The Ultimate Spiderman comic was released way back in 2000. And I thought to myself “Oh no, not another reboot” because by then I had seen many. Instead the comic gave me a lot of hours of fun just because of the different take on Spiderman and the refreshing take on old characters.
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Prior to Ultimate Spiderman
In the late 90s we had John Byrne, reboot elite master, do a comic called Spiderman: Chapter One and it was a retelling of the early Spiderman comics written by none other than Smilin’ Stan Lee and Scowlin’ Steve Ditko. Spiderman: Chapter One was written to make Spiderman more accessible for a younger audience who couldn’t bear to read the early comics because of the writing style and the use of language. The old comics also contained old slang that was no longer in use. I mean who still uses the word “swell” ?
Another reason to retell the comics was that the writing style had changed. From compressed writing, like the early comics had with as many text balloons in one scene to decompressed writing where there are less text balloons and the image had more room to tell the story.
It’s suffice to say that Spiderman: Chapter One wasn’t the smashing success Marvel had hoped for despite finishing its’ 13 issue run and even releasing an issue #0 between number six and seven. John Byrne politely declined to write a chapter 2 and moved on to draw and write stories for The Amazing Spiderman with Howard Mackie.
Now what does this tiny history lesson have to do with The Ultimate Spiderman? Everything!
Back when legendary comicbook writer Brian Michael Bendis came up with the suggestion to reboot the Spiderman universe once more Marvel had their doubts because of the failure of Spiderman: Chapter One. Bendis pushed anyway and managed to convince Marvel to start with Ultimate Spiderman.
A legendary run in the making
When Brian Michael Bendis started out, he managed to turn a 11 page story into a seven part story consisting of more than 180 pages. It not only set up the foundation of the Ultimate Spiderman series but the entire Ultimate Universe.
Ultimate Spiderman connected characters in quite a unique way. Everything started with an Osborn serum called Oz. Peter Parker was bitten by a spider that carried the experimental serum. Upon realizing that it gave him arachnid powers, Norman Osborn used Oz on himself to see what it would do to him. The experiment got out of hand and the laboratory exploded. It created The Green Goblin, one of the infamous rogues of Spiderman. It also created Doctor Octopus. Who, just like in the comics, got control over 6 extra metal arms. But here’s the catch: Doc Ock was able to mentally control metal, as shown in later issues.
Another thing is the formula that Peter Parker’s father worked on turned out to be the foundation for Spiderman’s famous webbing.
And what of J. Jonah Jameson, yes he still owns The Daily Bugle but he is much younger. And instead of Peter Parker selling his photos to the Bugle, Parker was hired to maintain the website of the company.
Mary Jane Watson is still the love of Peter Parker’s life but instead of being a party animal, this version of Mary Jane is very smart and is nicknamed “Brainy Jane”.
But what the made the run really legendary was the fact that Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mark Bagley continued to collaborate until issue #111. It was the longest continual run in the history of Marvel Comics by two people. The honor was previously held by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby on The Fantastic Four.
Favorite Ultimate Spiderman story arcs
Like I mentioned before, the Ultimate Spiderman series were a reboot but set in a different universe. It made the comic very accessible to a new generation of readers but also hardcore readers of Spiderman enjoyed reading a different take on the character’s history.
Volume one consisted of 29 story arcs and I have picked the ones I enjoyed reading the most.
Power and Responsibility (#1-7)
Peter Parker gets bitten by a genetically-mutated spider during a class visit to Osborn Industries. The spider was part of the scientific experimentation there. The spider had been injected with a formula that Norman himself had created called OZ. Kong, one of Peter’s classmates kills the spider before anyone could retrieve it. Norman Osborn decides to track Peter’s progress. After several instances of fainting and displaying extraordinary strength and reflexes, Peter realizes the bite gave him spider-like powers.
Venom (#33-39)
Peter discovers scientific work from his late father and watches an old tape of his family and childhood friend, Eddie Brock Jr. who Peter later contacts. Eddie is a college student and shows Peter a black substance called “The Suit” that their fathers had worked on before their corporation cancelled their project. Peter discovers through his father’s tapes that his father was close to a medical breakthrough with “The Suit”. Peter introduces Gwen to Eddie and the two go on a date. In the meantime, Peter sneaks into the lab and gets some of the substance on his skin. “The Suit” consumes Peter turning him into the black suited Spiderman. Spiderman easily defeats several foes but is driven to psychosis and almost kills a burglar.
Carnage (#60-65)
Spiderman saves a museum of hostages from Gladiator who Spiderman defeats in combat but suffers an injury which is treated by Dr. Connors, who is aware of Peter’s secret identity. He retains a sample of Peter’s blood and after studying it, asks Peter if he can continue testing and researching the DNA sample for potential medical breakthroughs. Peter agrees and Dr. Connors enlists young scientist Ben Reilly to aid him. However, one of the experiments, Carnage, begins to form humanoid features and escapes the lab. It goes on a murder spree culminating in the death of Gwen Stacey after Carnage gains Peter’s memories through their shared DNA.
Warriors (#79-85)
Hammerhead moves in on Wilson Fisk’s criminal empire as Fisk contends with a looming federal prosecution case. Hammerhead hires the Enforcers and blows up an old Fisk safe-house. Spiderman visits the crime scene and battles Moon Knight who believes Spiderman is a criminal. Spiderman escapes and goes to confront Fisk who has hired Elektra as a bodyguard. Fisk informs Spiderman of Hammerhead’s rise and advises Spiderman to stop him. Spiderman goes to Captain Jean De Wolfe who reluctantly agrees Hammerhead is the bigger threat. In Chinatown, Hammerhead and his goons attack martial artists Shang-Chi and Iron Fist. Spiderman and Black Cat intervene but escape when Hammerhead throws a grenade at them.
The Clone Saga (#97-105)
Peter is unable to deny he still loves Mary Jane while on the phone to Kitty. He goes to the mall with Mary Jane but it is attacked by the Scorpion. Spiderman defeats him but unmasking the Scorpion reveals him to in fact be a clone of Peter. Spiderman visits the Fantastic Four’s Baxter building with his clone and unmasks himself to prove he is also Peter Parker. Meanwhile, Mary Jane is kidnapped at the OSCORP building by a disfigured Peter clone, Kaine. Kaine proves to be mentally unstable as he plans to infuse Mary Jane with the OZ formula, in the belief it was enable to defend herself from being hurt again. Before he can do so however, he is attacked by a boy with six arms wearing a black and white spider costume–another clone of Peter known as Tarantula. Tarantula tries to free Mary Jane but gets knocked out by Kaine after a short fight. Kaine then proceeds with the infusion process, which transforms Mary Jane into an angry red beast. Peter attempts to find Mary Jane and goes to the old warehouse where he meets Spider-Woman, a female clone of himself. He returns to his house and finds Gwen Stacey, seemingly alive and well. Aunt May also arrives and is surprised at Gwen’s appearance. Peter admits he is Spiderman and proves it by jumping on the ceiling. At that moment Richard Parker, Peter’s father arrives. However, Nick Fury and a squad of Spider Slayers circle the house and order the Parkers and Gwen to surrender. Gwen transforms into Carnage and attacks the Slayers. Fury orders the Spider Slayers to destroy the house. May has a heart attack from the stress forcing an angry Peter to attack Fury before he is subdued. The Fantastic Four arrive and help Peter. Sue takes May to the hospital with Richard while Peter surrenders and Carnage reverts to its Gwen form.
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