ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #13

By: Arnold T. Blumberg
Date: Thursday, September 06, 2001

There's never been a more potent, more dazzling moment in the memory of Spider-fans than that first amazing meeting between Peter Parker and Mary-Jane Watson. When John Romita's curvy creation crooked her hand and uttered the immortal words, "Face it Tiger, you just hit the jackpot!" a generation of comic book readers gasped in astonishment. Parker had indeed hit the jackpot, and here was a vision in red tresses and tight dresses that was certainly going to rock his superhero world. A few months later, Gwen Stacy would rear her blonde head and complete the triangle as Peter contemplated which way to go. We know what happened with those three, but what if we and Peter had it to do all over again? What if Peter was a bit younger, say 15, when he first became Spider-Man? And what if Mary-Jane, or just Mary, was already his best friend in high school and he couldn't stand dissing her anymore to run off and play hero? What if, like a normal human being (albeit with the abilities of a humanoid spider), he just couldn't hold it in anymore and he had to tell someone? Wouldn't he pick Mary? And would a new generation of readers have a new moment to remember for years to come?

With a writer like Brian Michael Bendis, it's an absolute certainty. Garnering some press for his heartfelt demand that the online community not tip the revelations in this crucial issue, Bendis has brought readers through a year of the new Spider-mythos and led them to this incredible issue, kicking off a new year of excitement with a book-length conversation sure to be replayed in the minds of fans for months. Peter finally opens his heart to Mary in more ways than one, and the revelations fly. If the previous twelve issues didn't convince us that this was a whole new Spider-Man for the 21st century, then this issue puts any confusion to rest. Perhaps it's something about the romance of it all, but after a year of railing against the new continuity, this old Spider-phile couldn't help but warm up to the story in #13 and smile at its conclusion. Mr. Bendis, you had me at "Face it, Tiger."

As if all of this wasn't enough to win over a die-hard traditionalist like myself and convince me to buy into the whole ULTIMATE concept - particularly now that it's clear what it could mean for Peter Parker and his arachnid alter ego - the next issue blurb on the letters page should send a thrill down your spine it did for me. "Gwen! Stacy! Gwen Stacy!!!" it proudly proclaims. Ah, the light begins to dawn. Not for even this Spidey the clear and placid waters of romance to sail. Now that his relationship with Mary is taking the next wonderful step, it's time to introduce a third party perhaps a rival for Peter's affection? Or perhaps, just perhaps, Gwen will prove to be an annoyance rather than an attractive alternate. Who knows? And will her fate be the same as her legendary predecessor? I think I'm intrigued enough to stick around and find out. It must be the romantic in me.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN

Grade: A-

Issue: No. 13

Author(s): Brian Michael Bendis,

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Price: $2.95