15 Reasons Ultimate Spider-Man Is the Best Current Spider-Man Story

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Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s most famous heroes, and he’s remained incredibly popular for many years. Thanks to countless classic comic books, as well as appearances in cartoons, TV shows, movies, and video games, Spider-Man is a well-known character to people of all ages.

Spider-Man is a hugely popular hero, but his comic book stories haven’t been very good lately. They’ve become overly complicated, with too much behind-the-scenes meddling and a lack of real progress. It’s disappointing to see such an iconic character feel so stuck. Luckily, writer Jonathan Hickman’s fresh take on Spider-Man in Ultimate Spider-Man has brought the character back to his former glory.

Fans were surprised to discover that the Ultimate Universe is ending soon – after only about two years! Jonathan Hickman’s work on Ultimate Spider-Man will conclude the entire series, wrapping up with just four collected volumes.

Marvel believes this approach will make the story a lasting success. By creating a self-contained Spider-Man story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, they’re offering something unique that stands on its own, separate from the ongoing Spider-Man comics.

The premise of Ultimate Spider-Man revolves around the idea that Peter Parker wasn’t bitten by a radioactive spider as a teen because of a villain called the Maker. This meant he never became the hero he was meant to be, and always felt like something was missing in his life. When Tony Stark later offered him the chance to become Spider-Man as an adult, Peter immediately took it.

Because of this, when we finally see Peter interact with Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy, they’re all grown up. This makes their relationships much different and more complicated than when they first met in college. Peter’s wife, Mary Jane, is also meeting them for the first time now, making all of these connections uniquely different from how they were when everyone was in their late teens.

When Tony Stark granted Peter superpowers, he also equipped him with a high-tech suit. This suit not only protected Spider-Man, but also allowed him to communicate with its artificial intelligence. Peter had the chance to customize the AI, and he decided to base it on himself, essentially giving him an internal voice and assistant.

Once Tony Stark showed Peter he could remotely control his suit, Peter opted for a regular costume. He still kept the suit, though, and it effectively acted as a stand-in for him when he was absent for a few months. Later, the suit was passed down to Peter’s son, Richard. Now, it’s become clear that this suit is the most powerful version of Venom, as Richard and the suit function with a connection similar to a symbiote.

The original Gwen Stacy tragically died young, so we mostly remember her as a teenager or young woman. The animated series Ultimate Spider-Man finally showed us an adult version of Gwen, and because this was a completely new take on the character, the writer has had the freedom to explore her in exciting and surprising ways.

She’s a successful businesswoman with a hidden secret – a shocking twist that’s one of the series’ highlights. It perfectly illustrates the unpredictable nature of the story, where anything can happen at any time.

A key difference from the traditional Spider-Man story is that Peter Parker didn’t become Spider-Man while he was still in high school. Because of this, the event that led to his Uncle Ben’s death – being robbed by a burglar – never happened, and Uncle Ben is still alive in this universe. Instead, it was Peter’s Aunt May who recently died, killed in a terrorist attack just before the story begins.

Ben and J. Jonah Jameson both left their jobs at the Daily Bugle after Wilson Fisk bought it, and they decided to start their own newspaper together. The series has been really interesting, showing them work on stories and investigate leads – issue #10 of Ultimate Spider-Man was a great example of this. It’s a unique approach for a comic, and it’s a refreshing change to see these two working as a team; they make a great pair.

The revamped Ultimate Universe has been a hit with comic book fans. Titles like The Ultimates, Ultimate X-Men, and Ultimate Spider-Man have consistently been better written and more engaging than their traditional versions in recent years.

The main Spider-Man comic series (Earth-616) has a long and complicated history that can be intimidating for people just getting into it. Over time, the stories have become very large in scope, sometimes losing sight of what made Spider-Man a relatable, neighborhood hero in the first place. The Ultimate Spider-Man series doesn’t have that problem because it started fresh, and that makes it a really welcome change.

What makes Ultimate Spider-Man so interesting is that it doesn’t always focus on Spider-Man’s superhero adventures. Many issues in the series actually feature him very little. While that might seem like a drawback, it’s actually a refreshing change.

It’s really great to see the story focus on Peter Parker’s life with his wife, Mary Jane, and their children. This adds depth and emotional weight to everything that happens in the comics. When Spider-Man faces threats like being captured by Kraven the Hunter, or having his identity exposed, it feels much more impactful because we care about his whole family, who we’ve gotten to know and love.

Most comic books end with a hook to keep readers coming back – things like cliffhangers, big surprises, or promises of more to come. Often, a hero might be left in a dangerous situation, and the next issue starts right there. However, Ultimate Spider-Man, and the entire Ultimate series, doesn’t follow that pattern.

Unlike traditional comics, Ultimate Spider-Man unfolds as if it’s happening in real time – a month in the story equals a month for the reader. While cliffhangers still create suspense, the story tends to focus more on the long-term consequences rather than immediate resolutions. This approach is unique and can feel a bit different, but it all contributes to a larger, ambitious story about heroism, family, and fighting for what’s right.

Harry Osborn first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man comics, created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee. While initially a significant character, especially when Peter Parker went to college, Harry hasn’t been featured as prominently in recent years, particularly since the acclaimed Spectacular Spider-Man storyline from the 1990s by J.M. DeMatteis and Sal Buscema.

In Ultimate Spider-Man, Harry plays a crucial role in the story. Unlike Spider-Man, who created his AI himself, Harry based his on his father, Norman Osborn, who died in the same attack that killed Aunt May. This means Harry is constantly struggling with memories of his father’s abusive behavior. Harry’s personal journey is just as compelling and significant as Peter Parker’s, and he has a lot at stake in the overall narrative.

The new Ultimate Universe, much like its predecessor, has the freedom to take its characters in any direction. This alternate world, warped by the villainous Maker – a twisted version of Reed Richards – is drastically different from the main Marvel universe (Earth-616). Familiar faces may be missing, heroes might be villains, and villains are even more dangerous. Essentially, everything fans know is turned on its head.

That’s what makes Ultimate Spider-Man so exciting – anything goes! Characters aren’t safe, and unexpected twists and betrayals are always possible. Unlike the main Amazing Spider-Man series, where storylines are often limited by established continuity and editorial decisions, Ultimate Spider-Man feels truly free, and that’s a great thing for readers.

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2025-11-12 03:39