of the nanotechnology from Spider-Man's Iron Spider armor, which he found intriguing. However, before they could kill Spider-Man, the arms and Doctor Octopus found out that he was not their Peter Parker, after the remaining nanites saved the latter from being killed.
Doctor Octopus' tentacles being controlled
Unfortunately, through the repurposed of the nanites that they stole from the Iron Spider Armor, Doctor Octopus' tentacles were put psychically under the control of Spider-Man, much to their frustration. Seeing this, Doctor Octopus tried to get his tentacles to listen to him instead of Spider-Man, but to no avail, as they were forced to help him rescue the woman in danger. Once brought back up to the bridge, Doctor Octopus became confused as to what just happened while the arms were annoyed that they were robbed of their free will.
Doctor Octopus being shown by Spider-Man that he is controlling his arms
However, the tentacles were still able to communicate with Doctor Octavius within his mind as they continued to influence his mood and perception of events. When Spider-Man attempted to interrogate Doctor Octopus, the arms convinced him to continue attacking Parker with his bare hands, although they briefly stopped when they latter showed them that he was in control of the tentacles, much to their annoyances. However, they were interrupted when Spider-Man sensed something coming as he forcibly restrained Doctor Octopus with one of the arms.[1]
Tentacles Reprogrammed[]
Controlled by Spider-Man[]
Doctor Octopus imprisoned
- "Is that a cyborg? You bring a cyborg with robot legs into my house?"
- ―Happy Hogan to Peter Parker[src]
Following their brief encounter with Green Goblin, who Octavius recognized as Norman Osborn, Doctor Octopus was transported to the New York Sanctum and imprisoned there, with the arms still unable to act freely. Octavius, while irritable and grumpy, was still helpful and forthcoming with information about his universe. The arms, however, were upset and humiliated by their lack of control, which Octavius often expressed on their behalf through sudden outbursts.
Doctor Octopus' tentacles fear Parker's plan
Doctor Octopus alongside the other villains were brought to Happy Hogan's condominium by Parker and his aunt. While there, Parker kept Doctor Octopus restrained through the suit's control of his tentacles. After Parker told him that he was the first to get fixed, Doctor Octopus protested to him and told that he did not need it, as the tentacles became worried that they were going to lose their control over Octavius.[1]
Replacing the Neural Inhibitor Chip[]
Peter Parker explains to Norman Osborn about Otto Octavius' tentacles
- "Oh, will this humiliation never cease?"
- ―Doctor Octopus to Spider-Man[src]
Once Parker found out Octavius' problem, he told Norman Osborn, who was helping him in curing the villains, that his friend designed a Neural Inhibitor Chip to protect his mind from the tentacles AI system but the chip was fried and they were controlling him. Hearing this, Osborn understood Octavius situation and work with Parker in helping his friend regain his free will. Meanwhile, Doctor Octopus and his tentacles were in the living looking scared, due to fearing what Parker was doing in the back room.
Doctor Octopus' tentacles holding Octavius still
Through the Stark Industries Fabricator, Parker and Osborn designed a new Inhibitor Chip for Octavius as it was more advanced than the original one. After the new inhibitor chip was finished, Parker had his aunt May set Doctor Octopus up so he could remove the old chip from the back of his neck and put the new one in by bringing him up to the second floor. Doctor Octopus and his tentacles asked Parker when will the humiliation end. Also, Doctor Octopus and his tentacles told Parker to keep the new chip away from them.
Doctor Octopus and his tentacles black out
Doctor Octopus then resisted Spider-Man's attempt to install the new chip to the back of his neck as he kept moving his head, which annoyed Parker. After Spider-Man grabbed Octavius by the head, Doctor Octopus threatened Parker that once they got out of their situation, they were going to either rip him or his suit. Unfortunately, Doctor Octopus did not finish his threat to Parker as he fell unconscious, after the new chip was installed to the back of his neck, while the tentacles powered down, which concerned the group in the room.[1]
Controlled by Otto Octavius[]
Octavius is free from his tentacles' control
- "It's so quiet... Those voices inside my head. I'd almost forgotten."
- ―Otto Octavius[src]
However, before Parker could see if Doctor Octopus was alright, Octavius frantically regained consciousness, but quickly settled down when he realized that the voices from his tentacles were not inside his head anymore. Realizing that the chip successfully restored his mind, Octavius almost broke down in tears of being free from his tentacles' control. Octavius then used his tentacles to come down to the first floor while assuring a concerned Osborn that he was no longer Doctor Octopus.
Octavius using a tentacle to return the nanites to Parker
After Spider-Man came down to the first floor, Octavius used his tentacles to return the nanites that he stole back to Parker, which created a new suit for him. Octavius then thanked Parker for his help in giving him control of his mind back. Also, wanting to help the group, especially his closest friend, and sincerely grateful to Parker, Octavius offered his aid to Spider-Man and Osborn in curing the villains, which they accepted.[1]
Escape from Spider-Man[]
Octavius with his arms down
- "Up here, he's up there. It's the guy from the bridge."
- ―J. Jonah Jameson to Daily Bugle Employee[src]
While helping Peter Parker and Norman Osborn, Otto Octavius had his tentacles down as he talked with his friend and fellow scientist about the prospect of removing his Green Goblin half for good. However, when Spider-Man's Spider-Sense was set off, Octavius and Osborn noticed this as they became worried. After following Spider-Man to the living room, Octavius noticed Osborn going to another direction in the room and watched Parker use his Spider-Sense to guide him to the source of the danger, as he found out that Green Goblin took control of his friends mind.
Octavius bringing his arms up to fight Electro
Despite Green Goblin taunting them, Octavius and the Parkers realized what the alter was up too, as he and Spider-Man tried to reach out to Osborn. However, Octavius and Spider-Man could not as Green Goblin's control on Osborn was too strong as he was able to convince the uncured villains to turn against them. After witnessing Electro take the Arc Reactor from the Stark Industries Fabricator, Octavius asked the latter what he had done as he brought his tentacles up to defend himself.
Octavius using his tentacle to save himself
Octavius then tried to stop Electro, who stated that he liked him better as Doctor Octopus, from leaving, but he used his powers to blast him out of the condominium. However, Octavius used his tentacle to save himself from falling to his death. He was then forced leave the area and used his tentacles to jump the buildings, which was witnessed and recorded by J. Jonah Jameson and The Daily Bugle.[1]
Battle at Liberty Island[]
Octavius with his tentacles arrives at the Statue of Liberty
- "Leave them. They're mine. "
"Dr. Octavius, no."
"What are you doing?" - ―Otto Octavius, Spider-Man and Electro[src]
After seeing a broadcast with Parker in it, Octavius realized that he was luring the villains, including Green Goblin, into a trap to cure them as he used his tentacles to head over to the Statue of Liberty in order to aid his friend in finishing what he started. Once he arrived, Octavius saw two Spider-Men but was unaware that one of them was from his universe, having trouble with Electro. Octavius grabbed both Parkers with his tentacles in order to trick them and Electro into thinking he was still Doctor Octopus, while also trying to protect the two Spider-Men.
Octavius using his tentacles to cure Max Dillon
However, Octavius revealed his deception by grabbing Electro with one of his tentacles, then set the two Spider-Men down. Once his arms grabbed the Arc Reactor from Electro, Octavius used his tentacles to put his cure in its place. Octavius then used his tentacles to set a cured Dillon down and looked at the Arc Reactor in amazement as he was impressed that someone in this universe had created a clean energy source. Also, Octavius witnessed one of the Spider-Men coming to see him.
Octavius and his tentacles reunite with their Peter Parker
Hearing his voice and seeing him take off his mask, Octavius realized and recognized him as his Peter Parker as he reunited with him. However, their reunion was cut short when Doctor Strange arrived and his Parker went to defend his younger counterpart when the latter scolded their friend for trapping him at the Grand Canyon in the Mirror Dimension for twelve hours. After the other Spider-Man arrived, Octavius continued to listen to the three Parkers and Strange talk with each other.
Octavius using his tentacles to stop Green Goblin
When Green Goblin arrived and used his Razor Bats to attack the group, Octavius used his tentacles to defend Strange from them. After Green Goblin stole the Macchina di Kadavus, Octavius attempted to stop him from leaving with his tentacles, but the bottom-right tentacle was severed by the Goblin's glider. As the scaffolding around the Statue of Liberty began to collapse as a result of the fighting, Octavius used his other three tentacles to carry Dillon down to safety. Octavius and his tentacles were then sent back to their universe.[1]
Personality[]
The arms have their own personality and motivations, which are unique and distinct from Doctor Octavius'. Being artificial intelligence, they think logically and analytically, with no regard to subjective concepts such as morality or emotions. The arms have one primary motivation: self-preservation. They will eliminate anyone or anything that threatens themselves or Dr. Octavius. They are also very protective of Octavius as he would defend him whenever they were fighting or endanger.
While they were controlling Octavius, the arms made him the exact opposite of what he usually is and would use him to speak on their behalf whenever they were annoyed or threatening someone. Also, the arms were constantly driving Octavius crazy, due to being inside his head. However, despite controlling his mind, the arms seemed to enjoy talking to Octavius, which suggests that they get lonely and don't like talking to each other very much. The arms even feared losing their control on Octavius and not be able to talk to him, as seen when they panicked when the young Peter Parker told the scientist that he was going to be cured first.
After the young Parker replaced the Neural Inhibitor Chip, Octavius comments that the voices in his head are gone, implying that the arms could no longer communicate with Octavius after that point, reverting them to simple tools and under his full control. However, when Octavius encounters with his Peter Parker, one of his tentacles looks back at Octavius and then looks back at Peter, hinting that they're still sentient after being cured.
Capabilities[]
Each tentacle is 4.5 feet long, can extend to 13 feet long, and can lift up to 3 tons. They are also impervious to heat and magnetism. Each tentacle has superhuman strength, which allows Doctor Octopus to easily overpower humans, rip metal objects, lift cars and even overpower Spider-Man. The claws of these arms are extremely versatile, able to extend a long spike from the center or a small tweezer-like appendage for minute adjustments. The arms can handle high amounts of exposure to energy over time, evidenced when they were able to grab Electro and withstand his electrical output.
Trivia[]
- In the comics, Doctor Octopus' tentacles are non-sentient four mechanical appendages that Doctor Octopus constructed so he could manipulate radioactive substances from a safe distance. He would later resort to use them to commit crimes after a freak lab accident left him with irreversible brain damage.
- The color of the tentacles' camera lens reflects who is in control of the appendages: white indicates Otto Octavius is in control, red indicates the arms are in control. When Spider-Man paired his Iron Spider Armor with the tentacles, the lights turned blue.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Doctor Octopus' tentacles first appeared in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 from Sony Pictures Studios.
- Early scripts for Iron Man had Tony Stark identified as the creator of Doctor Octopus' Tentacles, but such reference had to be removed due to Sony Pictures Studios not wanting to share Spider-Man's film rights with Marvel Studios at the time. Had this reference been kept, that would have made Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[2]
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