Yet to be determined column title. . .

Wherein I review a comic book that came out this week. Sometimes it’ll be something that I’m reading at the moment, and sometimes it’ll be something I just decide to try on a whim. This week, let’s talk. . . .

Spider-Men #3

Spider-Men is a five-issue limited series that brings together Spider-Man (Peter Parker, the regular old Spidey you know and love) and the Ultimate Universe version of Spider-Man (Miles Morales, the new kid). Previously, Parker found himself sucked into this alternate Ultimate Universe, met Miles during the obligatory “let’s fight and then be friends” scene, and then was about to find out if he was supposed to be dead here when Mysterio (or something like him, read on) blew their helicopter out of the sky.

Now, this being issue #3, it pretty much does it’s job. It wraps up Act II, in which the two Spider-Men have to deal with the threat of a Mysterio avatar or robot or some such that Mysterio is actually controlling via virtual reality, and sets the stage for Act III in which Peter Parker learns how he dies in this alternate universe and ends up going to see Aunt May and Gwen Stacy, who are understandably shocked by his presence. The bulk of the issue itself is a long battle sequence between the Spideys and Mysterio, and it’s pretty awesome. . .

. . . based in large part on the wonderful art of Sara Pichelli. I had heard the name and was aware of her as a penciller, but this is the first book I’ve really followed with her art, and it’s just superb. We all know how much better comics are when the art is really really good, and it’s one of the best parts of this book, month in and month out. The battle revolves around Mysterio creating the illusion of all of these villains fighting the Spider-Men, and therefore we’re treated to Pichelli’s versions of Venom, Hulk, Lizard, et al and it makes for great comics. And the second half of the book, featuring Peter Parker Spidey in a convenience store, and the emotion of the end of the issue, is just as awesome and enjoyable. The art here is just that good, and has failed to disappoint at any time.

Speaking of this second half, it’s the beginning of our Act III, when Parker learns how he dies in this universe. Really, there’s not much story here til the second half, as the first half is just a big fight. Kinda “by-the-books” crossover stuff, but I’ll let it slide. Bendis has handled Parker’s whole “is this real?” sensibility pretty well in this book thus far (with Mysterio in the mix, you never really know), and this is the moment it’s all been leading to since he found out that everyone here seems to know that Peter Parker was Spider-Man and he might be dead. Three issues in and Parker still doesn’t really know if this is all reality or just some sort of head trip, but when what should be his apartment is a convenience store, it starts to come together. There’s a classic Spidey scene where the clerk asks if he’s going to buy something, and he points out he has “No pockets. No money.” and then asks the clerk if her iPad has wi-fi, foils a robbery attempt in the next three panels, and then asks if the iPad gets a signal in the building without missing a beat. It reminded me of reading Spidey when I was younger, and makes for a fun read. But, it then turns pretty serious as Parker learns the truth and the issue ends with a stunned May and Gwen when Peter shows up on their doorstep.

Notice I said Parker learns the truth; the reader doesn’t. It’s just supposed to be understood (though it may be fleshed out in the next issue), and since I wanted to know how Spidey died, I had to go visit the Ultimate Spidey Wikipedia page. Truth is, this series has really intrigued me as to this Miles Morales kid and what he’s got going on as Spider-Man in the Ultimate Comics universe. Not intrigued enough to go buy the books (maybe a volume one trade or something), but I like the fact that he has a slightly altered power set and seems to be really doing his own thing. But this has been Peter’s story from the get-go, and I’ve liked that about it. If you’re a fan of both books, chances are you’re just loving this series, but it’s been accessible enough for people like me who hadn’t read an issue of anything Spider-Man is years, and it’s been quite good to boot.

In summary, the story moves right along after the big battle scene, and is entertaining and funny in true Spidey fashion, and the art is just ridiculous. Given our ending here, business will certainly be picking up in issue #4, and we’ll start to get into what it’s like to be in a world where you’re supposed to be dead and everything is changed (keep in mind, there’s really no way of knowing if Peter can ever go back to his reality, though I’m sure it’ll work out). In fact, every issue has left me looking forward to the next, and isn’t that what comics are supposed to do on some level? I give it four stars out of five.