Rating:  -
I bought this book hoping to understand what the original clone saga was all about. I realize it would be hard to squeeze 2 years into a 9 issue compilation, but I hoped. I also realize that Ultimate series is in its own right, a completely new marvel universe. But, a little respect for the original would have earned this book a better rating.
First, THERE IS NO Jackal (Miles Warren), Ben Reilly (Scarlet Spider) or Kaine here. Instead, we get 4 clones that are roughly a month old, created by Dr. Octopus (WTF?). 1 of the clones is biographted to be the scorpion (No Mac Gargan in this story)and another, female clone, becomes Spider woman (Jessica Drew)completely destroying the her character's origins and replacing Spider-Girl MayDay Parker.
At least there is a Gwen Stacy clone -who becomes Carnage (again, WTF?)
The presence of Nick Fury and the Fantastic Four distanced the story even further from the original. Peter is supposed to feel alone, depressed, confused, and traumatized, wondering if he is the clone or not, wondering who is really the imposter. The original grand revelation uncovers Green Goblin Norman Osborne as the supreme manipulator of the saga. He is only mentioned in the Ultimate Clone Saga.
On the positive side, I loved the artwork! I am a big fan of Bendi and Bagley and have largely enjoyed the majority of Ultimate spider-man.
However, even the dialogue in this book seemed a little elementary (Can we scream OMG one more time?)So, on an end note, read this book if you enjoy the Ultmiate Universe, but avoid this if you are an original spider-man fan.
Rating:  -
I won't tell you anything, as that would spoil the fun, but Ultimate Spider-Man: Clone Saga is full of action, drama and much more! A must-read!
Rating: -
The worst part about this story was that it took years to put together. The Venom story, the Carnage story, it all ties together in a master stroke of comic-book writing.
Brian Michael Bendis truly frightened fandom by calling this one "The Clone Saga," invoking the most talked about (mostly jeers) Spidey story in 30 years. Rest assured, this isn't your daddy's Clone Saga.
This collection is action packed, filled with Mark Bagley's beautiful artwork (one of the few artists out there born to draw Spider-Man) and BMB's fanstastic pacing, plotting and dialogue. The climax is heart stopping, seat-of-your-pants reading that left me weeping and cheering, just pages apart.
And this story IS important, it DOES count. Sweeping changes come by the end of this, including and especially changes in all of Peter's relationships.
"The Clone Saga" is exactly the kind of story every Spider-Man Fan looks for in their lifetime.
Rating:  -
There is nothing more reviled, nothing more revolting, to a comic fan's ears then the term "Clone Saga." The storyline that ran through the mainstream Spider-man's comcis during the mid to late 90s (never read the original clone saga, but I'm led to believe that it is not vomit-inducing like the 90s one) was such a mess. It was confusing, aggravating, and completely silly. The plot just seemed to go from outlandish to mind-numbing. Indeed, the Cone Saga is widely regarded as one of the worst storylines in comic history. So much so that even Spider-man himself makes fun of the Clone Saga (don't have any issue numbers, but Spidey fans know I speak the truth).
Which brings me to the Ultimate Clone Saga. Bendis, as always, delivers and makes even asinine sotrylines completely enthralling. While not exactly his best work, it is certainly not among his worst. Plenty of laughs, great dialogue, and surprising revelations make this a must-read for Spider-man fans.
Rating: -
The original Spider-Man Clone Saga was one of the most fan-hated story arcs in the history of Spider-Man. So attempting to do an Ultimate version of this would be tricky at best. But they pull it off wonderfully. This was a spectacular story arc, filled with twists.
I don't want to go into the story too much, because the element of surprise is this collection's greatest strength.
Suffice it to say, if you enjoy Ultimate Spider-Man, this is definately something you want to buy.
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