Here we have one of those issues, as many Bendis issues are, unfortunately, which is entertaining to read, and then when you're done you realize that almost nothing happened. USM #9 really only moves a single plot point forward - one. And that really only takes about two pages to do - could've been less, but since there's action involved (and well done action, I'll say) the few pages it takes can certainly be forgiven. But four entire pages to resolve the police-have-Miles-ringed-up bit from last issue? To let Spidey and Captain Quaid banter a little, only to determine that, surprise surprise, the police aren't gonna unmask Spidey? Seriously, Bendis. Seriously. If you've liked Ultimate Spidey before, you'll like it here now. It has all the foibles you ought to expect from a Bendis book, but it's also Bendis in pretty good form, I'd say, so they're minor. But you're not gonna get a contained plot in this issue. Marquez's art is a high point. I do quite like it, though maybe not as much as Pichelli's. I'd have to consider that. But Marquez is more than adequate at bringing out the real neat part of this issue, the throwdown between the Prowler and the Scorpion, complete with some cameos of Tinkerer creations that look suspiciously like armor suits and gadgets that assorted 616 villains wield. The thing that really gets me, though, is that after last week's AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #5 reminded everyone that it is quite possible to tell a one-and-done story with the Webslinger and still get in trademark funny dialogue a-plenty, I think someone else could handle this series much better than Bendis can.