Hello everyone and welcome to 411 comics first ever round table discussion. My name’s Daron Kappauff, many of you may know me from my column, Missing the Boat, but I am also the editor of the reviews section. Basically this is how it’s going to work: First, I’ll give you the credits for the issue. Then, I’ll introduce each reviewer, and their thoughts on the issue will follow as will their rating. At the end of the review I’ll tally up all the points and give you the 411 decision.
Ultimate Spider-Man #36
Story Title: Today
Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciled by: Mark Bagley
Inked by: Art Thibert
Colored by: Transparency Digital
Lettered by: Chris Eliopolos
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Publisher: Marvel
Dave Graham:
The first half of this issue of Bendis’ Ultimate Spidey is very wordy; the second half is wonderfully silent in places. The dialogue between Peter and Eddie feels a little forced, but does its job. There’s some nice character development of Gwen Stacy, which shows her as a strong yet vulnerable person. Her dialogue with Peter especially, works very well. Bagley’s art is good, with the character’s emotions shown clearly in their faces, and the sequence above the chimney is worthy of note. The final half of the story is truly excellent. A first-rate issue giving an interesting, although predictable, set-up for things to come.
8.0
Kyle Litke:
I’ve never been a big fan of Venom, so I didn’t really care all that much that he was being Ultimatized. The storyline’s been all right though. This issue itself was good, but nothing great. The story was decent, art was good as always, pretty much the norm for an issue of Ultimate Spiderman.
8.0
Jeff Vice:
Writer Brian Michael Bendis gives us a bit of a breather — a respite, if you will — before things get really interesting in this story line. Not a whole lot of Spidey action, but we do get more Gwen Stacy (yay!) and it appears that our suspicions about young Mr. Brock have been confirmed (double yay!). Or have they?
8.0
Matt Morrison:
A very rare off issue for this team: The writing and dialogue are technically proficient as usual, but a lot of things are repeated and not much happens, except for the slow building of the climax which we’ve been waiting for for the last couple of issues. It’s funny, but I thought the last issue went too fast in showing Peter finding out the dangers of what his father has created, and this issue was too slow in his explaining the dangers again and in moving to the next plateau. An enjoyable read, though I feel like I’ve just been left waiting for nothing and wanting for more.
6.0
Tom Toner:
Ultimate Spiderman 36 was great, MAJOR twists on the Venom arc. From what happened between Eddie and Gwen from last issue, I kind of saw it coming that he would try something with her. I’m just glad nothing happened between them. I still think she and the now single Peter would be great together. I’m really enjoying the huge twist put on Venom. In the regular universe, Brock learned of Peter’s identity thanks to the Venom symbiote but in this universe Peter tells him about it after being caught in the lab with the symbiote. I think the warped version of what transpired was really enjoyable. I really like Eddie’s character here, just cooler then his MU version but like his MU version Bendis made him just as swift. Turns out, he had more samples of the project, and in the end put his hand in the goo. I’m highly anticipating next month’s issue to see the Brock version of Venom. I’m sitting on the edge of my seat for this one.
ART: 7
STORY: 9
OVERALL: 8
By Daniel Foery:
Who else feared the beginning of the “Ultimate Venom†storyline as the first misstep in this great book? I should have had more faith in Bendis. Venom, the most tiresome and one-dimensional character in the Marvel Universe (and man, is THAT saying a lot), has finally become interesting. Granted, it took a re-hauled origin and personality transplant, but….
9.5
Well, there you have it. From what it sounds like everyone here liked this issue. Some liked it more than others but overall we here at 411 are giving Ultimate Spiderman #36 a total score of:
8.0
