A lot has changed in Ultimate Spider-Manand Peter has been absent for much of it. From the reveal of who Gwen Stacy really is to Harry coming back from the dead, there’s a lot to catch Peter up on, but being in the dark comes with its dangers. Peter’s family and their safety are a key part of that, as we learn in Ultimate Spider-Man #18 that keeping them safe is harder than you might think.
Taking place in June, Ultimate Spider-Man #18 opens with Peter, MJ, and May awaiting a private jet. Harry needs Peter to head back to New York, but the family will be safe with Uncle Ben and Jameson. The theme of keeping the family safe and being true to legacy appears in several ways throughout the issue, while Spider-Man gets to cut loose.
Family comes up in a few different ways, one of which includes Gwen and the Mysterio secret organization. A role she took on from her father, we get the sense she’s coming into her own by the end of the scene. It also helps reinforce this group as an impactful one that needed a nudge.
I love how confident Checchetto makes MJ look.
Credit: Marvel
Marco Checchetto returns and will blow you away. A montage of Peter and Harry fighting crime while they wait for Gwen. The pages are dynamic and give us some great Spidey scenes. Throw in familiar villains who have yet to appear in this universe, and it’s a reminder that Spider-Man’s rogues have barely scratched the surface.
These scenes also reinforce that Spider-Man is coming into his own as a superhero. Given he was away from New York for a few months, and how he could barely take on Shocker a year or so ago, it’s nice to see he’s leveled up.
Speaking of his rogues, Doc Ock plays a comical part, which also ties into the protecting family theme. The scene adds some levity and reinforces Doc Ock as a truly creepy character.
Outside of Spider-Man reaquainting himself with fighting crime and being Spider-Man, Richard Parker plays a very big part. He falls into the trap of being a horny teen, who probably shouldn’t be hanging out with Black Cat for a bunch of reasons. Frankly, his scenes push the plot forward far faster than one might expect given the slower pace of the last few issues. Things feel like they are coming to a head, or at least they’ll need to very quickly.
Colors by Matthew Wislon add a lot of dynamic range to the art. The backgrounds, rendered in high detail by Checchetto, have ground light peeking into the sky, for instance. The use of shadows on Spider-Man’s suit elevates the overall feel to a darker, more mature tone.
Ultimate Spider-Man #18 balances emotional stakes and high-octane action while deepening its cast and teasing bigger things ahead. Despite a somewhat forced rush to get Richard in the right place, it’s a visually stunning and thematically rich chapter that pushes the story forward in meaningful ways.
‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ #18 gets Spidey back into action
Ultimate Spider-Man #18
Ultimate Spider-Man #18 balances emotional stakes and high-octane action while deepening its cast and teasing bigger things ahead. Despite a somewhat forced rush to get Richard in the right place, it’s a visually stunning and thematically rich chapter that pushes the story forward in meaningful ways.
Strong thematic focus on family and protection woven through multiple storylines.
Marco Checchetto’s return to art duties delivers dynamic action and expressive character work.
Spider-Man’s evolution as a hero is satisfying to witness, especially with new rogues being teased.
Richard Parker’s subplot feels tonally jarring and a bit rushed, especially given the slower buildup in recent issues.
