Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 8: Cats & Kings

Ultimate Spider-Man (Collected Editions)

by Brian Michael Bendis (Writer), Mark Bagley

Sam Bullit is running for Mayor of New York City on an anti-Spider-Man campaign, and Daily Bugle Editor-in-Chief J. Jonah Jameson is backing him 100%. But who s pulling Bullit s strings? None other than the Kingpin of Crime. Plus: Spider-Man meets the sexy and elusive cat burglar called the Black Cat, who claws herself into the young web-slinger's life and purrs her way into Peter Parker's. When the Cat gets her paws on a stolen tablet that the Kingpin desperately wants, the crime lord hires the deadly Elektra to retrieve the artifact for him.

Collecting: Ultimate Spider-Man 47-53

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

184 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2004

About the author

A comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim (including five Eisner Awards) and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics. For over eight years Bendis’s books have consistently sat in the top five best sellers on the nationwide comic and graphic novel sales charts.

Though he started as a writer and artist of independent noir fiction series, he shot to stardom as a writer of Marvel Comics' superhero books, particularly Ultimate Spider-Man.

Bendis first entered the comic world with the "Jinx" line of crime comics in 1995. This line has spawned the graphic novels Goldfish, Fire, Jinx, Torso (with Marc Andreyko), and Total Sell Out. Bendis is writing the film version of Jinx for Universal Pictures with Oscar-winner Charlize Theron attached to star and produce.

Bendis’s other projects include the Harvey, Eisner, and Eagle Award-nominated Powers (with Michael Avon Oeming) originally from Image Comics, now published by Marvel's new creator-owned imprint Icon Comics, and the Hollywood tell-all Fortune and Glory from Oni Press, both of which received an "A" from Entertainment Weekly.

Bendis is one of the premiere architects of Marvel's "Ultimate" line: comics specifically created for the new generation of comic readers. He has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best-selling launch, and has also written for Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, as well as every issue of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Ultimate Origin and Ultimate Six.

Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s AVENGERS franchise by writing both New Avengers and Mighty Avengers along with the successful ‘event’ projects House Of M, Secret War, and this summer’s Secret Invasion.

He has also previously done work on Daredevil, Alias, and The Pulse.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding volume that does ever so well balancing the day-to-day of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, teenagers, against the technicolour superheroics of Spider-Man and the villainy of Wilson Fisk.


And, of course, it features the introduction of not one but two legendary Femmes Fatales.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best volume so far, but still mostly fun. I think the highlight has to be the entire J. Jonah Jameson subplot. I'm hardly a Spider-Man expert, but I think that might be the most thoughtful conversation I've ever seen a writer give Jonah, who is normally written as a blustering yellow journalist with an inexplicable axe to grind. And I'm not saying that the Ultimate version is none of those things. After all, if you took those characteristics away, you wouldn't have J. Jonah Jameson anymore. But there is some surprising depth here. Nice work, especially when it would be ever so much easier to leave him as is.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting and starts with whatever is going on with Sharon and a prelude to Ultimate six and then we have the story with Fisk and plans that he has, Spidey vs Enforcers and spoiling Fisk's plan and then enter the Black cat and the drama with the two there and then enter Elektra, Fisks's assassin and well the chase between Spider, Cats and Kingpins start and involving a tablet and I kinda liked the way it ends which was quite fun and just shows the deep history each of them has and Fisk...

Plus the story with MJ and her father and all of it. Its a fun story with predictable twists and turns and has a lot of drama also but is also filled with so much character expansion and has rooted layers of tension which makes the story more compelling to read and even leaves you with suspicion about the fate of your favorite characters! Epic volume and a must read for all Spidey fans!

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Spiderman graphic novel (well, comic collection in one book) that I've read out of the three I own. Peter Parker of course goes around moping about something or other - moping IS as much a part of his identity as the superhero gig - but it didn't bother me because I expected it. Despite his angsty personality, I do like Peter Parker, especially his fun humor during battles.

This is a two parter that ties in together, all involving Kingpin in some way. The crime boss makes a worthy villain, with a short scene in the end showing a reason for his motivation. He doesn't delve into any cliche lines, and his sidekick helpers provided amusement when tangling with Spiderman. The girls aren't introduced until the second half; they don't play a large part. I'm especially curious about the cliffhanger with the main one. Mary Jane is having familial issues with her father, and Gwen is living in the Parker's house (a history I don't know or understand in this version.) Meanwhile, Aunt May is shown as the awesome stand-in parent who is protective and tough-as-nails. The chief is as anti-Spiderman as ever, but this story delivers a twist in him going too far. The story leaves off open-ended, but unfortunately I don't have the next volume.

Humor and quirk win, enhanced by colorful art and flashy moves. I especially like how Spiderman is done, almost like the mini action figure children version.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I reviewed this but I guess not.

This was a great look into the life of being a hero and not always winning. With Kingpin coming back into the crime fold, Peter begins to crumble under the pressure of being a hero. He worked so hard to put this guy away and now he's getting off scott free. Where is the justice? On top of that Black Cat gets involved in Peter's life and you know that complicates things. Especially with MJ kind of losing herself too.

Overall this was a really interesting look into trying to fight crime even if the justice system isn't on your side. I loved the stuff with MJ too as I feel her pain living in a household like that. The Daily bugle stuff was good too with Aunt May coming out a damn star. I didn't love all the black cat/electra stuff but it was still entertaining.

Overall, a worthy addition to the best Spider-man run of all time.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Cat, Kingpin, Elektra, mention of Batman, and a perfect balance of Peter’s regular life and life of Spider-Man in this volume. Really enjoyed this one!

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunt May is awesome. That's my main reaction to this volume. Aunt May is awesome and there needs to be more of her. I love how much she adores Peter and tries to look after him.

Less entranced by the Elektra and Felicia stuff -- it didn't feel developed enough. Maybe there's going to be more later about one or both of them, which would be good.

[Mr. Derek Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Bendis gets it right, he really gets it right. Prioritizing the human conflict at the heart of these characters, he ensures his audience is thoroughly invested in the drama. Superhero shenanigans are only exciting if they have something human happening inside of them. Peter's confrontation with Jameson at the Daily Bugle is a just a great story about the conflict between idealistic youth standing up for what they think is right and the old, jaded, worn-out men who've surrendered themselves to the negativity of the world. I really loved it. If I was a teenager reading this, I'd be absolutely inspired by Peter, not only because of his willingness to face down the Kingpin, but because of his assuredness in always fighting for what he knows is morally right. He's not perfect, but he's always trying. He's a good kid.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

As usual with this series, I liked the parts of the story focusing on Peter Parker's continuing attempts to come to terms with his powers and his place in the world. This time around, he's justifiably angry about the Kingpin literally getting away with murder and the corruption and apathy throughout the city, while Spider-Man gets blamed for things he didn't do. Peter gets fired from his job and suspended from school for his outbursts. There's also trouble for him and MJ. I really like how Aunt May is being portrayed, and I loved how she told off Jonah Jameson and dealt with Mr. Watson. (I also liked the little detail of her having a copy of a Harry Potter book on her nightstand.)
However, I don't really care that much about the Kingpin storyline. I preferred it when Daredevil shattered the Kingpin's kneecaps and the cops hauled him away. One problem I have with comic book/graphic novel storylines is that they tend to drag on and on, and even when you think something's been resolved, the characters may pop up again later.
Maybe it's just me, but I found the fight sequences difficult to follow.
Then we have Black Cat and Elektra, suffering from distinct lack of personality and depicted in a way that makes Victoria's Secret models look like underfed ten-year-old girls. I've complained about the bombshell factor before, being of the wrong orientation to appreciate it; but seeing characters with such extreme-proportioned figures and absurd costumes just irritates me. Like Carl's Jr. commercials and stories about girls asking for breast augmentation surgery for their 16th birthday irritate me. There are a couple of concepts in the sketchbook in the back of the book that are much less irritating, somewhat more like Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises.
So...I'm not sure if I want to read all the other installments in the series. I am intrigued by the blurb for Vol. 12--because it guest-stars Wolverine and the Human Torch--so I'll probably read that one, but maybe that will be all.

[Doctorjimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Διάβασε όλο το review εδώ

Μετά το Legacy, οι αραχνο-ιστορίες του Bendis είτε θα ήταν προβληματικές (Venom), είτε απλά filler (Public Scrutiny, Irresponsible): γράφοντας το Cats & Kings, φαίνεται να κατάλαβε πως οι πλοκές του τελευταία ήταν κάπως άδειες και αποφάσισε να χωρέσει δύο διαφορετικές ιστορίες μεταξύ τους, με μόνο κοινό παρανομαστή τον καραφλό χοντρομπαλά gangster (εξ’ού και ο τίτλος).

Η πρώτη ιστορία, που αφορά τις συνέπειες του Learning Curve, είναι εξαιρετική: σφιχτοδεμένη, έντονη και γρήγορη, βρίσκει τον Pete εντελώς απογοητευμένο με το σύστημα και το “Suspended 2” τον έχει να πετάει τον ένα απεγνωσμένο, κυνικό μονόλογο μετά τον άλλο (ο Sidney Lumet θα ήταν υπερήφανος). Ο Bendis απεικονίζει εξαιρετικά το πόσο εφιαλτική είναι όλη αυτή η συνειδητοποίηση ενός εφήβου για το πόσο απαθής και σκληρός γίνεται ο κόσμος μερικές φορές. Επίσης, πόσες φορές θα δεις τον Spider-Man και τον Kingpin να βρίσκονται στο ίδιο τραπέζι και ο πρώτος να αρχίζει τα fat jokes;

Η ιστορία με την Black Cat είναι κάπως κατώτερη, κυρίως γιατί τόσο η προσωπικότητα όσο και η ιστορία εκδίκησης της Felicia Hardy δεν φέρνουν τίποτα φρέσκο σε χιλιοπαιγμένες φόρμες (επίσης, η Black Cat είναι η Catwoman των φτωχών), αλλά ακόμη και εδώ υπάρχουν μπόλικα θετικά: η χημεία της με τον Spidey (και τα σχόλια/σκέψεις του όταν είναι μαζί), τα προβλήματα της MJ με τον πατέρα της και, ως συνήθως, οι σκηνές που μοιράζεται με τον Peter, όλα είναι εξαιρετικά, αλλά πολύ φοβάμαι πως τα τεύχη με την ιστορία της Black Cat επιστρέφουν στα ποιοτικά επίπεδα των δύο προηγούμενων arc: το υπερηρωικό κομμάτι κάνει πίσω για χάρη του εφηβικού δράματος.

[Rizwan Khalil · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This can be count as an overall after-thoughts for Vol. 1 upto this one Vol. 8)

Reading the much critically acclaimed 'The Ultimate Spider-Man' graphic novel series by Brian Michael Bendis for the past month, just finished another volume this morning (Vol. 8: 'Cats & Kings'). I'm seeing why this series is so celebrated : Bendis's storytelling is brisk, fast-paced, often breathlessly suspenseful, very much character-detailed with an eye for the little things that make these outlandish characters seemed real, and his dialogues are brimming with laugh out laud humor but also realistic emotions and depth. Much of this Ultimate Spider-Man characteristics have been adapted to the movies, most of all the latest MCU version, as Spider-Man aka Peter Parker is just a 15-year old high school kid in this series. But don't let the age fool ya, not long after he gets his powers he has his hands full with terrifying bad guys like Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Kingpin, Venom, Kraven, Electro etc etc. Not to mention no matter how many good things he do, people and newspapers always somehow hellbent on accusing he is the bad guy!

Yeah, so basically, its just A WHOLE LOT OF FUN. Loving it. Can't seem to get enough of it. At least for now. For any film-Spider-Man fan who wants to start read a Spider-Man comic, this Ultimate Spider-Man series is HIGHLY, SUPREMELY, WHOLE-HEARTEDLY RECOMMENDED.

[Wing Kee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow that was good.

Enter the Black Cat. Man this arc was great.

World: Bagley's art is slowly evolving and getting better. That's not me saying that I liked it. That's me acknowledging that it's better, the faces are still so very wrong. The world building is great, Bendis is building upon the past and that's just a great way to turn a normal comic book story into something that means a lot more.

Story: The pacing is good. The emotions are real and the resolution is dramatic, all in all this was a good arc. The introduction of this version of Black Cat was good and the chemistry is immediate. The stuff with Fisk was also well done as was the wonderful stuff with Jameson. A solid character driven arc.

Characters: Absolutely wonderful. The MJ/Peter thing is a bit janky but the emotions are real and they act as an anchor for the character. What happens to them heartbreaking and great. Felicia is also wonderfully development here in the Ultimate Universe. The chemistry between her and Peter is instant and she is relatable, intriguing and mysterious all at the same time, wonderful. Jameson had a power house of an arc and it really made for a strong character development arc for him, we jobs longer get the one note illogical hate on caricature from the past.

A wonderful arc that sets up so much and also brings out so much emotion. It's great!

Onward to the next book!

[Jibug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spider-Man gets frustrated when Kingpin is released despite the video evidence on him. He’s a murderer and it was recorded yet he’s let go. Jameson gets wrapped up with a sketchy politician trying to mar Spider-Man’s reputation. Peter gets fired from work and suspended from school after discussing his anger toward the legal system and the public’s apathetic reaction to Kingpin’s release. And his love life gets complicated by MJ’s father trying to separate them. In comes Black Cat and Electra fighting over a stolen tablet with Kingpin involved on the backend. Peter’s masculinity gets wounded because he got beat up by girls. Which I mean I expected as much as. Peter Isn’t very likable. Aunt May is a gem like always and is the heart. Jameson is wonderfully grumpy like always. Both Jameson and Aunt May is what saved this volume for me. Everything else is ehh.

[isabel]

LEAVE MJ ALONE, HAS SHE NOT SUFFERED ENOUGH!?

[Justin Biondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly I’ve always preferred Fisk to be paired with Daredevil mainly. However in this series, Bendis makes Fisk a perfect foil to Spider-Man and I honestly prefer the dynamic here to this version of Peter and Norman. This volume was incredible, showing how far Fisk will go with his motives along with the excellent issue 50. Halfway switching in with Black Cat and then looping back to Fisk with Elektra was great. The drama between MJ and her father was an insane addition that I didn’t expect to hit as hard as it did and the conversation with Peter and Jonah was incredible both times. Also very highkey my favorite version of Aunt May ever. I’ve been watching the 90’s Spider-Man cartoon and this version of May and MJ are frankly so much better and Gwen is the icing on the cake. While that also has a great Peter V Fisk element this is the best version of that. 10/10 No Notes for Bagley and Bendis. Saying that as if they’re both still writing and penciling this book.

[Jeff Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t want to say I disliked this batch, but…well, some of this was weak. I can forgive the Ultimate Six diversion as an obvious crossover with a comic I don’t read, but I have to say that Black Cat is really annoying, and the whole Hobgoblin thing didn’t do it for me, either. Still soldiering on - I have library leads on all the available trades, shockingly, so I’ll be caught up at some point this summer - but a few of these were more than a little rough around the edges.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this three stars when I initially reviewed it but I think I was off a bit. I have a feeling I was spoiled by the overall quality of this series and, eight volumes in, had started taking it for granted. That's on me. This is a great volume that is part of a much larger story, a story that I think is one of the definitive takes on Spidey. Terrific work from all creative parties involved and an utter pleasure to read.

[tiaᝰa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that Bendis is finally delving into Mary Jane’s problems because it shows that for her and Peter to truly maintain their healthy relationship, his problems shouldn’t always be their main priority, however much “greater” they may be. The efforts both Peter and MJ have to put in to understand one another make their bond that much stronger.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun Spider-Man.
Just the reason I enjoy this title over the 616 version.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition! I really loved the Jameson subplot in this one. It was fun to see more depth to his character.

[Joel Rosario · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had some of what I really love about this characters stories. A lot of interpersonal turmoil. We see class and injustice and the suffocating feeling that divide can impose on those who try to fight the injustice. How Peter vacillates between giving it his all and wanting to quite because the injustice seems insurmountable is actually very relatable. Not that I’m really close to that level of heroism’s but I’ve been around enough heroes to recognize the struggle.

We see cycles of abuse and of trauma too. I really feel for MJ. And for Peter and how a lot of what he’s doing is a result of his survivor guilt and his dealing with the loss of his uncle. No character, not even Peter is exempt from falling into the cycle of trauma and bad decisions.

Also the writing felt natural and human. Of course MJ would be traumatized after nearly dying. I liked that Peter knows that for all of his super powers, he can’t help her and he even mentions he needs counseling. Again, this feeling is very relatable to anyone who is in a relationship with someone who’s suffering from PTSD and other mental illnesses. I could have done without the cat fight, I mean really Bendis two trained fighters pulling hair? but, early 2000s I guess.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one's a bit mixed. The first issue sees Peter getting fired and suspended for challenging the adults in his life on their passive acceptance of Wilson Fisk's crimes. The second issue sees one of those adults, J. Jonah Jameson, actually do some introspection and rehire, and apologize to Peter. It is fantastic stuff.

Then Black Cat enters. Felicia is, as far as I can tell, an adult woman. This is relevant because she immediately starts aggressively hitting on Peter Parker, who is 15. If that wasn't gross enough, a lot of this flirtation, and Peter's reception to it happens at the same time as MJ's life falls apart. Maybe that's intentional.

The Black Cat plot is also the introduction of Elektra and Vanessa Fisk, and as a result, it feels pretty rushed.

MJ's subplot is excellent if heartbreaking. Her abusive dad discovers that she almost died by reading her diary and forbids her to see Peter. Shehe runs off to see Peter, who isn't around because he's too busy flirty with Felicia. So she runs away. This culminates in her saying life was easier before Peter because back then, she didn't know she could be happy.

Overall, this one is good. It just has a few troubling aspects and some pacing issues, all of which probably could have been addressed with a little work.

[Krzysztof Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

W ósmym już tomie przygód Pajęczaka z innego uniwersum mamy powrót Wilsona Fiska, który wdraża nowy plan zdyskredytowania Petera poprzez wspieranie odpowiedniego kandydata na prokuratora okręgowego, który wydaje wojnę PR-ową bohaterom w maskach.

Ale w tomie mamy więcej postaci, bo debiutuje doskonale nam znana Felicia Hardy, czyli Black Cat oraz pojawia się sama Elektra, która otrzymuje na oboje bohaterów zlecenie. Mamy tu też wiele elementów powiązane z pracą Petera, który w pewnym momencie nawet ją traci. Tutaj wątek ucieka do osoby J. Jonah Jameson, który zyskuje wiele w moich oczach jako hardy redaktor z zasadami.

Wraz z pojawieniem się Kingpina, na znaczeniu zaczyna nabierać w końcu tajna tożsamość Petera, bowiem zbyt dużo osób już wie kto kryje się pod maską Pająka, aczkolwiek nie ma to jeszcze tak dużego wydźwięku jakiego się spodziewałem. Ot, nadal sporo problemów w rodzinnej relacji Parkera z bliskimi. Tom nadal bardzo dobry, wraz z kilkoma naprawdę udanymi i śmiesznymi dialogami. Czekam na więcej.

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Kingpin is back and this time he's got more muscle to back him up, much to Spidey's consternation. But there are more players to the situation, with the Ultimate version of Black Cat now in action. The use of Elektra as a Kingpin hire was a fun addition as was the clash between her and Black Cat, something I never knew I wanted. Bagley does his thing of over-sexualizing everyone, but at least now he does it with actual women instead of just doing it for the sixteen year old Mary Jane Watson (don't worry there's still plenty of that here).

The best part of "Cats & Kings" is Spidey's increased confidence as a hero, where his quips are much more potent and even witty at times. The advantage to a long-running, decompressed series with emphasis on continuity like Ultimate Spider-Man allows for suitable payoffs, and it's around here that Bendis begins cashing out on some of his dividends he's earned.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stuff with J Jonah Jameson is the highlight of the volume. Aunt May's speech to him is my favourite page in the series thus far, and JJJ having his heart-to-heart with Peter is also fantastic. There's a great few bits at the beginning of this arc,where Peter gripes about how obvious villai s like Kingpin are allowed to walk free because of their money and power. This volume is overall good at giving more to Kingpin, seeing how he exerts his power and what operations have personal sentimental value to him.

Unfortunately I did not dig the Black Car art, and watching this grown woman flirt with teenage Spider-Man while Spider-Man spends his time flirting back- all while Mary Jane is having a traumatic experience with her asshole father? Yeah, MJ is crying and feeling like shit while Peter is out ogling Felica, that doesn't create conflicting feelings at all.

[Oryan Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of personal drama in this one. A solid look into the psychology of Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin. We finally see what motivates him to do what he does and I think that's a great way to humanize the character. Mary Jane's father is shown to be the scum he really is after being alluded to for the past few volumes. And of course, Sam Buillit running for mayor which affects Peter's job at the bugle. While all of these new bits are yet to be resolved, I really like the ground work they laid for the next few issues. I don't really have much else to say besides this was a pretty run of the mill Spider-Man arc, granted it did not conclude just yet. Not bad or anything, just decent.

[Adam Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

A minor weakpoint in the Ultimate Spider-Man run. Peter's justified anger that known murderer The Kingpin is allowed to get away with literal murder, which there was video evidence on, merely because of his Trumpian wealth, is a cool storybeat. And the evolution of Aunt May's character arc is truly wonderful. But the actual interplay between Spider-Man, Black Cat, and Elektra was fairly disappointing, and not nearly as tight as previous storyarcs. Still, a fun read, but the back half of the volume just isn't quite up to the quality of the rest of Bendis's run.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 3 out of 5]

So we finally get the Black Cat in the Ultimates universe - and a bonus Elektra. I appreciate that we've gone back to address the status of the Kingpin and how even a video of him killing someone still wasn't enough to put him in jail - that says a lot about his power and influence within New York.

I generally appreciate this incarnation of the Black Cat and there's certainly a lot of room for the character to develop and grow...barring the ending of this volume. But hey, this is a comic. Anything is possible.

[Marloges · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sandman bit felt a bit out of place, since it's an introduction to a different book and rectons some of the stuff that happened earlier in Volume 3 but the character moments between MJ and Spidey are on point, Aunt May is awesome and even freaking J. Jonah Jameson is showing some serious depth and character motivations! Not sure if I'll end up liking the whole Black Cat thing since this felt like an introduction to her character but so far it's fine.

[Mike Ezepchick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty cool to see the interaction of Spider-Man and the two other notable characters (Black Cat and Elektra), but the overall story wasn't all that exciting. The return of Fisk was interesting but he's not as intriguing of a villain in this as other volumes - but I do think there's potential for a great storyline with him, and potentially Black Cat too. So this was definitely a fun read, but not up there with the best of this series.