The preview for Ultimate Spider-Man #11 teases Ultimate Black Cat, but it’s far more about Peter coming into his own as a solo hero. So far, Jonathan Hickman, David Messina, and Marco Checchetto have made this series more of an ensemble with Green Goblin and Spider-Man’s family figuring things out. In Ultimate Spider-Man #11, it finally dawns on Spidey that he may have a support system, but a lot of the responsibility to keep everyone safe falls on him alone.
Ultimate Spider-Man #11 opens with Spider-Man calling Harry Osborn while waiting for his best-super-bud to show up for a stakeout. Where he is and what he’s up to ends up being the cliffhanger, but more importantly, for this scene, Spider-Man goes up against a bigger threat than some bank robbers. Between Messina’s great fight choreography and Spider-Mans fantastic quipping, it’s as classic as Spider-Man can get in a modern retelling.
This leads to a close call and a tough talk with Mary Jane. The realities of being a hero with a wife and kids are touched upon as Hickman continues to formulate a Spider-Man who has mostly been safe with plenty of time to learn how things work. The realities of the situation are further explored later in a chat between Peter and Ben, and once again, Hickman has you hanging on every word. The dialogue is well-written, and you’re right there with each character. Everyone has a strong case, even Peter, even if it’s a bit naive.
The quipping Spidey is back!
Credit: Marvel
Outside of these scenes, Kingpin and his Sinister Six get an ample kick in the butt. Mr. Negative gets pressed by Kraven, and it’s clear Kingpin’s patience is running out. Meanwhile, Black Cat looks reserved in this scene, and while the teaser for the preview confirms who she is, she’s more of a blip than anything else. It’s fairly clear Kraven is next up to face Spider-Man.
Fans of this series who want more action should be pleased with the first half action scene. Aside from the good fight choreography, it’s fun to see the animated eyes doing their trick and the webs look great. Messina is very good at realistically rendering Spider-Man never going too far with the agility or cartoony style like some artists tend to do.
This issue sets the stage for a potential dark turn for Spider-Man, which adds a sense of drama and anticipation. The table setting is clear, but the fact that Spider-Man feels like he will take a loss soon is horrifying. That, paired with the cliffhanger, makes this an intriguing chapter that sets up where we go from here.
Ultimate Spider-Man #11 delivers a compelling blend of action, character development, and narrative groundwork that keeps readers invested in Peter Parker’s journey as a hero. Hickman’s nuanced storytelling, coupled with Messina’s dynamic artwork, strikes a balance between classic Spider-Man charm and modern-day stakes.
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