It’s Christmas for the Parkers! Check out the thrilling conclusion of the second arc and the first year of Ultimate Spider-Man in Ultimate Spider-Man #12!

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #12

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Cory Petit
Editor: Wil Moss
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: December 18, 2024

Previously in Ultimate Spider-Man: Tony Stark left an adult Peter Parker a radioactive spider that turned him into the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Since then, he has teamed up with Harry Osborn, the Green Goblin. The duo has waged war on the Kingpin, who gathered the Sinister Six to capture them. However, it’s Christmas!

A SIMPLE PARTY

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 starts with a simple Christmas party, but tensions run high. Ben Parker is flaring with Aunt Anna and Madeline Watson, MJ’s mom. Richard Parker seeks advice from J. Jonah Jameson, while May Parker struggles to play her games. Meanwhile, MJ struggles to reconcile with her sister, Gayle, who has always hated Peter Parker for not being “good enough” for MJ. After a brief spat, they reconcile when Gayle reveals she’s getting a divorce, admitting that maybe “a little boring” is just what she needs.

Meanwhile, Gwen Stacy tries to get ahold of MJ throughout the issue, and after the third call, MJ and Peter finally pick up. Gwen reveals her husband, Harry, has been missing for six days. When MJ asks Peter about it, he’s shown to be a doppelganger! Elsewhere, Peter and Harry are prisoners of Kraven!

GREAT CONCEPT

I love issues where Peter is outside his costume. There’s something truly magical about these small moments that span generations. It’s not just Peter, MJ, and their kids interacting; we’re seeing things through three generations. These moments make Ultimate Spider-Man unique and contrast the violence and action of other plotlines.

For me, the standout moments were the conversations between Richard Parker and J. Jonah Jameson. There’s something unique about showing a different, intriguing side to Jameson’s character. Watching him act like a grandfather figure after often being depicted as a bad boss for Peter is captivating.

The art in Ultimate Spider-Man #12 is fantastic. While this issue doesn’t feature many exciting or action-packed moments, it is a refreshing breather that hooks readers into the next arc. The consistency in the art and the fantastic character designs are commendable. Great work by the creative team.

BOTTOM LINE: FANTASTIC ISSUE

I’m always on board for this run of Spider-Man. I’ve always liked the character, but something about an older Peter Parker resonates with me, especially as someone approaching middle age with two kids. This hits all the right beats for me, and with that, Ultimate Spider-Man #12 earns 5 out of 5 stars. That said, this issue may not be for everyone, as it lacks the action-packed moments some readers expect from comics.

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