Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 3: Double Trouble

Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) (Collected Editions)

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

Spider-Man must defend himself on two fronts as Dr. Octopus sets out for revenge and Kraven the Hunter pursues the ultimate prize.

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

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

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

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best volume yet, Bendis is settling into his groove and the ridiculous (Aussie!) Kraven bits were glorious.


CRINGE.

[Subham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite good and like its name sake increases the trouble 2x times first with the origin of Doctor Octopus and his ties to Justin Hammer and how Peter has to deal with that and at the same time the famous hunter Kraven has decided to target Spidey and when this all intersects its gonna be epic and also Peter speaks to the media for the first time and comes out as a hero and I loved that aspect of the story plus it has such great heart and I love the artstyle there.

The ending with Aunt may was solid and just shows how well Bendis balances the superheroics and the personal life things and troubles and also enter Gwen stacy and the great things that follow her! Loved this story quite a lot!

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Not quite as good as the first two Volumes but not bad either. In this story arc, Spidey faces off against the "Ultimate" versions of Dr. Octopus and Kraven the Hunter with solid writing by Brian Michael Bendis.

[Oscar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that good

[Chrissie Whitley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collects Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #14-21.

Aside from the change in letterer, which I disliked on the first box of Issue #14 and kept hoping would randomly revert back to the previous style by the previous letterer — it didn't, I found this volume of issues and related storyline(s) to be completely engaging and hard to put down. Spider-Man feels like Spider-Man, though this Parker is incredibly prone to angsty teen brooding, Mary is finally referred to as Mary Jane (and even an MJ in there), there are a boatload of characters introduced (reality TV star Kraven the Hunter, Agents Sharon Carter and Jimmy Woo, Doctor Octopus, Justin Hammer, Eddie Brock, and maybe some others hinted at in various ways, obvious and obscure). My only issue was Gwen Stacy's ridiculous introduction . . . it's a near-laughable attempt at badassery and I'm going to need her character to level out quickly.

Regardless, you can feel the influence both to the movies and from them, and I look forward to an on-page Nick Fury whose basis was Samuel L. Jackson before the movies landed the glorious casting of Mr. Jackson himself, on screen.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah Doc Ock makes his appearance. Not a huge fan of the character and this story is a bit convoluted for the sake of it.

We learn why Doc Ock doesn't like Hammer and his family. Peter is just trying to live his daily life but now a crazy guy with 4 octopus arms is out to get him. If that's not bad enough you have Kraven the Hunter now claiming he will murder Spider-man. I mean, the guy just can't catch a break. But wait, one of his classmates knows who he is too? And who is this Gwen person?

Overall, this is a lot in one volume but some of it doesn't work for me. Doc Ock is just okay villain, kraven a throwaway, and all the Hammer stuff is kind of dull. On the flipside everything with Peter's school life, MJ, Gwen, and more is amazing. I also thought the ending was great stuff and shows how much Peter is growing.

A weaker volume but still good. A 3 out of 5.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still so fun and ridiculous. Introduction of Gwen Stacy in this volume -- I assume that since I vaguely recognise her name and she gets so much attention that she's significant, but I could be wrong. The situation between Peter and his aunt is pretty sad: he can't tell her, because he'll hurt her, but not telling her is hurting her. She doesn't deserve that.

Overall, lots of action and so on, and a smidgeon more development with Mary Jane. Nooot sure what's going on with her mood-swings, though. She keeps getting moody at him for no reason I can see.

[Doctorjimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Διάβασε όλο το review

Το πρόβλημα είναι πως το Double Trouble δεν μεταχειρίζεται καλά τους villains που παρουσιάζει. Ο Kraven χτίζεται ικανοποιητικά ως ένας ζωώδης κυνηγός που δεν συμπαθεί την show-business, αλλά την χρησιμοποιεί για να «κατακτήσει» ένα ακόμη θήραμα (τον Spidey). Το πρόβλημα είναι πως η τελική αναμέτρηση με τον ήρωα είναι εντελώς γελοία, σύντομη και αναίμακτη, λειτουργώντας περισσότερο ως κωμικό φινάλε, αλλά χαραμίζει εντελώς το χτίσιμο που προηγήθηκε. Από την άλλη, ο Doc Ock έχει πολύ καλύτερες μάχες με τον Spidey και αποτελεί πραγματική απειλή, αλλά η απόδοση του origin είναι μέτρια, αφού δεν έχουμε «ζήσει» τον Otto Octavius πριν το ατύχημα, γνωρίζοντας μόνο τον κακόκεφο και οξύθυμο villain.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This just goes to show you should almost always ignore my star ratings without a review attached. For some reason I originally gave this 2 stars, but it's where the series really takes off for me. The introduction of Doctor Octopus, Peter struggling to justify Spider-Man's existence to the media as well as his evolving relationship with MJ. It's been my favourite volume of this re-read so far.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m shocked I’m enjoying Spider-Man as much as I am. Absolutely shocked.

[Jennavier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea Spiderman was this funny. Or awesome!

[Ben Comeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 3 of Ultimate Spider Man tells the story of doctor Otto Octavius and how he becomes doctor octopus. Essentially there is a major experimental accident where Otto’s invention becomes fused to him in an explosion. This causes him to go crazy and cause havoc all over NYC. Peter Parker ends up saving the day while keeping his identity hidden. The art style is mostly sharp, detailed, and action themed. Spider-Man is one of my favorite marvel heroes and reading this comic really brings you deeper into his story. Most of the characters in the story are likeable (obviously spider man and doctor octopus is a classic villain in the spider man series). The character that definitely grows throughout the comic is spider man. He is constantly battling the decision between sacrificing himself for the city, or choosing a safer life to ensure no emotional trauma to his family if he were to be harmed. He chose to remain spider man, but the decision was not an easy one and definitely required mature thinking.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Double Trouble Brian Michael Bendis tells the stories of two of Spider-Man's villains. In my memory both of them were ridiculous. Doctor Octopus - 4 metal arms attached to a band around his waist, green jumpsuit, and goggles. Really? That isn't silly? And Kraven the Hunter - um... What does he do exactly? Bendis makes one of them menacing and the other retains his silliness.

The re imagining of Doc Oc is great. He becomes scary and nasty and an actual threat to a new hero. Yet, at the same time, there's some empathy for the poor guy. He didn't ask to be grafted to his body but actually killing people takes it a bit too far.

Kraven the Hunter could have been played solely for laughs. It was pretty close to that but Peter was concerned that he was just trying to do the right thing and there's this guy that wants to hunt him down like an animal. Still the whole one-punch confrontation was amusing.

[Aaron Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I am reading this series in 2019 after I am aware that there are 100 plus issues and more to come I enjoyed this story arc. While I am not a fan of the Kraven character, I do think it fits. I have read elsewhere that the character was a waste, but I am learning the more I travel down the road of Marvel comics and movies that you are never completely out of the picture so I have no doubt that these people we keep meeting play roles down the line in this series and others.

I found myself laughing out loud this time so not sure if it is because I am more immersed in the world or if the writing is improving.

I am however, super excited to see where Dr. Octo story develops and hope we have more in store down the line.

And I want to Google the history of Gwen Stacy so bad, but am forcing myself to leave this character unexplored for future enjoyment.

[Óscar Trobo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ni me acuerdo si es lectura o relectura. Mala señal. Con el color de “Transparency digital” no puedo. El dibujo de Mark Bagley para las escenas “no superheroicas” a mi no me funciona. Y sobre el guión de Bendis, no sé. Esta bien a ratos, pero me da la sensación que este Peter Parker Ultimate está tan lejos de un joven real del siglo XXI como el Peter Parker original. La referencia de Bendis sobre lo que es ser un joven en la actualidad parece haber sido alguna teleserie del Disney Channel. Todo en conjunto tiene un aire de película mala de superhéroes. O a lo mejor soy yo que no tengo edad… Ah, y al final, después de ciento y pico páginas de decompressive sorytelling, anticlimax.

[Jack Herbert Christal Gattanella · Rating 5 out of 5]

there is almost, just almost, a lull in the middle with Justin Hammer, and Bendis a little too quickly does away with the bully thinking Parker is Spider-Man. Everything else is gangbusters: a terrifyingly befuddled Doc Ock; badass Gwen Stacy (that scene with Capt Stacy in his office, all her scenes really, including her introduction, are dramatic and tough and she immediately is in her way just as heroic as Spiderman); a funny foil in that Australian TV show host... Bendis's work is wonderful and I shall continue onward!

[Stormy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved Spider-Man since I was a kid so I decided to start reading the vol of the Ultimate Spider-Man a few years ago but put them down due to have another stuff to read but picked them back up today and I am so glad I did please comics Help Me Understand so much about the universe of Spider-Man and and so much of the backstory what I didn't know before the origins and this was such a cool read can't wait to get on to volume four

[Rayhan dinkleberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a fun story, I really wasn't a fan of how the villians were handled. Taking Kraven the Hunter, one of Spider-Man's most fearsome foes, one of the few to actually kill Spidey (at least in the main series) and turn him into a tv star who Spidey takes out in a single panel was really disappointing. On the other hand, Doc Ock was a very intimidating villian, only he (like Kraven) barley posed that much of a threat to Spidey. Not to mention how clunky the climax was.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dopo eoni ho finalmente ripreso Ultimate Spiderman! E che dire... stupendo! Trama fantastica e disegni incredibili! E poi è comparsa Gwen Stacy, lo SHIELD, Doctor Octopus e vengono citati Iron Man e Captain America!

[Mike Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume from Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. This volume introduces Doctor Octopus, Kraven The Hunter & Justin Hammer into the Ultimate Universe. Great story and great artwork makes this volume so enjoyable.

[Kai C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting and worth the read!

[Jessy Goat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 80

[Zelly B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Spidey series of all time. This is actually a (2x) re-read of the entire series.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the introduction of Gwen, but I couldn’t care less about the Kraven storyline, which was a majority of this book.

[Joe Bogue · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars...I just don't like Bendis' dialogue

[Jackson Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very solid volume. They are doing a great job building up the characters and the writing for Peter is fantastic

[Dain Berardinangelo]

The book spider man double trouble is about a high school kid named Peter Parker who gets into an accident at a high tech facility and ends up being able to do spider like things. The book is called double trouble but in reality there are three things he must worry about. One thing he has to worry about is a man named doctor Otto Octavius who also got into another accident causing him to have robotic arms, but he knows who the spider man actually is so he must take him down before he reveals his true identity. The second thing he must worry about is Kraven the hunter, he is an Australia television super star kind of like the crocodile hunter who’s next takedown attempts to be the spider man but fails miserably. The third thing he has to worry about is the media, even though the spider man is trying to help out and make the city safe the media makes him out to be a worse character than he actually is which causes police to be chasing him whenever his is spotted.

[Ricardo Calderón de la Barca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1/5

Okay, now we're getting somewhere!! There's some incredibly tense personal conflicts arising from the mask, like any good old Spider-man story, plus some big wins and downs for our hero. I would love to see more personal stakes between him and his villains, but we're just starting, maybe we'll get some sooner than later. The comedy here is really good, and the world-building, while not superimpressive, does build up the Ultimate universe really well, specially in relation to all the mutant hate and biases thrown around here and there. I'm curious to see if any crossovers happen in this run or if I have to dig in someone else's comic runs.

[Krzysztof Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jestem niezmiernie zdziwiony jak dobry jest Pajęczak w wersji Ultimate i naprawdę się cieszę, że przede mną jeszcze tyle tomów, bo lektura jaką zaprezentował nam Bendis jest zdecydowanie najwyższych lotów, z tym, że zdaję sobie sprawę, iż wersja Pajęczaka jako nastolatka nie każdemu może przypaść do gustu, bo i żarty jakie tutaj nam prezentuje są raczej poziomu Familiady.

Ale nie dlatego się ująłem tą jedną gwiazdkę, w zasadzie to pół. Na przestrzeni tego tomu widać chyba najbardziej, że Bendis miał jeszcze problemy z obrazowaniem emocji, dlatego zajmują one tutaj naprawdę sporo miejsca, a i niekiedy zdawały mi się infantylne, zwłaszcza w relacji Peter-Mary Jane, gdzie ta druga osoba czasami boczy się na herosa tak naprawdę bez powodu, tak jakby autor nie miał pomysły jak zapełnić te dwadzieścia parę stron, w co wątpię.

Bowiem Bendis miele dotychczasowe, znane wątki i prowadzi je w zupełnie nowe rejony, przez co miałem wrażenie, że ta "tajna" tożsamość Petera nie jest tak tajna, skoro tyle osób się domyśla, co i jak. Zwłaszcza gdy dwa do dwóch dodaje jego głupi, szkolny prześladowca, a już nie wspominając o Doktorze Oktwiusie... Który zalicza tutaj swój udany origin, choć moim zdaniem zbyt szybko dostaje po skórze w finale. Pojawia się jeszcze Kraven Łowca, ale jego rola jest nieco odmienna niż ta prezentowana w linii Ziemi 616. To bardziej celebryta prężący muskuły do kamery niźli legendarny łowca, który stanowił realne zagrożenie dla Pajęczaka. Nie ukrywa, zaskoczyło mnie to.

Cały pozytyw to też kontakt Petera z ciotką, który jest tak naturalny i wiarygodny. Także jego relacja z dziewczyną jest w miarę realna, no i na plus biorę też pojawienie się Gwen Stacy, która z pewnością zamiesza w życiu Parkera, tworząc dziwny trójkąt miłosny, choć na razie nie wskazuje to w taką stronę. W pewnych momentach mamy też ojca Gwen, który jest komnedantem policji, agentów SHIELD z niejaką Carter na czele oraz Justina Hummera, który jest po części odpowiedzialny za to co stało się w Oscorp.

Tom wygląda też nadal bardzo fajnie, choć kreska i twarze odstają od dzisiejszych standardów niemniej całość czyta się to piorunująco szybki i z niesamowitą przyjemnością, co sprawia że ten Pajęczak staje się moim ulubionym wogóle. Polecam i daję mocne 4,5/5. Warto. A dalej jest lepiej.

[Michael Emond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hey it took me 15 years to get from volume 2 to volume 3 so..I guess I am not hooked :). Basically this picks up smoothly - it is a retelling of Peter Parker's early days as Spider-man with a few main changes:
1) Peter is a bit cooler
2) Mary Jane is already his friend and confidant
3) Aunt May isn't a sickly 100 year old woman

And of course we get the typical reimaginings of the origins of his villains. In this one we get Doc Ock as an experiment gone wrong who is out for revenge. We get Kraven the Hunter as a joke of a reality show guy (didn't like that) who is from Australia not...an Eastern European country. And we get Gwen Parker as a super hip rebel.

All in all it was fun but the reason I don't love it is a) the art isn't a style I like - it's good but not something that is aesthetically pleasing to me b) Bendis keeps the plot going but it just feels like a giant Elsewhere's tale to me. I retelling of stories I loved. Yes they are more modern and better storytelling in a lot of ways but it doesn't feel "new".

I still like it and see why people would but I don't LOVE it.