Ultimate Spider-man Vol. 2

Rating:
Summary: In the modern era, Spidey is still the best!
Review: Having been a huge fan of Amazing Spider-man since the age of 6, (1967 and still read it today!) I wasn't sure about the Ultimate series. I was pleasantly surprised! The story of Peter and his alter-ego has never been better. The artwork is outstanding. The stories stay true to the spirit of Spidey and still adapt it to the modern world that teens reside in today. It may sound incredibly strange, but Spider-man was the hero and inspiration that got me through the tough high school years. If I was a teen today, Ultimate Spider-man would provide the same service. This is a must for any true Spidey fan.

Rating:
Summary: Ultimate Spiderman will rock your universe...
Review: Picking up where the first Ultimate Spiderman hardcover collection left off (the first book collected issues 1-13), this book collects the next thirteen issues of the mind blowing excitement that is Ultimate Spiderman.
Written by Brian Michael Bendis (Daredevil) with art by longtime Spiderman artist Mark Bagley, this collection is phenomenal. Ultimate Spiderman is the retelling of the Spiderman in a modern world. Brian Michael Bendis's writing is spectacular and captures the innocence and excitement as Peter Parker/Spiderman learns to use his abilities and deal with high school at the same time. Mark Bagley's art is, as always, gorgeous, smooth, and brings Spiderman to life in a way that makes you wish you could live in the streamlined world of a comic.
This excellent hardcover features two great Ultimate Spiderman stories: his first battle with Dr. Octopus and his second face off with the Green Goblin. Not to be missed by anyone who has ever enjoyed Spiderman!!

Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Spider-Man's first battle with the Kingpin
Review: There are some noted examples of a writer coming in and revitalizing a comic book by tinkering with the fundamental nature of the character, as Alan Moore did with "The Swamp Thing" and Frank Miller accomplished with "Daredevil." But starting from scratch, as Marvel is attempting with "Ultimate Spider-Man" is a much rarer attempt (e.g., John Byrne starting over with Superman). However, writer Brian Michael Bendis is well aware of the high stakes game he is playing and through this second trade paperback collection of comic book stories ("Ultimate Spider-Man" issues 8-13) the results are quite admirable.

At first glance the obvious intent here is to condense the story of Spider-Man. In what we know consider Volume 1 of "The Amazing Spider-Man" Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. the Kingpin, does not show up until issue #50 (and really did not become the monolithic New York City crime boss until Miller worked the character into "Daredevil"). Here he catches Peter Parker's attention in issue #8 and it is Spider-Man's attempt to bring down the secretive crime lord that creates the story arc of this collection. This means that we get to avoid the Terrible Tinkerer and other abominations from the early years of Spider-Man under Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. On the Peter Parker side of the equation we pass Betty Bryant and Gwen Stacy and go immediately to Mary Jane Watson.

The theme of these stories is that Spider-Man, who is in point of fact almost sixteen years old, is in way over his head as a superhero. The Kingpin proves this by taking about a half dozen pages to defeat Spider-Man and toss his unconscious body out the window. Spider-Man's early attempts at crime fighter are so inept that he actually contributes to the idea that Spider-Man is a criminal, making it easy for J. Jonah Jameson to trash the hero in "The Daily Bugle." In the end it is as much Peter Parker as his alter-ego that scores an initial, tentative victory over the Kingpin; plus Spider-Man's verbal battle with the Kingpin is a minor comic (as in comedic not as in book) gem.

But Bendis is interested in doing more than creating a more streamlined version of the story of Spider-Man. In the final issue of this collection he unveils a radical change in the whole secret identity part of the character's dynamic. It will be interesting to see how this plays out (especially since it kills one of the my all-time favorite scenes from the original "Amazing Spider-Man"), but I have to admit I appreciate the character's motivation for doing so. The Spider-Man story is enough of a soap opera without resorting to the more inane traditional elements of the genre. All in all, this is a first rate retelling of the tale, enjoyable both by those who are well versed in the character and those who come to this series in the wake of the blockbuster film.

The pencils of Mark Bagley and inks of Art Thibert create a unique artistic interpretation of Spider-Man (think Titian inked by Todd McFarlane) and Peter Parker (whose can match Mary Jane strand for strand for hair in the face). I am not sure if the credit goes to the writer or the artists, but bonus points for having saved the new and improved Electro from having to wear one of the worst costumes in the history of comic books.

Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Spider-Man's first battle with the Kingpin
Review: There are some noted examples of a writer coming in and revitalizing a comic book by tinkering with the fundamental nature of the character, as Alan Moore did with "The Swamp Thing" and Frank Miller accomplished with "Daredevil." But starting from scratch, as Marvel is attempting with "Ultimate Spider-Man" is a much rarer attempt (e.g., John Byrne starting over with Superman). However, writer Brian Michael Bendis is well aware of the high stakes game he is playing and through this second trade paperback collection of comic book stories ("Ultimate Spider-Man" issues 8-13) the results are quite admirable.

At first glance the obvious intent here is to condense the story of Spider-Man. In what we know consider Volume 1 of "The Amazing Spider-Man" Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. the Kingpin, does not show up until issue #50 (and really did not become the monolithic New York City crime boss until Miller worked the character into "Daredevil"). Here he catches Peter Parker's attention in issue #8 and it is Spider-Man's attempt to bring down the secretive crime lord that creates the story arc of this collection. This means that we get to avoid the Terrible Tinkerer and other abominations from the early years of Spider-Man under Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. On the Peter Parker side of the equation we pass Betty Bryant and Gwen Stacy and go immediately to Mary Jane Watson.

The theme of these stories is that Spider-Man, who is in point of fact almost sixteen years old, is in way over his head as a superhero. The Kingpin proves this by taking about a half dozen pages to defeat Spider-Man and toss his unconscious body out the window. Spider-Man's early attempts at crime fighter are so inept that he actually contributes to the idea that Spider-Man is a criminal, making it easy for J. Jonah Jameson to trash the hero in "The Daily Bugle." In the end it is as much Peter Parker as his alter-ego that scores an initial, tentative victory over the Kingpin; plus Spider-Man's verbal battle with the Kingpin is a minor comic (as in comedic not as in book) gem.

But Bendis is interested in doing more than creating a more streamlined version of the story of Spider-Man. In the final issue of this collection he unveils a radical change in the whole secret identity part of the character's dynamic. It will be interesting to see how this plays out (especially since it kills one of the my all-time favorite scenes from the original "Amazing Spider-Man"), but I have to admit I appreciate the character's motivation for doing so. The Spider-Man story is enough of a soap opera without resorting to the more inane traditional elements of the genre. All in all, this is a first rate retelling of the tale, enjoyable both by those who are well versed in the character and those who come to this series in the wake of the blockbuster film.

The pencils of Mark Bagley and inks of Art Thibert create a unique artistic interpretation of Spider-Man (think Titian inked by Todd McFarlane) and Peter Parker (whose can match Mary Jane strand for strand for hair in the face). I am not sure if the credit goes to the writer or the artists, but bonus points for having saved the new and improved Electro from having to wear one of the worst costumes in the history of comic books.

Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Collection
Review: This book showcases 14-27 and has spideys battle with Doc Ock(my favorite villan,kraven the hunter(if your a fan of his beware). It shows a sneak peek of ultimate sandman.Then there is the return of the green goblin and a great fight that includes nick fury and a history of Osborn. when gobby throughs M.J over the bridge you think its Gwen stacy all over again. Buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Inspired stuff
Review: When I decided to pick up the Ultimate Spider Man compilations, I did so with reservations. So many friends had praised the book, but it was hard to believe the old, tested Peter Parker could be modernized in an effective, refreshing way.

Leave it up to writer Bendis...the guy can do no wrong.

This is a spectacular (no pun intended) update on a classic hero and worth every penny. A great book for old fans and new readers, who will both be absorbed after few pages. Good stuff.

Rating:
Summary: Inspired stuff
Review: When I decided to pick up the Ultimate Spider Man compilations, I did so with reservations. So many friends had praised the book, but it was hard to believe the old, tested Peter Parker could be modernized in an effective, refreshing way.

Leave it up to writer Bendis...the guy can do no wrong.

This is a spectacular (no pun intended) update on a classic hero and worth every penny. A great book for old fans and new readers, who will both be absorbed after few pages. Good stuff.