He came back into comics because Ike Perlmutter brought him in.īrevoort: His analysis of where the business was at was that the books had become too enmeshed in byzantine continuity, and certain properties had, over time, migrated away from the status quos under which they operated the best. I think he was working on Knicks basketball. He had come from Madison Square Garden at that point. Ralph Macchio: Jemas had interesting ideas. Tom Brevoort: The Ultimate line was Bill Jemas' baby when he came back to Marvel after a number of years away. SYFY WIRE spoke with Ultimate Spider-Man editor Ralph Macchio, artist Mark Bagley, and Marvel's current executive editor Tom Brevoort to learn how the Ultimate Spider-Man's web was spun. Before all that, though, it began with an (updated) return to the basics.
Ultimate Spider-Man would be the flagship title that would launch a whole new universe, a return to the early Lee/Ditko aesthetic, which would become more successful than anyone could have imagined.Įventually, the Ultimate line would expand, introduce the first black/Latino Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and inspire the look of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The line would feature relaunches of established Marvel Comics staples like the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the Avengers (under the moniker of the Ultimates), introducing modern takes on these characters unburdened by the decades of continuity the main Marvel Universe had to deal with. Marvel's newly installed editor-in-chief Joe Quesada and president Bill Jemas came up with the bold idea of starting a sister line to the main Marvel Universe, all flying under the "Ultimate" banner. Comics' most relatable superhero was no longer that relatable, especially for young people.īy 2001, Spider-Man's personal history had gotten dense - extremely dense - to a degree that proved somewhat impenetrable to new readers. Since then, Peter had gone on to college, gotten married, lost his Aunt May, gotten cloned, gotten his Aunt May back, had his marriage erased through a deal with the Devil. He graduated from high school back in 1968's Amazing Spider-Man #28.
It was a special sort of alchemy that made the character an icon.īut that Peter Parker eventually grew up. Lee and Ditko's Peter was a normal kid - a character who had to constantly juggle real life, family hardship, and the insanity of high school, all while choosing to accept the responsibility that came with these fantastic powers that literally fell into his hands. He didn't have godlike powers born from alien heritage, and he wasn't a billionaire with years of training and piles of money to help him on his quest for justice. Peter, a high school wallflower, better fit the mold of a classic sidekick. Between story missions, Spider-Man and Venom can follow race paths, go on combat tours, discover and collect hidden icons, and help (or hurt) the citizens of New York.When Stan Lee and Steve Ditko first introduced the world to Peter Parker and his alter ego the Amazing Spider-Man in the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15 back in 1962, he was anything but your "typical" superhero. When the player is done patrolling (or destroying) the city, they can hit these hot spots to advance the story. Story missions show up as hot spots on the map as do other in-game objectives. With few exceptions, Spider-Man and Venom can explore Manhattan and Queens, climbing, jumping, and web swinging away. Ultimate Spider-Man features a fully rendered, cel-shaded Manhattan open to exploration. The Human Torch, Wolverine, Electro, and Green Goblin are some of the Ultimate characters who make appearances. The Ultimate version of the Spider-Man mythos revamps the franchise, bringing in edgier (and often younger) versions of famous superheroes and supervillains. Ultimate Spider-Man follows both their Brian Michael Bendis-scripted adventures, as Spidey attempts to prevent Venom from killing innocents while Venom seeks to avoid S.H.I.E.L.D.’s machinations. In search of his scientist father’s legacy, Eddie came in contact with a symbiotic suit which transformed him into the monstrous Venom. Add web shooters and a costume and Peter becomes Spider-Man.
Not an American user? DescriptionWhen 15-year-old Peter Parker was bitten by a genetically altered spider he became faster, stronger, more agile and gained the spider-like ability to cling to walls.