Miles, I AM YOUR FATHER......
I have not read the previous Ultimate Spiderman series (or is it Series') so this run is my first exposure to it, so far I have been very impressed, seemed to have teetered off after issue 3, but it is still maintaining that lowered rating without going lower. (if you stick to the 5 stars, and not 10, or 20 or 100)
the Artwork is still pretty good, not my favorite art in comics, but it works for the subject matter. Not a fan of the fire....but in certain scenes it kind of works, as it engulfs the characters like an abyss. I like the untraditional layouts, particularly the fact that the gutters are still intact, sometimes, but a disjointed into a weirder format of non linear blocking.
This issue wraps up the Green Goblin fight, as well as the Peter Parker conflict, as well we finally (I hear its more FINALLY for those who read the older Ultimate Spidermans) see the mantle of Spiderman officially being passed from one to the other. there is a nice sense of completetion by the end of the issue, as the world is set to....almost rights. AND THEN BENDIS DROPS A HUGE GRENADE!! (or a few)
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
The issue starts with the "battle of Aunt May's Front Lawn, THE SEQUEL" (or is this a trilogy now... they did say this is also where Peter Parker fought Green Goblin to his Death in the last series) in full swing. Norman tries to give his whitty villain monologues but Miles isn't having it. He does question if what he was saying was truthful, but he also doesn't want to listen, particularly when Norman tries to pull the whole Empire Strikes Back Vader thing. This results in Miles delivering an epic beatdown, and refusing to let Norman Osborn run away. This does not avoid the attention of Peter Parker as he finally realizes he's done, and Miles has the potential of being a better Spiderman than he ever was. time to pass the torch (erm webshooter)
That's actually most of the issue, all in one paragraph, it was mostly a giant combat issue...a very well made combat issue. BUT WAIT THERES MORE.. A BRAND NEW.......
(cough) so we have three panels of conclusion at the end each with its own surprise. First.... HAIL HYDRA....the parameters are boundless with her also being a spidey clone, as well as a Spidey Girlfriend. Second we see Peter and MJ dealing with the idea that he is no longer able to swing into the sunset.. HA. as well as setting up the possibility that we haven't seen the last of Peter Parker (villain laugh?) and finally the biggest grenade (though not as enjoyable as Hail Hydra) is the arrival of Miles' real dad, or with all the questions we had throughout this issue, we're left wondering, if he really is.
All in all its a good issue, kind of par for the course for after issue three. does seem to me that Bendis may be overly reliant on big DUN DUN DUUUUUMMMMMMM moments to write his comics, but he is still managing to write a really good issue even without them, still my favorite Marvel series currently.
I can't wait for more Kate Bishop.