Ultimate Spider-Man #157 - Mobile Edition

Marvel Comics
Ultimate Spider-Man #157
By Zak Edwards
April 28, 2011 - 13:41

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller(s): Mark Bagley
Inker(s): Andy Lanning
Colourist(s): Justin Ponsor
Letterer(s): Cory Petit
Cover Artist(s): Bagley & Ponsor
$3.99 US

I have to say, this crossover is a little strange. Involving two titles who are really telling their own stories, the “Death of Spider-Man” crossover is playing off the fact the stories are happening at the same time and really little else. The excuse that the fight between the New Ultimates and the Ultimate Avengers is distracting everyone from the escape of the Sinister Five is pretty remote and weak and I feel it doesn’t work very well. But taken outside the context of the crossover, what do we have? Well, we have a pretty good story arc about the powers that be screwing things up again, a standard theme in Ultimate Spider-Man and the Ultimate universe in general. The issue is certainly not the strongest in the series or even in the past couple of years, but it is by no means unenjoyable, but it is a little less than usual.

Like I said, as a single issue, outside the apparent crossover, this latest installment is pretty good, especially the moments between the major bad guys. The confrontation between Doctor Octopus and Norman Osbourne/Green Goblin is by far the most interesting thing that happens (except for the last panel, of course), especially hearing Doctor Octopus’ sheer exhaustion. This really adds a dimension to the character, especially considering many of these villains have been fairly absent for a long time now as the focus shifted from Kingpin and Green Goblin to Mysterio. Of course, countered to Octopus’ reform, which still involves selling himself to possibly Latveria, is Norman Osbourne’s singular intent to finally rid himself of that meddling kid. The kid, however, doesn’t really do much. There’s the standard inner monologue quotes, like “What do I do?” and others, and he makes everyone out of the house, calls the lady friend, and then gets shot. He’s almost a waste of space in his own book. When I finished reading, I kept thinking about how much better the issue would have been in Spider-Man was barely in the issue at all, if the villains found out he had got May and Gwen out of the house rather than the other way around. Overall, the issue’s obvious editorial interference, at least that’s who I’m blaming, is really obvious and shoehorns the issues together.

But the return of Mark Bagley makes this issue, for all its flaws, infinitely better. There is a panel when Peter is in the house and Gwen throws up her arms in disgust that just made me smile. In the break of Bagley seeking warmer climes with DC, the book has gone through an amazing group of artists, some more successful than others, but having the original back can be seen even in Bendis’ script. There is a synchronicity here, with a trust for Bagley to do things right and his own way, that makes the issue read so well. It’s really only on a closer reading that the issue’s problems really surface. But Bagley’s art has changed a little as well, especially with Justin Ponsor’s colour palette, that is exciting in itself. With the old villains and the original artist, the book seems to be trying to go back before it goes forward, and I am not opposed. Mark Bagley, it’s good to have you back!

Grade: B- A fairly weak script, but Mark Bagley’s work is amazing.