The new Ultimate universe is being told in real-time, so on some scale, it feels a bit slow, but you might disagree after reading Ultimate Spider-Man #7. Seven months have passed as Peter Parker further understands his powers and new suit, but what of the larger threat of The Maker and the more recent threat of Kingpin? Things come further into focus in a more-or-less training montage issue.
Ultimate Spider-Man #7 opens with Doctor Octavius tinkering on the Green Goblin suit. In the opening scene, we learn a lot about Spider-Man and Green Goblin’s suits, like how they function on a technological scale and are different. This leads to a training sequence as Otto attempts to connect each user to an A.I. identity. Neat.
The reveals suggest these two characters are less supernatural science projects and more regular guys harnessing super advanced technology. It makes the sci-fi nature of it all a little easier to swallow. It’s another example of smart tinkering by writer Jonathan Hickman, as the A.I. element is a logical explanation for things we know that are true in the 616 universe. Once again, props to Hickman for rejiggering something so it’s somehow smarter and better than the source material.
MJ and Uncle Ben fans will be pleased to know both have scenes in this issue. They progress their plots ever so slightly – Uncle Ben and Jameson’s subplot moves the needle a bit more – and that’s a relief.
Should you really be eating in there?
Credit: Marvel
The last two scenes of this issue bring much conflict and drama to the forefront. That includes a key scene with Kingpin and a major character appearing on the last page. It’s easy to see how the war the Ultimates are fighting will affect this series directly, and that’s super exciting. Whether or not Green Goblin and Spider-Man are ready or even want to join in remains to be seen.
Art by Marco Checchetto is fabulous, with his hyper-detailed backgrounds, buildings, and technology looking great. The choice to have Spider-Man eating a sandwich during Doc Ock’s presentation was a great one as it adds a bit of comedy to the scene. Mary Jane and Gwen are also fabulous looking with flowing long hair. Meanwhile, Kingpin is like a hulking shadow of a man, which is quite scary. There’s always realism present, like when Green Goblin removes his helmet, and the young and chipper-looking Harry is smiling underneath.
Checchetto and color artist Matthew Wilson show off their stuff when Spider-Man and Green Goblin spar. It’s a cool sequence that shows how they’re both pretty new to fighting and the abilities they can achieve with their A.I. in their ears.
Another stellar issue awaits you at the comic shops with Ultimate Spider-Man #7. The series continues not to hold back as far as important answers and divergences from the original Spider-Man series, further cementing its more believable real-world approach to Spider-Man.
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