Hey there, Web-Heads (I’ve always wanted to do that!)
I will be the first to admit that I haven’t always enjoyed modern Spider-Man comics. There have been some amazing stories told in the main 616 universe this last decade or so, but on the whole a lot have fallen short of what I enjoy in a Spider-Man book.
Another thing to note about my love for the wall-crawling arachnid is that I didn’t start reading Spider-Man with the standard Amazing Spider-Man book. My Spider-Man is the 2000s Ultimate run from Brian Bendis and Mark Bagley. That take on the Spider-Verse felt so fresh and new to an incredibly young me. Events and characters could change in the Ultimate Marvel universe that just couldn’t happen in the main one.
What I’m trying to get at was I was yearning for a fresh take on the character where it felt like anything could happen. I am happy to say that I got my wish with the new volume of Ultimate Spider-Man this last year and the even better news is that if you missed out on the multi-time-sold-out first arc of this book, you can catch up this Tuesday with the release of Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 1: Married with Children.
You probably read “Married with Children” and said “WHAT!”. What is so spectacular about this version of Spider-Man is that Peter is a 30-something dad married to the love of his life, Mary Jane, with two kids. Oh, and this Peter wasn’t Spider-Man when he was 15. In fact, he becomes Spider-Man at this point in his life. After the events of “Ultimate Invasion”, Peter is asked to become a hero for a much different Marvel landscape than we are used to. I really don’t want to give too much away with this book because it is both a radical reinvention of the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man that is perfect for new readers to jump in on, and yet it also feels like classic Spider-Man for longtime readers.
Jonathan Hickman writes this reimagined web-slinging hero that just feels like Peter Parker. I don’t know how to describe his work on the characters rather than saying it’s just right. Everyone feels perfectly in character for who we think them to be, but there are some shocking surprises that longtime fans will have to take a second glance at after the shock wears off of them. Marco Checchetto and David Messina trade off on art duties for a perfect looking spider-book. Checchetto has been a long overlooked artist at Marvel so having a major book like this to really show his craftsmanship to be on full display is LONG overdue. Cory Petit letters this book perfectly (there is something REALLY cool they do in the next volume of the book, so you should REALLY check that out). Matt Wilson colors the book brilliantly, a massive shout-out goes to them with keeping it consistent between art shifts.
If you are like me, a 30s-something, who’s grown up with Spider-Man, I am pleased to report to you that Spider-Man has grown up with you. He’s ready to meet you where you are in life like he did when we were teenagers.
If you are a long time Spidey fan or a comic fan, check this graphic novel out. It’s a reinvention of a classic that hits every mark for being an amazing comic book.
If you are new to comics or a fan of the character from the movies or games, this one is a perfect jumping on point to see what makes Spider-Man in comic book form so freaking cool.
Like Peter in this story, it’s time for you to check out a new adventure with Spider-Man. You just have to take the leap with him.
Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 1: Married with Children goes on sale tomorrow (9/10). We’ve got copies and if we run out, we are more than happy to get one on re-order for you right away.
Save the world, read comics!
Tripper
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