Ultimate Spider-Man #6 (2024) Review

Background – The family finally finds out and it goes better than expected. The fight? Not so much.

Writing – This issue has two storylines, one told as a flashback.

The family: Well, May was bound to slip up sometime. She accidently blurts out Peter is a superhero after he walks into breakfast with a totally bruised face. What’s great about this scene is that Peter doesn’t get upset or disappointed with May. In fact, he seems a little relieved. This is a Peter Parker that will always put his family’s well being over his own.

What’s even better is how Mary Jane and Peter are written. Over the last 16 years, we fans have been browbeaten with the fact that Peter and MJ don’t belong together and even when they are together, something is going to pull them apart. With this issue, I think it’s been made very clear that these two have a VERY strong marriage. According to MJ, she wasn’t even mad. She was more proud and impressed than anything else. Months ago, she told him in so many words to find what makes him happy. Peter did, and MJ couldn’t be more supportive if she tried. While I don’t think this is what she had in mind, she’s happy for her husband.

Peter, Harry, and Wilson: Well, that did not go like our heroes thought it would. Wilson Fisk has always been a physically imposing villain, but rarely has he taken violence into his own hands (unless it’s Daredevil). Actually, outside of the “Back In Black” fight, I don’t can’t remember a time in the last few decades when Wilson physically got involved with Peter. What’s even more interesting is that Wilson has gained powers (or at least I think he did. That isn’t made entirely clear.) Spouting what could be called tribal tattoos, The Kingpin beats the snot out of both Harry and Peter, with Harry coming out the worse of the two.

It’s obvious after this fight that Harry is still a rich kid playing in a world he just does not understand. It’s nice that he wants to avenge his father, but after this fight, it’s clear he may not be up to the task. He spent the fight either being completely ineffective, terrified, or being pummeled by a table. I have a feeling that Harry is going to be Peter’s first “hang it up” speech. That is possibly going to be the catalyst for the falling out between the two.

Artwork – Marco’s work just fits this series like a glove. Whether it’s the page where Peter and Harry come crashing through the skylight, the family sitting at a table and talking, or Peter taking MJ on her first web-swing, all of his art has an energy to it. I can’t think of another book in recent memory that had 4 people sitting around a table talking and had it look this good.

Final Thoughts – With the recent dropping of Ultimate Black Panther from my pull, this has still remained at the top of the Ultimates pyramid. Now that Mary Jane knows about Peter’s new dual existence, the book can finally move ahead into the next part of the family dynamic: living with the knowledge. Peter also learned the hard way that being a superhero is not going to be easy and this is going to hurt. it’s going to hurt A LOT.

Wilson Fisk has proven to be a fantastic villain and a worthy stand in for the Maker. It’s obvious that in this reality, Wilson Fisk is going to end up being Peter’s arch nemesis, and now that he is also super-powered, I’m excited to see how Peter and Harry rethink their strategy. This issue had heart, grit, and a surprising amount of bloody action, especially for a first meeting between our heroes and villains. This is still the book to beat on my pull every month, and you should (as always) grab it!

Final score: 4 out of 5

Publisher:  Marvel

Writer:  Jonathan Hickman

Artist: Marco Checchetto

Colorist: Matthew Wilson

Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Marco Checchetto & Matthew Wilson

Genre:  Superhero

Format: Monthly

Release Date: 06/19/2024