Ultimate Spider-Man #2 and #3: Review/Thoughts

I still remember the exact feeling of reading Ultimate Spider-Man #1. That rush of adrenaline that kicked in when I realized that this was a truly different Spider-Man. Ultimate Spider-Man #2 built on top of that foundation, but it isn’t until Ultimate Spider-Man #3 that it capitalizes on that and really defines the difference between this Peter Parker and the Peter Parker(s) that we know of. 

I love that this is a Spider-Man book that I can say shines on a technical level. Issue #1 had a lot of narrative buildup/payoff and worldbuilding through the visuals instead of pointing it out with words. To me, that spoke to the confidence Hickman and Checchetto had on this book, utilizing a visual medium in more ways than the obvious to tell a story, something that is surprisingly missing from a lot of Big 2 work. I’m glad that that doesn’t end with that though, Issue #2 has a very subtle narrative thread about Bullseye built up through visuals and nothing else that gets paid off in Issue #3, and that is awesome. It not only rewards those who are paying attention to the visuals and the words, but also allows for an enjoyable experience where you can go back and pick up on threads that were set up previously. I really hope this is something that’s a constant through the title. 

Also, really into the opening pages for this book. Every issue so far has started the same way – two panels of New York, followed by the month in bold to indicate that the book is progressing in “real time”, and then a panel that, in some regard, sets up what the issue is about. It’s a rhythm that’s in tune with the idea of the book, putting the reader in a place of familiarity before sweeping the rug underneath their feet and doing something interesting with the mythos of Spider-Man in the context of this new Ultimate Universe.

That monthly progression also helps with the way they show off character growth. Issue #2 is all about Peter picking up the ropes to learn how to be Spider-Man, and then by #3 we see that he’s somewhat learnt how to be Spider-Man. Obviously he still hasn’t learnt the emotional pitfalls of being Spider-Man, but in terms of skill, he has some ideas, and that’s good. We don’t need to see every aspect of him getting better physically, but we do need to see his evolution mentally. 

Alongside that, Ultimate Spider-Man continues to be fantastic with balancing it’s story, walking across a fine tightrope that encompasses Peter learning to be Spider-Man, his relationship with his family, Jonah and Ben’s new (still unnamed) news organization, and the truth behind the Maker’s Council and what they have done to the world. That sounds like a lot, but the creative team manages to ensure that it’s never overwhelming or too little, it’s just right. (I could do with some more Mary Jane though, but we are getting that in the next issue and in issue #6, if solicits are anything to go by.)

It’s the opening and ending of Issue #3 that really sealed the deal for me. I was locked in from Issue #1, I’d be the biggest liar in the world to pretend otherwise, but that was just the setup, the promise that this would be different. Issue #3 delivers on that promise in two ways: firstly, by letting the first splash we see of Peter in the classic Spider-Man costume as one where May’s on his back, swinging with him. It’s the perfect symbolization of the kind of person Peter is in this book, a man who’s trying to do good by his family even as he recaptures the destiny that he was robbed of. Issue 2 sets it up well by having May be the first to find out that he is Spider-Man, and Hickman writes that relationship so wonderfully, it’s a joy to see them on page together, and then #3 pays it off like that. 

Secondly, by building on an aspect of the Spider-Man mythos and delivering a spin that’s predictable-yet-interesting by making Peter as Spidey and Harry as the Green Goblin allies in two ways – one, because it’s not something we really see much, and two, because it’s the start of a relationship that has an archetype that Hickman is exceptionally good at writing, and I cannot wait for how he’s gonna tear our hearts with it eventually, especially given the red herring about it in Issue #2, where Jonah talks about how Spider-Man is the distraction and Green Goblin is the story. 

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably already read both issues. If not, pick it up. I might sound biased, but Ultimate Spider-Man continues to be an absolutely excellent comic book that you’re doing yourself a disservice by not reading month to month.