Marvel gained its moniker as the ‘House of Ideas’ through decades of captivating storytelling. They introduced characters and narratives that kept readers hooked for years, reshaping the concept of superheroes and their stories. However, it became clear that the essence of superhero realms often requires maintaining the status quo, and many of the impactful twists and transformations that made Marvel stories exceptional were reversed or “retconned,” frequently bringing characters and stories back to more straightforward endings for new readers. The domination of Marvel in modern comic sales charts may have caused complacency, leading to a series of books that prioritize safety. However, playing it safe was never what made Marvel exceptional, which is one of the many reasons why Ultimate Spider-Man is considered the best Marvel book in years.
From one perspective, Ultimate Spider-Man might appear as a predictable pick – offering fans the long-awaited return of an older, married Peter Parker/Spider-Man alongside Mary Jane, characters they’ve missed for years. However, this series transcends mere repetition of past stories. Writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Marco Checchetto are masterfully elevating familiar themes, pushing them to new heights. Ultimate Spider-Man represents the quality Marvel should consistently strive for, and I’ll gladly demonstrate why it deserves that recognition.
Ultimate Spider-Man Truly Exemplifies the Best Parts of Spider-Man & Marvel
Marvel’s latest iteration of the Ultimate Universe has been groundbreaking, with “Ultimate Spider-Man” paving the way. Unlike the 616 universe, this new Ultimate Universe presents an alternate reality where the villainous Maker (formerly Reed Richards of the old 1610 Ultimate Universe) has spent decades crafting a world to his liking, actively working against the emergence of superheroes. In this world, the Maker’s Earth is governed by The Council, a faction comprised of villains, as well as some former heroes from the 616 universe such as Colossus and Magik, each commanding their own territories. Following the deaths of Howard Stark and Obadiah Stane, the North American Union was divided between Henry Dugarry, Captain Britain of the European Union, and the Hulk, who leads the Children of the Eternal Light.
In the world of Ultimate Spider-Man, New York City is controlled by a powerful figure known as the Kingpin, who also oversees corporations such as Roxxon and Oscorp. This isn’t just a story about a married Spider-Man and his family; it delves deeper into the complexities of a world where power struggles are rampant. In this alternate universe, an older Peter Parker receives his powers from a young Tony Stark, who is defying the Maker and assembling a team of heroes to liberate the world. As Peter grapples with evil forces aiming to suppress individuals like him, he finds support in Harry Osborn, who is developing a Green Goblin armor suit in collaboration with Doctor Octopus for personal motives. Interestingly, Uncle Ben is alive and works alongside Peter and J. Jonah Jameson at the Daily Bugle, which is owned by Kingpin. However, they eventually break away to establish their own investigative online news platform, partly funded by Harry and his wife Gwen Stacy, to expose the corrupt power structures of Manhattan and the North American Union. Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson are married with two children, Richard and May, with Mary Jane enjoying a successful career in public relations.
Check out this setup: It’s incredibly recognizable, especially for someone like me who has been following Spider-Man comics for over three decades. Yet, it’s the way Jonathan Hickman reimagined the foundations of Spider-Man and his universe that makes it all work so well. For years, Spider-Man has been stuck in a rut, unable to break free from the standard characterization reminiscent of the ’60s and ’70s. However, this new status quo takes an entirely different path while still maintaining the essence of Spider-Man as a hard-luck hero. Hickman’s interpretation of Ultimate Spider-Man isn’t as skilled a fighter as one might expect, often finding himself in over his head as a superhero. He’s constantly facing new challenges he must learn to handle, and the primary way he does so is by getting beaten up first and then figuring out how to come out on top. This comic book provides me with what I crave from Spider-Man – an older, more accomplished, and content version of the character – while also preserving the core of Spider-Man as just as unfortunate as any regular person dealing with everyday issues we all face.
In a fresh twist, the Ultimate Spider-Man revitalizes classic tales with a modern touch. Instead of an extraterrestrial entity, the new symbiote is a nanite suit combined with an advanced AI system, able to morph into Peter if necessary, and surprisingly, it’s currently bonded with his son Richard (SPOILER alert). This transformation sets this new symbiote saga apart; it’s innovative and smart, breathing life into a story we’ve seen multiple times before while maintaining the essence of its original narrative. This is what makes Ultimate Spider-Man stand out, and that’s why it’s leading the way at Marvel Comics.
Ultimate Spider-Man Is Exactly the Kind of Book the House of Ideas Should Be Putting Out
Currently, immersing myself in Marvel comics today often feels more like a tedious task rather than an enjoyable experience. It seems that Marvel’s editorial team is always putting things back to their original state after each groundbreaking concept or reboot, which I find repetitive and uninspiring. In contrast, Marvel used to allow characters to evolve, their lives to change, and the subsequent creators would build upon what had been established. However, it appears that Marvel is not particularly fond of new ideas, or at least only appreciates them until sales start to decline. This approach does not align with my memories of Marvel comics from my youth, and honestly, it can be quite disheartening.
I’m captivated by the Ultimate Spider-Man, a sentiment shared by many comic enthusiasts, as evidenced by its impressive sales figures. This series keeps me hooked due to its innovative approach towards a character that has been around for over six decades. Yet, it skillfully retains the essence of what came before, featuring familiar faces in familiar settings. What sets it apart is its ability to keep me guessing, unlike many modern Marvel comics where I can predict the outcome. The unpredictability of Ultimate Spider-Man is a breath of fresh air, even when I think I know what’s coming next (like in the Symbiote Saga). This quality is rare in comics, and it’s remarkable that this series is based on Spider-Man – a character known for Marvel’s most predictable and safe stories. In my opinion, Ultimate Spider-Man should serve as the model for all future Marvel comics.
Ultimate Spider-Man #14 is on sale now wherever comics are sold.
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2025-02-26 23:11