Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 17: Clone Saga

Book Description

As Peter Parker tries to sort out his relationship with the X-Men's Kitty Pryde - and continue his friendship with Mary Jane - a mall-food-court lunch turns into a free-for-all as Peter and MJ are interrupted by the debut of... the Ultimate Scorpion! But who is the Scorpion - and what sinister conspiracy is threatening Spider-Man's very existence? The clues have been laid over the past 96 issues... and it all starts to come together here, as we begin the most shocking, most mind-blowing Spider-Man story ever published! Collects Ultimate Spider-Man #97-104.

Customer Reviews:

things get a little nuts for Ultimate Spider-man.......2007-09-11

More than any previous TPB, the clone saga proves that the Ultimate Spider-man comics are not about regurgitating the original Spider-man characters and plots. The Scorpion and even Dock Ock featured in the Clone Saga are not at all the same characters conceived in the 1960s. The Mary Jane, Gwen Stacy, and Aunt May are also very different characters than we would expect from the mainstream Spider-man universe, and they have very different relationships with Peter Parker. This is not at all a bad thing. It means that instead of grasping at someone else's vision, Brian Michael Bendis is telling the story that to him and his present-day audience is fresh and meaningful.

Don't get me wrong, though. This is still good comic book fun, with all the ludicrous, over-the-top twists and turns the genre implies; in fact, it is even more extremely so. But if you are the kind of person that can suspend your sense of disbelief for a little bit and enjoy some pure entertainment, it doesn't get better than the Clone Saga.

Penciller Mark Bagley is in top form here--there are some truly steller panels in this TPB. As Bagley leaves Ultimate Spider-man for other projects, his contributions to Ultimate Spider-man, and especially his work in the Clone Saga, will not be forgotten.

Bendis and Bagley pour it on for issue #100 of "Ultimate Spider-Man".......2007-04-05

I approached the "Clone Saga" that makes up "Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 17" with great trepidation. After all, it was the cloning plotlines that became for me where "The Amazing Spider-Man" jumped the shark and I stopped reading it and the rest of Marvel's Spider-Man titles. Then there is the way that writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mark Bagley have consistently come up with creative twists and turns on the original Spider-Man stories, which becomes an additional concern when you are getting up to issue #100 of "Ultimate Spider-Man" because the first time around Stan Lee came up with Peter Parker creating a formula so he would no longer be Spider-Man and it backfired, ironically making him more like a spider by giving him two additional pairs of arms. So you link "Spider-Man" and "clones," and I start getting really nervous.

"Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 17: Clone Saga" collects issues #97-104 (which means it does not include #105 containing the epilogue). At this point Peter is dating Kitty Pryde and since everybody knows her identity as Shadowcat, when she is seen romantically with Spider-Man that means Kitty cannot be seen dating Peter. However, the fact that Peter is still seeing Mary Jane is driving Kitty crazy: what she calls "hanging out" he calls "going to school together." Their relationship is not helped when MJ drags Peter to the mall so they can talk and he can get back on his game and Ultimate Scorpion shows up and a fight ensues. The ante is upped considerably when Spider-man unmasks the Scorpion and sees his own face looking back at him. Meanwhile, MJ is suddenly abducted from her own bedroom. Spider-Man takes the unconscious Scorpion to the Baxter Building so that Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four can run tests. The results show a 94.2% DNA match with Peter Parker and now the fun begins in earnest.

Bendis and Bagley really pour it on in this story line. In addition to the debut of the Ultimate Scorpion we have the first appearance of the Ultimate Spider-Woman, the "return" of Gwen Stacy, and another even more surprising appearance by somebody who is supposed to be dead. When Aunt May finds Peter and the late Gwen Stacy in her kitchen you figure that things could not be getting any more complicated, but it does, and all before we actually get to issue #100. We still have Ultimate Carnage, Ultimate Six-Armed Spider-Man in a Black Costume, and Ultimate Kaine (sort of), so there are more than enough clones to shake a stick at in this story arc. The net result is, in a word, excessive. I have not yet listed all of the clones let alone all of the major players that make up the "Clone Saga." In these issues Bendis and Bagley get to one of the landmark moments in the history of Spider-Man and because it happens in the middle of everything else that is going on the effect is rather diminished. Or maybe I was just numb after reeling from all of these things being dumped on our young hero.

One of the strengths of "Ultimate Spider-Man" has been the use of multi-issue story arcs so that Bendis and Bagley do not have to come up with a different villain each month (that is how you end up with the likes of the Terrible Tinkerer). If you count multi-part stories in "The Amazing Spider-Man," the Scorpion also showed up in the 17th Spider-Man story, which was issue #20, towards the end of the second year of Lee and Steve Ditko's run on the title. Taking multiple issues to tell a story involving Spider-Man versus the Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus or whoever, allows for more depth in the story telling. Here the piling on of characters and plot lines provides a sense of density rather than depth. The "Clone Saga" is certainly ambitious, more comparable to the "Ultimate Six" mini-series than anything else, but I actually found it to be the least satisfying volume to date.

Next up is the Ultimate Knights story arc, which will be significant because it will be the last "Ultimate Spider-Man" stories drawn by Bagley, which has announced he would leaving the title with issue #110. This ends one of the longest continuous runs by a creative team on a Marvel comic book, technically beating the record set by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby on the "Fantastic Four" (I understand ignoring the "FF" annuals that would mean Bendis and Bagley fall short in number of stories, but anything in triple figures is impressive since we are talking eight-plus years of work). Of course, Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones did ten years on "Groo the Wanderer" for Marvel, but the witless barbarian was never one of the flagship characters of the company.

Average customer rating:

The Dark Age of Ultimate Spider-Man
Worst volume yet...

Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 8
Brian Michael Bendis , and Mark Bagley
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 078512604X

Book Description

This deluxe hardcover collects Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 15: Silver Sable and Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 16: Deadpool, plus extras. In Silver Sable, the head of Roxxon Oil sics the world's greatest mercenary, Silver Sable, on Spider-Man to learn why the web-spinner has targeted Roxxon on his nightly patrols. How violently Ms. Sable wants to handle the situation is strictly up to her. Spinning out of the Ultimate Spider-Man video game (written and designed by our longstanding team of Bendis and Bagley), Ultimate Silver Sable might be the most dangerous foe Spidey has ever faced! Plus: the mystery of Ultimate Omega Red! And in Deadpool, Spider-Man teams up with his new girlfriend - the X-Men's Kitty Pryde, who gets a new super-hero identity for when she's not hanging with her mutant mates! Plus: Meet the dangerous Ultimate Deadpool - and the Ultimate Reavers! It's mutant action guest-starring the Ultimate X-Men, with Spidey caught in the middle! Also featuring Ultimate Morbius! Collects Ultimate Spider-Man #86-96 and Annual #1-2.

Customer Reviews:

The Dark Age of Ultimate Spider-Man.......2007-05-07

Like the above post, this is probably the worst of all the collected volumes. Neither of the main stories are really riveting, and they really lack a lot of the characterization and good writing of previous stories. In particular, the "Deadpool" arc is not done well. While a decent crossover, it lacks the development and character depth of previous stories.

The only good part is probably that the annuals are really, really good one-off stories. To me, the real star is Annual #2, which features Daredevil, Kingpin, Captain Jean DeWolfe, Moon Knight, the Punisher, and the Ultimate Kangaroo. The pacing and multiple plots are weaved well, and it gets away from the "OMG CYBERNETIC KILLERS ON MUTANTPHOBIC ISLAND!!" and goes back to the 'Street-pounding' roots of the Spider-Man character. In the end, there is a semi-major event in the Ultimate Spider-Man Universe (At least, I felt it was a revelation).

But, probably the best part of this book is that it is the lowest part of the Ultimate Spider-man series, and it's followed by the absolutely amazing Clone Saga and the (still-ongoing) equally-awesome Ultimate Knights Saga. So for those of you who are worried that Ultimate Spider-Man is going downhill, this will only spark its revival.

Overall, I'd buy it if you're a completist, a fan of crossovers, or just looking for some mindless action. If you are just getting into Ultimate Spider-Man, this is not.

Worst volume yet..........2007-04-28

I am a huge fan of Ultimate Spider-Man, but this volume is perhaps the worst to date. It really focuses on the relationship Spider-Man has with Kitty Pride, and I found that realtionship to feel very forced upon the reader. The development is not very natural, and this fact is very distracting. It is true that some elements are nice, and the two of them seem like they could be interesting together, but the development was rushed, and the romance seemed contrived. The X-Men crossover was nice, but the Silver Sable story just didn't seem all that entrancing. Not a bad book mind you, and it is good by itself, but in light of the whole Ultimate Spider-Man legacy, this one falls short.

Average customer rating:

A must-read!
Best Spider-Man story in years
Very Good
What this is and what this isn't! Or, "How to make a quick buck if your name is Joey Q" ...
Much better than the original "clone saga"

Ultimate Spider-Man: Clone Saga
Brian Michael Bendis , and Mark Bagley
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0785126775

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

A must-read!.......2007-08-01

I won't tell you anything, as that would spoil the fun, but Ultimate Spider-Man: Clone Saga is full of action, drama and much more! A must-read!

Best Spider-Man story in years.......2007-06-12

The worst part about this story was that it took years to put together. The Venom story, the Carnage story, it all ties together in a master stroke of comic-book writing.
Brian Michael Bendis truly frightened fandom by calling this one "The Clone Saga," invoking the most talked about (mostly jeers) Spidey story in 30 years. Rest assured, this isn't your daddy's Clone Saga.

This collection is action packed, filled with Mark Bagley's beautiful artwork (one of the few artists out there born to draw Spider-Man) and BMB's fanstastic pacing, plotting and dialogue. The climax is heart stopping, seat-of-your-pants reading that left me weeping and cheering, just pages apart.

And this story IS important, it DOES count. Sweeping changes come by the end of this, including and especially changes in all of Peter's relationships.

"The Clone Saga" is exactly the kind of story every Spider-Man Fan looks for in their lifetime.

Very Good.......2007-05-30

There is nothing more reviled, nothing more revolting, to a comic fan's ears then the term "Clone Saga." The storyline that ran through the mainstream Spider-man's comcis during the mid to late 90s (never read the original clone saga, but I'm led to believe that it is not vomit-inducing like the 90s one) was such a mess. It was confusing, aggravating, and completely silly. The plot just seemed to go from outlandish to mind-numbing. Indeed, the Cone Saga is widely regarded as one of the worst storylines in comic history. So much so that even Spider-man himself makes fun of the Clone Saga (don't have any issue numbers, but Spidey fans know I speak the truth).

Which brings me to the Ultimate Clone Saga. Bendis, as always, delivers and makes even asinine sotrylines completely enthralling. While not exactly his best work, it is certainly not among his worst. Plenty of laughs, great dialogue, and surprising revelations make this a must-read for Spider-man fans.

What this is and what this isn't! Or, "How to make a quick buck if your name is Joey Q" ..........2007-05-27

Patience, fanboys! Just because this is a $30 hardcover doesn't mean it's the one people are needing to continue their collection. For one thing it is unnumbered. For another it is 1/2 inch shorter and 1/2 inch less wide and 50 to 100 pages thinner than the other USM hardcovers! In my opinion, this was pushed out to stores so it would be on the shelves once Spider-Man 3 hit theatres. Which it is, and it's selling.

BUT WAIT ... I am pretty sure that this is one of the releases that are often referred to as a "Marvel Premiere" Hardcover, which is an early-bird edition of an upcoming trade, in this case the Vol. 17 Clone Saga trade.

In my opinion, the Volume 9 oversized hardcover will come out, late summer or fall, and will of course contain these issues as well as the final Mark Bagley issues, of which there will only be 5 1/2 more (he will leave after pencilling part of #111). In this way the first 9 oversized hardcovers, or the first 18 TPBs, will give collectors the complete Brian Bendis / Mark Bagley run on Ultimate Spider-Man! But you have to wait another few months!

Buy this if you really need to immediately read a Bendis version of the storyline that almost ruined Marvel a decade ago. But it is not "Volume 9" folks, or they'd have slapped a 9 on the dust jacket somewhere.

Much better than the original "clone saga".......2007-05-27

The original Spider-Man Clone Saga was one of the most fan-hated story arcs in the history of Spider-Man. So attempting to do an Ultimate version of this would be tricky at best. But they pull it off wonderfully. This was a spectacular story arc, filled with twists.
I don't want to go into the story too much, because the element of surprise is this collection's greatest strength.
Suffice it to say, if you enjoy Ultimate Spider-Man, this is definately something you want to buy.

Average customer rating:

Awesome comic!
Graphic SF Reader
love it!!!!!!!
even yo mama would love ultimate spidey...
BRING ON THE VENOM!!!!

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 6: Venom
Brian Michael Bendis
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785110941

Book Description

After reuniting with his childhood friend Eddie Brock, Peter Parker discovers a terrible secret about their fathers' past a secret which quickly results in a confrontation with Venom, Spider-Man's evil, dark twin.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome comic!.......2007-09-25

This is the best Ultimate Spider-Man story yet! Venom is reinvented Ultimate style and he's never been better. Lots of action and heart in this one. Check it out.

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Young Spidey is having it tough. His aunt has some old videotapes of his parents, and he finds one with Eddie Brock on it, a friend of his when he was a young kid.

He goes and talks to him, and finds out he has some of the parental research going.

Hey presto, crazy dna venom-suit. Spidey doesn't keep it long as he almost kills someone.

Eddie, who he finds out via Gwen is really a 'dirtbag' as she put it, is not quite so picky.

love it!!!!!!!.......2007-05-23

venom is like,my favorite spidey villan,so i expected this to be a great comic. and it certainly delivers!from spidey finding his childhood friend,to spidey wearing the suit,and finally eddie getting the venom suit.
it has great artwork(as always)depicts venom very well.it also shows how peter trys to pick up his fallen relationship with mj.i think that any spidey fan would love this comic!

even yo mama would love ultimate spidey..........2007-02-02

ultimate spider-man by bendis and bagley is one of the best series out there. not as much action and non-stop bad guy fighting, but a good mix of that and a lot of peter parker being a teenager with problems (girls, bullies, being grounded, etc.) along with his spidey life.
the series is great great great. only a few minor things that could be better:
1. i don't like how nick fury comes in and tells spider-man he's going to work his whole life for him and shield. the idea of peter being...trapped in a web? haha...well it isn't too cool. superheroes need to fight the good fight because they want to, not because shield will go and take away their superpowers (as fury has threatened) if they don't comply. plus the issues where the ultimates come in aren't that great, the whole series gets hijacked by them and not a lot of spidey. imo, the ultimates are easily the worst part of the ultimate universe. beyond ultimate spider-man and the ultimate fantastic four the ultimate universe isn't too great.
2. bendis needs to cut down on the tuchas talk. seriously if parker grew up in nyc today he'd more likely speak spanglish than yanglish.
3. geldoff.

BRING ON THE VENOM!!!!.......2006-07-28

That was flippin' awesome! Venom is AMAZING!

So what if he's a failed cure for cancer? They did a FANTASTIC job with the story! The only downside is: If you want all your questions answered, you gotta play the Ultimate Spider-Man video game.

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 3: Double Trouble

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
Doc Ock + Kraven= Brilliant!
In Love With Comics Again
ugh
Spider-Man takes on Doctor Octopus and Kraven the Hunter

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 3: Double Trouble
Brian Michael Bendis
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785108793

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Spider-Man, while supposed to be younger here, of course, almost looks like you took McFarlane's version and locked him in a cupboard for 2 weeks and didn't let him eat.

Plenty of big eyes for the young manga-like loving kiddies too, seems to have worked.

Some fun bits, Gwen Stacy seems to have stepped out of a gang, and they threw in a Jenny Sparks joke.

Kraven the Crocodile Hunter, and the dacking of Doc Ock.

Overall, not too bad, but not a style I like much.

Doc Ock + Kraven= Brilliant!.......2005-07-13

This review is for Ultimate Spider-Man vol. 3 paperback edition: Double Trouble

Doctor Octopus has long been one of Spider-Man's greatest villains, and this volume sees his entrance into the Ultimates world. Horribly disfigured after his accident in Osborn lab's in volume one, Otto Octavius insane and out for blood. Add into the mix, Kraven, who fancies himself the world's ultimate hunter, and his new prey is Spider-Man.

Once again, Bendis bring his best game when scripting this book. The writing is wonderful, the characters very real and very human. His take on Gwen Stacy is very unlike mainstream Gwen Stacy but the result is a very likable character. His approach to Mary Jane and Peter's relationship is also very teenage and appealing.

Bagley and Thibert's pencils are nice, and appropriate to the book, though the character's are a little wide eyed at times, and their take on Doc Ock's body didn't mesh with my personal image of the character.

This is the perfect Ultimate Spider-Man graphic to buy for someone who has seen Spider-Man 2 and wants to read a comic with Doc Ock in it. This book is also appropriate for all ages and for comic collectors and newcomers alike.

This volume reprints Ultimate Spider-Man #14-21. Highest recommendations!

In Love With Comics Again.......2003-09-11

The Ultimate Spider-Man series is the best thing that has happened to comics in a long time. I love what Bendis and the crew have done with my favorite web-slinger. I get done reading a few pages and just smile. The artwork in this series is pure and clean. I can't see any way to make it any better except to keep the issues coming. Gwen was always the one I wanted for Pete, even though MJ is the best. I hope this time around Gwen is here to stay.

ugh.......2003-08-28

I started loosing interst in the newer spider man books after this comic, i found a disturbance with the second one that was more artist than story but volume 3's story is cheezy but spider man is still the man, even if they try to change his persona and twist the story.

Spider-Man takes on Doctor Octopus and Kraven the Hunter.......2003-04-05

Just when I thought the game plan of the "Ultimate Spider-Man" with regards to the love life of his alter-ego Peter Parker was to go directly to Mary Jane Watson, passing Betty Bryant and Gwen Stacy, when scribe Brian Michael Bendis drops the later into the action. This version of Gwen is big on the mascara and perfectly willing to pull a switchblade on a bully, both of which are completely valid reasons for Peter to have his eyes pop out of his head when he looks at her. Not even her police Captain father can reign in this blonde tornado.

At this point in the comic book the stage is merely being set for the impending love triangle, but I have to tell you that what is happening here is clearly a take off on "Dawson's Creek." Seriously. Peter is Dawson, Mary Jane is Joey, and Gwen is Jen (No, Flash is not Pacey; Kong is closer to being Pacey than Flash, but Peter Parker does not have a friend, which means Harry is not Pacey either). This should prove to be interesting, especially given that Mary Jane already know's Peter's big secret. But at this point the main problem is that Aunt May has an over inflated opinion about her nephew's love life. Yes, things might actually be worse for our hero this time around.

The title of "Double Trouble" has to do with the fact that in this collection of "Ultimate Spider-Man" #14-21, Spider-Man has not one but two villains after him (I was going to say two super villains, but that would not be the case). The new and improved bad guys this time around are Doctor Octopus, who has come out of his coma to discover his tentacles are fused to his skin, and Kraven the Hunter, who is now a reality television star from Down Under. Clearly, the more you know about the original Spider-Man comics and his various foes the more you will enjoy Bendis's refinements and provocative changes. At the end of this collection Spider-Man enjoys his biggest moment in the sun since the spider bit him, which quickly follows with a particularly low moment for Peter. Even when we think we know the rules of the game, Bendis continues to surprise us.

"Double Trouble" is the third trade paperback collection of "Ultimate Spider-Man" comics, which re-imagines the webhead as a younger Peter Parker trying to learn the ropes of being a superhero. But for those who read the first couple hundred issues of the original "Amazing Spider-Man" this is a hyper retelling of the tale. Forget all the ... superheroes Spidey had to fight with; this time around the focus is on the best and the baddest. The biggest difference between these first 21 issues of "Ultimate Spider-Man" and the original comic is that a single issue is no longer a complete story; it takes eight issues for the conflict between Spidey and Doc Ock to develop and be resolved. Consequently, we have the rather paradoxical fact that things are happening much faster for Spider-Man in this retelling of the tale while taking longer to develop. I continue to be impressed by this brilliant "re-imagining," which is drawn by Mark Bagley with inks by Art Thibert and Erik Benson.

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader

Ultimate Spider-Man

fun, diverting update of the story: nothing revolutionary

Outstanding

good spider-man collection...

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1: Power and Responsibility
Brian Michael Bendis
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 2: Learning Curve

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 3: Double Trouble

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 4: Legacy

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 5: Public Scrutiny

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 6: Venom

ASIN: 078510786X

Book Description

The comic book publishing event of 2000 is coming to your bookstore.

Ultimate Spider-Man received extensive press coverage and was the highest selling comics launch of the year. It is the reinterpretation of Spider-Man's origin, updated for today's tweens and teens. Starting over at the beginning, the story of how a tortured teen is imbued with startling powers, has been completely re-imagined to appeal to the hi-tech, media savvy youth of today.

In the process, great steps were taken to make the unfolding saga reader-friendly to the non-comics reader. "Our characters have been around for almost 40 years," explained Bill Jemas, Marvel`s President of Publishing and New Media, explaining the reasoning behind Ultimate Spider-Man. "It's great that our comics are so rich that storylines run forever, but we want the Ultimate books to be accessible to the first-time reader. Someone will be able to pick up an issue of Ultimate Spider-Man and have enough information to understand and appreciate it."

An outsider even amongst his own peers, high school student Peter Parker is a young man at the crossroads of destiny. Orphaned as a youth and raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May, Peter finds himself the target of a constant barrage of pranks perpetrated by school jock Flash Thompson and his burly bud, nicknamed Kong. After Peter is bitten by an experimental spider from the laboratory of Osborn Industries, industrialist Norman Osborn takes a deadly interest in this development. Will Peter be able to avoid a violent case of corporate downsizing? When backed into a corner, will our hero learn that with great power there must come great responsibility?

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A Spider-Man reboot. A young Spidey gains his powers by being bitten by an enhanced Spider on a tour of Osborn Industries.

Otherwise, this is mostly the same, except for Peter has a girlfriend to start with who thinks he is hot, and Norman Osborn, trying the process that made Peter Spider-Man, turns himself into a monster.

Ultimate Spider-Man.......2007-08-06

This is great book. I recently got interested in comics, and I thought I might give this one a try. I read through it and by the end I knew I needed to get vol. 2 Learning Curve. Although it's not my favorite Ultimate Spider-Man, it's definitely a ggreat start. I would reccemend this book to new comic book readers who are looking for a place to start.

fun, diverting update of the story: nothing revolutionary.......2007-07-17

This isn't exactly your parents' Spider-man: no radioactive spider, yes internet, Uncle Ben has a ponytail. But in general, it's the basic Spider-man origin story: bitten by Mr. Osborne's experimental spider, Peter Parker develops the skills. Mr. Osborne injects himself with something and turns into a Goblin. Fight.

Even though this isn't going to turn your ideas of Spider-man upside down (like Batman: The Dark Knight Returns did), the art is good and the story is engaging. I haven't read the original Spider-man, but the story here largely parallels that of the Tobey Maguire movie. I totally look forward to reading Volume 2.

Outstanding.......2007-05-13

If you love The Amazing Spider-Man, or you are just looking to get into spiderman comics, then you will love this. I couldn't help but read it in one sitting, and once i finished it, i wanted the second volume right away. Im not really a big, buy every issue of a comic book, thats why these volumes work extremely well.

good spider-man collection..........2007-01-21

1. i don't like the ultimate universe idea at all. i dislike the infinite earths dc junk also. when you have iconic characters i don't think it's good to confuse the average non-comics fan (or even the average comics fan) with earth-2 superman, superboy prime, ultimates nick fury, etc. they water down the legacy and the impact of the great classic storylines and characters.
2. despite the above, this is a pretty nice comics collection. it's a good read, but just don't confuse the alternative ultimate universe with the real 616 universe.

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
kitty pryde...cooler than mj!
ONE OF THE BEST ULTIMATE STORIES EVER!!!!!
He's baaaaccckkkkkkk!
A great read (as comic books go)

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 4: Legacy
Brian Michael Bendis , and Mark Bagley
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785109684

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Here, Harry Osborn is back at school. His father is not a nice crazy green mini-hulk kind of guy. Nick Fury puts in an appearance at Peter's high school at tells young Spidey they are watching the whacko.

They are illegally spying on him and know that he has threatened violence and mayhem and murder, but they are waiting for him to do it publicly with evidence, so web-boy is on his own until then.

kitty pryde...cooler than mj!.......2007-02-02

ultimate spider-man by bendis and bagley is one of the best series out there. not as much action and non-stop bad guy fighting, but a good mix of that and a lot of peter parker being a teenager with problems (girls, bullies, being grounded, etc.) along with his spidey life.
the series is great great great. only a few minor things that could be better:
1. i don't like how nick fury comes in and tells spider-man he's going to work his whole life for him and shield. the idea of peter being...trapped in a web? haha...well it isn't too cool. superheroes need to fight the good fight because they want to, not because shield will go and take away their superpowers (as fury has threatened) if they don't comply.
2. bendis needs to cut down on the tuchas talk. seriously if parker grew up in nyc today he'd more likely speak spanglish than yanglish.
3. geldoff.

ONE OF THE BEST ULTIMATE STORIES EVER!!!!!.......2005-08-01

The Ultimate version of Spidey tackles Norman Osbourn/Green Goblin, and makes one heck of a story! A must own for Spider-Fans everywhere!

He's baaaaccckkkkkkk!.......2005-07-14

This review is for Ultimate Spider-Man vol. 4 paperback edition: Legacy

You can never keep a good villain down. That's true for all comic book worlds, including Ultimates, which is why Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin makes his return in this addition to the Ultimate Spider-Man library. Far more twisted and evil than in volume 1, Norman is determined to either own or destroy Peter. Nor is Norman Osborn the only threat presented. Nick Fury, of Ultimates fame, makes his presence known to our favorite wall crawler, upping the level of danger for all involved. The end of the original Goblin is slightly different than in original continuity, and more touching in my humble opinion.

Bendis continues to grow and improve with his characterization as he makes these very classic characters his own. The dialog is flawless, appropriate, and flowing as always. His way of showing the madness in Osborn is brilliant, and must be seen. Once you've read those pages, re-read them. It's worth the time and it's too much to take in at once. Bendis is one of the most beloved and well known writers in the comic book industry for a reason, this volume showcases his talents well.

Bagley and Thibert also continue to grow and find their own take on the characters. Their rendition of the Green Goblin is horrible, interesting, and chilling. The human characters are marvelously human, which doesn't happen much in comics anymore.

While this volume can be read alone, I recommend having read at least vol. 1 before. It is appropriate for all ages, and is enjoyable for newcomers and seasoned collectors alike.

This volume reprints Ultimate Spider-Man issues #22-27. Highest recommendations!

A great read (as comic books go).......2005-02-20

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).

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 9: Ultimate Six

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
What happened to the action and the drawings?
ultimate spidey
Great read which actually offers clever villains.
Good action...after a LOT of talk

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 9: Ultimate Six
Brian Michael Bendis , Trevor Hairsine , Mark Bagley , and Joe Quesada
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785113126

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-04

Nick Fury has the Green Goblin, Kraven the Hunter, Electron, the Sandman, and Doctor Octopus locked up so he can study them, and have Henry Pym try and work out how they can do something useful with them.

Very bad idea.

This is really an Ultimates book, with Spider-Man guest starring.

Neither the President or Captain America is very happy with what is going on after much destruction and death.

What happened to the action and the drawings?.......2007-04-19

I am a huge fan of Spider-Man of all the series. I wanted to read this book 'cause it looked cool. I was very disapointed. The drawings were horrible. They all looked like a 14 drew them. Second all there basically was, was talk. No action except at the very beginning and end. If you don't read this book you are not missing much.

ultimate spidey.......2007-02-02

Great read which actually offers clever villains........2006-01-10

First off,many of the readers who seemed disappointed with this are mostly fans of the Ultimate Spider-Man comic book.The style is very different and is better suited for fans of The Ultimates.

I actually bought this entire mini in comic form last week and was really impressed.There's good pacing here and little action outbursts and nice splash pages to keep the action hungry satisfied.The art is great,especially during the climactic battle on the White House lawn.Hairsine delivers the goods with lots of details and amazing panels to leave you drueling.

One thing about Bendis' style is that he features alot of dialogue.And most of the time,it's a good thing mostly used for set-up and characterization.This is meant to be a big-time showdown between a team of heroes and baddies.But as generic as it sounds,Bendis make things alot more thick and gives it more depth than that.If you have read The Ultimates,you will have a better understanding of many of the government aspects going on here,but even if you haven't,it's quite easy to comprehend.The villains here,especially Osborne and Octavius,are portrayed as intelligent scientists who hunger for nothing but revenge and power.Their motives are quite clear,and nothing too out of this world or far fetched.

This is a truly entertaining super-hero epic from Marvel's Ultimate line.This would be a great book to read for those looking to get back into comics.It might be wise to read some volumes of Ultimate Spidey and The Ultimates first,but even if you haven't,it's still an awesome read.I myself don't read USM and still understood what was going on.This book is highly recommended for anyone looking for a good epic super-hero read.

I also recommend
The Ultimates:Super Human,The Ultimates:Homeland Security,and The Ultimates:Gods and Monsters if you liked this.

Good action...after a LOT of talk.......2005-08-23

Nick Fury of S.H.E.I.L.D. and his Ultimates (Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Wasp, Giant Man, Hawkeye and Black Widow) have rounded up five of the most dangerous mutants around, and have them locked up together. There's a war coming, and Fury wants whatever secrets they have. But, in putting Dr. Octopus, the Green Goblin, Sandman, Electro and Kraven the Hunter all together, he might just end up with a war right now. And, if its one thing that these villains have in common it's Spiderman.

I must say that I have some mixed feelings about this graphic novel. The action is pretty darn good, but it takes a while to get to it. My twelve-year-old son started reading this book, but he got bored with all of the scenes of people sitting around talking, and finally just gave up. It's filled with a lot of angst, as modern comic books are - is Nick Fury a good guy or a bad guy? what's the American government up to? and who is really creating all of the mutants and why? Captain America walks around with a permanent scowl on his face.

But, that said, I did enjoy the book. It has excellent illustration work, great action, and lots of heroes and villains. Overall, I give it a somewhat guarded recommendation.

Average customer rating:

Hobgoblin attacks...
great read!
Disappointing

Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 7
Brian Michael Bendis , and Mark Bagley
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 078512148X

Book Description

This deluxe hardcover collects Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 13: Hobgoblin and Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 14: Warriors, plus extras. In Hobgoblin, it's the terrifying debut of the Ultimate Hobgoblin as Harry Osborn returns to Midtown High harboring a dark secret that will affect the lives of all those around him - especially his best friend, Peter Parker. And where does Harry's father - Norman Osborn, a.k.a. the Green Goblin - fit into all this? And in Warriors, the Gang War to end all Gang Wars begins! The Kingpin is in retreat, and that kind of a power vacuum won't last long. It's about to be filled by a figure of unabashed dread in the underworld: Hammerhead! Plus: the Ultimate debuts of several Marvel characters, including Moon Knight! And Spidey thinks he's had trouble before... but nothing has ever made him declare, "Peter Parker no more!" Collects Ultimate Spider-Man #72-85.

Customer Reviews:

Hobgoblin attacks..........2007-04-28

Like most of the Ultimate Spider-Man volumes, this is excellent. If you are looking to continue with you Ultimate collection, then you wont want to miss this volume. If you are new to the series, you can start here and work your way back. Either way, this is a great volume.

great read!.......2007-01-12

Like the title says, "GREAT READ!" I can't wait for the next one!

Disappointing.......2006-11-03

I've been on board since the first hard cover Ultimate Spider-Man appeared, and I have bought them all sight-unseen. So far they have been very good. Well, until now. This volume was, in a word, disappointing.
The volume itself is still beautifully made, but the stories themselves left a bad taste in my mouth. Firstly it opens with a piece of newly created history that made no sense. I have no idea what this was done. It seemed so unnecessary, and just seemed an easy way to get the break-up that was so obviously coming. Secondly it was made clear that, in this world, nine months have gone past. Ultimate Spider-Man 1 came out in 2002. We've been reading this for four years, but only nine months of story time has gone past. I'm beginning to wonder if Peter is ever going to grow up. Given the emphasis on his youth and inexperience, I doubt it. This, for me, is a real problem. I liked he fact that Peter was young, and seeing the problems he was having trying to be a super-hero while in High school, but it is getting tired.
Having said all that, within this volume there are some great moments, and I found myself really enjoying parts of it. It's just the overall flavour and direction that I found less than enthralling.
The extras on this one are a bit lame. We get bios on the characters. While this is nice, it's nothing like as good as the discussions and explanations we got from the creators in the previous volumes.
I think this may be the last volume I buy (but I reserve the right to change my mind when 8 comes out :-) ).

Average customer rating:

YEAH!
Worth the price of admission.
The death of Gwen Stacy in the Ultimate Spider-Man universe
No direction for the stories
Good, but no classic

Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 6
Brian Michael Bendis , and Mark Bagley
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0785118411

Book Description

One of the most ruthless villains in the history of the Marvel Universe - the fan-favorite Carnage - gets the Ultimate treatment! And though young Peter Parker has proven himself time and time again on the field of battle, can even he hope to defeat this heartless killing machine? Also, a bizarre occurrence brings Spider-Man and Wolverine together for the weirdest team-up in super-hero history! As the two struggle to get to the bottom of this mystery, their lives literally unravel. Why are both heroes too concerned with their own lives to work together? Plus: Johnny Storm realizes that despite his new flame powers and fame on the horizon, he still doesn't have a high-school diploma. And where does the young New Yorker enroll? Why, none other than a certain Queens high school that also counts one Peter Parker - Spider-Man - as a student. Collects Ultimate Spider-Man #60-71.

Customer Reviews:

YEAH!.......2007-01-12

Still great! Some brute stuff in this one and great new twsits to the story.

Worth the price of admission........2006-01-24

Just the fact that this is Bendis and Ultimate Spider-Man means I can't give this any less than 4 stars. I'm not a huge fan of the Carnage storyline, and I felt like they just threw Gwen's death in there for shock value. Unfortunately, I wasn't all that shocked or saddened by it. Still, it's worth the price of admission.

The second half of this collection is great reading. If it were just the second half of the book I'm rating, it'd get 5 stars. The 2-part Logan/Peter body switch story was the highlight of the book. It's hit or miss, but I thought it was hilarious. Another good story is when Johnny Storm goes to Peter's high school. I'm a big fan of 1-to-2-issue stories, so Ultimate Spider-Man v.6 HC left a good taste in my mouth.

Until Ultimate Spider-Man gets cancelled, Make Mine Marvel!

The death of Gwen Stacy in the Ultimate Spider-Man universe.......2006-01-16

Overall, "Ultimate Spider-Man" is my favorite Spider-Man comic book right now. It has been interesting to see how writer Brian Michael Bendis, penciler Mark Bagley, and inker Scott Hanna has altered familiar plot lines and characters, which is why I think veteran Spider-Man fans get to enjoy these stories more than newbies. "Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 6" collects issues #60-71 of the comic book, which includes the five-part "Carnage" story and its "Detention" epilogue, along with the three pairs of issues making up the "Superstars" collection of stories.

The Carnage story line combines the creation of Venom with the fate of Gwen Stacy. Already abandoned by her mother, when Captain Stacy dies Gwen moves in with Aunt May and Peter, where the troubled teenage tomboy finds a home. Gwen had recently discovered that Peter was Spider-Man and had come to terms with the fact that it was a thief, dressed as Spider-Man, who was responsible for her father's death. Meanwhile, when Spider-Man gets hurt in a fight he visits Curt Connor (a.k.a. the Lizard) for some doctoring. After Spider-Man leaves, Connor examines the web-head's blood and discovers that its DNA sequencing is amazing and might constitute a real breakthrough in genetics. Connor wants to run some experiments to see if this could lead to curing illness and fighting diseases. Peter gives his permission and two months late Carnage is born.

In the original Spider-Man comics, Carnage was created when the alien symbiote that bonded with Eddie Brock (a.k.a. Venom) left behind a "child" to bond with Brock's cellmate Cletus Kasady. But in this storyline Venom was created by the fathers of Peter Parker and Eddie Brock when they were looking for a biological cure for cancer, so there is a twist to Carnage's "identity," that makes for a nice payoff. But most of this story has to do with Carnage escaping Connor's laboratory and leaving a path of desiccated corpses as he hunts down Spider-Man. When the creature arrives at the Parker home the only one he finds there is Gwen. Unhappy endings are a major part of the Spider-Man mythos, but the story arc contained in "Carnage" is a real downer. Having Gwen's death set in high school actually makes it worse, even if there was not a romance between Peter and Gwen in this universe.

When Peter confronts Connor over what has happened Carnage shows up and has to be dealt with as well. But can Peter do what has to be done and with the death of another person that he loves, can he go on being Spider-Man? It is in this context they work in the "Spider-Man no more" element and make it resonate a lot more than before. The epilogue, "Detention," is where MJ finds out why Flash keeps making jokes about Gwen's death and Peter reveals what he really thinks about Flash and his friends. This comic book takes the idea that the characters are still in high school a lot more seriously than they did back in the Lee & Ditko glory years.

"Superstars" is unusual in that the issues do not represent one major story arc against a particular villain. Instead you have a trio of two part stories pairing up Spider-Man with other Marvel superheroes in the Ultimate universe. First up, the weirdest Ultimate Spider-Man story to date. When you see that the two issues are entitled "Even We Don't Believe This" (#66) and "Jump the Shark" (#67) those are your first clues that this story is, to put it mildly, out there. Brian Bendis the writer of the comic book even shows up, so to speak, to warn the reader that this is not a classic superhero story. The hook will either sell you or repel you: Peter Parker and Logan wake up and discover they have switched bodies. That means Wolverine's alter-ego is dealing with Aunt May, Mary Jane, and high school while Spider-man is trying not to freak out because there are claws popping out of his hands. The intent here is to be funny and I think they pull it off, mainly because the humor is character driven.

"Popular" (#68) and "Meet Me" (#69) has the other members of the Fantastic Four (who have yet to appear in public in the Ultimate universe) convincing Johnny Storm that he has to go back to high school and get his diploma while keeping his flame power a secret. It would be interesting to see which would be harder to Johnny when he enrolls at Midtown High, where Peter Parker goes to school. At a beach party at Coney Island, Johnny accidentally flames on and the payoff is that Spider-Man shows up to have a talk with the Human Torch. Having been dictated to by Nick Fury about what his life as a super-powered character will be, Spider-Man finally gets to talk with somebody in a similar situation. Unlike a previous conversation with the X-Men, this one gets a bit more personal.

"Strange" (#70-71) sets up the next major "Ultimate Spider-Man" story arc. Peter and Mary Jane's relationship is going so well they decided to treat themselves to dinner at an exclusive Manhattan restaurant. But because he goes along with "Daily Bugle" reporter Ben Urich on an assignment to interview Dr. Stephen Strange, Peter suddenly finds himself trapped in a nightmare that distorts reality. The Master of the Mystic Arts, who is no longer a stuffed shirt in the Ultimate universe, has to do most of the work in this one while Spider-Man deals with the nightmares, but there is an important development here that will be significant in the next storyline since Peter is now convinced that because she knows his secret, Mary Jane is going to end up dead. These are three totally different types of stories and make for a nice buffer between Spider-Man having to deal with Venom killing Gwen and facing Harry Osborn as the Hobgoblin in the next story arc.

No direction for the stories.......2005-10-23

I think that most writers have a burnout where they just can't come up with an original story line. I suspect that this is the problem with these stories. After re-inventing Spiderman and his support cast, they ran out of steam. They re-examine the character and his opponents, give a slightly more realist approach to their creation and motivations, and turn them loose. But they're beginning to run out of "new slant on an old face" ideas. Hopefully they will begin to go in their own direction, like the other "Ultimate" story lines have gone.

Good, but no classic.......2005-10-20

Ultimate Spider-man 6 is another fine collection of the comic, but it felt a little weak. The Carnage story was a prequel, not the real thing (I am guessing). The thing Spidey fights is not really Carnage, as it has no real intelligence, it just kills to survive. So, while it wreaks havoc, it does not feel truly evil like some of the other villains. My guess is that the "real" Carnage will appear in the future, something the story definitely sets up.
There are some good parts in this edition, with some strong emotion and some good characterizations. The Spider-man/Wolverine story is cute, but a definite throw away. I really liked the little disclaimers at the start of the two editions that make it up.
The final story, bringing Dr. Strange into the mix, was very disappointing. Which brings me to my major criticism of the series in general: there is a lot of good character development amongst the leads (though they seem to have stalled in the growth process. Is Peter intending to stay 15 forever?), but the villains get very little air-time when they are not fighting Spider-man. Dr. Strange falls squarely into this category.
Norman Osborne, and Otto Octavius had a good treatment in their stories, showing us some of their decline into madness, but we don't get to see much of the other villains. Venom is a great example. When Eddie becomes a screaming, slathering monster, there seems to be no reason for it. Electro, Sandman, Dr. Strange, all seems to be flat.
If the comic was not so well written for the main characters, I don't think I would notice the lack of bad guy characterization (and I wouldn't be buying these books), but I do. I hope some more time can be spent in the future, really bringing the villains to life.
As for this volume, once again it is missing anything major by way of extras, and this I am really missing. I liked the stories, but there was a definite drop from the heights Volumes 1 and 4 achieved.
(3.5 stars)

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