What do you think?
Rate this book
Ultimate Spider-Man (Collected Editions)
Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 4: Legacy
Nach einem Kampf gegen Doc Ock und Kraven, den Jäger spitzt sich die Lage für Peter Parker zu. Der Green Goblin ist von den Toten auferstanden. Und er ist stärker, intelligenter und tödlicher als je zuvor. Denn Norman Osborn kennt nur ein Ziel: Spider-Man zu besitzen oder ihn für immer zu zerstören! Zu allem Überfluss tritt auch noch Nick Fury auf den Plan ...
Storys
Ultimate Spider-Man 22-27
Storys
Ultimate Spider-Man 22-27
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2006
52 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Brian Michael Bendis
4,417 books2,570 followersA 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
October 3, 2025
That's a mean looking Green Goblin! 3.7 🌟
July 27, 2023
Another solid volume, this version of the Green Goblin was probably the most menacing I've seen him in comics form, at any rate.
October 6, 2021
THIS WAS SO GOOD!
It deals with the return of Harry and he invites Pete and MJ into the school but we see the return of Norman as the Green Goblin and his warning to Peter, then enter Fury and whatever talks he had with both of them, the big fight when he decides not to be a lackey of Norman and when MJ's life is in danger, its upto Peter to stand up and fight his arch foe and save the woman he loves and its epic, bold and bombastic with everything on the line and Fury too, and the fight is brutal and I love the way it resolves especially with what Harry is going through. Plus the subplot with Gwen and her father. Its an interesting volume that holds nothing back and hits you in the gut and shows the true danger of Norman. A must read volume!
It deals with the return of Harry and he invites Pete and MJ into the school but we see the return of Norman as the Green Goblin and his warning to Peter, then enter Fury and whatever talks he had with both of them, the big fight when he decides not to be a lackey of Norman and when MJ's life is in danger, its upto Peter to stand up and fight his arch foe and save the woman he loves and its epic, bold and bombastic with everything on the line and Fury too, and the fight is brutal and I love the way it resolves especially with what Harry is going through. Plus the subplot with Gwen and her father. Its an interesting volume that holds nothing back and hits you in the gut and shows the true danger of Norman. A must read volume!
January 5, 2022
Collects Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #22-27.
Bendis kicked it up a notch and really made this arc engaging, hard-to-put-down, and exciting. Couple of editing issues with this set that stood out more — some bubbles assigned to the wrong speaker and a missing word here or there in a speech bubble — but these were easy to overlook or move past.
Here, Spider-Man is even more familiar, and aside from the obvious angle of an adult trying to write as an early 00's teen, everyone feels pretty settled in who they are as we know them to be. (Though I did forget over the past six months that Norman Osborne is really freaking buff.)
The artwork overall is pretty spectacular (pun intended) — though I am still having some giggles when a specific expression in a block is too exaggerated. The women especially tend to veer towards looking like a cartoon Disney villain (Mary Jane has a moment where she seems to be channeling a maniacal Cruella de Vil and then later Vanessa, the sea witch's alter, human ego). Additionally, I cannot get past Gwen Stacy's look here — who is she trying to be . . . Faux Punk Spice?! Hers especially makes it tough to get beyond the repeated outfits that would normally feature in a sitcom or animated kids' show — where the same outfit is worn without question and becomes the uniform of the character that transcends a normal person's "look" or "style." Regardless, Stacey hasn't featured much in this at all, and I manage to easily breeze right by her nonsense.
But the highlight was the appearance of Nick Fury. Fury's new look (and change in his race) was based on none other than Samuel L. Jackson — before his role as Nick Fury in the Marvel movies. I cannot imagine the delight these guys experienced when the studio landed their inspiration for the same role in the movie adaptations. Jackpot!
Bendis kicked it up a notch and really made this arc engaging, hard-to-put-down, and exciting. Couple of editing issues with this set that stood out more — some bubbles assigned to the wrong speaker and a missing word here or there in a speech bubble — but these were easy to overlook or move past.
Here, Spider-Man is even more familiar, and aside from the obvious angle of an adult trying to write as an early 00's teen, everyone feels pretty settled in who they are as we know them to be. (Though I did forget over the past six months that Norman Osborne is really freaking buff.)
The artwork overall is pretty spectacular (pun intended) — though I am still having some giggles when a specific expression in a block is too exaggerated. The women especially tend to veer towards looking like a cartoon Disney villain (Mary Jane has a moment where she seems to be channeling a maniacal Cruella de Vil and then later Vanessa, the sea witch's alter, human ego). Additionally, I cannot get past Gwen Stacy's look here — who is she trying to be . . . Faux Punk Spice?! Hers especially makes it tough to get beyond the repeated outfits that would normally feature in a sitcom or animated kids' show — where the same outfit is worn without question and becomes the uniform of the character that transcends a normal person's "look" or "style." Regardless, Stacey hasn't featured much in this at all, and I manage to easily breeze right by her nonsense.
But the highlight was the appearance of Nick Fury. Fury's new look (and change in his race) was based on none other than Samuel L. Jackson — before his role as Nick Fury in the Marvel movies. I cannot imagine the delight these guys experienced when the studio landed their inspiration for the same role in the movie adaptations. Jackpot!
April 29, 2020
The return of the green goblin!
This takes cues from the original major Goblin Story where Norman kidnaps Gwen and kills her. However, this time it is MJ. And yes, it does feel like the 2000's movie but a lot better since we don't have actors who suck. So both Harry and Norman return and poor Harry can't remember a thing. His father however remembers it all and he plans on setting Peter up. Peter also gets to meet his new best buddy, Nick Fury. Will the hero be able to save everyone who will we meet our first casualty?
This is probably one of the best volumes because I think it cements Spider-man vs Green Goblin really well. I love the hell out of their moments and the Green Goblin here being a hulking size makes Peter always feel in danger. I also love the relationship Peter has with MJ here, and MJ is such a great character. The ending is both sad and memorable and I really can't wait to read even more.
A 4 out of 5.
This takes cues from the original major Goblin Story where Norman kidnaps Gwen and kills her. However, this time it is MJ. And yes, it does feel like the 2000's movie but a lot better since we don't have actors who suck. So both Harry and Norman return and poor Harry can't remember a thing. His father however remembers it all and he plans on setting Peter up. Peter also gets to meet his new best buddy, Nick Fury. Will the hero be able to save everyone who will we meet our first casualty?
This is probably one of the best volumes because I think it cements Spider-man vs Green Goblin really well. I love the hell out of their moments and the Green Goblin here being a hulking size makes Peter always feel in danger. I also love the relationship Peter has with MJ here, and MJ is such a great character. The ending is both sad and memorable and I really can't wait to read even more.
A 4 out of 5.
June 11, 2024
This is another solid entry into the series, I would have guessed it helped inspire Raimi's first Spider-Man movie but it came a few years later, so I assume that it's a reasonably close retelling of the original comic. Either way, it's a fun story and expands upon the relationships of all the central characters.
November 23, 2013
This one turns a bit darker, with Peter realising the potential consequences of his life as a superhero, and bringing in Nick Fury and SHIELD. God, Fury's such an ass. Much less wise-cracking in this one, although there's still a bit of it.
Still lots of fun, anyway. To read, anyway, if not exactly for Peter himself. I like that the art and story are done by the same people every issue -- it's not always the way it works with Marvel, and it doesn't have to be, but this time it seems to provide a good continuity.
Still lots of fun, anyway. To read, anyway, if not exactly for Peter himself. I like that the art and story are done by the same people every issue -- it's not always the way it works with Marvel, and it doesn't have to be, but this time it seems to provide a good continuity.
January 27, 2015
The Green Goblin is an incredibly disturbing bad guy. He really upped the intensity on this collection. I also liked meeting the ultimate version of Nick Fury. He's just as delightfully shady as his cinematic counterpart. Overall a funny and suspenseful book.
July 10, 2017
Διάβασε όλο το review εδώ
Το Legacy αποτελεί το καλύτερο arc του Ultimate Spider-Man μέχρι εδώ. Η υπόθεση είναι απλή (ένα κυνηγητό ανάμεσα στον Goblin και τον Spidey), αλλά η εκτέλεση δίνει ρέστα. Βασικό πλεονέκτημα είναι ο κακός. Ο Norman Osborn είχε σεταριστεί πολύ καλά στα προηγούμενα arc: είναι ένας φιλόδοξος, ύπουλος και ανήθικος επιστήμονας/επιχειρηματίας που δεν τον σταματάει κανένα εμπόδιο από τους στόχους του και, όντας ο Goblin, καταλήγει ως ο πιο απειλητικός εχθρός που έχει αντιμετωπίσει μέχρι τώρα ο Pete.
Το τεύχος “Responsible”, με τον επιβλητικό, εκβιαστικό μονόλογο του Norman δείχνει περίτρανα το ποιός έχει το πάνω χέρι και αφήνει τον Spidey σε μια απελπιστική κατάσταση. Εξίσου ενδιαφέρουσα είναι και η αλλοπρόσαλλη κατάσταση στην οποία βρίσκεται όταν συναντά τον Peter στο “Plasmids”, μια σκηνή που ο Bendis αποφασίζει να δείξει και από τις δύο σκοπιές, δίνοντας έμφαση στην παράνοια που επικρατεί στο κεφάλι του όταν γίνεται Goblin.
Το Legacy αποτελεί το καλύτερο arc του Ultimate Spider-Man μέχρι εδώ. Η υπόθεση είναι απλή (ένα κυνηγητό ανάμεσα στον Goblin και τον Spidey), αλλά η εκτέλεση δίνει ρέστα. Βασικό πλεονέκτημα είναι ο κακός. Ο Norman Osborn είχε σεταριστεί πολύ καλά στα προηγούμενα arc: είναι ένας φιλόδοξος, ύπουλος και ανήθικος επιστήμονας/επιχειρηματίας που δεν τον σταματάει κανένα εμπόδιο από τους στόχους του και, όντας ο Goblin, καταλήγει ως ο πιο απειλητικός εχθρός που έχει αντιμετωπίσει μέχρι τώρα ο Pete.
Το τεύχος “Responsible”, με τον επιβλητικό, εκβιαστικό μονόλογο του Norman δείχνει περίτρανα το ποιός έχει το πάνω χέρι και αφήνει τον Spidey σε μια απελπιστική κατάσταση. Εξίσου ενδιαφέρουσα είναι και η αλλοπρόσαλλη κατάσταση στην οποία βρίσκεται όταν συναντά τον Peter στο “Plasmids”, μια σκηνή που ο Bendis αποφασίζει να δείξει και από τις δύο σκοπιές, δίνοντας έμφαση στην παράνοια που επικρατεί στο κεφάλι του όταν γίνεται Goblin.
April 5, 2017
While the Green Goblin art was sometimes too grotesque for my taste, I liked the story in this one. I liked the way Peter's continued struggle with his secret (or in some cases, not so secret) identity was depicted, and I liked his relationships with other characters. I liked the graphic illustration of Norman Osborn's psychosis as ghostly Spidey-schmoo things that babbled at him. The way Harry Osborn's situation--the hypnosis, the confusion, the attempts at normality, his friendships with Peter and Mary and interest in Gwen--was handled was especially good; and I think it will make later developments extra-poignant. The inclusion of Nick Fury was also a smart move with plenty of potential.
May 28, 2016
This arc is the best one yet!
Wow the writing for this arc was great! The tension, the pacing and the dialog. Wow!
World: Still not a huge fan of the character art, when Peter is out of his suit everyone just looks weird, the facial expressions especially. That being said, the motion in the suit this arc was great. The world building this arc was absolutely fantastic. With the pieces that Bendis had already placed throughout the run he pieces together this arc which is just nonstop tension. There are still pieces he's building for a longer game but this stuff with Osborn has been going on since Issue 1 and it finally comes home to roost. This is great world building.
Story: Tension tension tension. The pacing here is fantastic, with the pressure and danger slowly amping up. The dialog scenes between Norman and Peter were great and they had weight to it making this confrontation so much more meaningful. The time spent with Harry and MJ and Gwen were also great, this is just a wonderful arc throughout. I don't want to ruin anything, just enjoy the ride.
Characters: Before all hell breaks loose there is a lot of character development here and I appreciate that as it made the tail end of this story so much more meaningful. There was plenty of time with Peter and MJ and also some great development between Gwen and Peter. Plus the Harry and Norman stuff was also wonderful. There is a lot of stuff that happens this arc and it does all pay off. Wonderful.
Absolutely wonder arc that displays what a good Spidey tale has, heart and consequence.
Onward to the next book!
Wow the writing for this arc was great! The tension, the pacing and the dialog. Wow!
World: Still not a huge fan of the character art, when Peter is out of his suit everyone just looks weird, the facial expressions especially. That being said, the motion in the suit this arc was great. The world building this arc was absolutely fantastic. With the pieces that Bendis had already placed throughout the run he pieces together this arc which is just nonstop tension. There are still pieces he's building for a longer game but this stuff with Osborn has been going on since Issue 1 and it finally comes home to roost. This is great world building.
Story: Tension tension tension. The pacing here is fantastic, with the pressure and danger slowly amping up. The dialog scenes between Norman and Peter were great and they had weight to it making this confrontation so much more meaningful. The time spent with Harry and MJ and Gwen were also great, this is just a wonderful arc throughout. I don't want to ruin anything, just enjoy the ride.
Characters: Before all hell breaks loose there is a lot of character development here and I appreciate that as it made the tail end of this story so much more meaningful. There was plenty of time with Peter and MJ and also some great development between Gwen and Peter. Plus the Harry and Norman stuff was also wonderful. There is a lot of stuff that happens this arc and it does all pay off. Wonderful.
Absolutely wonder arc that displays what a good Spidey tale has, heart and consequence.
Onward to the next book!
June 25, 2012
This is a great arc in the Ultimate Spider-Man series - in my opinion, the best of the ones I've read (up to Venom - Ugh!). So much is done well here - the story, the pacing, the art; everything seemed to work well together (well, almost everything). If I could give it four and a half stars, I would.
There were two things I felt were done especially well: the portrayal of the goblin's insanity and that Peter Parker's emotions. The goblin's insanity is masterfuly done - at one point we are actually see things through his mind, and witness the manifestation of his dementia, both graphically and in narritive. It makes for quite an effective - if disturbing - scene.
And Peter Parker is finally making some sense as a character; he actually reacts as one might expect a teenager in his position to react - terrified. Super powers or no super powers, the Green Goblin Parker faces is monsterously powerful, totally insane, and, worst of all, fully aware of Spider-Man's true identity and making use of it in a threatening way. It's all done in a very convincing manner - the drawings drive the fear home.
There are other nice surprises thrown in, that help build fill out the long term character of Peter Parker, adding continuity and connectivity. The Mary Jane/Gwen Tracy portions I like less, but it's harmless overall and doesn't hurt the highlights.
Nick Fury comes across as cheesy and annoying.
There were two things I felt were done especially well: the portrayal of the goblin's insanity and that Peter Parker's emotions. The goblin's insanity is masterfuly done - at one point we are actually see things through his mind, and witness the manifestation of his dementia, both graphically and in narritive. It makes for quite an effective - if disturbing - scene.
And Peter Parker is finally making some sense as a character; he actually reacts as one might expect a teenager in his position to react - terrified. Super powers or no super powers, the Green Goblin Parker faces is monsterously powerful, totally insane, and, worst of all, fully aware of Spider-Man's true identity and making use of it in a threatening way. It's all done in a very convincing manner - the drawings drive the fear home.
There are other nice surprises thrown in, that help build fill out the long term character of Peter Parker, adding continuity and connectivity. The Mary Jane/Gwen Tracy portions I like less, but it's harmless overall and doesn't hurt the highlights.
Nick Fury comes across as cheesy and annoying.
May 8, 2014
Though I'm not as well-versed AT ALL with Spider-Man as I am with some other superheroes, I've been making a huge effort to get there lately.
I've had the first 11 volumes of Ultimate Spider-Man on my graphic novel shelf for YEARS and when I decided to get in the know on everyone's favorite wall-crawler, I started there.
In my very limited exploration of Spider-Man, this has been my favorite book that I've read thus far.
The tension with the newly revamped Green Goblin in the beginning of the book, the mystery of Nick Fury and SHIELD surfacing, and the all out fun action of the book was amazing.
I read this one all in one sitting, basically, totally getting lost in the story with the expert creativeness on all fronts here.
This one's truly a book that anyone a little interested in Spider-Man and superhero books could pick up and get into instantly, in my opinion.
Highly recommended.
I've had the first 11 volumes of Ultimate Spider-Man on my graphic novel shelf for YEARS and when I decided to get in the know on everyone's favorite wall-crawler, I started there.
In my very limited exploration of Spider-Man, this has been my favorite book that I've read thus far.
The tension with the newly revamped Green Goblin in the beginning of the book, the mystery of Nick Fury and SHIELD surfacing, and the all out fun action of the book was amazing.
I read this one all in one sitting, basically, totally getting lost in the story with the expert creativeness on all fronts here.
This one's truly a book that anyone a little interested in Spider-Man and superhero books could pick up and get into instantly, in my opinion.
Highly recommended.
August 11, 2024
(Read in 2004, review from 2024)
IMO this was the best of the Ultimate Spider-Man volumes I read when I first got into comics. Norman Osborn was appropriately horrifying in this both in his normal mode when he threatening Peter/gas lighting Harry and in his Goblin mode (no Halloween masks in this Universe). I do think trying to do a bait-and-switch of the Universe's version of "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" but with MJ instead only to pull back instead was a bit of tease. Also Ultimate Nick Fury is in this and I thought it was interesting going forward in Ultimate Spider-Man he was a bit of a (bad) boss and almost mentor to Peter in this universe.
IMO this was the best of the Ultimate Spider-Man volumes I read when I first got into comics. Norman Osborn was appropriately horrifying in this both in his normal mode when he threatening Peter/gas lighting Harry and in his Goblin mode (no Halloween masks in this Universe). I do think trying to do a bait-and-switch of the Universe's version of "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" but with MJ instead only to pull back instead was a bit of tease. Also Ultimate Nick Fury is in this and I thought it was interesting going forward in Ultimate Spider-Man he was a bit of a (bad) boss and almost mentor to Peter in this universe.
July 31, 2021
I'm really enjoying the Spider-Man Comics this one was a lot darker than the previous comic issues this one dealt with Harry and his dad and him being Green Goblin Harry's dad I mean everyone knows the story of Green Goblin how he d®ugs his self to become Green Goblin also SHIELD come into these comics I didn't know this was going to happen to save Peter Parker's life if he wouldn't killed by Green Goblin you could see it coming and Harry making that sacrifice for Peter killing his dad well we assume he has up to now I love the graphics as well and how beautiful they are
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2015
Again, an amazing update on the original mythos. This version of the Goblin was perfect, and I was gravely disappointed when it was not adapted into either the Raimi or Webb films.
The continuation of the Ultimate Universe and Nick Fury's storyline involved here is also perfect, showing different sides to the character and different points of view. Absolutely perfect.
The continuation of the Ultimate Universe and Nick Fury's storyline involved here is also perfect, showing different sides to the character and different points of view. Absolutely perfect.
October 30, 2021
This is probably my favorite of the series so far! So good!
I love the relationships in this series so much. I really love MJ and Harry and Aunt May, and the way Parker interacts with them. The stakes were raised in this one too, which was fun!
I love the relationships in this series so much. I really love MJ and Harry and Aunt May, and the way Parker interacts with them. The stakes were raised in this one too, which was fun!
January 3, 2022
I think this has been the volume I’ve like the most. Green Gobling is awesome as a villain.
Also, I hope nothing ever happens to Mary Jane, this one had me scared. I thought they were going to “Amazing Spider-Man Gwen Stacy” her.
Also, I hope nothing ever happens to Mary Jane, this one had me scared. I thought they were going to “Amazing Spider-Man Gwen Stacy” her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2024
This Green Goblin doesn't mess around. If you can believe it, he's even more cruel and sadistic than usual. I love him and I love this design. I still remember when he was beating my ass in Ultimate Spider-man for PS2 in 2005. And the motherfucker even had a second phase!
July 9, 2010
I’m shocked I’m enjoying Spider-Man as much as I am. Absolutely shocked.
July 14, 2018
These early Ultimate Spider-Man issues are great!
December 11, 2022
My Ultimate Year #5
Read for teen angst and a brutal take on the Norman Osborn Green Goblin saga.
CW: mental health stigma
Read for teen angst and a brutal take on the Norman Osborn Green Goblin saga.
CW: mental health stigma
October 6, 2017
"I'm late for class!" (says Spiderman/Peter Parker as he swings in a giant, splashy two-page spread)
In this volume, following on the events of Spidey fighting Doc Ock, which was broadcast in full on tv, Harry and (gulp) Norman Osborn return. The latter of these two is especially disturbing and upsetting for Peter since, well, remember volume one where Goblin tear-assed in school and made the first real problem for Peter as knowing his identity. what Norman says this time - while he injects himself with discount-Hulk juice - is that he now *owns* Peter, and if he tells... well... hey, I think this scene was sort of redone (though less cartoonishly and more with a sinister edge) in Spiderman Homecoming!
Anyway, this is Bendis largely writing straight dramatic, and of course he can do that and do a good job. I almost forgot this is supposed to be the Nick Fury from the Ultimates series, hence the label, and he comes off as... hard-goddamn-headed as you might expect. He's written as a cliche, which is fine, but it rubs a little oddly when compared to how everyone else is written with depth... actually, I'm not totally sure if I was so sold on the bit where Norman has all of those uh... are they voices or hallucinations or actually there side-effects of his deteriorating brain and consciousness when we see the same confrontation twice from his POV? Maybe its not the writing or execution storywise so much as it is the art work which is not too convincing.
This is not a letdown from the previous volumes of course, the intensity is certainly kept up and im glad we get to see Peter tested even more directly and personally than before. When he has to get serious and tough he can be, though he doesnt like it or want to exactly. Maybe it... also as another nitpick (though one that contributes to it being 4 stars instead of 5 as ive rated other volumes) some of the action near the end, with Osborn getting even bigger-er from his serum, it gets a little... cartoonish, in the art and in how it escalates to its final big WHOA conclusion (which is certainly different in one respect from te movies). yes. even for Spiderman. But I still really really liked it, just short of loving it if that makes sense, and it's mostly solid.
In this volume, following on the events of Spidey fighting Doc Ock, which was broadcast in full on tv, Harry and (gulp) Norman Osborn return. The latter of these two is especially disturbing and upsetting for Peter since, well, remember volume one where Goblin tear-assed in school and made the first real problem for Peter as knowing his identity. what Norman says this time - while he injects himself with discount-Hulk juice - is that he now *owns* Peter, and if he tells... well... hey, I think this scene was sort of redone (though less cartoonishly and more with a sinister edge) in Spiderman Homecoming!
Anyway, this is Bendis largely writing straight dramatic, and of course he can do that and do a good job. I almost forgot this is supposed to be the Nick Fury from the Ultimates series, hence the label, and he comes off as... hard-goddamn-headed as you might expect. He's written as a cliche, which is fine, but it rubs a little oddly when compared to how everyone else is written with depth... actually, I'm not totally sure if I was so sold on the bit where Norman has all of those uh... are they voices or hallucinations or actually there side-effects of his deteriorating brain and consciousness when we see the same confrontation twice from his POV? Maybe its not the writing or execution storywise so much as it is the art work which is not too convincing.
This is not a letdown from the previous volumes of course, the intensity is certainly kept up and im glad we get to see Peter tested even more directly and personally than before. When he has to get serious and tough he can be, though he doesnt like it or want to exactly. Maybe it... also as another nitpick (though one that contributes to it being 4 stars instead of 5 as ive rated other volumes) some of the action near the end, with Osborn getting even bigger-er from his serum, it gets a little... cartoonish, in the art and in how it escalates to its final big WHOA conclusion (which is certainly different in one respect from te movies). yes. even for Spiderman. But I still really really liked it, just short of loving it if that makes sense, and it's mostly solid.
December 11, 2019
Po dobrym, ale nieco za mało sycącym trzecim tomie przygód Pająka nadszedł czas na jednego z ikonicznych przeciwników Ściankołaza. Norman Osborn aka Green Goblin powraca... Pierwszorzędny psychopata, który nie powstrzyma się nawet przed wypraniem mózgu własnego syna, tak aby w niewygodnej dla siebie sytuacji po zastosowaniu jednego zdania powodować u Harry'ego omdlenie.
Tym bardziej, że Goblin ma też nieco odmienny origin. To już nie strój, a stan, w jaki wprowadza się szaleniec po zaaplikowaniu sobie odpowiedniej dawki specyfiku. Kapitalny zabieg autora, gdy widzimy pewien ciąg zdarzeń z obu stron. Parkera i Normana, któremu towarzyszą dziwne głosy. Miodzio. Tym bardziej, że Parker postawiony jest pod przysłowiową ścianą. Goblin wie kim jest i na kim najbardziej chłopakowi zależy. Zwłaszcza, że przez pojawienie się Gwen Stacy, w życiu osobistym Petera pojawia się coraz więcej kłopotów, także tym ze związkiem. Jak i z ciocią May.
Bendis wprowadza do życia Parkera także samego Nicka Fury'ego, który bacznie przygląda się wyczynom młodzieńca, jednak nie stawiając go jednoznacznie po stronie sprzymierzeńców chłopca, bowiem sam szef SHIELD ma własne plany na przyszłość dla Pajączka. Takie poplątanie pogłębia charakter, a dynamiczne sceny walk sprawiły, że czytało mi się to z nieskłamaną przyjemnością i nie wiedzieć kiedy doszedłem do ostatniej strony. Nadal całość prezentuje bardzo dobry poziom kreski i nie mam skrupułów, dając czwartemu tomowi najwyższą notę. Niesamowite jak ta seria na przestrzeni tylu zeszytów trzyma jeden i tan sam, dobry poziom.
Tym bardziej, że Goblin ma też nieco odmienny origin. To już nie strój, a stan, w jaki wprowadza się szaleniec po zaaplikowaniu sobie odpowiedniej dawki specyfiku. Kapitalny zabieg autora, gdy widzimy pewien ciąg zdarzeń z obu stron. Parkera i Normana, któremu towarzyszą dziwne głosy. Miodzio. Tym bardziej, że Parker postawiony jest pod przysłowiową ścianą. Goblin wie kim jest i na kim najbardziej chłopakowi zależy. Zwłaszcza, że przez pojawienie się Gwen Stacy, w życiu osobistym Petera pojawia się coraz więcej kłopotów, także tym ze związkiem. Jak i z ciocią May.
Bendis wprowadza do życia Parkera także samego Nicka Fury'ego, który bacznie przygląda się wyczynom młodzieńca, jednak nie stawiając go jednoznacznie po stronie sprzymierzeńców chłopca, bowiem sam szef SHIELD ma własne plany na przyszłość dla Pajączka. Takie poplątanie pogłębia charakter, a dynamiczne sceny walk sprawiły, że czytało mi się to z nieskłamaną przyjemnością i nie wiedzieć kiedy doszedłem do ostatniej strony. Nadal całość prezentuje bardzo dobry poziom kreski i nie mam skrupułów, dając czwartemu tomowi najwyższą notę. Niesamowite jak ta seria na przestrzeni tylu zeszytów trzyma jeden i tan sam, dobry poziom.
December 20, 2023
The Green Goblin returns to torment Spider-Man, though this time in a bit more of a subtle fashion. Considered cured from his monstrous transformation, Norman Osborn is back in his smarmy, arrogant businessman form, but is the Goblin side of him completely gone? Well, the cover art spoils that, but overall "Legacy" is a fun time. Bendis plays around a bit with the pivotal "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" story by Gerry Conway and John Romita (from Amazing Spider-Man #121-122) by pulling a riffed version of his own. The homage is clear, though the ending isn't nearly the same. What Bendis does really well here is write a compelling Green Goblin, though I still don't quite enjoy Bagley's design here. "Legacy" drives a compelling single arc that governs the action, making this a solid installment in the Ultimate Spider-Man series.
July 22, 2019
So being new to comics and diving into this comic headfirst I keep waiting for my excitement and interest to wane the further along I go.
But I have been proven wrong with each story arc. And this one seems to be my favorite yet. While the Green Goblin in huge and I have small memories of a not so big Green Goblin I loved this storyline.
I think maybe because I am an educator and watching Peter struggle with the balance of his day to day issues while trying to fit into the larger landscape of life is what really connects. We all struggle with these thoughts even if we don't have superpowers.
And I am excited to see Nick Fury and SHIELD because I know very little about them and want to explore this universe more.
But I have been proven wrong with each story arc. And this one seems to be my favorite yet. While the Green Goblin in huge and I have small memories of a not so big Green Goblin I loved this storyline.
I think maybe because I am an educator and watching Peter struggle with the balance of his day to day issues while trying to fit into the larger landscape of life is what really connects. We all struggle with these thoughts even if we don't have superpowers.
And I am excited to see Nick Fury and SHIELD because I know very little about them and want to explore this universe more.
April 14, 2020
So, now I’m starting to like this run. I didn’t think I was going to because the first 3 volumes were meh. The tension and pace drew me in. By far, the green goblin arc is the best so far and I suspect It’ll get even better from here. We get an introduction to Nick Fury who echoes the verbiage from Green Goblin: I own you. This statement leveling the “good” guys on the same playing field as the bad guys and Peter who is forced to play into both their hands. You get the awesome art that illustrates Norman’s psychosis manifested as these multiplying white globs spewing out noise. Whereas pages before you see his son Harry going through hypnotherapy meant to suppress the noise. So yeah....interesting dynamic.... interesting turn of events. I’m officially all in.
March 16, 2024
I’m beginning to think some of the vaunted Brian Michael Bendis legacy at Marvel is a tad exaggerated. This is the fourth volume, right around the start of his third year writing Ultimate Spider-Man. One of the most famous aspects of the legacy was decompression, how long it took Bendis to write the secret origin material. And yet here we are, the second encounter with the Green Goblin. By the time this was being published, the 2002 Spider-Man movie was in theaters and covering similar ground (it’s worth noting that Nick Fury plays a supporting role in these pages, setting up the cinematic Spider-Man two versions later). It’s not really all that decompressed, in hindsight. It’s certainly no Smallville!
And beyond that, the more realistic you try and make Spider-Man, the less the story holds up. This kid couldn’t really have time to be a high school student, intrepid photographer for a newspaper, and a superhero, much less successfully maintain a relationship with Mary Jane, all with only potentially pissing off Aunt May if he can’t keep his stories straight…We don’t even see him check in at the Daily Bugle in any of these issues, by the way. Not necessary, but notable in the grand scheme of the insanity.
Bendis is also known for his killer dialogue, sometimes considered suffocating his pages, and even that’s not really much in evidence. It’s almost all expository, and not even in the way his later Legion of Super-Heroes work would open each issue; it’s the entire storytelling, the whole story. And this is still before Bendis was really considered essential at Marvel, before he wrote all the big crossover material, before his Avengers work. This is still the foundation that led to all that. It’s surprisingly lazy and obvious, especially knowing a movie does essentially exactly the same material, and better! at the same time.
So it’s odd. Bagley is surprisingly incompetent at the same time. His women all have arched eyebrows, even his Aunt May, so they look evil. When Spider-Man’s mask is ripped late in the volume, it makes no sense at all.
Chalk it up to growing pains. This would probably be the exact point Bendis and Bagley realized they weren’t just getting to rewrite the early adventures of Spider-Man, but that they’d been doing it long enough so that there was no longer any real difference between their stuff and the original stories, just ongoing comics keeping the ball rolling. No one even batted an eye when Bendis retold the clone saga. No one was really paying attention anymore. Not even the creators. That’s why Bendis, eventually, found it so easy to abandon Peter and just create a new Spider-Man. Then he could feel invested again.
And beyond that, the more realistic you try and make Spider-Man, the less the story holds up. This kid couldn’t really have time to be a high school student, intrepid photographer for a newspaper, and a superhero, much less successfully maintain a relationship with Mary Jane, all with only potentially pissing off Aunt May if he can’t keep his stories straight…We don’t even see him check in at the Daily Bugle in any of these issues, by the way. Not necessary, but notable in the grand scheme of the insanity.
Bendis is also known for his killer dialogue, sometimes considered suffocating his pages, and even that’s not really much in evidence. It’s almost all expository, and not even in the way his later Legion of Super-Heroes work would open each issue; it’s the entire storytelling, the whole story. And this is still before Bendis was really considered essential at Marvel, before he wrote all the big crossover material, before his Avengers work. This is still the foundation that led to all that. It’s surprisingly lazy and obvious, especially knowing a movie does essentially exactly the same material, and better! at the same time.
So it’s odd. Bagley is surprisingly incompetent at the same time. His women all have arched eyebrows, even his Aunt May, so they look evil. When Spider-Man’s mask is ripped late in the volume, it makes no sense at all.
Chalk it up to growing pains. This would probably be the exact point Bendis and Bagley realized they weren’t just getting to rewrite the early adventures of Spider-Man, but that they’d been doing it long enough so that there was no longer any real difference between their stuff and the original stories, just ongoing comics keeping the ball rolling. No one even batted an eye when Bendis retold the clone saga. No one was really paying attention anymore. Not even the creators. That’s why Bendis, eventually, found it so easy to abandon Peter and just create a new Spider-Man. Then he could feel invested again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews