I broke. I held out for 167 days, but all the media stuff I've been seeing for Brand New Day made me relapse. I am so god damn ecstatic. Like Unbelievably amped for this movie.
This whole run is amazing, and it starts off very strongly. I remember reading this when I was younger, and hating the start because he doesn't even really start doing Spider-Man things until like issue 6 or 7................................................ like the first 5 issues are just high school drama, and setting up how angry and fed up Peter is, and really sells him being an asshole for a week when he first gets his powers. Also, I think this is my favorite Uncle Ben? Not sure, actually after typing that. The Spectacular Spider-Man TV show's Uncle Ben was actually perfect to me, but this one is probably a close second. His conversations and dynamics he has with Peter and Aunt May are awesome. He doesn't feel strict, but also isn't too lenient on Peter when he fucks up. The great power must come great responsibility talk is also super good in this.
When I think of Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man is the first thing I think of. This series really defined the character for me. Would I change a few things here and there? Sure, but overall this is what Spider-Man should be. Peter is a kid who has real struggles. He gets picked on, his family runs into money problems, he doesn't always say the right thing, he messes up priorities in his life, and he clearly wants to ask out MJ but isn't sure how to. He uses humor to deflect fear, insecurities, and worries. Also the quips in this series are top tier, like they come close to beating out Spectacular Spider-Man's quips, but I don't think any Spider-Man ever will beat Spectacular Spider-Man in a quip off. I also hear Josh Keaton's voice when I read any Spider-Man comic, he really knocked it outta the park in Spectacular Spider-Man.
I know this is gonna be hard to believe, but I love Spider-Man's rouges gallery as well. I really hate the first design of the Green Goblin in these first handful of issues, but really like it when he shows up again a couple of volumes from now. Green Goblin/Norman Osborn is the perfect dark mirror to Spider-Man/Peter Parker. Norman is what Peter would become if Peter never had Uncle Ben as a moral compass, and if Norman was given a better chance to build a moral compass. Norman views intelligence/power as a privilege, and this principle spirals him into a egomaniac that becomes hellbent on destroying Peter and anyone else who thinks they could stop him. Where as Peter views his intelligence/power as a gift, which is a core principle that pushes him to use it responsibly and for the betterment of everyone else. I also love the themes that Spider-Man vs Green Goblin has as well.
Power vs. Responsibility
Cynicism vs. Duty
Selfish vs. Selflessness
Legacy vs. Heritage
Nature vs. Nurture
I really don't like it when they try to make Norman a more sympathetic villain, and I'm really glad they don't in this series. I also hate it when they try to push the "joking" around Goblin, which they also don't do in this series. All in all, I think this is one of the best representations of what Norman Osborn/Green Goblin is meant to be.
Goated first volume.