Andy James
Nov 10, 2003, 01:06 pm
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultspiderman49.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultspiderman49t.jpg" align=left alt="Ultimate Spider-Man #49"></a>Reviewer: Andy James, AndyJames519@hotmail.com
Quick Rating: Great
Story Title: Hero
JJJ is human afterall! Who knew?
Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencilled by: Mark Bagley
Inked by: Art Thibert
Colors by: Transparency Digital
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Assistant Editor: MacKenzie Cadenhead
Assistant Editor: Nick Lowe
Associate Editor: C.B. Cebulski
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
Despite Brian Michael Bendis being one of, if not my favorite writer in comics today, the last two issues of Ultimate Spider-Man have not really done much for me at least. Don't get me wrong, there was nothing at all bad about them, rather they just seemed rather.... uneventful and lacking in the Bendis mystique which makes his work such a joy to normally read. Well it looks like he's been listening to my comments (I wish!) as I'm happy to say that Ultimate Spider-Man is back on top form, which is a good thing really as next month sees the historic 50th issue for this title after little more than 3 years in existence. Not bad going by anyone’s estimations!
Lets get straight into the meat of things; the issue is so damn good, because Bendis has done more with the character of J Jonah Jameson in 22 short pages than in 22 years worth of prior stories. To me, both in 616 and the Ultimate universe, JJJ has been little more than a one-dimensional characture.... and not in a good way. Just look at the interpretation of him in the Spider-Man movie for instance. Ouch...
We know he hates Spider-Man and has a personal vendetta with him, but that’s about all we have seen of the character in the decades since he first appeared. Sure he is a quintessential Spider-Man character, but shouldn’t he a least get little fleshing out? Well look no further because you will find that right here.... along with the regular kick ass action we have come to expect from the title as well naturally!
The issue begins with a nice segue from the last, following on from Jameson altering his allegiances from candidate Sam Bullit by printing a story against him. Of course though, whoever messes with Bullit, messes with the Kingpin who has an abundance of top henchman willing to fulfill his bidding. Unfortunately those must have been on vacation, because instead Fontana, Ox and Fancy Dan get the job instead. Now the beauty of these characters is that they are pretty lame, and that’s what Bendis had in mind when creating them. They are pretty useless in their job as Bendis humorously acknowledges in his dialogue and this is just one thing that was so great about this issue.
The entire scene in the car park was a joy to read from start to finish with Jameson's intimidation, Spidey's entrance, the Matrix inspired action scenes and of course the bumbling activities of the Enforcers. The biggest highlight though was of course the evolution of Jameson from a second rate bit parter into a fully fleshed out three-dimensional character. Both in the conversation pieces with Spider-Man and Peter Parker, he comes across as a really interesting character that I cant wait to see more off. So much so in fact that I am now eagerly anticipating Bendis's portrayal of him in the upcoming The Pulse series which will rise from the ashes of the Alias series. Bendis even does the impossible and makes the reader feel sympathy towards the character, something that any Spidey fan will know is not meant to happen. It is hard not too though as Bendis is on top form as always when dealing with the human emotion; this time JJJ coming to terms with the loss of his son on the infamous Orion space mission.
The issue concludes with some hilarious back and forth banter between Spidey and the Kingpin- someone who has remained pretty quiet for this arc thus far. With only a couple of issues left to go in this arc, and with the appearances of Elektra and the Black Cat to contend with, I hope the Kingpin of crime doesn't get lost in the shuffle as he is too good of a character to be relegated to a supporting role.
To match Bendis on his top form is of course Mark Bagley who maintains his unblemished record on the book-49 issues and counting with no fill ins! There is not much to criticize when it comes to Ultimate Spider-Man's artwork, as it is consistent as ever. Highly detailed work portraying both highly charged action and the emotions in the quieter moments as well, which is the sign of a true great to be able to manage both styles with such ease.
Easily the best Spider-Man book on the market, Ultimate Spider-Man continues to be at the top of its game and break new ground in the Spidey universe. An all star creative team, a top set of characters and just a few weeks away from its 50th issue. What are you waiting for???
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/spihalf.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
Quick Rating: Great
Story Title: Hero
JJJ is human afterall! Who knew?
Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencilled by: Mark Bagley
Inked by: Art Thibert
Colors by: Transparency Digital
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Assistant Editor: MacKenzie Cadenhead
Assistant Editor: Nick Lowe
Associate Editor: C.B. Cebulski
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
Despite Brian Michael Bendis being one of, if not my favorite writer in comics today, the last two issues of Ultimate Spider-Man have not really done much for me at least. Don't get me wrong, there was nothing at all bad about them, rather they just seemed rather.... uneventful and lacking in the Bendis mystique which makes his work such a joy to normally read. Well it looks like he's been listening to my comments (I wish!) as I'm happy to say that Ultimate Spider-Man is back on top form, which is a good thing really as next month sees the historic 50th issue for this title after little more than 3 years in existence. Not bad going by anyone’s estimations!
Lets get straight into the meat of things; the issue is so damn good, because Bendis has done more with the character of J Jonah Jameson in 22 short pages than in 22 years worth of prior stories. To me, both in 616 and the Ultimate universe, JJJ has been little more than a one-dimensional characture.... and not in a good way. Just look at the interpretation of him in the Spider-Man movie for instance. Ouch...
We know he hates Spider-Man and has a personal vendetta with him, but that’s about all we have seen of the character in the decades since he first appeared. Sure he is a quintessential Spider-Man character, but shouldn’t he a least get little fleshing out? Well look no further because you will find that right here.... along with the regular kick ass action we have come to expect from the title as well naturally!
The issue begins with a nice segue from the last, following on from Jameson altering his allegiances from candidate Sam Bullit by printing a story against him. Of course though, whoever messes with Bullit, messes with the Kingpin who has an abundance of top henchman willing to fulfill his bidding. Unfortunately those must have been on vacation, because instead Fontana, Ox and Fancy Dan get the job instead. Now the beauty of these characters is that they are pretty lame, and that’s what Bendis had in mind when creating them. They are pretty useless in their job as Bendis humorously acknowledges in his dialogue and this is just one thing that was so great about this issue.
The entire scene in the car park was a joy to read from start to finish with Jameson's intimidation, Spidey's entrance, the Matrix inspired action scenes and of course the bumbling activities of the Enforcers. The biggest highlight though was of course the evolution of Jameson from a second rate bit parter into a fully fleshed out three-dimensional character. Both in the conversation pieces with Spider-Man and Peter Parker, he comes across as a really interesting character that I cant wait to see more off. So much so in fact that I am now eagerly anticipating Bendis's portrayal of him in the upcoming The Pulse series which will rise from the ashes of the Alias series. Bendis even does the impossible and makes the reader feel sympathy towards the character, something that any Spidey fan will know is not meant to happen. It is hard not too though as Bendis is on top form as always when dealing with the human emotion; this time JJJ coming to terms with the loss of his son on the infamous Orion space mission.
The issue concludes with some hilarious back and forth banter between Spidey and the Kingpin- someone who has remained pretty quiet for this arc thus far. With only a couple of issues left to go in this arc, and with the appearances of Elektra and the Black Cat to contend with, I hope the Kingpin of crime doesn't get lost in the shuffle as he is too good of a character to be relegated to a supporting role.
To match Bendis on his top form is of course Mark Bagley who maintains his unblemished record on the book-49 issues and counting with no fill ins! There is not much to criticize when it comes to Ultimate Spider-Man's artwork, as it is consistent as ever. Highly detailed work portraying both highly charged action and the emotions in the quieter moments as well, which is the sign of a true great to be able to manage both styles with such ease.
Easily the best Spider-Man book on the market, Ultimate Spider-Man continues to be at the top of its game and break new ground in the Spidey universe. An all star creative team, a top set of characters and just a few weeks away from its 50th issue. What are you waiting for???
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/spihalf.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