Pick of the Week
What did the
iFanboy
community think?
Pulls
ART BY Chris Samnee
COVER BY Sarah Pichelli
Size: pages
Price: 3.99
As I sit here and look at my modest stack of comics, I can’t help but to think (and once again quote Paulie from Goodfellas): “It’s not even fair.”
This was a unique week of comics for me personally. I got about half my normal stack of books and for the most part, they were all really good. If Ultimate Spider-Man #155 hadn’t come out this week, I could have probably made a case for at least 3 other comics (Which ones? You’ll have to listen to the show next week to find out!). But when the pile was read and all the stories had been absorbed, no other comic book stood a chance to Ultimate Spider-Man #155.
Ultimate Spider-Man has a special status here at iFanboy HQ. It launched right around the same time we started doing this very site and became one of the only books that over the past 10 years, all three of us iFanboy founders have agreed upon enjoying (for the most part) and I’m pretty sure than none of us have ever dropped the book. For 155 issues. That’s a lot of comics. Brian Michael Bendis was an early favorite of ours, and I’ll gladly say that he’s become my favorite writer in comic books (although don’t tell Jonathan Hickman that). So when an issue of Ultimate Spider-Man comes out, it’s a safe bet that we’re going to enjoy it and it could contend for Pick of the Week.
One of the reasons I’ve liked Ultimate Spider-Man more recently is that after Mark Bagley’s epic run on art duties, Bendis and Marvel haven’t been afraid to mix it up with artists. We’ve seen Stuart Immonen, Mark Brooks, David Lafuente, Sara Pichelli, Jamie McKelvie, Joelle Jones, Skottie Young, and now, Chris Samnee. Any regular reader here at iFanboy also knows that we kinda like Chris Samnee… a lot. Like really — a lot. Just look at how often he appears in our Weekly Sketch-Up feature. Samnee was one of the first artists I ever paid for a commission from and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed his rise over the past couple of years as one of comics future stars. And then they go and give him an issue of Ultimate Spider-Man.
“It’s not even fair…”
But hold on. Before you think that I picked this issue as pick of the week purely because I’m a Bendis and Samnee fanboy (which I am), take a step back. Because this was such an obvious pick, I almost discounted it immediately. And then I read the issue…
My first thought when I looked at the cover was the cover dress boasting that this was the “Death of Spider-Man: Prelude.” This prelude to the “Death of Spider-Man” feels like it’s been going on for ages. When are we going to actually stop preluding and get on with it? So I was already annoyed by it (as well as the thought of the upcoming storyline, but more on that in a bit). So I open up the comic and begin to drink in Chris Samnee’s take on the Ultimate Spider-Man universe and, wow, is this a take I’d like to see more of. What I find fascinating about Samnee is his ability to take the skills that we rave about him for (his cartooning, his use of light and shadow etc.) and then also deliver art that is completely unique to the story being told. While the art in this issue was reminiscent of his recent work on Thor: The Mighty Avenger (RIP), it wasn’t exactly the same. He tweaked it ever so slightly to both match and fit in after the established artists, and yet also make it his own. I’m telling you right now, I would read an entire comic about J. Jonah Jameson if it was drawn by Samnee. And his Mary Jane? Sure, I’ll admit this is the only real departure from the Ultimate Mary Jane that we’re familiar with, look wise, and Samnee chose to grow out her hair and go a little Romita on us, but who cares?!?! She looked fantastic. And thus ends my gushing about Mr. Samnee’s art. BUT! The art wasn’t the sole reason for making this the Pick. No!
You can’t evaluate a good comic without the story, and what Bendis has been doing on Ultimate Spider-Man for the past 10 years has been tell top notch stories. They’re so good that we take them for granted, which must be insanely challenging for Bendis to keep turning it up and keep us interested. With Ultimate Spider-Man #155 Bendis definitely turned it up a full click. This may be one of the best single issue stories of this title I’ve ever read. Not much happened… (**SPOILER ALERT**) Peter gets fired from his job (which was a bit of a joke anyhow). Jameson calls Peter and asks to meet, where at The Daily Bugle, Jameson admits he knows Pater is Spider-Man and promises not to out him because Peter saved his life. In turn, Jameson gives Peter his job back at The Daily Bugle (and a little bit more) via some amazing dialogue. Then Peter finally connects with Kitty and brings her home (to the superhero sitcom family home he shares with Iceman, The Human Torch, and Aunt May) only to stumble into a surprise party for his 16th birthday, where he reconciles with Mary Jane, admits he loves her and they kiss. It’s all very simple and well and good and acts as perfect breather issue. And then I realized…
This single issue pretty much resets Peter’s life and good things fall into place. He’s protected his secret identity, he got the job that he loves back (with added security of keeping it), he found his old friend, he gets a birthday party surrounded by the people he loves, and he gets the girl that he loves back. Everything seems pretty perfect. And then I realized the next story arc is called “Death of Spider-Man” and I realized that Bendis totally just played me like a fiddle. I got all emotional and attached and happy for Peter as he finally gets the nice life he deserves, and next issue, Bendis is just going to knock it down. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not mad at Bendis, that’s his job as a good writer, but goddammit did he get me this time. He got me good. And THAT is why this issue is the Pick of the Week.
Now I don’t know what the future holds for Ultimate Spider-Man. I’ll admit, I’m worried as Bendis hinted to it in the most recent edition of the Bendis Tapes on Word Balloon and the little comments he did make didn’t sound promising to a long time Ultimate Spider-Man fan. But that’s okay. If this series ended with this issue, I’d be totally fine with that. It’s been a nice long 10 years with some amazing stories and I can’t think of a better way to wrap things up. Who knows, if I don’t like where the “Death of Spider-Man” goes, maybe this will serve as my last issue of Ultimate Spider-Man, and that’s okay. Because look at this comic book. It’s a work of art in its brilliance and execution — and that definitely deserves to be the Pick of the Week.
Ron Richards
I think I just talked myself into dropping this book…
ron@ifanboy.com
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so great. it was almost my pick of the week. this is honestly the best series i’ve ever read and the series that got me back into comics when #1 came out. This book is entirely responsible for me finding all the great comics i’ve read since and for that i can’t thank bendis, bagley, immonen and all the other artists enough. great review Ron
I like it how you sort of cornered yourself here Ron. Not in so much of a bad way, because if this new storyline isn’t good then you can end this series on a high note. It certainly sounds like a good issue and somewhat of a finale for USM. I’m sure Bendis is going to make sure this isn’t the actual Death of Spider-Man, but it would be bold for him to end an Ultimate character.
My POTW was Batman and Robin #21 for being…..well being god damn perfect.
Damn, you guys really make wish I didn’t drop this six issues after the relaunch.
I flipped through this at the shop today. It looked damned gorgeous. I’ll be very excited to read it when the trade comes out.
Great choice. I think this is my pick as well.
Finished this one and a big smile came on my face. I would love to Samnee do more on this book
Had to go with Punisher Max 11 just cause Jason Aaron has one twisted mind for violence.
Captain swing issue three trumps all of these crappy comicbooks maybe 27 issue four
@rottenjorge just because you didn’t like it as much is no reason to call other books crappy. someone is putting food on the table writing and drawing every book that came out today
Please drop the book, I would love to hear Josh’s reaction to that.
when i read it i didn’t get the hype, but then i read your review and it makes more sense. Like you said Ron, “not much happened” but now i get why its special for a lot of you long time readers. This really seems like the perfect end to a nice decade long run.
Dropping the book now seems perfect.
@RoiVampire — thats a great point that we should all remember week after week
I’m saying compared to all the books I read this week feels like crap compared to captain swing. No one ever talks about avatar books except for the next champion I liked his review. Besides I buy two copies of Conan to help feed only the artist mike Hawthorne, he is a nice guy I met him a few times before he started on Conan so font preach to me about feeding because I rather feed myself food than have to spend money on comicbook that I know I wont enjoy and this store I went to sold me five issues of the avengers issues two through six for a dollar each
It’ll be heartbreaking if this book ends. It’s been the most consistently great read for over a decade.
No one mentioning how Samnee drew the logo upside down the entire time? The spider is supposed to be crawling upward.
Other then that, great issue.
He got me too. I recently re-read the whole run. Finished last night with this issue and damn. I may shed a few tears in the next arc. I’m not ashamed to admit it.
@NoahPlaysNintendo
I re-read the whole run over the past few months myself. I think you almost have to do that to fully appreciate what an incredible job Bendis has done plotting this masterful run. Truly unprecidented long-form story telling for a superhero comic. Brilliant series. I can’t help but be extremely frustrated by those who dismiss Bendis’ talent. Between this run and his Daredevil run he has cemented himself as my favorite writer in comics, and I know I’m definitely not alone in feeling this way. The dude deserves all his fame and the heaps of money he is going to start getting in TV royalties too.
@RoiVampire just because you didn’t like it as much is no reason to call other books crappy. someone is putting food on the table writing and drawing every book that came out today
blah blah blah if you seen my pull list you see i had both thor the mighty avenger and takio, besides i need food 3.99 for a comicbook or 3.99 for a happymeal for my kids hmmmmmmmmmm
i think the writers and artist can be ok with that
@RoiVampire
normally i’d say go for it, but this book is so good i’d rather you read the whole series… fuck it, jump in, this book kicks the shit out of every book on a monthly basis. do it
ha!!!!!!! you wrote that thats way worse what i wrote, i only said it because i wasnt expecting captain swing and warren ellis indies can be good
@rottenjorge dude, creepy
Amen.
You should totally make like the cover to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50 and walk away, Ron. The internet would explode.
-J.
@RoiVampire how is it creepy its either a 3.99 fish meal from mcdonalds or a 3.99 comicbook
Does anyone know if they will be producing an omnibus for this series? Rons review has made me want to jump on board. If it’s anything like the astonishing x men series by Whedon then I’m definetly in – half way through the omnibus and it truely is astonishing – I wasnt even an x men fan prior to this. I hope Whedon does some more writing soon.
@BALD There was a Barnes & Noble Omnibus of the first 50 issues about 5 years ago. It can be bought used, but I doubt there’s anything soon. Maybe when the cartoon hits. The trades are all available.
I actually own that B&N collected edition. It was on sale so I gave it a shot. it has the first 3 hardcover editions of the title. It’s a pretty good value if you can get one. (I never did read any of the rest of the series for some reason….)
I’m so glad I never get everything I want out of life, otherwise Brian Bendis would have me killed off. Jokes aside, it was an amazing comic. Definitely my pick of the week.
The last two pages made me emotional. Powerful … poweriful stuff. This was the happiest Bendis has made me since Alias.
This series just hit the same peak that it did with issue 13, which has been one of my favorite all time single issues of a comic for almost the past 10 years, and it’s amazing that after this many issues it’s able to do that. I honestly don’t want Bagley back badly enough to be okay with this being the only Samnee issue.
Well, at least wait around for Mark Bagley’s return since he’s doing the last few issues of the “Death Arc.”
I still got this notion that this won’t actually be a physical death for Peter but rather a death of his Spider-Man identity. But who knows. I’ll be riding it out until the end. Oddly enough Marvel’s doing their “Polybag” gimmick with the last issue much like they did with the recent FF4 issue where a particular character died.
Did you not read PunisherMAX #11 Ron?
@SamMorgan He did.
I’ve been trying to stay spoiler-free on The Death of Spider-Man so I have no idea what’s going to happen at all, but I can’t understand why people are talking about Ron dropping the book. Why would you do that? If it ends soon then you’ll want to read the end, if it’s just a big fun story then you’ll want to read that too.
Much like the iFanboy guys I’ve been reading this book from the very start and it is quietly one of the best comics on the market. Other books may make more noise and be more flashy, but USM is consistently great with pitch-perfect characterisation all the time. I like Ultimate Peter Parker way more than 616 Pete and I love the supporting cast. What I love most is how even though Peter’s life may get hard and at times horrific he still has this cast of friends around him that he can rely on and fall back on. So much drama relies on the main character never catching a break and I really appreciate that this isn’t the case with USM. Every now and then we’re treated to an issue like this, where Peter just lives and has a nice time. And now for the horror…
@JedeyeSniv I think people are telling Ron to drop it just to hear the uproar it would cause from the other 2 and on here. Ron stuck with Flash kids, he’s not dropping this.
After reading this I got really sad because it does feel like Bendis is ending it and my life without Ultimate SM will be a little incomplete.
This was an amazing issue. This death of spider-man business better not be the end of the book.