Ultimate Spider-Man #12 marks the end of the first year of the first Ultimate Universe ongoing series. Thus far Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto have delivered a can’t miss experience. They’ve done a great job in showing how different things are when Peter Parker assumes the Spider-Man identity in his 30s after having a career and building a family with Mary Jane Watson-Parker. Having reached the end of the first year of the series how will Hickman and Checchetto set-up the second year? Let’s find out with Ultimate Spider-Man #12.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Cory Petit
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #12 SOLICITATION
“A VERY MERRY SPIDER-CHRISTMAS? Season’s greetings from the Parker family! But why is Peter acting so strangely during the most wonderful time of the year? And what’s got Gwen so concerned? Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion of the second arc – and the first year – of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
A comic book that is largely about a family Christmas party has never been more interesting than it is in Ultimate Spider-Man #12. If you needed any more evidence that what Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto have created with this series is magic than you’ll know that from reading this issue. It is truly amazing to realize how invested you become with every panel of all talking and almost zero superhero action.
The magic of Ultimate Spider-Man #12 was simply the chemistry between Mary Jane Watson-Parker, her mother, and sister. The Watson Family carried this entire issue and in the process proved they could carry their own series simply on their chemistry. There was so many ups and downs to the way MJ interacted with her mother and sister that made her the most relatable character.
The relatability of MJ’s character simply came from how you feel you’ve been in that spot during the holidays at least once with family you don’t get along. While you may love the family members you don’t get along with it doesn’t mean you necessarily like or agree with their life choices. That is a spot that Hickman and Checchetto masterfully balance with how MJ handles being with her mom and sister.
To their credit as well Madeline, MJ’s mom, and Gayle Watson, MJ’s sister, carry their part of the interaction. Madeline being the three-time widow and world traveler is exactly the vibe you get from how she speaks and stands next to others. The way she gets on MJ’s case by simply commenting on her observations of how her daughter is handling heating up food is one of those “been there” moments. It really makes MJ the character you feel most invested in Ultimate Spider-Man.
That investment was further carried by MJ and Gayle’s back-and-forth. Even when they were trying to be nice to each other you can sense the tension from their history. Gayle not liking that MJ has such a normal boring life did so much to understand exactly what kind of person she is. It made the revelation that Gayle caught her own “interesting” husband cheating on her for years and now is getting a divorce unsurprising. How that was revealed and ended up getting MJ and Gayle to understand each other better was well done.
While the Watson Family certainly carried Ultimate Spider-Man #12 that did not mean others didn’t stand out. Uncle Ben continues to be the constant that this series needs as its soul. How Uncle Ben shepherds J. Jonah Jameson through understanding the family dynamic at the part. This gave Jonah a chance to naturally insert himself as an extended family member. Jonah connecting with Richard Parker, Peter and MJ’s son, worked for both characters and made you want to see them have more of a mentor-protégée relationship.
With how everyone else in the cast got so much attention it made it even more obvious how Peter Parker played a background character role in Ultimate Spider-Man #12. It made the big reveal that the Peter that’s been around this entire issue was the AI Spider-Man suit taking Peter’s form even stronger. This certainly feeds more into the theory previously mentioned that Peter’s AI Spider-Man suit could be symbiote based. That would play into the fact that the tech developed by Howard Stark used for this Spider-Man costume is something that is ahead of even The Maker’s Council’s understanding.
This transitioned things to Peter and Harry current predicament of being captured by Kraven the Hunter. There are so many immediate questions and concerns for Peter and Harry created the maximum momentum heading into the second year of this series. Kraven actually capturing both without their costumes does leave’s thing in a spot where not only is he in physical danger but also Peter’s secret identity will not be secret for very long. That all comes together for a strong hook ending to end the first year of Ultimate Spider-Man on.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto have truly created something special with their run on Ultimate Spider-Man. Ultimate Spider-Man #12 is the greatest example of the magic they’ve created as they made a superhero comic book about a family Christmas party be something you are invested in from beginning to end. The results of how the party was handled led to big reveals that created an even greater investment into the second year of this series.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
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