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Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) (Collected Editions)
Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 3: Family Business
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.
Collecting Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #13-18.
176 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2025
50 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Hickman
1,225 books2,074 followersJonathan 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
January 14, 2026
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.
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.
January 24, 2026
Really good volume! 4.4 🌟
September 28, 2025
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.
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.
July 21, 2025
my god! hickman you truly are a gift to spiderman fans. this has easily become my favorite series
January 2, 2026
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.
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.
November 21, 2025
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).
January 28, 2026
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.
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.
July 21, 2025
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.
February 27, 2026
Continues to be great. Some very unexpected twists and turns.
I’m still unsure about the breakneck pace though. It continues to work much better here than in Ultimates. It’s an interesting experiment, but some of the best issues work in part by explaining the big twists through flashbacks. Ultimates does this occasionally, but it’s so frequently interrupted by standalone issues focused on individual characters that the pacing becomes frustrating.
I’m still unsure about the breakneck pace though. It continues to work much better here than in Ultimates. It’s an interesting experiment, but some of the best issues work in part by explaining the big twists through flashbacks. Ultimates does this occasionally, but it’s so frequently interrupted by standalone issues focused on individual characters that the pacing becomes frustrating.
October 2, 2025
3.7 stars
This book continues to be a pretty darned good Elseworlds-type story. Very entertaining with great artwork.
This book continues to be a pretty darned good Elseworlds-type story. Very entertaining with great artwork.
February 10, 2026
hickman is himothy
there was so much pay-off in this volume. usually, i bow down to street level spider-man but there's a level of politics and edge in the way the plot thickens. hickman uses this so flawlessly to create these complex situations that affect everyone including the world itself. he takes the grand and transformational aspects of his bigger works and gives peter and co a treatment like no other, erasing years of generational character damage like paul
for the record, i'm on the train that marco checchetto needs to get on a nightwing run immediately
i have such deep gratitude to exist at a time of a new wave of golden storytelling. we are standing on the shoulders of giants
4/5
there was so much pay-off in this volume. usually, i bow down to street level spider-man but there's a level of politics and edge in the way the plot thickens. hickman uses this so flawlessly to create these complex situations that affect everyone including the world itself. he takes the grand and transformational aspects of his bigger works and gives peter and co a treatment like no other, erasing years of generational character damage like paul
for the record, i'm on the train that marco checchetto needs to get on a nightwing run immediately
i have such deep gratitude to exist at a time of a new wave of golden storytelling. we are standing on the shoulders of giants
4/5
December 1, 2025
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.
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.
February 14, 2026
God DAMN do I wish this was the ongoing storyline in 616 Spider-man.
This is what the Ultimate and Absolute comics lines do really well: boil down the essence of the main characters to a nickel ball, heat it up to furious potential, then let it tear through all the dross we’ve accumulated for decades to show us what our heroes are really about.
Or a lot more punching, with cooler costumes and alterna-versions of all the sides and villains.
I’ll take ‘em this way every time: cooked to perfection with wild new spices.
Gwen Stacy is the real deal here. Can’t believe how spicy she is compared to Stan’s stooge.
This is what the Ultimate and Absolute comics lines do really well: boil down the essence of the main characters to a nickel ball, heat it up to furious potential, then let it tear through all the dross we’ve accumulated for decades to show us what our heroes are really about.
Or a lot more punching, with cooler costumes and alterna-versions of all the sides and villains.
I’ll take ‘em this way every time: cooked to perfection with wild new spices.
Gwen Stacy is the real deal here. Can’t believe how spicy she is compared to Stan’s stooge.
January 6, 2026
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.
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.
October 26, 2025
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.
Ps. Richard Parker is adorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2025
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.
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.
February 19, 2026
After two volumes of very non-Hickman writing (where were the charts? the huge overarching plots?), we finally get a bit of that old Hickman feeling in Family Business.
First, Kraven has kidnapped Peter and Norman to the underground realm of the mole people where he's planned a grand hunt. Typical of him, and also a typically thrilling escape, though with one big, cool twist (). Peter and family are forced into desert exile, though Peter's son is playing an interesting game with a Venom symbiote.
Then: the Hickman stuff. Namely, the Council of Mysterios (or whatever they call themselves) who are revealed to have been pulling the strings all along (). All this stuff was very much mind blown emoji for me - absolutely terrific Hickman long-play writing that I live for.
Everything is set up for a big battle between Spider-Man and Kingpin, with the Mysterios very much the wild card. This series is firmly on track as my favorite of the Ultimate universe - almost makes me want to read regular Spidey.
First, Kraven has kidnapped Peter and Norman to the underground realm of the mole people where he's planned a grand hunt. Typical of him, and also a typically thrilling escape, though with one big, cool twist (). Peter and family are forced into desert exile, though Peter's son is playing an interesting game with a Venom symbiote.
Then: the Hickman stuff. Namely, the Council of Mysterios (or whatever they call themselves) who are revealed to have been pulling the strings all along (). All this stuff was very much mind blown emoji for me - absolutely terrific Hickman long-play writing that I live for.
Everything is set up for a big battle between Spider-Man and Kingpin, with the Mysterios very much the wild card. This series is firmly on track as my favorite of the Ultimate universe - almost makes me want to read regular Spidey.
January 29, 2026
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!
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!
November 17, 2025
CRAZY omgggg (4.5 ⭐)
Read
July 30, 2025Een van de beste Spider-man comic runs, en dat snap ik wel. Benieuwd hoe het afloopt dit jaar.
October 28, 2025
Good! But why is it ending at #24????
October 8, 2025
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…)
September 5, 2025
“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?. .”
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?. .”
November 10, 2025
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.
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.
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February 18, 2026More ingenious twists on the Spidey mythos (I particularly liked the new take on Mysterio), and if it's a shame that the interpersonal dynamic of the early issues is largely lost along the way...well, this was always meant to be a darker world, and that would start to look false if there were never any consequences. Less forgivable is the way Hickman is now taking the piss when it comes to his own month-by-month timeframe (one issue takes place on the 31st so the next can follow right on with the 1st; another is nested flashbacks). But compared to how long he.spent in East Of West trailing an apocalypse that seemed more delayed than a South London bus, at least here we know the end is on a schedule he can't buck.
December 1, 2025
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).
November 10, 2025
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.
January 2, 2026
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!
A good read, and just nice to have an ongoing Spider-Man series that actually understands and respects the character!
October 23, 2025
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.
But I hate when the art isn’t by checchetto. Do not vibe with it at all.
November 24, 2025
And now I have to wait until the rest of the issues are added to Marvel Unlimited 😭😭😭
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