Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #16.1

Background

It's a point one issue, which basically sums up the new Spidey run so far... so there's not really much background needed. Or at least that is supposed to be the point!

Story Details

Betty Brant is an investigative journalist at the Bugle. She hasn't been too successful and is after a break. She decides to investigate the new Spider-man. She thinks she can figure out who he is and earn fame and fortune in the process.

Betty tries to take her story to Jonah, but he knocks her back and tells her to find more evidence. Through the course of the issue, she is able to figure the connection to the prowler (Miles' uncle Aaron) and she manages to find the Spider that bit Miles and trace it back to Oscorp. She stalks Miles and his family. She comes to the conclusion that Miles' dad must be the new Spider-man.

Betty then goes back to Jonah with her evidence. Jonah has been changed by his experiences with Peter, when he was Spider-man. Jonah refuses to publish the story because he thinks it is wrong and will only destroy lives.

Betty contacts an agent and seems to making a deal to get the story out. She returns home though and is killed by Venom!

General Comments

An excellent way to summarise the series so far. All the information we find out is not new, but the story manages to build tension. I found myself drawn in and interested in where is was going to end up. It seemed inevitable that Spidey would be outed in some way. And the end comes. It is such a sinister and unexpected ending. An ending that seemed to evoke the original Eddie Brock Venom storyline, when Venom stalks Mary-Jane in her and Pete's apartment.

The art is excellent and clear. There is also some great character moments. It was nice to see both Ben Urich, Jonah and Joe Robertson sticking up for Peter in different ways. In fact, it was nice just to see those characters again! It's been too long.

Overall Rating

An excellent issue. The way a point one should be done.