Ultimate Spider-Man: Legacy (Ultimate Spider-Man)

Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Spider-Man versus the Ultimate Green Goblin
Review: "Legacy" collects issues #22-26 of "Ultimate Spider-Man" and continues the "re-imagining" of the character in the capable hands of writer Brian Michael Bendis. These trade paperbacks are thematic collections, which explains why the number of issues included each time varies. "Legacy" is about the new and evolved Green Golbin and the question of Peter Parker's secret identity. It is the latter that is becoming one of the defining features of "Ultimate Spider-Man."

The recreation of the Green Goblin in the mode of the Hulk makes sense to me; I always had a bit of a problem with the idea that insanity and a costume could allow the Goblin to slug it out toe-to-toe with Spidey (note the armor upgrade of the Goblin's costume in the blockbuster film version). But even more impressive is the way Bendis reworks the whole secret identity issue between the two; a lot of super villains have found out the secret identity of their arch enemy, which almost always involves an attempt to kill the superhero in question. However, the Goblin has a different plan, of sorts, for Peter. At the end of "Double Trouble," the Volume 3 collection, Spider-Man actually enjoyed a moment of glory. Of course it is all going to get dashed big time in this collection.

As is the case with the previous collections in this series, "Legacy" plays off of our knowledge of what happened in the first ten years or so of "The Amazing Spider-Man." The result is what might be the biggest shock he is ever going to throw our way and if you every think Bendis has gone too far this may well be the point. While your jaw is dropping at that point do not neglect to pay attention to the double look at a pivotal conversation between Spider-Man and the Green Golbin that Bendis creates; that was a nice little replay he threw into the mix.

Mark Bagley continues to provide the distinctive pencils for the series with Art Thibert's inks; hopefully this partnership with last longer than the original Stan Lee/Steve Ditko partnership. For those of us who have a comprehensive understanding of the Spider-Man mythos it is impossible for "Ultimate Spider-Man" to really stand on its own terms because we can also see the additions, deletions, and alterations. But if your familiarity of the good old days comes mainly from the movie, then I can certainly see where you could enjoy this all at face value.

At this point in the series Peter has told Mary Jane Watson that he is Spider-Man, but Norman Osborn knows the big secret, the Kingpin and Electro have seen Spider-Man unmasked, and Doctor Octopus is mumbling Peter Parker's name in his unconscious state. In "Legacy" we discover that somebody else knows the secret as well and that this has some rather significant implications for our hero when he turns eighteen (Peter is still about sixteen at this point). One thing you have to say for the story Bendis is spinning here is that he is always on the edge in terms of his re-imaginings. You might accuse him of going too far, but you cannot dismiss this series as a pedestrian reinterpretation of the Spider-Man saga. To date, I like it a lot.

Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Spider-Man versus the Ultimate Green Goblin
Review: "Legacy" collects issues #22-26 of "Ultimate Spider-Man" and continues the "re-imagining" of the character in the capable hands of writer Brian Michael Bendis. These trade paperbacks are thematic collections, which explains why the number of issues included each time varies. "Legacy" is about the new and evolved Green Golbin and the question of Peter Parker's secret identity. It is the latter that is becoming one of the defining features of "Ultimate Spider-Man."

The recreation of the Green Goblin in the mode of the Hulk makes sense to me; I always had a bit of a problem with the idea that insanity and a costume could allow the Goblin to slug it out toe-to-toe with Spidey (note the armor upgrade of the Goblin's costume in the blockbuster film version). But even more impressive is the way Bendis reworks the whole secret identity issue between the two; a lot of super villains have found out the secret identity of their arch enemy, which almost always involves an attempt to kill the superhero in question. However, the Goblin has a different plan, of sorts, for Peter. At the end of "Double Trouble," the Volume 3 collection, Spider-Man actually enjoyed a moment of glory. Of course it is all going to get dashed big time in this collection.

As is the case with the previous collections in this series, "Legacy" plays off of our knowledge of what happened in the first ten years or so of "The Amazing Spider-Man." The result is what might be the biggest shock he is ever going to throw our way and if you every think Bendis has gone too far this may well be the point. While your jaw is dropping at that point do not neglect to pay attention to the double look at a pivotal conversation between Spider-Man and the Green Golbin that Bendis creates; that was a nice little replay he threw into the mix.

Mark Bagley continues to provide the distinctive pencils for the series with Art Thibert's inks; hopefully this partnership with last longer than the original Stan Lee/Steve Ditko partnership. For those of us who have a comprehensive understanding of the Spider-Man mythos it is impossible for "Ultimate Spider-Man" to really stand on its own terms because we can also see the additions, deletions, and alterations. But if your familiarity of the good old days comes mainly from the movie, then I can certainly see where you could enjoy this all at face value.

At this point in the series Peter has told Mary Jane Watson that he is Spider-Man, but Norman Osborn knows the big secret, the Kingpin and Electro have seen Spider-Man unmasked, and Doctor Octopus is mumbling Peter Parker's name in his unconscious state. In "Legacy" we discover that somebody else knows the secret as well and that this has some rather significant implications for our hero when he turns eighteen (Peter is still about sixteen at this point). One thing you have to say for the story Bendis is spinning here is that he is always on the edge in terms of his re-imaginings. You might accuse him of going too far, but you cannot dismiss this series as a pedestrian reinterpretation of the Spider-Man saga. To date, I like it a lot.

Rating:
Summary: BEST SPIDER-MAN BOOK EVER
Review: I'm not really a huge fan of spider-man, but a friend introduced me to the ultimate universe. The first couple volumes of ultimate spider-man were really good, but Legacy has to be by far the best one. I cannot begin to explain to you how great this is.... WOW!. This book definetly goes down in my list of favorites. The characters written are so well developed and in some parts you just want to scream in excitment. During one scene of the story my jaw acctually dropped and I could not turn the page for a couple of minutes in the shock of what was happening. Bendis just [does awesome]in this book. Peter Parker is just amazingly well done. I think the reader acctually begins to fall in love with Mary Jane while all at the same time hating Norman Osborn. WOW! Read this book, it doesnt matter how just read this book. Even if its just for the well drawn art, read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Maximum Ultimate
Review: The action is picking up with this collection of issues 22-27 of the Ultimate Spiderman, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Things go from bad to worse for Peter Parker, who has just finished battling both Doc Octopus and Kraven the Hunter, only to find that Green Goblin is back from the dead.

Green Goblin's character is much improved from Ultimate Spiderman's first story arc. The grunting and growling is gone, replaced with the very sadistic persona of Norman Osborn. Of course, Osborn's first priority after coming back from the dead is to completely wreck Spiderman's life. Naturally.

Brian Michael Bendis' work on this title is really extraordinary, he has such a grasp and feeling for these characters. The talent Bendis shows for dialogue is really out of this world and adds such a natural feel to his stories. Time has made Bendis very familiar with these characters and it shows.

Over time, Mark Bagley has gone from the weak link of this title to an integral contributor. I just love his pencils in this one, but I think some of his success comes from Art Thibert, the inker. Something has changed about the art in this title. I'm not sure which of these guys is responsible, but I love it.

Ultimate Spiderman is top-notch, have no doubts about it. Bendis isn't doing anything that hasn't been done before, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better written superhero story written in this day and age.

Rating:
Summary: Great Goblin Grapple
Review: The green gobin is back and he knows peters secret and he wants peter to kill for him and he is willing to destroy peters family to get it. This has one of the best fight s in the series.

Rating:
Summary: A great read (as comic books go)
Review: This is a great arc in the Ultimate Spider-Man series - in my opinion, the best of the ones I've read (up to Venom - Ugh!). So much is done well here - the story, the pacing, the art; everything seemed to work well together (well, almost everything). If I could give it four and a half stars, I would.

There were two things I felt were done especially well: the portrayal of the goblin's insanity and that Peter Parker's emotions. The goblin's insanity is masterfuly done - at one point we are actually see things through his mind, and witness the manifestation of his dementia, both graphically and in narritive. It makes for quite an effective - if disturbing - scene.
And Peter Parker is finally making some sense as a character; he actually reacts as one might expect a teenager in his position to react - terrified. Super powers or no super powers, the Green Goblin Parker faces is monsterously powerful, totally insane, and, worst of all, fully aware of Spider-Man's true identity and making use of it in a threatening way. It's all done in a very convincing manner - the drawings drive the fear home.

There are other nice surprises thrown in, that help build fill out the long term character of Peter Parker, adding continuity and connectivity. The Mary Jane/Gwen Tracy portions I like less, but it's harmless overall and doesn't hurt the highlights. Over all, the most intense arc I've read in the series so far (which, again, is up to volume 6).

Rating:
Summary: The Goblin's Back, and he's Bad!
Review: While the first appearance of the Ultimate Green Goblin was a bit disappointing, (it led to several fans accusing Mr. Bendis of 'bastardizing' the character, accusations not entirely unfounded; Norman Osborn was originally true to form, but the Goblin was severly lacking), this new encounter is sure to satisfy the most hardcore Goblin fans. Norman returns and threatens to ruin Peter's life, and kill his loved ones. He's also planning to assassinate Nick Fury, (Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.), and the guy's even brainwashing his own son! As one online reviewer put it, his badass level raises exponentially. How will Spider-Man combat the return of his greatest enemy, and how does Mr. Fury figure into all of this? You'll have to read it and find out!

Rating:
Summary: What can I say about this book than...
Review: WOW! It was awsome! This is the best Ultimate Spiderman thus far. I really like how they showed just how insane Norman Osbourne aka the Green Goblin has become. But I don't want to spoil too much for you. All I can say is get this book and enjoy it, I know you will!