Brian Wilkinson
May 9, 2003, 02:09 pm
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultspiderman40.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultspiderman40t.jpg" align=left alt="Ultimate Spider-Man #40"></a>Reviewer: Brian E. Wilkinson, bewilkinson@xfan.cjb.net
Quick Rating: Great!
Story Title: Average Bear
A new chapter opens in Peter's life. He'd like to be Spider-Man, but he has no costume.
Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencilled by: Mark Bagley
Inked by: Art Thibert
Colors by: Transparency Digital
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Assistant Editors: Nick Lowe, Stephanie Moore
Associate Editors: Brian Smith, C.B. Cebulski
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
Mark Bagley is the king. Bendis is riding on his coattails all the way. It's clear from the opening to the end that Bagley is in firm control here. His pencils are second to none, and this book is only good with him on it. (*The previous statement was made as a way to protect the reviewers butt from his previous review wherein he called Bagley a 'lackey'. Is all forgiven?)
ANYWAY, once again Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley have irritated me to no end by producing what I think is perhaps Marvel's finest book. A bold statement, yes, given that Marvel produces many incredibly high quality books, but the simple fact is that I don't know if I enjoy any Marvel book as much as I do Ultimate Spider-Man. The reason that this is irritating is because I HAVE to buy it now. What started out as a curiosity has become a guilty pleasure. For months I've been trying to talk myself out of buying it, but the simple fact is that there are a few X-Books out there that I'd drop before this one.
Now THAT is high praise.
For the issue within, the quality is the same. Each time it reads as an entirely real world with real characters and real feelings. As Peter and MJ desperately struggle to figure out who they are to each other, readers cross their fingers and hope that they can find some way to figure things out. Do I want them to get back together? Well, of course I do. Peter, for all his good deeds, has remarkably little good luck to balance out all the bad things that happen to him. On the other hand, I can't fault MJ for her decision. Being attached to someone who risks his life day in and day out can't be easy. But is it any easier for the family of a police officer, fire fighter, or anyone else who risks their life? Is she being selfish, or does she just know what her limits are?
That's what makes the book so good. There are no easy answers to any of these problems. We have hopes and desires, but things don't always work out the way we want them to.
The rest of the book is mostly Peter-centric as well (Peter, not Spider-Man), and though it's good for a quick laugh or two when he saves a woman wearing his wrestling outfit from the Spider-Man movie and parts of it fall off, you still enjoy that he's trying to be serious.
So, what's the deal with Peter and Gwen, anyway? Are they becoming brother/sister-like, good friends, or potentially a couple? The feeling that Bendis gives off here is that Gwen is trying to help Peter either get over MJ or get them back together. I'll admit I'm curious to see if Peter and Gwen get together, but I'd rather MJ was in the picture. Still, when MJ shows up at the party with a new hair colour, and rather... slutty.... outfit, I couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion on Peter's behalf. Even though the two aren't a couple, I felt quite sad and almost betrayed for Peter that she seemed to be moving on so visibly. Yet the look in her eyes suggests that it isn't what she really wants.
Oh, the matters of the heart are never simple. Still, she has the right to move on, no matter how much Peter's heart hurts.
As for the new villain introduced (brand new, to either Marvel continuity or Ultimate), Geldoff, we don't know much about him. Other than the fact that he's a jerk who likes to blow up cars. The things people do to pick up women. Well, Peter will likely have to beat him up next issue. Can't wait!
As I said before, Bagely and Bendis take this book up a notch with every issue. If ever the team leaves the book, it will indeed be a sad day. Hopefully, it will be a long time in coming, especially now that I've devoted my $4 each month to picking it up!
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spinone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spinone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spinone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=538&cat=X%2DMEN+2+MOVIE+COMICS)
Quick Rating: Great!
Story Title: Average Bear
A new chapter opens in Peter's life. He'd like to be Spider-Man, but he has no costume.
Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencilled by: Mark Bagley
Inked by: Art Thibert
Colors by: Transparency Digital
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Assistant Editors: Nick Lowe, Stephanie Moore
Associate Editors: Brian Smith, C.B. Cebulski
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
Mark Bagley is the king. Bendis is riding on his coattails all the way. It's clear from the opening to the end that Bagley is in firm control here. His pencils are second to none, and this book is only good with him on it. (*The previous statement was made as a way to protect the reviewers butt from his previous review wherein he called Bagley a 'lackey'. Is all forgiven?)
ANYWAY, once again Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley have irritated me to no end by producing what I think is perhaps Marvel's finest book. A bold statement, yes, given that Marvel produces many incredibly high quality books, but the simple fact is that I don't know if I enjoy any Marvel book as much as I do Ultimate Spider-Man. The reason that this is irritating is because I HAVE to buy it now. What started out as a curiosity has become a guilty pleasure. For months I've been trying to talk myself out of buying it, but the simple fact is that there are a few X-Books out there that I'd drop before this one.
Now THAT is high praise.
For the issue within, the quality is the same. Each time it reads as an entirely real world with real characters and real feelings. As Peter and MJ desperately struggle to figure out who they are to each other, readers cross their fingers and hope that they can find some way to figure things out. Do I want them to get back together? Well, of course I do. Peter, for all his good deeds, has remarkably little good luck to balance out all the bad things that happen to him. On the other hand, I can't fault MJ for her decision. Being attached to someone who risks his life day in and day out can't be easy. But is it any easier for the family of a police officer, fire fighter, or anyone else who risks their life? Is she being selfish, or does she just know what her limits are?
That's what makes the book so good. There are no easy answers to any of these problems. We have hopes and desires, but things don't always work out the way we want them to.
The rest of the book is mostly Peter-centric as well (Peter, not Spider-Man), and though it's good for a quick laugh or two when he saves a woman wearing his wrestling outfit from the Spider-Man movie and parts of it fall off, you still enjoy that he's trying to be serious.
So, what's the deal with Peter and Gwen, anyway? Are they becoming brother/sister-like, good friends, or potentially a couple? The feeling that Bendis gives off here is that Gwen is trying to help Peter either get over MJ or get them back together. I'll admit I'm curious to see if Peter and Gwen get together, but I'd rather MJ was in the picture. Still, when MJ shows up at the party with a new hair colour, and rather... slutty.... outfit, I couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion on Peter's behalf. Even though the two aren't a couple, I felt quite sad and almost betrayed for Peter that she seemed to be moving on so visibly. Yet the look in her eyes suggests that it isn't what she really wants.
Oh, the matters of the heart are never simple. Still, she has the right to move on, no matter how much Peter's heart hurts.
As for the new villain introduced (brand new, to either Marvel continuity or Ultimate), Geldoff, we don't know much about him. Other than the fact that he's a jerk who likes to blow up cars. The things people do to pick up women. Well, Peter will likely have to beat him up next issue. Can't wait!
As I said before, Bagely and Bendis take this book up a notch with every issue. If ever the team leaves the book, it will indeed be a sad day. Hopefully, it will be a long time in coming, especially now that I've devoted my $4 each month to picking it up!
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spinone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spinone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spifull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/spinone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=538&cat=X%2DMEN+2+MOVIE+COMICS)