Ultimate Spider-Man has been incredible with every issue, revealing more and more how an older Peter Parker, who gained the powers late, deals with being a hero. A lot has occurred in the first three issues, and in Ultimate Spider-Man #4, even more reveals are to be had. That said, it’s a slower issue that focuses heavily on Harry Osborn and his wife.
If you’re unfamiliar with this series, know that up until this point, it has been definitely Spider-Man, but with a few twists. Peter has two kids, is happily married to MJ, and recently revealed his secret identity to Harry Osborn. In the fourth month of the series, Peter, MJ, and Harry have dinner to get to know one another better. There are a few twists to be had, including some deep character work for Harry and his wife.
This issue hinges on several different things, including your expectations for the characters at this dinner. That includes Harry’s wife, whom I won’t spoil, although you can probably guess who she is based on the variant cover. As we get to know these characters, we see bits and pieces of their original universe selves while keeping in mind that Harry lost his father and has gone on a new course. His wife is also different yet still self-reliant and willing to fight her own battles.
Writer Jonathan Hickman is exploring, more than anything, what it’s like to go to dinner with someone you just met with your wife sitting there. She’s also not in on his secret superhero life, which adds a wrinkle. Essentially, Harry and his wife have no kids, and Peter and MJ do, so there’s a different dynamic in play for these couples. That makes things a bit interesting to navigate.
I say a bit because the dialogue is also a little jarring. Maybe it’s how casual the dialogue reads, but Harry asking, “Spill it,” seems oddly vague. Would Peter really ask Norman, “What’s the hold up?” when asking why Harry and his wife don’t have kids? That’s incredibly rude for someone to ask, especially when they don’t know the couple. It’s not all bad, but I read dialogue more than once to understand the infection.
The nine-panel grid is used a lot in the issue.
Credit: Marvel
Cutting away from the dinner is a scene with Uncle Ben and J.J. Jameson. They’re babysitting the Parker kids, allowing us to better understand the dynamic. Uncle Ben is less fathering and more of a go-getter business type, but he loves these kids like his own.
Art is by David Messina with much of the dinner scene using nine-panel grids to slow down the dialogue and let us focus on the character acting. It’s kind of funny just how many panels show a person putting food in their mouth, but it adds a little action as opposed to the characters simply talking. Generally speaking, Peter is quite guarded, Gwen is very forward, and Harry plays politics. When you read this scene thinking about these angles, it’s intriguing how Messina draws out the dynamics between everyone.
What everyone will be talking about when all things are said and done is a key line from the Spider-Man mythos. The fact is, a few touchstones are always a given, and that includes those who say, “With great power comes great responsibility.” We find out in this issue, adding another weighty moment for this new take on Spider-Man. Some will likely be annoyed with who says the line, while I’m more in the camp to see what this means. A new dynamic plays with that weighty line, which likely spells doom for who said it but also changes the meaning and purpose when Peter takes it to heart later.
Ultimate Spider-Man #4 is an issue with big reveals but also with a narrower view and simple approach. It’s one dinner and three or four conversations that help us understand some key characters, but they are also far removed from superheroics or the development of Peter Parker. It’s a surprise, to be sure, but still not without its merits.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.