Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 3: Family Business

Ultimate Spider-Man (2024)

by Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto (Artist), David Messina (Artist)

Jonathan Hickman's smash-hit reimagination of Spider-Man continues! The Sinister Six are all hunting Spider-Man and the Green Goblin for their ringleader, Kingpin - and Kraven has seized the upper hand! But when Peter Parker and Harry Osborn are made to endure horrors at Kraven's hands in the wilds of the Savage Land, how long before Spider-Man and the Green Goblin turn the Hunter into the hunted? And even if they can gain the upper hand, are they still prey in someone else's game? As the dust settles from his ordeal, Peter takes MJ and the kids on a family vacation - but he didn't count on the Sandman! Mysterio's secret origin is revealed - and the Sinister Six go to war with each other, with not just one Spider-Man caught in the middle!

Collecting Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #13-18.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Spider Man, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Superheroes

176 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

Jonathan Hickman is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for creating the Image Comics series The Nightly News, The Manhattan Projects and East of West, as well as working on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, FF, and S.H.I.E.L.D. titles. In 2012, Hickman ended his run on the Fantastic Four titles to write The Avengers and The New Avengers, as part the "Marvel NOW!" relaunch. In 2013, Hickman wrote a six-part miniseries, Infinity, plus Avengers tie-ins for Marvel Comics. In 2015, he wrote the crossover event Secret Wars. - Wikipedia

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty great.



A new incarnation of the symbiote suit, a new take on Spider-Man/Black Cat relationship, and Kraven shows up to pull off another one of his ridiculous "hunts".
I've always thought Kraven was pretty stupid, but Hickman makes him kind of work for me here.
Mysterio! What the hell kind of cool reimagining was that?



I don't want to give spoilers, but this is Hickman at his best, doing that thing where he goes in and reinvents a character's origin or comes up with a crazy storyline that gets you all excited to read about what's going to happen next. Best part is that in this Ultimate universe, he gets to build all of it from scratch and just go kind of nuts.



Recommended.

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good volume! 4.4 🌟

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, someone's playing the long game here. Hickman's plotlines all start to line up, we get some great fight scenes (with added dinosaurs), and at least two moments where my jaw dropped at how well prepared something was after 18 issues - plus the artwork from Checchetto and Messina continues to be top notch.

Ultimate Spider-Man's been the flagship Ultimate title for a reason, and I cannot wait to see where the final arc's going to take us.

[elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

my god! hickman you truly are a gift to spiderman fans. this has easily become my favorite series

[Jim Ef · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.1/10
This volume is a bit more action packed than the first two, but it still mainly focuses on character and storytelling. There are a lot of things going on, the main being the revelation of Mysterio's identity.

I won't spoil anything because i truly believe that this series is worth your time and you should discover everything yourself.

[Sean Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to entertain, unlike the 80s sitcom ALF, which never once entertained (except for that one episode where ALF dreamed he was a standup comedian and his only joke was, "Did you hear the Melmac library burnt down? They lost both books!"; that was a pretty sick burn if you know anything about Melmac).

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Ultimate Spider-Man universe. Lots of revelations about secret identities, and loyalties.

Peter and Harry have been captured and been captured by Kraven the Hunter. Now Kraven is ready to hunt them. Even if they survive the hunt what about the Parker family? Also, who is the new Spider-Man around the neighbourhood? However, there are games within games. Enemies might be allies and loyalties to hidden orders take priority.

The book is more story-oriented, I do wish that it were a bit more centred on Peter, rather than the side characters and the Ultimate Universe as a whole. I like that Peter is learning his powers especially his Spider-sense which seems to be forgotten by many writers.

It was great to see him winning fights as well. Always the mark of a great book is that as soon as I finished it I can't wait for the next one. The book finishes with a variant cover gallery.

[Rylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is genuinely one of the best marvel has published this decade. While last volume was a bit slower building up the story and characters, this one amps everything up. Lots of big things happen in here pushing the plot along farther, there are so many plot twists that happen. One in particular is written so brilliantly, it recontextualizes the story and is written so seamlessly. Hickman is a master storyteller, Ultimate Spider-Man proves that he can tell more than grand sci-fi stories and still have the same impact. Checchetto’s art is gorgeous as always it really adds to the emotion of the story. issue 16 in particular is a huge highlight of his time on this book.

[Brandon Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continues to be great. Some very unexpected twists and turns. I’m still unsure about the breakneck pace though.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 stars

This book continues to be a pretty darned good Elseworlds-type story. Very entertaining with great artwork.

[Ali Logs stuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

probably 4.5🌟 for vol.3
نسبت به دو جلد قبلی به مراتب جدی تر (در عین اینکه هنوزم حال خوب کن و با نشاط هست) و با سورپرایز های داستانیش، شدیدا غیر قابل پیش‌بینی تر شده. مشتاقم ببینم که چجوری قرار هست تمام این داستان ها رو تموم کنن. امیدوارم که یه پایان خوش داشته باشه، چون در غیر اینصورت خیلی حیف میشه.
it got way more serious than the previous volumes (while still being light-hearted like them) and with those plot twists, way more unpredictable as well. Can't wait to see how it's all going to end. Hopefully with a happy ending, cause otherwise, it'll suck so bad.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the first year of Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto’s excellent Ultimate Spider-Man, which concluded with a touching family-centric issue set in Christmas, it is revealed that that Peter and Harry are captives of Kraven the Hunter, whilst Peter’s sentient picotech suit is staying to protect his family. Although the previous volume ends on a huge twist, it confirms that the comic’s structure of each issue taking place over the course of a month can be somewhat problematic in the long run.

Whilst you have Peter and Harry trapped in this universe’s version of the Savage Land, which is ruled by the Mole Man below Staten Island, you have Richard Parker stepping in his father’s shoes as he becomes Spider-Man through the aforementioned sentient picotech suit. Both plot threads are compelling in their own way, but because of the book’s rigid structure, it does feel like you are missing a lot more development, such as young Richard who is trying to learn about what it means to be Spider-Man, especially when he has a brief encounter with Felicia Hardy, who is also stepping into her father’s shoes as the new Black Cat.

As for Peter and Harry, their time at the Savage Land is the most action-packed within this volume, as they are pursued not only by Kraven, but various subterranean creatures like Velociraptors. Although the Savage Land is often used for many X-Men storylines, Hickman’s world-building create some fun liberties that places our two heroes in mortal danger, as well as showcasing the Mole Man and his army of Moloids. Peter and Harry may be lacking their costumes, but they must fight their way through hell, which leads to some shocking twists, as well as exquisite art from Checchetto, who makes the Savage Land look vibrant and dangerous.

As Peter escapes from the clutches of Kraven, who now knows he’s Spider-Man, he needs to relocate his family to somewhere safe to lay low. This is where you get that sweet family dynamic between the Parkers, most notably Peter and Richard who have a brief Spidey partnership when they first encounter Sandman, a victim of A.I.M.’s illegal experimenting. Considering that Richard’s Spidey suit resembles Peter’s symbiotic suit from the main Marvel continuity, it adds a different perspective that you never quite sure what the endgame is going to be, especially during a subplot between a possible relationship with Felicia.

The world-building may be not as grand as some of Hickman’s previous works, but his twisting towards elements of the Spider-Man lore has always been one of Ultimate’s best aspects. Considering that Harry is the Green Goblin, it would be easy to predict a villainous fate for him, especially when it is teased throughout how he is willing to cross a line unlike Peter when it comes to taking down his enemies. However, from his recent experiences as well as being plagued by his suit’s AI which has the voice of his late father Norman, deeming him as a disappointment, Harry seems willing to not be consumed by a potential darkness, and truly embrace his friendship with Peter.

With the exception of the Savage Land, much of this volume is less about action and really about the wordplay with some great characterisation and big reveals along the way, all of which greatly visualised by Chechetto and guest artist David Messina. Without going into spoilers, there is one issue that delves into the secret origin of Mysterio, who was introduced earlier on as part of the Wilson Fisk’s Sinister Six. Being quite the revelation, it makes you rethink your perspective on one of the main characters, as well as giving some insight over the wider Ultimate Universe.

With the next volume being released earlier next year, we might be witnessing the end of this amazing run, which might stumble from its rigid structure, but Hickman’s clever twisting of the well-established mythos is what makes this arguably the best Spidey comic currently being published.

[Maya Senen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mysterio element is straight crazy! It’s definitely layering in all kinds of unknowns and unpredictability. Especially, because we think we know these personalities. To that end, it never stops being weird seeing Jonah with Peter’s family. Ultimate gonna ultimate, I guess!

Ps. Richard Parker is adorable.

[ir · Rating 4 out of 5]

review for the entire (ongoing) run up till chapter 22 (11/22/25):

really like the concept of this! it’s super interesting. married peter parker with kids gives a different, fresh angle on the well-known story. (he should be giving dilf to me but idk why he isn’t… anyways). him and harry osburn’s friendship is cooking and im scared for when it gets cooked but. also, like that gwen stacy plays an antihero-like role in this and is technically (right now) more powerful than the heroes in her own right… the female characters in this were done well. i never really had an opinion on the mj vs gwen debate but, mj is really good for peter in this run - she’s cute and they’re cute as a couple. their family is very sweet as well. also, peter’s son richard is so faerie-like cute, his design is very, very beautifully-drawn. i’m really excited to see him and black cat as a couple - i like that they aged-up her down for richard instead of keeping her the same age for peter.

plot-wise, i don’t know where this is going right now… there was a little bit of tragedy and then, we found out it never really happened. i don’t have any theories really - am expecting osburn to go evil i guess but sigh. also i don’t want richard to become venom but is it impending? right now, it’s giving healthy venom relationship but um.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The hunt in the savage land was fun adventure some moments really hit, especially the killing of the mole people. Overall, still not my favorite read. I just don’t enjoy the twists that have come about to flip Spider-Man around, he seems like a worse version of the Spider-Man we already know and love. The trade off of being older is interesting but he just doesn’t FEEL like Spider-Man to me.

The cult of Mysterio is also a great concept that just doesn’t feel as shocking as it should. So much of Mysterio is his shock and awe- you never really know what he does but in this story subverting his magic for a more puppeteer role could’ve been huge but it just didn’t connect with me.

I’d continue to read this series if the library gets the next book but I’m not going out of my way to find it. Disappointed!

[nella ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

CRAZY omgggg (4.5 ⭐)

[Olivier Pols]

Een van de beste Spider-man comic runs, en dat snap ik wel. Benieuwd hoe het afloopt dit jaar.

[Hugh Davies Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good! But why is it ending at #24????

[Davy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Hickman’s Spider-Man. I always get so excited when I see it on the shelves at my local shop. Definitely one of my favorite comics currently ongoing. (If not my favorite…)

[Logan Irrelevant · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Very well…Who am I to deny a man what he wants?. .”

For a little bit there, I wasn’t able to get any reading done. Too much stuff got in the way and I have literally every day of both this and next week (with the exception of today and next Friday) completely booked, so I figured what better chance to get some reading in than, well, while I still can?

I started this after midnight, read four issues, and read the last two on my school computer the first free-period I had. Hell yeah. Honestly, it’s been a while since I really had any piece of media to keep me up at night, besides social media honestly, so finally finding something new to just binge the f*&k out of, that feels really nice.

The thing is, Hickman hooks you big time by writing such stellar stories for each of the issues, no matter what, it keeps you interested, keeps you reading, and page-by-page, it makes you more and more interested to see where they’re going next. This batch of issues starts with Peter and Harry still abducted, a good while later, and over the course of the next couple, we see as they slowly start getting reintegrated into the business going down in the Big Apple, creating two separate locations for us to be interested in; the desert, and the city.

This is definitely the least eventful couple of issues we’ve gotten, all orbiting around the aftereffects of what’s happened to the characters, and so they introduced something new to keep us interested.

Gwen Stacy is Mysterio…And so is Robbie at the Daily Bugle, and Kingpin’s Saul Goodman equivalent, and a whole bunch of other guys, EVERYBODY’S MYSTERIO. I know, I know, “One to wear it, four *or five I don’t remember* to bear it,” but that was a very out there concept to drop the way they did, and while I don’t really care, it’s definitely new, and I can’t lie, it is a bit interesting the way they handle her and Harry's relationship after the fact.

But yeah, these issues are all a little more laid back than the last couple, but it feels like Hickman is really allowing the necessary time spent on each aspect he’s tackling, and while it can feel a bit “diplomatic” at times, it’s not bad at all, and it kept me hooked that whole time. The ball is definitely rolling, and they make sure you’re keeping your eye on the ball.

Speaking of eyes though, you might get a little shock to your senses, particularly sight when you spot Messina’s artwork. It’s not terrible, don’t get me wrong, but the first time you see that substantial drop in energy and all that soul that Checchetto puts into his work just, gone, it can really throw you the f*&k off, and even if the first issue that happens isn’t in this run, that happens like two or three times out of these six issues, so it’s damn near half, and while the latter half of his issues look much better and a lot closer to Checchetto’s work, it’s still a bit off and definitely not my thing.

Sorry Messina, glad you were able to give Checchetto a well deserved break, but damn…

Also, since the book I’m currently posting this under, I’m kinda concerned about how I should be going about reviewing anything I read next. The last two books had six issues, but the first had twelve. If the next one might be the final set of issues, should I just read all 12 before writing anything down? I don’t know man, so what I think I might do is just wait for any update, but we probably won’t get anything until way past December, so who even knows at this point.

I will say though, it’s definitely kinda cool to write a review about something that technically hasn’t dropped yet, having access to it before its official release. Yeah of course, it’s a compilation of books that have been out for months, but still! I get a kick out of that.

Anyways, as a whole, I’m still a big fan of this run, and I am really loving where they’re heading with all these characters, Richard, Selina, Gwen all take up a bit more of a focus in these issues, and while Ben and Jonah are sidelined a bit, they still kick A$S, but it feels really nice to get some more side-characters to really dive into! It might feel a little lighter than usual by not following the old guys starting a newspaper company, and I won’t lie, I did really miss that grit, that’s probably my favorite part of the whole book, but it’s almost entirely absent this go around.

STILL, they do great work with their side characters, with their main characters, with everything really. It feels super natural the way everything progresses, everything just adds up, and panel by panel, it just works. Though these last six issues weren’t as mind blowing as the last, they’re still some pretty top tier stuff, and I have complete faith in them pulling through and putting out some quality material from here on out.

Until then though, they better drop the remaining issues soon, because I wanna finish this run! I can’t wait to see where it goes man, it’s some top tier stuff, I need to know! AAAHH, MARVEL, LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE TO ME!

“Did you really think you could kill someone like me? With a gun?. .”

[Riley Pilgrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hickman continues to kill it with this series. Peter having a family truly is something the mainline series should've done, as Hickman is demonstrating you can tell compelling stories with an adult Peter. What I really loved about this volume was other characters getting development; such as Richard, Black Cat, Gwen, and Harry. Peter and his family more or less take a step back from the story for most of the issues (as he's had to take his family away for a bit).

While I do understand the criticism of people wanting Peter to have a bigger role in his OWN book. I do love how Hickman is taking time to show us the other characters and their motivations. Gwen especially shines in this volume, and is given a new layer to her character. Which adds a unique/tense dynamic to her and Harry. A lot of great new revelations and twists kept me glued to the pages. I love what Hickman is doing, and if he can stick the landing when the finale comes-this might go down as an all timer Spider-Man run.

[Billy Jepma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun stuff here—dinosaurs, faked deaths, secret organizations, father-son superhero shenanigans—that's all bolstered by some of Checchetto and Messina's strongest, most dynamic art of the series so far. All of the plot developments are starting to converge, with great momentum keeping it going, and my only apprehension at this point is knowing the series will end sooner rather than later. I feel like there's a lot of ground I want them to cover that I worry will get glossed over on the way to the finish line. But we'll see! Hickman often surprises me with how well he can wrap up a story, so I'm confident he'll pull it off (at least mostly).

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series remains one of the best comics I've read in the last few years. I was very charmed by the second Spidey. It's super interesting to continue to see the differences between Peter and Harry. Gwen's storyline is also really interesting here, and I'm excited to see where it all goes.

[Zachary Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a really solid series. I’m not the biggest fan of the each issue being a month idea always, but Hickman really makes it work in this series similar to the The Ultimates!

A good read, and just nice to have an ongoing Spider-Man series that actually understands and respects the character!

[Jacob Gilchrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hickman firing on all cylinders building up to something… amazing…

But I hate when the art isn’t by checchetto. Do not vibe with it at all.

[Bryan Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

And now I have to wait until the rest of the issues are added to Marvel Unlimited 😭😭😭

[Atomread W. Megaforce · Rating 5 out of 5]

endlich kriegt das Ultimate Universe mal Schwung 😍

[Keegan Schueler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kraven story is really amazing and nice to dive into with after that a couple stagnant issues that I saw people online talking about. Crazy there is only one more scheduled volume after this before endgame. Final issue sets up some good story moments that hopefully pay off nicely.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimate Spider-Man is still the best of the newer Ultimate books I have read, but this one seemed like it wanted to wrap up open storylines and then setup for what I assume when be heading towards the endgame for this title. Not sure how long Marvel wants this Universe to keep going.
Highlights:
- We start by finishing the "Real Peter and Harry abducted by Kraven" story. Much of what you'd expect, but Mole Man and Mysterio play a role in the escape. Harry doesn't make it though (or at least that's what we are lead to believe)
- Harry is actually alive and was rescued by Mysterio, who turns out to be Gwen Stacy. Not only Gwen, but 5 people share the powers: Gwen, Quentin Beck, Robbie Robertson, James Wesley(Kingpin's right hand man), and Aihan Li (Martin Li/Mister Negative's sister).
- Richard Parker, Peter and MJ's son, has bonded with the Venom Symbiote as a substitute "Black Suit" Spidey. He has also started dating Black Cat, who is still a criminal.

Mysterio is more complex here than I thought, but they have discovered that the Ultimate Universe is a lie and created by The Maker, who is still stuck in his orb. What will happen when he comes out is anyone's guess...

Still a very good title. Want to see what happens next. Recommend.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hickman continues delivering a great re-imagining of Peter Parker / Spider-Man in the new Ultimates universe. Peter and Harry Osborn have been missing as they were kidnapped by Kraven, the Hunter, who of course wants to hunt them for sport. Not only that, but he also knows who they are and who their families are, so after he kills them, he'll go after their loved ones. That's all the motivation Peter needs to escape, but Harry gets injured slowing them time enough for Kraven to catch up - and if only one of them survives, I'm betting on the guy that the comic book is named for.
Meanwhile, we discover a major freaking spoiler about Harry's wife, Gwen that she's one of five people who share the role of Mysterio! Plus, Peter's teenage son Richard has been starting his own turn as "Spider-Man" in the black "symbiote suit" and is texting with Felicia Hardy, the new Black Cat, who insists she's not a super villain, but can she really be trusted?