Rating:  -
I was skeptical of the Ultimate series at first, especially after John Byrne's horrific "Chapter One" retelling, but I picked up Ultimate Spidey #1 all the same.
Boy, was I ever wrong. Bendis spectacularly takes what Stan Lee wrote oh-so-long-ago and combines it with what we've come to expect from the comic industry today: pacing, character development, and real-world dialouge. For instance, spoilers I guess, but not really if you've had any foray into the Spidey books before: In the original story, Peter gets bitten by the spider, becomes a big-shot egoist, and has tragedy befall him. In one issue. Bendis stretches it over 5, mixing in a few other plot threads. Aside from the origin story, Bedis introduces the Green Goblin in issues 6 and 7, J. Jonah Jameson is there, exactly as he is in the original and movie, albeit younger. The remaining issues deal with Spidey taking on someone whom he cannot possibly defeat physically nor legally, as no one ever has: Wilson Fisk, or the mob boss the Kingpin and his thugs the Enforcers.
The characters have changed slightly with the updating into the new millenium, but 90% is for the better. Peter is a little more sure of himself and less terminally shy. MJ is entirely too cute for words, sweet and caring, but she does act like a real teen would, getting upset with Peter from time to time. Norman Osborne is a conniving businessman, as he should be. The one character I was wary about was Norman's counterpart, the Green Goblin. Bagely made it a more literal transformation, but it works, especially in the laters issues not collected here.
Bagely is, and always has been, one of my favorite artists, but he's made it difficult for himself to be forgotten after this. His take on Spidey is much like Ditko's original: lanky and gangly. He's taken Peter's inital "geek" look and add muscles to it that make him still look like an awkward teen, but also like an upshot superhero.
The extras in this are probably better than the one's that they'll put on the "Spider-Man" DVD. Bagely's original character designs and notes are here, along with the correspondance between writer Bendis and Marvel publishing president Bill Jemas. And the biggest treat of all, "Amazing Adult Fantasy #15" in its whole, reproduced better than ever, so you have the best of the old with the best of the new.
This is a deifinite must have for any comic fan, old or new, and anyone who remotely enjoyed the movie and DEFINATELY for those who were disappointed.
Rating:  -
Since we all know that Spiderman should be pushing sixty by now (alas the opportunity to do a Dark Knight type story with Spidey has been passed up), Marvel decided to start over again with a young Parker re-living his past today. His hairstyle and clothes are contemporary, but he's the same orphaned nerdy science whiz. The origin presented in this book is similar to the movie only more outrageous as it is a comicbook. I gotta say though, that I kind of liked the movie version of Spidey's webshooters growing out of his wrists, but in the comicbook the webshooters have a more plausible origin than in the old 1960s version. What's more Spidey and the Green Goblin have a lot of a connection than in the past when Gobby showed up somewhat later to menace the webslinger. Mary Jane's also here from the beginning rather than showing up later on. Doc Ock makes an appearance as well and the dialogue and plot make for a cool retread that is somewhat unpredictable. I mean we know that Parker's going to be Spiderman, Uncle Ben's going to die after telling him, "that with great power comes great responsibility," yet some of sequence of events is tinkered with and Parker even gets to briefly flirt with being popular at school. The art by Bagley's above average and wait 'til you see the new Green Goblin. This book is great for Spidey fans and those who've had their interest re-ignited by the movie, but will annoy purists. Since nobody gets old in the comicbook world (especially not franchise stars like Spidey), should we expect another retooling in another 40 years? If it's done this well, sure.
Rating: -
This is a wonderful collection of the first two Ultimate Spider-Man story arcs (collected separately as Power and Responibility and Learning Curve).
This is the Spider-Man legend updated for the 21st century. If you like the movie, you'll probably really like this approach to Spider-Man. I think fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer would also find a lot to enjoy here.
Peter Parker is a wonderfully human character. His reactions to gaining super powers aren't "perfect". He makes a lot of mistakes, but he learns and grows. This is why Spider-Man is so popular. Peter is undoubtably a hero, but he's a very human one. His heart is in the right place, but he still does mess up.
And his supporting cast is equally wonderful. Aunt May used to be a one-joke annoyance, but not here. And "Ultimate" Uncle Ben ... wow!
Brian Bendis's writing is sharp with fresh, real dialogue. And Mark Bagley's art is clean, crisp and tells the story well. I like this gawky-kid Spider-Man.
And this collection has been billed as a "DVD-style" special edition. It includes the original proposal for the series, notes, design sketches. And just so fans won't forget the classic and original Spider-Man, the hardcover volume reprints "Amazing Fantasy #15" -- the first appearance and origin of the true Spider-Man.
Rating: -
I loved this update of Spider-Man. I haven't read a Spidey comic in years - and when I picked this up I wasn't expecting a lot. But Bendis takes the old "origin" story and expands upon it. He slows it down a bit and lets the characters evolve more. The new Green Goblin isn't just a crackpot - he's a scary, menacing creature who also happens to know Spider-Man's identity. This is just great story-telling. And the second volume of this series was great, too. Issue 13 - which takes place entirely in Peter Parker's bedroom - is a classic. It's good to see Marvel experimenting with their characters and leaving a good writer/artist team free to create.
Rating: -
I'll admit it-I'm not ashamed. I just hopped on the Spider-Man bandwagon after seeing the film. But that's OK.
I'm not getting off.
The story of Peter Parker got me hooked instantly, and I wanted to dive into the comic realm, the birthplace of Spidey. But where to start? Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man series re-spins the tale of Peter Parker, but revamped for today's life and times. The artwork is excellent, and this hardcover edition is top-notch. But let's face it, without a good writer, what does it matter?
Fear not. Bendis' management of the plot and dialogue are masterful. I found myself grinning several times while reading this collection. Spidey's witty banter is captured well, and it's very easy to identify with Parker. I honestly can't think of anything bad to say about this series, although not having read the old school Spidey stories doesn't give me much perspective in that regard.
At any rate, I recommend this to anyone who is thinking about checking into the world of Spider-Man. Mark my words, it's definitely worth it.
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