Spider-Man versus the Kingpin! Can Peter Parker balance his new hero life while keeping his identity a secret from his family? Find out in Ultimate Spider-Man #6 by Marvel Comics!

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #6

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Cory Petit
Editor: Wil Moss
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 19th, 2024

Previously in Ultimate Spider-Man: Five months ago, an adult Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and received a suit from Tony Stark, transforming him into Spider-Man. He has since met Harry Osborn, the masked vigilante Green Goblin. They crossed paths while fighting an assassin hired by Wilson Fisk. So far, Harry and Peter have a great relationship, and Peter has managed to keep his double life secret from everyone except his daughter, May.

DON’T KEEP SECRETS FROM YOUR WIFE

Ultimate Spider-Man #6 begins with Peter arriving at his dining table, badly injured, which forces him to reveal the truth to his family. He admits that he and the Green Goblin went to the Kingpin’s home to confront him directly. However, Wilson Fisk was ready and appeared to be augmented with superhuman strength and durability, enduring one of Green Goblin’s bombs without trouble. To save the Green Goblin, Spider-Man leaped onto the Kingpin and took a significant hit, while Harry summoned his glider to save them.

Back home, Peter shares this story with his family and eventually talks to MJ privately. Despite everything, everyone seems initially okay with it, and Peter and MJ engage in some flirty banter, concluding this first arc.

NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING

I’m intrigued that Jonathan Hickman decided to make the main plot secondary to character development in the Ultimate Spider-Man first arc. This particular run has primarily focused on family dynamics, Harry and Peter’s friendship, and insights into Uncle Ben and J. Jonah Jameson’s business. So, when I read that Ultimate Spider-Man #6 would pit Spider-Man against the Kingpin, I was excited to see how Peter would fit into the main storyline of the Ultimate Universe.

This leads to an exciting choice. Plotlines generally require a decent setting, strong characterization, and an intricate plot held together through conflict. That said, rules are made to be broken, and we can adjust these elements to fit our storytelling desires. The balance in this issue doesn’t quite hit the mark. The conflict in this issue is the fight with Kingpin, but it felt disconnected from the main conversation, making it seem out of place. In fact, I don’t think it ever fully hit me that they lost that fight. However, perhaps as a writing professor, I’m approaching this too analytically to fully enjoy it.

The book’s artwork is excellent. Peter’s depiction of pain feels spot on, and you can see the emotions on everyone’s faces. There is great facial work on all characters in this issue.

BOTTOM LINE: LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT ARC

I am hopeful that, with all the groundwork laid in this first arc, the second arc will bring everything together. Ultimate Spider-Man is unique and tackles themes and topics that resonate with me as a parent. Despite my concerns with this particular issue, Ultimate Spider-Man #6 earns a 4 out of 5 stars.

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