Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #5

Background

Miles has just decided to take on the Spider-man persona and is taking a store bought Spider-man suit for a run around the city, when he runs into Spider-Woman's foot! Spider-woman beneath the mask is a female clone of the original Peter Parker, with Peter's memories... so she takes this sort of impersonating rather personally.

Story Details

Spider-woman confronts Miles and is pretty upset. She tries to get Miles to explain himself, webs him up and takes his mask off. Miles freaks and tries to hop away, but trips and knocks himself unconscious as he falls down.

Miles wakes up in the Triskelion with Nick Fury, Iron Man, Spider-woman and Hawkeye looking into his cell as Fury questions him. Eventually Nick sends the others out and enters the cell to talk to Miles alone. While they are talking, Electro makes an escape attempt from the lower levels of the Triskelion. Electro beats Iron Man, Hawkeye and Spider-woman and is about to kill Fury when Miles saves the day using his chameleon and sting abilities. Fury is impressed.

While hanging out with Ganke later, Miles is retelling the story when Spider-woman in civilian clothes approaches and gives him a case. She tells him that Fury says he has a chance and that if he is going to be Spider-man he needs to live up to the legacy. She walks off and Ganke opens the case revealing a new Spider-man suit!

General Comments

This issue the origin story veers off from familiar territory and it makes things so much better. The confrontation with Spider-woman comes across as annoying at the start, but the way it leads to Miles showing off his power set to Fury and then Fury approving by giving him a suit, is very cool. You get the sense that Fury is reminded of Peter when he meets Miles and resolves to try and do better by him.

I like that this is how Miles gets his version of the Spider-man costumes. It makes much more sense than a teenager getting out a sewing machine and whipping one himself. I was left wondering how he gets spares when this one gets inevitably destroyed or damaged.

Miles himself is becoming more likeable and distinct as a character. He is shy, but really wants to stand up for what is right, in a youthful and almost naive way.

Overall Rating

Great issue.