15 Comic Book Characters Who Should've Stayed Dead

The relationship between Doctor Octopus and Spider-Man has grown pretty convoluted over the years -- especially since the Superior Spider-Man story arc -- but before all that, Doc Ock was given a wonderfully unexpected and meaningful demise.

When Spidey was poisoned by the Vulture and facing certain death, Octopus actually cured Spider-Man, first claiming that he wanted to be the one to kill the hero, but also confessing that he didn't know who he would be in a world without Spider-Man as his foil.

It was a deeply moving character revelation, one made more impactful when Doc Ock was murdered shortly thereafter by Kaine, one of Peter's many MANY clones. So, in one fell swoop, he saved Spider-Man and was killed by him. It was peculiar and perfect and allowed for the insanely entertaining Carolyn Trainer to step into his boots as Lady Octopus.

It was a fitting end, but one that was quickly scuttled to restore the status quo.