When I decided to give the new “Ultimate” Spider-Man a try, I resigned myself to reading a decompressed first issue which didn’t stand alone as even a chapter of a story. As expected, Spider-Man does not appear in costume by the end of the first issue, although Miles Morales does begin to turn invisible (!). The one thing I hadn’t considered when I made my decision was BMB’s idiosyncratic writing style (which makes even Chris Claremont’s seem natural). Throughout the issue, Bendis has his characters saying things such as, “This is a good thing. This--this calls for popsicles.” Who the hell talks like that?
Still, the plot and characters are engaging enough that I’ll likely be back for another issue, provided the dialogue doesn’t drive me away.
Views: 134
You need to be a member of Captain Comics to add comments!
The popsicle thing didn't bother me. I do stuff like that all the time to celebrate the big or minor things in life. I don't word it like that though. I typically just do it.
Anyways I liked the issue. It's what I expected, since it is Bendis. But I actually liked it. I've grown tired of BMB style but it works with some stuff, like Ultimate Spider-man. This is his character, so he can build him anyways he likes. I think when he works on established characters is when his style and methods get bogged down.
I'm eager to see what other powers Miles manifests and why he chooses to adopt the mantle of Spider-man. I can already tell that Miles will be somebody we root for like Peter Parker but from what little I can tell, he's no Peter Parker. I mean that in a good way.
It wasn't "the popsicle thing" I objected to; it was the wording. I agree with you about BMB builing the "his" characters any way he likes and also that "when he works on established characters is when his style and methods get bogged down."
ISSUE #2: The second issue speeds along at a quicker clip than did the first, which is a step in the right direction. BMB’s scripting* still annoys me, but I can live with it. Still, when the first story is complete, I’d like to break it down into 20 pages.
*Two examples of parenthetical asides [“(This is very complicated…”)] and two examples of characters stopping mid-sentence to rephrase their thoughts [“I’m telling you my biggest--this is my biggest shame.”).
Miles’ “invisibility” at the end of the first issue is revealed to be “chameleon powers like some spiders [have]” and he also has a “venom strike” like some spiders. In this issue’s cliffhanger, he discovers his ability to walk on walls.
Listen, ignore my criticisms of BMB’s scripting. It grates on my ear because I have never heard any real person speak like that ever, but I’ve heard some people like it. It really is a good comic (in the modern sense of the term). That sounds really snaky and passive/aggressive, doesn’t it? I may take this post down and re-write it after a day or so.
Case in point. I was going to promise not to point out his "popsicle" dialogue going forward, but I didn't because I don't think I'd be able to keep it. (I guess y'all figured out that should have been "snarky" rather than "snaky"...?)
I'll agree with you, Jeff, on issue 2's dialogue. There were times it annoyed me.
This story is moving at a slow pace but I found myself really liking the issue. We get more insight on what kind of kid Miles is. We also meet his friend Ganke, who looks like one of my friends. I like that Mile's powers are different than Peter's yet still adhere to attributes of a Spider.
I mean, I'm thinking "how can they create a NEW character with (more or less) the same powers as the old character, and not have the origin be totally lame and contrived?"
I will say that they totally delivered on that.
Given the difference in Spidey's origin in the Ultimate Universe and the 'regular" universe, Miles origin actually makes a ton of sense.
I was also surprised that issue one started so far in the past (at least it seems that way -- they make Miles look like he's 12).
Although the whole invisible thing baffles me.
Also, chalk me up as another fan of Bendis's dialogue -- sure it's stilted, but it's got a real David Mamet feel to it. Do people really talk like they do in Glengarry Glenross? Not really. But go to YouTube and search "coffee is for closers" and tell me that's not awesome. Bendis may be aping Mamet, but I have the same problem with that that I have with Phil Jimenez aping George Perez -- none at all.
ISSUE #3: Miles experiments with his powers. Later, he very publically saves a woman, child and puppy from a burning building. His best friend Ganke is his confidant throughout the story. At the Brooklyn Visions Acadamy, they meet their new roommate, Judge. At the end of the issue, Miles and his classmates get the news that Spider-Man has been shot. I’m not even going to complain about BMB’s dialogue this issue. :)
I read issue 3 today. For being slow, I really like this series. I would love to see Miles in Spidey mode already but this slow build of the character is good. We see now what kind of supporting cast he has and how Miles is as a regular person. I'm excited for his adventures now as Spider-man. Hopefully we'll see some retellings of classic Spider-man stories that have yet to be told in the Ultimate Universe and from Miles' point of view.
Replies
The popsicle thing didn't bother me. I do stuff like that all the time to celebrate the big or minor things in life. I don't word it like that though. I typically just do it.
Anyways I liked the issue. It's what I expected, since it is Bendis. But I actually liked it. I've grown tired of BMB style but it works with some stuff, like Ultimate Spider-man. This is his character, so he can build him anyways he likes. I think when he works on established characters is when his style and methods get bogged down.
I'm eager to see what other powers Miles manifests and why he chooses to adopt the mantle of Spider-man. I can already tell that Miles will be somebody we root for like Peter Parker but from what little I can tell, he's no Peter Parker. I mean that in a good way.
*Two examples of parenthetical asides [“(This is very complicated…”)] and two examples of characters stopping mid-sentence to rephrase their thoughts [“I’m telling you my biggest--this is my biggest shame.”).
Miles’ “invisibility” at the end of the first issue is revealed to be “chameleon powers like some spiders [have]” and he also has a “venom strike” like some spiders. In this issue’s cliffhanger, he discovers his ability to walk on walls.
Listen, ignore my criticisms of BMB’s scripting. It grates on my ear because I have never heard any real person speak like that ever, but I’ve heard some people like it. It really is a good comic (in the modern sense of the term). That sounds really snaky and passive/aggressive, doesn’t it? I may take this post down and re-write it after a day or so.
I'll agree with you, Jeff, on issue 2's dialogue. There were times it annoyed me.
This story is moving at a slow pace but I found myself really liking the issue. We get more insight on what kind of kid Miles is. We also meet his friend Ganke, who looks like one of my friends. I like that Mile's powers are different than Peter's yet still adhere to attributes of a Spider.
The art remains excellent.
I was all set to hate this book.
I mean, I'm thinking "how can they create a NEW character with (more or less) the same powers as the old character, and not have the origin be totally lame and contrived?"
I will say that they totally delivered on that.
Given the difference in Spidey's origin in the Ultimate Universe and the 'regular" universe, Miles origin actually makes a ton of sense.
I was also surprised that issue one started so far in the past (at least it seems that way -- they make Miles look like he's 12).
Although the whole invisible thing baffles me.
Also, chalk me up as another fan of Bendis's dialogue -- sure it's stilted, but it's got a real David Mamet feel to it. Do people really talk like they do in Glengarry Glenross? Not really. But go to YouTube and search "coffee is for closers" and tell me that's not awesome. Bendis may be aping Mamet, but I have the same problem with that that I have with Phil Jimenez aping George Perez -- none at all.
I read issue 3 today. For being slow, I really like this series. I would love to see Miles in Spidey mode already but this slow build of the character is good. We see now what kind of supporting cast he has and how Miles is as a regular person. I'm excited for his adventures now as Spider-man. Hopefully we'll see some retellings of classic Spider-man stories that have yet to be told in the Ultimate Universe and from Miles' point of view.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next