Two issues in, and the new series of Ultimate Spider-Man has wasted no time in setting up some exceptionally high-stakes plot points. We’re talking grand-finale level stuff here, but it’s all happening right out of the starting gate. The Green Goblin has returned in full force. Peter Parker is somehow alive and wants to be Spider-Man again, even attacking Miles Morales to reclaim his web shooters. Miles decides to reveal his secret identity to his girlfriend Katie. And meanwhile, some guys in costumes similar to Spider-Man’s (although not really) have been stealing high-tech equipment.

Okay, so maybe that last one isn’t nearly as exciting in comparison to the others. Their relevance at this point seems secondary at best, but they inform the opening of this issue, which skillfully weaves in in new perspectives as the story’s momentum seems to hit a peak. Bendis also continues to blur the lines between comic book reality and the reader’s perspective, to a fantastic effect.

How so?

As editor-in-chief of The Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson has always been a major antagonist in Spider-Man’s story. He’s just as irascible (and gruffly lovable) in the Ultimate continuity, but with one key difference. Here, Jonah has not only learned about the original Spider-Man’s secret identity, but has since become a huge advocate for everything he’d stood for, atoning for past grief caused in pursuit of newspaper sales. So when the staff of the Bugle pitches stories connecting the recent crime spree to Spider-Man, it’s Jonah who points out that the link is tenuous at best and given their tech-based targets, the Spider-Twins are not exactly “terrorizing the city.” As I’d mentioned in my review for issue #2, it wasn’t quite clear why the criminals were associated with Spider-Man in the first place. It’s great to see JJJ back in the mix and funny to have him act as the voice of reason, calling out a question that I certainly had as a reader: Why should we care about these guys, anyway? We just care about Spider-Man!

The police have yet to make any progress, as two bumbling and oddly familiar detectives assigned to the case realize that they also have nothing to truly link the thieves to Spider-Man. Seeing them on the page had me grinning, especially as they (of all people!) were forced to admit that they couldn’t come up with a plausible story worth pursuing. This tap on the fourth wall was well-played, and a bright spot in an otherwise intense issue. As much as I’d like to see more from them, the case is now assigned to a new detective – one who happens to know that Miles Morales is Spider-Man and wastes no time trying to connect some dots.

Meanwhile, Katie’s response to Miles’ confession isn’t particularly surprising. I’ve expressed my frustration with her non-characterization before, and her dramatic reaction ends up falling completely flat because of it. On the positive side, Marquez beautifully renders her facial expressions so that they speak volumes without dialogue. I’m assuming (read: hoping) that there’s some backstory planned for Katie, possibly linked to Spider-Man in order to give her a more meaningful role within the overall story. In a title that’s already had to overcome accusations of tokenism, it seems odd for the main character to be stuck with a token girlfriend.

And what about Peter?

Bendis has already had Miles voice fan theories to explain Peter being alive (I’ve lost count of how times the word “clone” has appeared in these three issues alone) and checks the box on my own personal theory in this story (clearly OZ has regenerative qualities…right?). At this point, it seems like Bendis has exhausted the obvious list of comic book-style explanations for Peter’s return. Will he double-down and have one of them turn out to be true, or is the answer hiding in plain sight? I’d like to think the latter, but having reviewed the issues again, I admit that if it’s there, then it’s not jumping out at me yet.

While Peter isn’t present in this issue, his legacy haunts the story. Upon learning that Norman is on the loose, Miles is compelled to race toward Aunt May’s house, as it was where he’d believed the Green Goblin and Peter Parker had both died fighting each other. The stage is now set for an explosive confrontation.

But why, exactly? That remains to be seen, and hopefully our storytellers can deliver on the promise of the three issues to date. The cliffhanger here is dramatic, perhaps symbolic, but it doesn’t yet make immediate sense within context of the story. Still, the startling imagery closes this opening arc on a high note, leaving you feeling that the fast-paced buildup was nothing and that the real roller coaster ride is finally about to begin.

On another note…

Behind the scenes, the Ultimate universe has had an interesting and slightly turbulent year. First, it’s been narrowed down to only three titles: this relaunched series, All-New Ultimates (also featuring Miles), and Ultimate FF. Unfortunately, Ultimate FF has already been cancelled and while I have yet to truly an enjoy an issue of All-New Ultimates, I’m already wondering where this series of Ultimate Spider-Man can possibly go after bringing out the big guns right away.  Furthermore, there have been teases of Miles appearing in 616-based stories later this year, both in Dan Slott’s upcoming “Spider-Verse” event and Bendis’ own All-New X-Men. Miles will even be appearing in an upcoming episode of the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, giving him more mainstream exposure. This issue even includes a playful nod to the notion of universes converging. Is this all pointing to a last hurrah for Miles before bringing him over to the main continuity?

I’d hate to think so.

Miles’ whole character is informed by responsibility to a legacy as opposed to Peter’s sense of responsibility. The Ultimate versions of MJ, Aunt May, and Gwen have been incredible emotional touch points for Miles’ story. It’d be a shame to lose that beautiful dynamic, which sets this title apart from other stuff that’s out there. Miles is *the* Spider-Man in his world and there’s an appeal in seeing him trying to define it for himself. Making him second-tier to the “real” Spider-Man would be a disservice to a phenomenal character. Plus isn’t Spidey 2099 around now as well? It’d seem a little too crowded. And a Miles comic book without the awesomeness of Ganke scarcely bears thinking about.