Well, this is a bit unexpected.
It turns out Marvel has been playing a bit of bait and switch on us the reader, as last week’s tease of the Death of Spider-Man – including the cover to Spider-Man #655 – was actually a bit of smoke and mirrors with the reveal of the next big thing for the Ultimate Universe: the Death of Spider-Man. It’s actually a bit of a multi-faceted event, one that culminates partially with the death of one of our favorite heroes.
As the press release reads, the “event” will kick off with Bendis writing two prelude issues of Ultimate Spider-Man, #153 and 154 (with Sarah Pichelli and David Lafuentue), before Mark Millar comes out with a new six issue mini-series: Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates, with Francis Lenil Yu. I suppose that explains why New Ultimates was reduced to a mini as well, and I suppose after the events of Ultimate Avengers 3, Fury’s team is going to come under fire from the more public friendly team with Steve, Tony, and Thor. How this ties into Spidey’s death, I’m unsure, but this will be the second time the Ultimate Universe tries to do away with Peter Parker in an event (the first being his near death in Ultimatum).
It’s funny – just last week we were discussing in the comments of one of our articles that we were feeling like the Ultimate Universe was drifting too far apart from itself and losing it’s cohesion that made it so great in the beginning. With Bendis and Millar on this event, I think it’s safe to say that this could actually be the attack that the Ultimate Universe so desperately needs.
Click after the jump for the full press release, and let us know your thoughts after the cut.
“Marvel Announces Death of Spider-Man By Bendis & Millar”
“Groundbreaking New Storyline Hits the Ultimate Comics Universe in February”
Marvel is proud to announce Death of Spider-Man, the groundbreaking new story that forever changes the Ultimate Comics universe from superstar writers Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Millar. Kicking off with a prelude in Ultimate Spider-Man #153 and going into high-gear with Ultimate Avengers vs New Ultimates #1, this is the story that no comic fan can afford to miss when it all begins in February 2011 because, in the Ultimate Universe, There Are No Rules. This storyline continues in further issues of both Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate Avengers vs New Ultimates.
“As a group and as individuals we have made a conscious effort to create stories this year that no one has ever seen before,” said Bendis. “I am very, very proud to be a part of this storyline and very proud of Marvel for even attempting such a bold endeavor. Sit back and watch as we unveil a storyline unlike any other!!”
The most successful new imprint of the century, Ultimate Comics has continually pushed the limits of super hero comics and raised the bar for comic book storytelling, with Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.1 selling well over one million copies.
Millar added, “This is the biggest, boldest thing we’ve attempted in the ten years since we kicked this line off. This is the one thing that could be bigger than the CREATION of the Ultimate line and it’s great to be a part of it. Being part of something like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and soon you’ll all get to read the story we’ve written for you, This should be up there with the very small number of events that really mattered. This is going to be big.”
This February, Death of Spider-Man marks the most ambitious Ultimate Comics story yet…and one that no fan will ever forget!
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #153 & #154
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils by SARA PICHELLI & DAVID LAFUENTE
Cover by SARA PICHELLI
Rated T+ …$3.99 each
ON-SALE IN FEBRUARY
ULTIMATE AVENGERS VS. NEW ULTIMATES #1 (of 6)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils & Cover by LEINIL YU
Variant Covers by BRYAN HITCH & FRANK CHO
Rated T+ …$3.99
ON-SALE IN FEBRUARY
