At it's core, any Spider-Man title should be a an examination of the concept "With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility." It's a phrase that most people are aware of, and an idea that is simple enough to comprehend. But what happens when a young man's devotion to this ideal is tested to it's limit's?
After two disastrous confrontations with the Venom monster, Miles Morales life has taken a tragic turn. His father is in the hospital and his mother lies dead from an accidental shooting. This was the final straw. How on earth could Miles Morales, or even Peter Parker for that matter, continue on as Spider-Man when the cost of his double-life is so very high? Issue #23 begins, as most Ultimate Universe books have this month, with a time jump of one year.
We meet Miles, and Ganke at their school one year after the events of the 'Venom War' story line. While so much has happened to these two friends, their rock solid bond is still exactly that. However, we find that the vow that Miles made to never be Spider-Man again at the end of issue #22 is still intact. For one year New York and the world has been without a Spider-Man, and Miles has no intention of ever returning to that life.
When Spider-Woman confront's Miles about his future as Spider-Man, She insists that his Mother would of been proud of him and everything he has done. Miles re-buffs he attempts and tells her to never again contact him. But, will a chance encounter with a woman from Peter Parker's past convince him differently or will we all continue to live in "A World Without Spider-Man?"
Artist David Marquez, takes this opportunity to render a now fourteen year old Miles Morales with subtle maturity. While it is difficult for many artist's to render accurate age progression, Marquez gives our core characters a believable and convincing update. Marquez's artwork is simple and beautiful to behold, and does nothing but enhance the issue's masterful story telling.
Writer Brian Michael Bendis is out doing himself. Without a doubt, Ultimate Spider-Man is the best Spider-Man title that MARVEL comics is producing. Of course that isn't too difficult when the only other Spider-Man titles feature the frustrating and rather unnerving "Superior Spider-Man," that hard core fans and even new comers are beginning to back away from. Lucky for them, Ultimate Spider-Man is not only an accessible story to jump into it is quite simply, one of the best ongoing titles produced by Marvel Comics right now... Or possibly ever.
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