A lot of people don’t see the point to this five-issue mini-series that pairs together Peter Parker (of 616) with Miles Morales (of the Ultimate universe) on a grand adventure. To them, I stick my tongue out and ask, “are we having fun yet?”
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Sara Pichelli– The shocking conclusion to the Spider-Man event of the year!
– How will the amazing Spider-Man get back to his own reality?
– What will both Spider-Men due now that they know they’re not alone in the universe?
– Will Peter Parker give Miles Morales his blessing?
I think the question one needs to ask themselves before they read Spider-Men is this: do you enjoy fun Spider-Man, or put upon Spider-Man? For me, the answer is certainly the former. I like the bantering, playful joy of our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. I want him to not just beat his enemies, but bring hilarity to the page at their expense.
Often, writers get away from that version of Spider-Man, no matter the universe.
This issue wraps up the five issues of 616 Peter Parker meeting up with Ultimate Miles Morales, and it is filled with some of Bendis’ most fun and slick dialogue in some time. And it isn’t just the Spideys getting it – Tony Stark is flat out hilarious at times in this book.
Ultimately though, it’s all about Peter meeting Spidey, and there are some great payoff moments. Peter’s advice to Miles was both a great run through continuity and quite funny, and it touches on all kinds of strong points before culminating in a HUGE TEASE (with a cliffhanger following shortly after it). The point is though, this is some very, very strong character work. Bendis, when on point, has some of the best character work and dialogue in the industry, and this is a nice little reminder of that.
My only beef with the mini-series, and this issue in fact, was the ending. I like the idea that Peter googles Miles in 616 when he gets back, but leaving it like that? That’s kind of disingenuous unless they are going to tackle the subject sooner rather than later. Unless this leads into Superior Spider-Man somehow, I will be a little disappointed in how it wrapped.
I haven’t mentioned Sara Pichelli yet, but that’s because you know what I’m going to say: she’s amazing. We’ve seen her art grow in front of our very eyes, and in this mini her art has been as tight and clean as we’ve ever seen it. While names like Mark Bagley, David Lafuente and Dave Marquez have done great jobs on the Ultimate universe iterations of Spider-Man, for me personally, Sara Pichelli is the artist of note.
Cue calls of blasphemy.
Either way, this issue had some really great little character moments for her to depict, as well as brief action sequences that amounted to Team Spidey dominating. It doesn’t matter what Bendis puts in the script – Pichelli always nails it.
So that marks the end of this interesting and fun little mini-series. For me, it was a worthwhile exercise, and one that brought a lot of fun to a book that should be fun. I can definitely dig it, and it just makes me all the more excited for where Bendis is taking Miles from here. Make mine Miles, indeed.
Final Verdict: 8.5 for the issue and the mini-series
