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There's some pretty big and dramatic twists to the Spider-Man story collected here, and I'm not going to spoil them. The difference, however, is that his story is thought-out, riveting, and concise. It's a great read. The Clone Saga, from the Amazing Spider-Man books, remains at the top of the list of story arcs Marvel would rather forget. So I was amazed when it was announced that Bendis was going to tackle the epic story in the Ultimate universe.
There is always at least one line (usually a lot more), that has me laugh out loud. Just as the first Chris Reeves SUPERMAN movie used the tag line, "You will believe that a man can fly.", in ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS, you will believe that there could be such people as these, that they could hang out together, like each other and even have these kinds of problems, trying to help each other through them.The new artist is very good, although I do miss the older artist a bit. He really has "an ear" for dialogue. IN any case, the art is just fine.
The title is a tad tongue in cheek and a play on the old classic comic book title, and the first story has more variations on the fan-favorite "team-up" books. Never mind all the others that have me smiling. He is kind of the "Elmore Leonard" of comics (developing precisely those kind of chops on the pure crime books he did some years ago).And as per usual in almost every Bendis book I have ever read, he makes me laugh. Yet, this book really is a lot of fresh fun and I really enjoyed it.
Bendis' writing is funny, insightful and sounds real, as usual. Who doesn't need more of that these days.An entertaining read and like all of Bendis' stuff, very re-readable. It was kind of cool seeing Peter with actual friends in both worlds (super and "normal"), which the title makes reference to, and it is done in a very original and believable (for a super-hero comic) way. I think I will get used to the new guy.
Pete and Kitty are paired up with one of those baby doll monitoring assignments (and, as one panel reveals, Kitty still isn't quite over Pete's break-up with her). Whenever an Ultimate character dies, it feels more permanent. The stakes quickly go up with Osborn's prison breakout because, as long time readers know, Osborn knows Spidey's civilian identity and evil dude's even flung Mary Jane off a bridge. And, lest you forget that this is a certain teen wall-crawler's book, you best believe the Goblin's not forgotten Peter Parker.What I probably relish best in the Ultimate Universe is the sense of freshness it invokes. Mark Bagley has put in serious work, as has Stuart Immonen. That would suck immensely. So it makes sense that this arc features Iceman (come to apologize to Kitty), as well as the debut of Ultimate Firestar.
Here, it's not even Pete who finally takes the Goblin down.Bendis's gift for funny and insightful dialogue is on display again. Not only do longtime Marvel characters get a do-over, but there seems to be more immediacy to the stuff that happens to them. All the while hoping that this doesn't put a moratorium on this little corner of Marvel. 19: DEATH OF A GOBLIN collects issues #112-117 and features the escape of Norman Osborn, a.k.a. With Pete ensuring that Aunt May and Mary Jane skedaddle the eff out of town, his bump of responsibility makes him stay on.Pete's taken on the Kingpin and Venom and sundry wacky clones, but let's face it, the Goblin has always been Spidey's traditional nemesis.
the Green Goblin, from the Triskelion's maximum security compound and the resultant wigging out of Peter and Mary Jane. To get out of their funk, Pete and his friends decide to hang out at the beach, accompanied by Johnny Storm (Human Torch) and Bobby Drake (Iceman). 20: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN & HIS AMAZING FRIENDS. Awww, but mine's a big tool."Having just re-read these two trades back to back, I thought I'd try for a two-fer, double dipping on both ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN Vol. And, importantly, while still steeped in outrageous fantasy, Ultimate Universe somehow feels closer to reality than the mainstream 616. However, when that farfetched explanation features Omega Red and the epic destruction of the Daily Bugle offices, well, someone's G.P.A. is bound to drop.Issue #122 starts off sunnily enough, as Peter video-records Mary Jane as she tries to conduct Man on the Street interviews but can't even say her name right.
On the Triskelion side, Spidey and Carol Danvers trade in some hilarious banter, the funny mostly coming from Pete's end. Bendis effectively serves up his decompression style of storytelling, as these three issues generate tons of cool dialogue, with Spidey and Iceman trying their best to talk down a frantic and frightened Firestar. - Shocker (as he takes out a police car during a chase): "Hey, I got one. Having said that, Stuart Immonen, not exactly a scrub himself, has been doing righteous things with the artwork. Things take a deadly serious turn when the Shocker, "the biggest loser in Loserville," surfaces and surprisingly beats holy heck out of and then kidnaps Spider-Man. With his Ultimate Spidey stories, Brian Michael Bendis has managed to reinvent and reinvigorate the Spider-Man mythos, and shiny-domed dude has even managed to stick with the thing for over 130 issues now.
With Ultimate titles getting shut down left and right and characters getting killed off everywhere (thanks, ULTIMATUM) and with #133 projected as possibly the last Ultimate Spidey issue (#130 is currently what's on sale), I'm just trying to soak it all in, brother. Wallcrawling guy has fought monumental battles and experienced wondrous things and has incured hurtful losses, but, thru all this, Brian Michael Bendis has been able to preserve the core of Peter Parker, keeping him on point while sustaining that lighthearted flavor. And you got her "amazing friend" reference, right.The Ultimate Universe was built on the success of this title, thanks to Bendis's ability to generate pathos and to put a fresh spin on age-old Spider-Man tropes. Ultimate Spidey, I think, is hands down funnier than 616 Spidey. Also, seriously, Peter just ain't competent with keeping his secret identity secret.
And, predictably, the manifestation of a new mutant gets a "Hruh." not only from the X-Men but from Magneto. Not much of a superhero throwdown in this one, which is okay, as I found the conversations among the cast so much more involving. Which goes to show, even the most ridiculed supervillain is still someone not to be effed with.As these issues demonstrate, there's more gravitas now to young Peter Parker. Firstly, I harbor mad friggin' love for this series. All this leading to me saying that DEATH OF A GOBLIN is one of the best story arcs in this series.Bendis is very good with the superhero stuff, starting off with Spidey and the newly costumed Shadowcat early on taking out the Shocker in what feels like a throwaway sequence. I got one."- Spidey (whilst kicking Shocker's mug in): "I got one, too.
Night falls on the beach and the kids are chillin' around a campfire, when, shockingly, dot dot dot.Old fogeys may get that the three-part "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends" is a fond callback to the awesome 1980s cartoon show of the same title (ah, anyone remember Ms.Lion). I dig that Immonen keeps Spidey looking like a kid in tights, instead of some over-muscly bloke all of a sudden.ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN Vol. As Osborn goes about his machinations to take down Nick Fury (who, following the goings-on in the Ultimate Power mini-series, isn't around much anymore), interim S.H.I.E.L.D. 20: SPIDER-MAN & HIS AMAZING FRIENDS collects issues #118-122 as, in the wake of the traumatic events in DEATH OF A GOBLIN, Bendis takes it down a notch and focuses on the personal lives of Pete and his circle of pallies. Nothing probably encapsulates this as much as this following bit:- Firestar: "You're an amazing friend.
19: DEATH OF A GOBLIN and Vol. You ran to help me. A fun story arc.***SPOILER alert for this next paragraph***Midtown High is still mourning the passing of Harry Osborne. It involves an arduous explanation from Peter (to his teacher, in front of the class) as to why their assigned fake baby doesn't exactly end up unscathed. First, we learn how Pete and Kitty fare with their classroom project. Things climax tragically (all you have to do is peek at the title of this trade) and there's a coda which takes place in Pete's classroom, in a moment tinged with poignancy.
A great story arc.ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN Vol. Ultimate Peter Parker, terrific in all his teenhood and in the infancy of his superhero career, is nowadays my favorite version of the web-spinner.
Bendis balances the colossal fighty fights with very well done character moments, with the Midtown High sequences proving to be enthralling bits. I won't forget this."- Spidey: "Well, just remember that with great power there must also come great responsibility."- Firestar: "Now you sound like a tool."Hah.
Artist Mark Bagley also gets massive golf claps for his extensive run, and it's no lie that his take on Ultimate Spidey has become THE definitive rendering. Seriously.The last two issues in this trade are kinda one-offs.
I'm also getting a kick out of the school dynamics with specifics to Kitty Pryde's identity being public knowledge. director Carol Danvers tries to catch up with all the crazy going down.
Ultimate Goblin is immeasurably more powerful than Spidey, and more intelligent, and I like that Spidey always has to struggle like epic crapcakes just to eke out a win.
This volume furthers the relationship with Mary Jane (just a bit) and gives us more of ex-girlfriend (and X-Man) Kitty Pride. Bagley.One of the best aspect of USM is seeing Peter Parker's personal life. Bagley go, but I'm looking forward to more from Mr.
But the stories so constantly entertaining -- intense without being bleak, emotional without being sappy.This is the first full collection with new artist Stuart Immonen after years of Mark Bagley as sole artist. Immonen steps in with his own excellent take on Spider-Man's world. Every time I read an Ultimate Spider-Man collection, I think the series must have hit it's peak.
It was sad to see Mr. The writing is so good that the conversations in the high school hall are just as exciting as the battle with the Goblin.This is a great read and I'm looking forward to the next one. Mr.
Bagly defined the look and feel of the series, but Mr.
Although the artist has switched, the transition was seamless and the storyline is great as ever.
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