Press Release
Pop culture history will be made tomorrow as Ultimate Comics Fallout #4 hits shelves and introduces readers to the all-new Ultimate Comics Spider-Man! That’s right, for the first time ever, someone other than Peter Parker will be Spider-Man! But, after the death of Peter Parker, who will rise up to defend the Ultimate Universe? Meet Miles Morales, a seemingly normal teenager from New York who will soon discover that with great power comes great responsibility…and even greater danger! But just what are the secrets behind Miles’ shocking abilities? What’s his connection to the original Spider-Man? And just why does he wear that costume? Courtesy of superstars Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, Ultimate Comics Fallout #4 begins the story that’ll have everyone talking for years to come!
“When the opportunity arose to create a new Spider-Man, we knew it had to be a character that represents the diversity—in background and experience—of the twenty-first century,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor in Chief. “Miles is a character who not only follows in the tradition of relatable characters like Peter Parker, but also shows why he’s a new, unique kind of Spider-Man—and worthy of that name.”
With its inception in 2000, the Ultimate Comics Universe reimagined the world’s most popular super heroes for a new generation and has been critically lauded for its bold, resonant stories. In particular, Ultimate Spider-Man #1 is widely considered one of the most important comics of the century, setting records for trade paperback sales and introducing one of the most popular versions of Spider-Man ever. With the death of Peter Parker in June 2011, all eyes were once again on the Ultimate Comics Universe, as mainstream media and fans alike speculated just who Marvel would put under the mask of this beloved hero. Now, the chart-topping team of Bendis and Pichelli begin the next major chapter of the Ultimate Comics Universe with September’s historic Ultimate Comics spider-Man #1, giving readers a chance to learn the origin of the most important new character of the century.
“The chance for the world to join a new Spider-Man as he discovers what that means in this modern world is one of the most challenging and crazy fun opportunities I’ve had as a writer,” explained Bendis. “The Ultimate Comics Universe according to Miles is completely unique. I can’t wait to write every issue and I can’t wait for people to start reading them.”
Pichelli added, “I promise, you will fall in love with Miles– I already did. ‘Nuff Said.”
The world’s greatest super hero icon is about to undergo the most groundbreaking reinvention in comic book history—where will you be when the mask is lifted? Pick up Ultimate Comics Fallout #4 tomorrow at your local comic shop or digitally on the Marvel Comics App for iOS devices.
ULTIMATE FALLOUT #4 (JUN110612)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, JONATHAN HICKMAN & NICK SPENCER
Art by SARA PICHELLI, SALVADOR LARROCA & CLAYTON CRAIN
Cover by MARK BAGLEY
ON SALE TOMORROW!
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #1 (JUL110605)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by SARA PICHELLI
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS (Cover will be POLYBAGGED)
Variant Cover by SARA PICHELLI
FOC—8/22/11, On-Sale—9/14/11
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #2 (JUL110607)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by SARA PICHELLI
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
FOC—8/29/11, On-Sale—9/21/11
18 Comments
I kinda feel that this was done to 1up DC in the diversity field and for the shock value, but sometimes good things happen for poor reasons. I hope this turns out well and that they don’t fall into the trapping they usually get into when dealing with ethnicity.
On a side note, I’m kinda geeking out at the possibility that the new Spider-Man might be puertorican like me. If he is, the puertorican LCS are gonna have a field day with this.
What I think is cool is that they are putting a woman on a top-tite. Just like the MSP crew have asked for.
@MaximusRift totally agree with you! this might be a great thing, just look at ult. nick fury, the re-amp of making him a African American bad ass soldier is just awesome. in a world where 20 years ago caricatures like power man and black panther were b-list and c-list in the comic book world. Although i don’t want all my favorite mainstay books to change there race, just out of familiarity. i would love to see more new a-list superheros/villains of different back grounds races.
as a man of a mix race of new generation of children i would like to focus less on how we are different and more on how we are similar. i think one thing that holds us about in human rights is focusing on maybe on the negative past too much and not enough on the progress made to make this country better in terms of equality.
Interesting. I’m intrigued as to how they will be telling how Miles got his “spider powers” (are they “meta”? Or technological?) This is the one Ultimate title that I may need to take a look at since I stopped following The Ultimates (aka the Movie Avengers).
This is what I was talking about in an earlier post. I believe that DC should have used their “52” multiverse to set up another “series” – Such as the “Earth 1” stories that would allow writers to go in a different direction a’la Ultimate Marvel. With the exception that DC had a “multiverse” as an established plot line for many, many years. That would have been a better concept to me than going all in for “New Coke”.
I think that analogy is flawed since that would imply that the new 52 are like Marvel titles. A better analogy would be that Coke Zero would be replacing Coke.
Marvel is really amazing isn’t it, they really can’t hold their spoilers, couldn’t they have waited another day? Of course I understand it’s a maketing thing, they wan’t people to be curious but really I would like to have been surprised, but I can’t really resist to spoilers so whatever.
I was expecting it but I’m kind of surprised that it is’t a Ultimate version of Miguel O’Hara or someone related to Ultimate Ben Reilly, well he can still be on that last one.
But anyway, looks really cool can’t wait to see it, glad to see Sara Pichelli back in the pencils too, she’s great!
I’m going to reserve comment on this for a bit. Particularly if the end game is just to resurrect Peter Parker. Potential to be intriguing or a disaster…
I’m interested in this, for the same reason I was interested in Dick Grayson as Batman. I want to see what challenges a new guy has in filling the Spider-Boots. I want to see how he accepts that he can carry on the legacy of Peter while still being himself. Plus, this is a bold move for marvel (Even if it is only in the “Ultimate” continuity, which is a safer place to do this kind of stuff) and I think it could really pay off.
Could be good. Can’t wait to hear/read the Major Spoilers review! :)
Found this part of the press release pretty funny, though: “In particular, Ultimate Spider-Man #1 is widely considered one of the most important comics of the century…”
I actually liked Ultimate Spidey when it first got going, but…really? So they’re either doing one of two things with this statement:
1) Saying it was the most important book in the mere decade this century has been around (which, I guess…okay, sure…if we ignore that it came out in 2000, technically making it a part of the LAST century).
2) Saying that it was more important than Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27, or Amazing Fantasy #15. Which…no. Just no.
They said “one of the most important”, not the most important.
Understood. Still not sure if I agree.
True, if you never define your pool, then surely a Rob Liefeld issue of Badrock would be one of the best comics ever. Of all the comics ever printed, it sure is one of them.
So, Donald Glover can play Spidey now?
YES!!!
I am thinking that Marvel made the new SpiderMan hispanic as a stunt – “OOOO Look how diverse we is!” and to be frank I could NOT care less. I have more of a problem with them making a new SpiderMan because Parker’s powers were obtained by accident and unless Ol’ Pete didn’t keep his Peter in his Pants how could his powers have been passed on to somebody new? I have the same problem with BatMan Inc., sure, somebody else can wear the costume, but without Bruce Wayne’s near-psychotic drive and ambition, created by witnessing the murder of his parents, the person under the cowl isn’t really The BatMan! Still, I do hope that Marvel DOESN’T cheat everybody by doing a “Death of Superman” thing and bring Peter Parker back now that they’ve slain him.
Whenever something like this comes up it seems like people are going to make a fuss about it no matter what happens. If he were another white guy, I’m sure you’d have people asking why aren’t there more minorities in comics. Since he’s black/latino you have people saying that Marvel is trying to be more affirmative action.
Besides, it’s not like this is the first minority Spider-Man. Wasn’t Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man 2099) Hispanic/Irish? Atleast that’s what his name always lead me to believe.
What I really want to know is who’s going to be the new Ultimate Spider-Ham?
I am both sad and disappointed, yet retain a sliver of hope. I feel a loss at the death of Ultimate Peter Parker. I know people say that at least you have 616 Peter, but that is as reasuring when someone says, sorry your cat died, but at least you have your dog—very hollow. The original Peter is a great character, but I fell in love with this character, his Aunt, Mary Jane and the twists from the original series that were offered. I know it is just a story, but I’ve invested myself into the Ultimate Spider-man stories for the last 11 years, specifically into Peter Parker. Not necessarily what he looked like. I don’t care if he were white, black, or poka-dot, it was his personality, his passions and beliefs that drew me into his world. I think it is great that there are more diverse characters in the comic book world, but why must I be labled a bigot for having an affinity and nostolgia for this character? Why must I be critisized for expecting a better transition/story line to introduce a new hero? This is not about race or ethnicity. This is like when people were labeled unpatriotic when they did not support Bush, when our country was founded on holding leaders accountable. There are guidelines to making a good story and for avoiding such backlash. The ultimate reality was made so that creative license could be used in telling new stories with classic characters, but it is more than just a portal of new stories, like all good works of fantasy, it has taken on a life of its own and embeded itself into the hearts of its fans. Fans would be just as upset if Reed Richards were killed to make a new Mr. Fantastic, or Bruce Banner were killed to create a new Hulk. These characters are more than just a costume. Superman is superman because he is Clark Kent, not because he has superpowers. The same can be said for Spider-man There have been many attempts, but only one real thing.
Having said that, if Miles is to be a successful character, he must not focus on what makes him different from others, but what allows for universal understanding. Peter was a success mainly because his race, ethnicity, even religion, did not come into play as to how he developed nor how he made his descisions. Let us hope that this creative team takes that very same recipe for success to allow Miles a chance to give a new perspective that everyone can relate to and appreciate. Marvel has attempted to clobber the fans with his diversity, but it has never been the focussed differences that have allowed any character to enter our hearts but in seeing that we are far more similar than we are different and are all one brotherhood of man that can aspire to anything we put our minds to.