Ultimate Spider-Man #113

Background

Spider-Man has had several life-altering confrontations with the notorious Norman Osborn, a.k.a. the Green Goblin and the father of his once best friend, Harry.

Norman is imprisoned in the Triskelion, the former home of the world's premiere superteam, the Ultimates.

Norman has been denied access to his son and refused the request to continue his work. He is not happy.

Story Details

The issue starts at a scene from the previous issue. Danvers makes a "Wooo!!" gesture to Norman as the door closes. We see Norman sitting in his cell and we get to hear his thoughts. He's mad at Fury, the drugs do not keep him sedated as he is constantly evolving. Then he transforms himself into the Green Goblin. Then there's an enormous explosion.

The cell block is ruined, several inmates are free. Among them is Otto Octavius. Otto and Norman are having a fight. Which is inconvenient, for Norma needs to get out before Fury get's his act together. The fight ends when Electro zaps Otto. Electro wants to work for Norman. They arrange to meet as Electro flys off.

Outside, the army has arrived. Norman jumping away, gets shot. From under water, he jumps up again, and destroys 3 army helicopters. And then he escapes.

Later on, that evening, Norman gets to his attorney, Joseph. Norman wants money, clothes and to talk to his publicist.

That night, Norman Osborn is live on television. Norman tells a sob story about him being stopped by Nick Fury while he was working on a wonder drug that would solve all of America's military problems. Peter and MJ are walking across town, eating some icecream as they spot the broadcast. They are shocked.

General Comments

What I noticed first was that the summary at the beginning of the story is ultra short. I wish I had seen it before writing the review of issue 112. Just one line, it makes me wonder what did actually go on in the previous issue?

Anyway, when the inmates are freed, a blond girl seems to escape as well. A normal looking girl, held prisoner at the Triskelion, she must have either super powers or be very, very dangerous. I guessing it's the second option. Who she is I don't know. And since Stuart Immonen draws faces totally different then Bagley did, I do not recognize her, but she could be Gwen Stacy, or not? We'll have to wait and see.

Then the two fights. First Otto and Norman. Totally out of place. Why would Otto fight Norman? Weren't they partners in crime? Did I miss something? In short, OZ made Otto what he is today, and he likes that, or at least I thought he did. And the one person that gave him that power, is now his enemy?

The second fight, Norman against the army. When did Norman possess Hulk level powers? He tells us readers that he has evolved, but to me it seems he is now a Hulk class heavyweight. This is a Spider-Man comic. Spidey can't take on this kind of power, so we're probably in for another high power team-up. We got the Fantastic Four with the clone saga, now it'll be the Ultimates, wanna bet?

Overall Rating

Yep, 2 webs, below average. Why? After last issue, I thought the return of Norman would be cool. But after this one, I hate it. The Green Goblin is NOT a Hulk-class villain. Also, it feels like every time a character returns, he has to be stronger than the first time. Meaning stronger in physical power. What happened to cunning crooks? The whole story feels like an excuse for the Ultimates to have a team-up with Spider-Man. Well, I'm already reading Ultimate Power for that.