Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 2: Learning Curve

Ultimate Spider-Man (Collected Editions)

by Brian Michael Bendis (Contributor), Mark Bagley (Writer)

Peter Parker takes a job at the Daily Bugle, learns of the Kingpin's ties to his uncle's murder, and tries to figure out how to stop his Spider-Man alter-ego from interfering with his relationship with Mary Jane Watson.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Spider Man, Comic Book, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

A comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim (including five Eisner Awards) and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics. For over eight years Bendis’s books have consistently sat in the top five best sellers on the nationwide comic and graphic novel sales charts.

Though he started as a writer and artist of independent noir fiction series, he shot to stardom as a writer of Marvel Comics' superhero books, particularly Ultimate Spider-Man.

Bendis first entered the comic world with the "Jinx" line of crime comics in 1995. This line has spawned the graphic novels Goldfish, Fire, Jinx, Torso (with Marc Andreyko), and Total Sell Out. Bendis is writing the film version of Jinx for Universal Pictures with Oscar-winner Charlize Theron attached to star and produce.

Bendis’s other projects include the Harvey, Eisner, and Eagle Award-nominated Powers (with Michael Avon Oeming) originally from Image Comics, now published by Marvel's new creator-owned imprint Icon Comics, and the Hollywood tell-all Fortune and Glory from Oni Press, both of which received an "A" from Entertainment Weekly.

Bendis is one of the premiere architects of Marvel's "Ultimate" line: comics specifically created for the new generation of comic readers. He has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best-selling launch, and has also written for Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, as well as every issue of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Ultimate Origin and Ultimate Six.

Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s AVENGERS franchise by writing both New Avengers and Mighty Avengers along with the successful ‘event’ projects House Of M, Secret War, and this summer’s Secret Invasion.

He has also previously done work on Daredevil, Alias, and The Pulse.

Reviews

[Alejandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spidey is playing with the big boys now!


This TPB collects "Ultimate Spider-Man" #8-13.


Creative Team:

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Illustrator: Mark Bagley


PLAYING WITH THE BIG BOYS

Peter Parker continues his first steps to become the Amazing Spider-Man in this new Ultimate Marvel Universe, where he is beginning all over again but in a contemporary ambiance.

Peter is still in high school but he needs to help to his Aunt May with some money and he finds a part-time job in the Daily Bugle, with the temperamental J. Jonah Jameson as boss, and it's an useful place to work since he can access the newspaper database to investigate more about the background of the burglar that murdered his Uncle Ben.

Peter learned that the burglar was part of a major crime family who is leading by the mysterious Kingpin (people used to forget that Kingpin wasn't originally a villain of Daredevil but debuted as an antagonist of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man) and it seems that nobody is doing something to stop this criminal organization.

So, what Spider-Man would do? Well, to stop Kingpin, of course!

BUT...

...soon enough Peter will learn that now is playing with the big boys and dealing with Kingpin isn't the same as battling your usual supervillain, and that he isn't prepared to take on a criminal like that.

Kingpin is the absolute ruthless boss of the crime family who controls New York City...

...that's huge indeed!

However...

Kingpin will underestimate Peter for being "just a boy", and that can be a mistake too since Peter isn't "just a boy"...

...he is the Ultimate Spider-Man!!!

And you'll love the priceless true-to-real-life moment when Peter reveals his secret identity to Ultimate Mary Jane Parker! One of my favorite scenes in comic books! Since not all has to be super-punches in comic books.

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spider-man Vs Kingpin!

Little scrawny dude verses fat gigantic mobster.

Bendis really hits his stride here as he shows Peter figuring out how to fight crime. Not only is Peter still learning but I love how many fuck ups he has. Losing to regular gangsters sometimes, villains putting him in extremely bad situations, and fights getting brutal. Oh and Kingpin? Goddamn is he a villain in here.

First let me state Bendis writes Peter and MJ so perfect it's SO FUCKING CUTE. I love them as friends and we know they'll be lovers soon. The last issue especially is PERFECT Spider-man comic. But the Kingpin stuff is also great. How Peter gets a job is a little too convenient for me but the rest really works. I also really enjoy the humor as I usually have issues with how most people write Peter's jokes but here they work.

Yeah, Ultimate Spider-man is becoming such a nice re-read now that I'm finished with volume 2. I can't wait to keep reading. A 5 out of 5.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really good!

It starts with Spidey dealing with the loss of uncle ben and now being a full fledged hero and then him working at Daily bugle, going after Kingpin and the enforcers, wrongful accusations and then the big fight maybe and its epic the way he takes down Fisk using his brains and maybe creating a new arch enemy in the process and I love the way it happens, one of the best stories from BMB and I love the growing romance between MJ and Pete, one of the better ones plus that ending just wow! A great volume that evolves Pete and I love his sense of humor and everything!

[seana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter whipping out a notepad filled with insults in the middle of a fight. He’s so unserious 😭

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was the book that made me a permanent fan of Bendis. Between the (spoilers) stuff, the surprisingly easy quips, and Peter not being the unluckiest guy on the planet (but still has some pathos to deal with), I kinda want a Bendis/Spidey tattoo to mark myself as one of the Army.

Quipping:



And pic'ing:





This is the Spider-Man we've all come to love more than the outdoors, or football, or any of the other things nerds just don't get.

Except in the 21st century, Peter gets a job as a web site designer:


And goes on a date with MJ (that she asked him on)?

[MJ makes my heart sing]

A couple of notes about Mark Bagley's art. He's got a nice young feel to his pencils - loose, not realistic, which makes this feel more "fun" and less "heavy"/adult. And his sense of dynamic movement is great - action always looks engaging:



However, he's also got a slight problem with facial expressions. As in, unless someone's very mad, they always look like they're smiling and super-relaxed, like they're slightly high (which I doubt is the writer's intent).




Bendis doesn't seem to have any trouble in the quipping department however:


Nor in the ballsy "let's change up the usual tensions and hope we can write our way around them later" moves:







Finally, I think I almost peed myself when Bendis called back to this nerds-gonna-lose-their-minds moment:

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction:

After reading the first volume of “Ultimate Spider-Man,” I was thrilled to get my hands on the second volume of this series! “Ultimate Spider-Man: Learning Curve” is the second volume of Brian Michael Bendis’ “Ultimate Spider-Man” series and this time, Peter Parker is going to take on a villain bigger than the last time…KINGPIN!

What is this story about?

In this volume, Peter Parker is still going around town, saving innocent people from various criminals that pop up in the city. Unfortunately, Peter will soon discover that being Spider-Man may not be all that it is cracked up to be as some of the media make him look like a menace rather than a hero and his social life seems to be dwindling. Also, Peter has to deal with the city’s big-time crime lord, KINGPIN!

What I loved about this story:

Brian Michael Bendis’ writing: Like the first volume, Brian Michael Bendis’ writing is interesting and hilarious at the same time! I really liked the way that Brian Michael Bendis writes Peter Parker as Peter is shown as being an energetic and humorous teenager. I loved the way that Peter fires various jokes towards his enemies, which is a quality that has often made him famous with the comic fans. I also loved seeing Peter’s growing relationship with Mary Jane as we get to see how being a superhero does affect Peter’s social life and how he is trying to decide whether or not he should tell his family and friends about who he really is. I also loved the portrayal of Kingpin here as he is truly ruthless and even scary at times, which made him into a truly worthy foe for Spider-Man.

Mark Bagley’s artwork: Mark Bagley’s artwork is extremely colorful and detailed, especially with the character’s faces as they show moments of being shocked or angry. I also loved the images of the buildings in New York as it looks truly realistic and I can actually imagine myself being in New York whenever I looked at the images. The only problem I have with Mark Bagley’s artwork is that the characters are constantly smiling, even during moments whenever the characters are in an intense situation.

What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

For anyone who does not like violence or language in a comic book, there is some language and violence in this volume, although it is not as strong as say something that comes out of “Sandman” or “Saga.”

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Ultimate Spider-Man: Learning Curve” is a fantastic volume in Brian Michael Bendis’ “Ultimate Spider-Man” series and I would highly recommend this volume to any fan of “Ultimate Spider-Man!”

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Chrissie Whitley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collects Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #8-13.

Parker's sense of humor, with his pithy verbal jabs and corny witticisms, finally showing up a bit here — though I could've done without all the fat jokes aimed at the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk. The story arc was a bit absent and faltering, mostly front-loaded, and the main shock happens earlier in the set rather than near the end.

Despite the inking being completely fantastic, some of the penciling gives almost everyone a profile and extraordinarily wide mouth that reminds me of a cartoon witch . . . or that optical illusion that features both an old woman and a young woman at the same time. And for Mary (usually called MJ, shortened from Mary Jane) and Liz to only be about 15 or 16, like Peter, they are drawn a little too sexy at times, even taking into account the then-current fashion. Regardless, I look forward to the next volume.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 stars. Solid continuation of the re-imagining of Spider-man that began in Ultimate Spider-Man Volume 1. This story arc has Spidey going after Wilson Fisk (aka The Kingpin) with solid writing by Brian Michael Bendis. Recommended.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

More familiar territory for Spider-fans albeit with an early '00s edge (Peter is the only one at the Daily Bugle that understands how its website works! not cringe at all), the relationship with MJ (or "Mary") deepens and more classic villains like Shocker, Kingpin and Electro show up.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story's good in terms of (as the title indicates) Peter learning, making mistakes, juggling various aspects of his life. It's hard to balance life as a high school student by day with the activities of a vigilante superhero by night. Especially when his ego starts writing some checks his body almost can't cash. (Sorry. I couldn't resist.) In this installment, Peter also gets a job at the Daily Bugle, working on its website in this updated version (and also a cute pun). I liked the way his budding relationship with Mary* is portrayed, how he decides to tell her the truth about his alter-ego...and how Aunt May deals, embarrassingly PSA-style, with potential teenage romance under her roof.
I thought the plotline dealing with the Kingpin and his under-thugs was less interesting than the Norman and Harry Osborn stuff in the previous book, even though it's part of Peter's quest to root out everyone with a connection to his Uncle Ben's death.
The art, as before, is quite good. I'm not quite sure how I feel about so many small panels that are varying degrees of extreme close-ups. It definitely gives a lot of 'reaction shots', but at times the pages felt a little crowded.
Overall enjoyable, though; and I'm continuing on to volume 3 soon.
*(I am a little curious why she's just "Mary" now. They've called her "M.J." in the past. Is the writer just avoiding "Mary Jane" because it's also drug slang?)

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less compelling than the previous volume, but still mostly solid storytelling. Peter has decided to strike out at the Kingpin, because the thug who killed Uncle Ben worked for him. Fair enough, there's plenty of reasons besides revenge to want him to go down. But I've never been thrilled with Kingpin as a villain, and though Bendis does what I think is the best work that could be expected with him (he is genuinely menacing) I'm still not a fan. The title of this collection is apt, because Peter is doing some serious on-site learning about this superhero gig. I loved that he's ultimately successful not through simple force of strength, but only once he comes up with a workable strategy that doesn't revolve around combat.

There is a bit less of Peter's personal, non-Spidey life here, but that's to be expected. And those scenes are mostly very good. I really like Peter's conversations with Mary Jane, and Aunt May gets a fantastic scene where she attempts to have The Talk with Peter.

The art though... I don't know. The artist does the action scenes very well, but the facial expressions he uses... Horrible. Especially Mary Jane, who often looks manic when she's meant to be cheerful. I think it's the overly wide eyes he gives everyone (most of the characters, especially Mary Jane, always look like they're gaping at something astounding) that makes what should be a pleasant smile look more like a manic grimace.

[Mike Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying reading these stories again. Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley just killed it with this title.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun and a quick read. It follows up well on the first volume, showing us Peter's difficulties with getting to grips with the superhero gig. I like that he's not immediately an amazing crime fighter, that he has learning to do and he's not invulnerable. I liked the developments with Mary Jane, too.

I wasn't as sure about some of the art, like the pages just basically full of panels of people's faces. I get that they're portraying a conversation, and I'm sure I could pull out reasons from my comics class for why they set up the page that way, but it doesn't work as a technique for me as a reader.

[noella :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good loved the last issue of this volume completely dedicated to mary

[Wing Kee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is dated but good.

Wow some of the language and references are dated but overall it's a fun fun read.

Word: Still not a fan of the art, I really liked it in 2000 but now the characters are fugly especially the eyes. World building is great, it's paced well and unfolds when the story needs it to. For a 16 year old book the world building is great.

Story: Paced well and reads fast. I really like the time Bendis spends on making Peter human, he makes mistakes and is a kid. Also the time spent out of the suit is done well, you want to read that part more than him being Spider-Man. The story is fairly straight forward for 2016 but it's good. The last issue was gold, the fact that Bendis is willing to spend an entire issue on one scene is great, characters matter that's why this book works.

Characters: Peter is real, he's smart and he's human. He makes mistakes and he solves them by using his head. Bendis allows readers to see him fail which is wonderful as I find some writers simply rush a character's development for the sake of getting to the action. The characters are the star, that's the main focus. MJ also gets great development her and she speaks the iconic line which made me squee (face it tiger, you just hit the jackpot). Fisk is also good, I could have done with more development of his empire and more development to show his intellect but that's just the difference between 2000 and 2016 comic books.

Great second arc that builds on everything that worked in first arc. This book is great.

Onward to the next book!

[Shane Stanis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Ultimate Year Three: Spider-Man and X-Men settling into the ultimate universe

The Enforcers enter the 21st century! What I love about this book is the beats in between the battles. We get a much more realistic picture of a household in mourning, and Peter makes a lot of mistakes as he gains his footing. The pacing works well - taking its time in some places while giving you some big AMS moments that took a decade the first time around.

I still have mixed feelings about the art. Sometimes MJ looks like a 45 year old with too much plastic surgery, especially in profile. Still, Bagley’s layouts are excellent, and once again he really sucks me in with the panel to panel emotional hits.

Read if you enjoyed volume 1, and/or want a reboot of Amazing Spider-Man that respects the original work and builds on it for a more modern reader. Essential reading for fans of 60s crime villains The Shocker, The Enforcers, Electro and Kingpin.

[faygo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 1 was so close to being a 5 but this second volume for sure hit that threshold for me. Kingpin and the action in this particular book were amazing. After his previous failures he fixed some mistakes he had made and really shows some evolution in his style of thinking and battle. The overall progress he made as Spider-man was greatly done. Also, very great showings of his struggle with balancing both of the lives he’s living. Stopping crime and dealing with the Kingpin and his mob, but staying in touch with MJ and also being there for his Aunt May. This was exactly what I needed from a book with the title Learning Curve.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again, entertaining but nothing new. If anything, the jokes about the Kingpin were a bit tired and everyone was a bit over the top in terms of characterization, but it had a very endearing ending. The art by Bagley and Thibert was solid, classic Marvel fare.

I'll keep on reading the series, but it still feels like its finding its own voice. It hasn't yet taken off, but I'm hoping it gets better.

[Graham Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Read in 2004, review from 2024)

Not as good as the other volumes this one is sandwiched between. But its got some entertaining moments (Peter telling non-stop fat jokes to Kingpin and it actually working to piss Kingpin off). Also some bold story moments that maybe came too early but Bendis made work (Peter telling MJ he's Spider-Man/them kissing, Kingpin's gang unmasking Peter but realistically having no idea who the random kid is). Also was surprised that the original Spider-Man movie with Tobey Maguire quoted Peter's first meeting with this universe's J Jonah Jameson almost verbatim (or at least Jameson's "crap" description).

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprise! Once the origin story was out of the way, the team was really able to get to work on an entertaining, funny, sweet, and action-packed arc. The pacing was fantastic, and the last issue in it with MJ was a true highlight, one of the best single issues I have ever read. I didn’t think I would want to keep reading Ultimate Spider-Man as much as I do now!

[isabel]

why is fisk so nerfed here, he gets soloed by year one Spider-Man 😭😭

[nova ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"ok. how about - you're so fat that when you get on a scale it says: one at a time" if he said this to anybody else but kingpin i would've been like 🤨 but i fear he ate with that

[Alex G · Rating 5 out of 5]

ah its so cute. makes me nostalgic

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good, though some of the references are showing their age, and Spider-Man really hates fat people 😕. This is moving a lot faster than Amazing, but that's not necessarily a bad thing!

This is a re-read for me.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spider-Man!! It's Spider-Man!!

[Tony Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 2 of Ultimate Spider-Man picks up where volume 1 left off. Peter investigates his Uncle's death and find's that the killer had ties to Wilson Fisk's (aka Kingpin) criminal enterprise. His emotions and teenage gusto get the best of him and he charges head on into that underworld to stop Kingpin with predictable results.

The best part of this collection is that it includes issue #13, which is honestly one of the best issues of Spider-Man ever made. It's a 22 page conversation between Peter and Mary Jane in which Peter reveals to her that he's Spider-Man. It's brilliantly done and is a tribute to the power of the writing in this comic. I can't even express how important I think this issue was to the overall trajectory of comic book writing after it came out. I believe that it was a turning point for the industry, showing that comic books didn't have to be saturated with overblown complicated plots and melodrama, that they could literally be as simple as developing the relationship between two awkward teenagers, one of whom just happens to have superpowers.

Once again, a stellar collection of the best Spider-Man comic ever written. Absolutely not to be missed.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent volume and you can see why Bendis is well-regarded in doing long form storytelling in comics. He knows how to let a moment breathe and isn’t rushing things too much in introducing all of the spider-man cast. It’s moving along, though no doubt.

Best parts are the smaller moments, though: building depth in Peter’s relationship with Aunt May. she’s not the sickly often helpless old lady that was portrayed in the 616 universe, and it works better. The relationship with MJ is also different and she’s been built diffferently which is a good modern contrast. First and foremost, she and Peter are friends, so watching them stumble into something deeper is adorable. Her being also something of a nerd works too.

It’s pretty great Spider-man. He’s wise-cracking, he’s screwing up, he’s got problems...but he’s always trying. That’s our guy!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like a book where they're not afraid to show the hero can make mistakes.

That's exactly what happens when Brian Michael Bendis writes Spider-Man. In Learning Curve Spider-Man continues to try and figure out the ins and outs of being a superhero. How to make a little cash on the side, what not to do when facing a criminal organisation and how to talk to Mary-Jane.

One of the things I really like with this rendition of Spider-Man is the relationship between Peter and Mary-Jane. Bendis has a feel for surly teenager and teens in love. I like the way conversations happen in school and how Aunt May deals with a teenage boy in her house.

This is one is as much about the relationships as it is about the super-heroics.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spidey faces off against Kingpin and his relationship with MJ evolves.

I'm not a huge fan of Bendis's trademark repetitive dialogue though.

You don't like his repetitive dialogue?

No, I don't like it.

You don't like it?

No. It's cute the first couple of times you see it but enough already.

Aside from that it's a solid continuation of his reboot. Really impressed by Mark Bagley's art because I really remember hating it. I think I just loved Sara Pichelli's art so much more, but Bagley's suits the writing really well.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7
Better than the first volume. The action scenes were nice, as well as the ones with Mary Jane. Peter feels a little more like Peter in this one. The last volume, he just seemed like an uptight dweeb.
Still having some issues with the way people talk. Also, Wilson Fisk is drawn too big. And Mary Jane kind of looks like she's had some plastic surgery done. Her facial expressions look kind of creepy sometimes. And her face in general looks somewhat plastic.