Greetings Crawlspacers! Another review to yet ANOTHER great issue of Ultimate Spider-Man. So once again, USM is on the shelves the same week as ASM and Jackpot/Black Cat. We all know my concerns with the current run of ASM, and since Brad thinks I should give my thoughts on Jackpot/Black Cat because “It’s has Mary Jane in it, Chi-Town! You like Mary Jane!” here are my thoughts on it. If follows the MJ from the ASM current run and Celeste Bronfman doesn’t know anything about Mary Jane, except what editorial has told her. Hard pass and there are my thoughts on it. Thankfully I have this issue that does understand characterization to read, review, and it’s a book you really SHOULD be picking up. Let’s dive in and see what Hickman has in store for us this month!
(Writer) Jonathan Hickman
(Artist) David Messina
(Colorist) Matthew Wilson
(Letterer) VC’s Cory Petit
(Editor) Wil Moss
(EIC) C.B. Cebulski
Date Released 4/24/2024
Issue Number #4
Price Tag: $5.99
The Story: April brings double date night here in the 6160 universe. Our favorite power couple, Peter and Mary Jane Parker, are looking sharp at a fancy restaurant, waiting for their host to arrive. Cue in Harry Osborn and he introduces them to his wife, Gwen Stacy. They talk about the crazy world they live in, and Mary Jane reveals what she does for a career. The ladies decide to freshen up in the restroom (why do women always do that together?) which gives privacy time for Harry and Peter to talk superhero business. Uncle Ben and Jonah are watching the kids and it is revealed that the name of their online newspaper business will be called “The Paper”. Harry tells Peter that he must tell MJ that he’s Spider-Man because with great power comes great responsibility. After dinner, Peter and Mary Jane both agree on their impression of Harry and Gwen. MJ tells Peter that she has him in her life and that’s all the “hero” she’ll ever need.
6160 Mary Jane: Hickman establishes that Mary Jane is a model that turned into a PR Branding Manager and her latest client is Ben and Jonah’s business. I like MJ in this role, it is a step up from actress and it parallels to the Spider-Girl universe and RYV universe, where MJ is a businesswoman. Instead of what would look good on her, she’s in the career of what would look good for her clients. Let’s give guest star artist David Messina some props too. There’s a panel where she compliments Peter on how well dressed he is while smiling and biting her lower lip. For those of you who don’t know, I did a quick google search for you and when a woman does this It is often seen as a seductive gesture and can indicate that she is deeply attracted to you.
I like how he captured this emotion, which brings me to how Hickman has cemented that Peter and MJ as a loving married couple. I was hoping for more panel time with Peter and MJ and this issue doesn’t disappoint. The ending where MJ tells Peter she doesn’t need heroes because she has him, gives you the feels. Also makes you wonder if she already knows and is waiting for Peter finally tell her. More on this topic below..
With Great Power…: In this universe it appears that Harry Osborn is the one that gives Peter the famous lesson of great power and great responsibility. He brings up a con that has been bugging me since the first issue. Harry has shared his secret (being The Green Goblin) with his wife Gwen, since day one and urges Peter to come clean with Mary Jane about being Spider-Man. Not sure if Hickman is reading my reviews, but I like how one of the supporting characters in this comic is bringing it up. He merged the famous lesson for Peter to use his powers for the greater good, but also to share all secrets with his wife. Responsibility not just to being Spider-Man, but sharing that knowledge with his wife. It’s Peter’s responsibility as Mary Jane’s husband. Bravo, Hickman. Bravo.
6160 Gwen Stacy: She’s married to Harry Osborn and is CEO of a billion-dollar company, Oscorp. Like Harry, she is very concerned about what state the world is in and suspects that evil men are running the game. I mean, she’s not wrong. Hickman gives this variant a strict businesswoman vibe which can by a tad intimidating. After dinner, both Peter and MJ agreed that they were “Nice, but scary.” She also wants to know the intentions of Spider-Man and what good or bad that could bring. Harry did state that he tells his wife everything, so I’m 50/50 on whether he told her that Peter is Spider-Man. She too, could be pushing Peter to “better”. It begs the question in how much Gwen is involved with her husband’s “costume crusades” and how involved in “The Paper” she really wants to be. Also, in this universe Mary Jane is the FIRST and TRUE love of Peter Parker, since this is the first time Peter met Gwen. I just added that last part it to stick it to all Peter/Gwen shippers out there. Hickman actually makes Gwen likable in this issue. I’m okay with this, as long as someone like Debra Whitman or Carlie Cooper doesn’t show up. 🤢🤮
The Paper: Ben and Jonah’s new online business. Stick on telling people the truth about their world instead of what investors WANT you to focus on. Now that we got a bit more context on how both Harry and Gwen feel, is that “agenda driven” crusade cross the line to The Paper’s purpose. Gwen is giving out money to support the paper because this could help her and Harry’s case? Both Peter and MJ think the couple is nice, but “scary”, so how does that play into the mix? I honestly like how Hickman is planting the seeds of drama that will become a good story. We’ll see how this plays out, but I’m excited to see how Ben and Jonah are going to take this mix bag of pretzels.
Intersting things to note:
- May doesn’t like Jonah that well, which is hysterical!
- Jonah and Ben are drinking “Ultimate Beer”. Never had it myself, so how “Ultimate” are we talking about?
- Double Date is taken at a place called “33 Torre”. I did some investigation and found out the closest thing that resembles it, is a place in New York called Trattoria 35. It’s an Italian place. The deserts kind look like what Messina depicted in the panels. Now Harry says the crowd at the restaurant is “awful”, but I’m seeing really positive reviews for the staff on Trattoria 35 and the food looks great! Check it out https://www.trattoria35.com/
- “Beekay Baby” = Before Kids. I supposed “BK” would be confused with Burger King…
- Peter Parker on the subject of kids and being a parent. “It’s just the best thing ever.” Have to agree with him on that.
- When Gwen complimented Peter’s photographic skills he stated “Oh you know, I just point and shoot.” Anyone else hear Christopher Daniel Barnes voice in your head when you read that?
Grade: Giving this one an A+. It’s just good solid story telling! There is no action in this issue, but great characterization! Hickman and Messina takes us away from the heroics and portrays a human conversation that is RELATABLE! Look at the way way Messina illustrated both Mary Jane and Gwen facial expressions, Gwen played with a strand of her hair at least 3 times in this issue and MJ licking her fingers and biting her bottom lip to show real emotion during Hickman’s dialogue. In ever story their needs to be a foundation of character and growth. Hickman is delivering it in this comic and the best thing, is THAT HE’S GIVING WHAT THE FANS WANT IN A SPIDER-MAN COMIC. It reminds me of Ultimate Spider-Man (Volume 1) 13 written by Bendis and The Sensational Spider-Man Annual #1 by Matt Fraction (okay there was action in that one, barely any though.) I’m on this train if this template keeps on going it’s track and no hurdles (cough editorial cough) get in the way.
Next:
Is there a DOCTOR in the building??!!
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I loved the issue – one thing that stuck out to me was how oily MJs hair looked in the artwork. Like it was stick in the sides of her head because it was so weighed down with product. Ewww.
@Evan – I went back and saw the “stain”. To me it just looks like a shadow or smudge – maybe just a crease or fold in her jacket.
@Chi-Town: Mark told me that he was the one that taught that to you. Now I don’t know what to believe!
@Chi-Town — It’s probably just a design choice, and I’m thinking too hard. 😀
Hornacek: Who do you think TAUGHT that to Mark? That’s why he calls me his “best friend”.
Evan: Honestly, never saw the stain. I’ll need to go back and look at it.
Sort of a nitpicky question, but what’s with the stain on Gwen’s right elbow in that panel with her introduction? Is that the contour of her sleeve, a shadow, or some kind of clue suggestive of backstory or behind-the-scenes activities?
Upon first glance at the preview at the bottom, I thought Otto Octavius was J. Jonah Jameson, and then I realized he lacked the mustache.
I think it’s safe to say that this book – for at least the foreseeable future – will be “each issue takes place 1 month after the last one”. Because of that it’s giving me Life Story vibes, in that for that series I really wanted extra issues to tell me what was going on between the regular issues, and I feel the same way for this book.
I loved this issue, and felt it was a great way to bring Harry and Gwen into Peter’s – and MJ’s – world, but I would like to see what’s happening between each issue as far as Spidey-shenanigans. And that’s the sign of a good book – when you like what you get and you want more.
The whole “looking up what biting a lip means” and “looking up 33 Torre” felt like things Dark Mark would do in his reviews. I’m glad to see you taking lessons from him in your own reviews.