Rating: 
Summary: Amazingly well done!!!
Review: This was a wonderfully well done story. They took the original story and redid it to make it better. You can read a bunch of reviews that say the same thing in a lot more words. If you liked spider man you will like this, so long as you aren't a stickler for everything being the way it used to be, and if you are why are you even looking at this.
Rating:
Summary: Rebooting the Spiderman story a cool idea
Review: 'Ultimate Spiderman' is Marvel's way of starting fresh with one of it's most popular characters. It's a complete retelling of the Spiderman story. Although most plot elements remain the same (bitten by a radioactive spider, same costume, same characters) there are some points that are tweaked. Example is the characters, just as Peter Parkers Uncle Ben. Rather than a kindly old man like in the original comics, Uncle Ben here is an older hippie like figure. Little things like that are different, and if purists can get over that I think everyone will enjoy 'Ultimate Spiderman'. The art is good and the story moves along quickly enough.
Rating:
Summary: Bendis Tells The Genesis Of Spidey A Little Hipper, Cooler
Review: 'Ultimate Spiderman' is the almost perfect retelling of Spidey for the 22nd century. I think this is a one of a kind story, because i'm pretty certain no other author has attempted such a project.First off, let me start by saying Brian Bendis is a FANTASTIC writer, and he clearly donates some of his greatest talents to this comic-book. How? Well, the characters. Peter is somewhat nerdy, but not necessarily uncool, making him likeable. Uncle Ben is, as always, the kind uncle, but is also calm and cool, and definitely the epitome of strength and respect. Mary-Jane is definitey toned down, soft-spoken, and intelligent but hip. Flash Thompson is every bit the bully, and is complimented by new cronies. Bendis also shows off his ability of unique storytelling by taking a slower, more relaxed approach to the spiderman legacy. New characters are intoduced slowly, and the story unfolds slowly, easily, and never misses a beat. And these reasons make Ultimate Spiderman a must buy. 'Power And Responsibility' tells the origin of Spiderman, and introduces Mary-Jane, Uncle Ben, Kong, Flash Thompson and Liz allen (breifly).
Rating:
Summary: Great Start to a Great New Comic Book Series!
Review: After 42 years of stories, Spider-Man, like many other Marvel titles, has become bogged down in its own complex continuities. Many comics have gotten to the point where those who haven't been reading since way back have trouble understanding the plots. It is for this reason that the creation of the Ultimate series is such a smart move on Marvel's part. Now, on to comic being reviewed. Gone are the futile attempts by Lee and Ditko (Spidey's original creators) to come up with good villains and story lines every month (many old fans may look back not-so-fondly on such abysmal creations as the Terrible Tinkerer, or A Guy Named Joe). Since Spider-Man is already established as a great series, Bendis had more time to flesh out the characters, and elaborate on classic story arcs, without struggling to come up with new ideas every month. To make it more appealing to younger readers, Bendis put a more modern spin on Ultimate Spider-Man. This means that the characters act/talk like they're living in the year 2000, not 1963. Many long-time fans will notice several major changes in the continuity and characters. For one, Peter Parker starts out dating MJ Watson, bypassing his relationships with Betty Brant and Gwen Stacy (although they both make cameo appearences in a couple of stories). In addition, rather than being an insane-workaholic-costume-wearing-Spidey-foe, ultimate Green Goblin is an insane-workaholic-mutated-drug-addicted-Spidey-foe. Since it is known from the beginning that Norman Osbourn is the Green Goblin, his origin is told in a different manner, in a much shorter time (which is a change for the better, IMO). Finally, the event of Uncle Ben's murder is pretty similar to the original comic, except for the fact that Peter lets the crook go when he robs a deli, rather than a wrestling manager. Oh, and Aunt May is much younger, so Peter doesn't have to worry about her health (at least for the time being). That about covers all the MAJOR CHANGES in the first story arc, which are necessary for a better retelling of the exploits of the web-head. As for the artwork, Bagley does an excellent job providing the right atmosphere for the stories. In my opinion, his use of detail is top notch, and his style is great. Bagley can only get better as he continues his career. Overall, Power and Responsability is a great start to a promising new Spider-Man series.
Rating:
Summary: A Must For New Spidey Fans (and veteran fans too)
Review: After about a ten year absence from the world of the web-slinger, I picked this up in 2001...Oh, my God! You never will want it to end. It's a "modernization and revamp" of Peter Parker's genesis as the Amazing Spider-Man. It is a little bit different from the original Stan Lee stories (and the movie), but it's very well done. I highly recomend you snag all three volumes of this and V.1 & 2 of the Essential Spider-Man, if you're new to the world of Spider-Man. But this is a great place to start.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite the "Ultimate" I'd hoped it would be
Review: After hearing & reading about it for a few months, and being unable to find any single issues of it anywhere, I finally had the opportunity to check out the first major "Ultimate Spider-Man" story arc with the release of this TPB. A new take on the origin and first efforts of the Spider-Man, eh? Hmm. I figured I'd give it a shot. Besides, I was (& still am) a big fan of writer Brian Michael Bendis' work on SAM AND TWITCH and POWERS, and expected more of the same excellence from him here. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed by the results. It was decent reading, but nothing that I'd consider an all-time classic-in-the-making. I wasn't big on the setup to the origins of the Spidey/Green Goblin/Dr. Octopus feuds. Now they're sort of lumped together, rather than separate (This little twist isn't particularly original, either; an earlier Spidey-retooling attempt, John Byrne's "Chapter One", also did this with Parker & Doc Ock). This little grouping also had an element of destiny that I didn't much care for. However, I rather enjoyed the part where the post-bitten Parker finally stands up for himself (at least a little bit) against 'Flash' Thompson; it's about time! Ultimately (doh!), this new Spider-Man tale suffers from the ol' Re-Make-Of-A-Classic-Movie syndrome: despite all the effort put into it- new plot twists, modernizing of characters, etc- it could never hope to match up to the original. I guess I'm still a bit of a chauvinist for Stan & Steve's "Origin of Spidey" tale as told in Amazing Tales #15, and the first several issues of Amazing Spider-Man volume 1. Of course, my not being a big fan of the super-hero comics medium probably doesn't help matters any... ...but that didn't stop me from putting my two cents in, did it? 'Late
Rating: 
Summary: Spider-Man is Reborn.
Review: As a long time Spider-Man reader, I was a bit skeptical about this new Spider-Man, being updated for the 21rst Century and all that, but they did a good job with it. This is a younger Peter Parker naturally, but he's still the same character that 40 plus years of stories have made him as. He and Mary Jane are attracted to each other, he lives with his aunt and uncle, he loves science, and in this new origin story, He learns a lesson about why he must use his new found powers to help people, and not turn his back on them. I like this book and the idea behind the Ultimate Marvel Universe. I hope More Marvel Characters will soon have their own books in this new series as well.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME STORY
Review: Brian Bendis is a fantastic writer and Mark Bagely's pencils are just as great. The Ultimate line of comics is a fantastic way to get new readers. This book is for old and new fans alike. If this book doesn't make you a Spider-Man or comic fan, nothing probably will.
Rating:
Summary: Spidey is No.1
Review: Great stuff, well worth the money and a fantastic item to own.
Rating:
Summary: Comics for Everyone
Review: Hats off to Marvel for making comics accessible again. Ultimate Spider-Man is a great comic that anyone can read and relate to. It tells the story of a nerdy high school sophomore who suddenly finds himself in possession of fantastic powers. It's an old story, with a hero that will be familiar to almost anyone. After all, Spider-Man is one of the most recognizable characters in entertainment history. But what's this "Ultimate" about? Spider-Man is a character who was created in the sixties, and since then he's been dragging forty years of continutity and backstory. Ultimate Spider-Man approaches the character from the ground up, with a contemporary voice and pop culture references that place the book squarely in the 21st century. This Peter Parker isn't married and successful yet; he's barely coming to grips with his powers. The origin is updated, the villains look different, and nothing about the hero's future is set. Longtime Spider-Man fans may still be more comfortable with the original character that they've grown up with. (The "classic" Spider-Man is still thriving and his ongoing series is currently enjoying the excellent writing of Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski.) But for those who lost interest in comics years ago, or those who are approaching the medium for the first time, this book is absolutely perfect. The writing, by comics wunderkind Brian Michael Bendis, is awesome. Dialogue is sharp and sparkling with very authentic voices. The art is attractive and expressive. The stories are easy to follow, even for a first time comics reader. It's a comic that anyone can enjoy, and one which I strongly recommend. I loved it, my girlfriend loved it, and I'm sure that you'll love it.
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