The last few issues of Ultimate Spider-Man has taken the focus away from the Parker Family. In their place we have seen Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn takeover as they go about their secret planning against the Secret Six and The Maker’s Council. With what Gwen has done, in particular, as part of the Mysterio Illuminati escalates things to a whole new level for this series. Now the Parker Family are going to finally return after Harry contact Peter to let him know he is alive. With all the revelations that have changed things in the last few issues how with the Parker Family react? Let’s find out with Ultimate Spider-Man #18.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Colorist: Erick Arciniega
Letterer: Cory Petit
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #18 SOLICITATION
“WAR RAGES ON IN NEW YORK CITY! Black Cat enlists Richard Parker’s aid in the Sinister Six turf war…and Spider-Man gains a surprising ally!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
Ultimate Spider-Man #18 does a very good job making you feel how much time Peter Parker and his family have been away. With the current structure of the Ultimate Universe, the Parker Family have been living in the middle of nowhere for at least two months. That is a long time away with how quickly things develop in the Ultimate Universe. That is certainly felt with everything that happens in this issue.
It helps that Jonathan Hickman doesn’t lean on Peter’s time away to slow things down. If anything, things move as quickly as they have in the last two issues of Ultimate Spider-Man. Peter’s presence adds a new dynamic that has been missing from these last two issue. And that is really the consciousness of everything Hickman has been building with this series. While not a pure character, Peter still has the classic superhero sensibilities as Spider-Man that help ground the story.
This is where the strength of this series having a Spider-Man in his 30s. We see when Peter is learning the extent Harry has gone to protect him and his family he doesn’t dwell on it. Though you wouldn’t blame Peter given that the moment he came home he finds Otto Octavius living in his place after installing security equipment Harry asked for. There is a lot about this that could have led Harry to break Peter’s trust. But to Peter’s credit, once the shock wears off, he understands why Harry made the decision he made.
Showing Peter thinking rationally even with how crazy things are around his return continues to drive home this being arguably the best portrayal of his character. It goes a long way to reestablish the Spider-Man and Green Goblin partnership. Because while they do not miss a beat when taking on street-level villains the real test to Peter and Harry’s friendship was this. How Peter process things help to strengthen his friendship with Harry.
That also helps provide a great contrast to what we see go down with Gwen and the Mysterio Illuminati. While the Mysterio Illuminati have been about discovering the truth it does appear that they’ve let being expert planners get to their head. Which is why Gwen comes across as such a disrupter. She is a woman of action even before she became a Mysterio. She brought that same energy here and it pushes the Mysterio’s to stop waiting and start acting.
Though that does not mean Gwen’s methods are perfect. The arguments against the way Gwen went about acting during her recent time as Mysterio have plenty of logic behind it. Specifically, Gwen publicly showing Mysterio teaming up with Green Goblin to take down the facility of another Sinister Six member, Mr. Negative. While she makes a case for her actions it does show that Gwen is walking a tightrope that even one minor misstep could lead to severe consequences.
Speaking of the Sinister Six and consequences, we see what that could be with the reckless choice Richard Parker, Peter’s son, makes. Richard allowed his hormones get the best of him that when he is given the chance to be the white knight for his new “girlfriend” he runs right to her. The way Richard does so by using his Venom AI-tech suit to cloak his presence and sneak on Harry’s jet spoke to him being a naïve kid.
That in turn elevates Felicia Hardy as a tough antagonist that is hard to read. She has certainly learned well from her Black Cat father. Felicia appears to not have hesitated to sell out Richard. And she used the fact he is a hormonal teen to get valuable information for the Sinister Six. That information is a game changing chess move that now puts Spider-Man, Green Goblin, and Mysterio on the defense.
Marco Checchetto returns better than ever. Ultimate Spider-Man #18 just looks like a big event comic book because of Checchetto’s artwork. Hickman gives Checchetto plenty of room to let his artwork tell the story. We see that with the montage of Spider-Man and Green Goblin taking on gangs and street-level villains. As strong as the artwork is for the action it is even better with all the character reactions. There are so many character reactions in this issue that have an elevated importance because of the artwork.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Ultimate Spider-Man #18 is an excellent return for Peter Parker as the lead. With how things continue to move forward with the Sinister Six plotline having Spider-Man back in action helps to elevate the urgency of what’s going on. All the developments in this issue are reminders of why this is one of the best comic books on the market right now.
Story Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
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