Well…it’s a collection of people. Look, I’ve got nothing. I make fun of covers, not pin-up posters pretending to be covers.
Ultimate Universe/Spider-Man FCBD 2024
Marvel Comics (2024)
COVER ART: Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, & Brad Anderson
Spider-Man: “Target: Peter Parker”
WRITER: Zeb Wells
PENCILER: Ryan Stegman
INKER: JP Mayer
COLORIST: Sonia Oback
LETTERER: Joe Caramagna
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Kaeden McGahey
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
The Ultimates
WRITER: Deniz Camp
ARTIST: Juan Frigeri
COLORIST: Frederico Blee
LETTERER: Cory Petit
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Machelle Marchese
EDITOR: Wil Moss
Also features a Venom story by Al Ewing, Iban Coello, Frank D’Armata, and Clayton Cowes
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Tom Groneman EDITOR: Jordan D. White
Okay, I’m not sure what universe this is taking place in. Peter takes a date named Shay to a trademark-approved Chuck E Cheese knockoff with animatronics out of the 1980s when the animatronics attack Peter. Except they’re trying to warn Peter about something but his boss Norman stops them just in time as Spider-Man was fighting them. This does not match what I’ve heard of the Ultimate Universe past or present when it comes to Peter Parker. UU1 (Ultimate Universe 1 because I haven’t looked up the numbers to see if this is listed as a new Earth) had Peter as a high schooler and dating MJ until he was killed and replaced with Miles. UU2, the current main Ultimate Universe in comics, has an adult Peter married to MJ with kids when he gains his powers due to Ultimate Iron Man trying to restore the superheroes evil Reed/Maker got rid of, so either way this date shouldn’t be happening. It’s like some new continuity. The story was okay but more set-up with action than a full story that shows off the new Ultimate Spider-Man.
We get the name Earth-6110 for the Ultimates story. In the original Ultimate Universe, the Ultimates were really just the Avengers…except they were all jerks and Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch were into the incest. This time they’re freedom fighters against the Maker. Iron Lad, a supposedly younger but still arrogate Doctor Doom, and Captain America break into a lab filled with indestructible corpses and various superhero tech until Cap finds what they’re looking for. Then the Maker’s soldiers, the Hand, arrives. This version are shadowy dudes in suits who can pull weapons out of nowhere and have no faces (though someone forgot to tell the artist as I see clear faces on them). Cap uses a Molotov Cocktail to set one of the bodies on fire, because he’s that reality’s version of the original android Human Torch. A preview page shows Iron Lad coming to talk to Hank Pym, Doctor Doom experimenting with a mouse version of the Fantastic Four, and the team assembling with mentioned members Thor and Sif, plus a few more. It’s okay. Not great, but I’ll take it over the original version of the Ultimates.
The Venom story…your guess is as good as mine. Dylan Brock is talking about some entity he met and wanting to find answers about the symbiote and Eddie, then we learn he’s talking to his past self. These comics are about introducing newcomers to comics in general and these comics specifically, but I’m just more confused and less interested.
Overall, I’m glad I ended up needing to use the digital version. This wasn’t the comic I thought it was going to be and not having it in my physical library is okay with me. I wanted to sample this new take on Spider-Man that’s been getting praise for marrying Peter and MJ and giving them kids, but I couldn’t even tell you if it has that going for it or what continuity this takes place in. The Ultimates are a better take than the original, and the Venom story…exists. In short I haven’t bought a new Marvel comic in years and this did a poor job of convincing me to do so if I ever have money again.
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