One of Marvel’s biggest hits in recent memory, acclaimed comic creators Jonathan Hickman and Marco Chechetto present a new take on Ultimate Spider-Man with a very different Peter Parker. After the events of Ultimate Invasion, the world needs a hero… step forward, Peter Parker! But this is an older, wiser web-slinger — one who balances his costumed duties with his responsibilities as a husband and a father. The stakes have never been higher — and as Spider-Man faces his first super villain, J. Jonah Jameson’s quest to uncover who is really pulling the strings of this new Ultimate Universe leads to a shocking revelation!
Whilst the new Ultimate line has been an undeniable success for Marvel, the undisputed jewel in its crown has to be Hickman and Chechetto’s Ultimate Spider-Man. Achieving chart topping sales in its single-issue releases and generating huge praise amongst fans, the series is easily one of the most talked about comics of the year and it’s not hard to see why. The creators alone would draw fans to this series. Hickman has recently reestablished himself as one of Marvel’s top writers upon his return to the company with his landmark revival of the X-Men. Chechetto meanwhile has been one of Marvel strongest artists for over ten years now with his acclaimed work on Spider-Man, Star Wars, The Punisher and his Eisner nominated run on Daredevil with Chip Zdarsky.
But it was the premise that got fans most excited. It’s no secret that a significant portion of Spider-Man’s fandom believe he should still be married to Mary Jane (following the marriages erasure from existence in the highly controversial One More Day) and despite a well-received reunion during Nick Spencer’s run on Amazing Spider-Man, the couple are currently once again apart. So the idea of an ongoing series with the pair as a married couple was enough to get fans invested. But this is a very different Spider-Man. Inspired somewhat by Peter B Parker from the animated Spider-Verse films, this is an older Peter Parker who – having never being bitten by a radioactive spider in his teens – channelled his sense of responsibility into being a husband and a father.
Hickman makes terrific use of this premise with an older Peter – having lived a normal family life – suddenly getting his spider powers when he is pushing 40. This is a Spider-Man who is thrown into the deep end at a much later stage of his life which reflects when he finds himself struggling against traditional C-list villain The Shocker, not to mention his lack of success at keeping his identity secret from those close to him. Hickman has a great handle on the Peter/MJ relationship and the chemistry is on point. Their children are also a major high point – with May in particular bringing a lot of levity to the series and is also a key factor in the development of the Spider-Man identity. But the surprising twist of a living Uncle Ben working alongside his best friend J Jonah Jameson as investigative journalists as well as an Iron Man-esque heroic Harry Osborn/Green Goblin takes the series in directions even die-hard fans will be surprised by.
Chechetto’s art is tremendous as always. He is at his best drawing street level heroics and this series is a perfect showcase for his talents – especially for those missing him on Daredevil. His designs for this new take on the Parker family work brilliantly and he does a dynamic take on Spider-Man. The action remains a high point – with Spidey’s clash with the Kingpin being very memorable. This is a true crowd pleaser of a series that has everything a Spider-Man fan could want whilst putting a new spin on legacy characters. Hickman and Chechetto are on to a winning formula.
Ultimate Spider-man By Jonathan Hickman Vol. 1: Married With Children is out 10 September from Marvel (9781302957292, p/b, £17.99)
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