Ultimate Spiderman: Has it been done before

[Deathlok]

How is Ultimate spidey different.....is it not just retelling the spiderman early years in a modern setting.......

[Crash-Man]

You answered your own question.

[Deathlok]

I was hoping there was more to it than that!

:eek:

[Jake V]

Ultimate Spider-Man is "just a retelling of the spider-man early years in a modern setting" the same way that Batman books are "just about a guy who dresses up in a costume and beats up bad people"

Sure, it can be simplified enough to have a one-sentance definition that doesn't sound very impressive, but so can everything. The truth is that Ultimate Spidey isn't a "retelling" of spider-man's early years because there is tons of stuff that happens in Ultimate Spidey that never happened in the original books. It's a new interpretation of Spider-Man mythology set in today's world. It's well written and well drawn with some incredibly strong characterization and a very distinct voice.

But then, it's "just" about a kid with powers who puts on a costume to beat up criminals. So I don't know if you should waste your time with it.

[Deathlok]

I am not putting down the book, but what if someone came up to you & said,

Regular Gwen Stacy died, so too did she die in Ultimate spidey.

How is ultimate black cat different from the regular black cat?

[Deathlok]

what makes Ultimate SPidey different from the other spidey books?

How is it different?



For example, Ultimates is very different from the regular non Ultimate avengers. I mean, is Thor really a god or just some nut with a hammer? :eek:
( He talks to people in public that no one else can see) :eek:

[Jake V]

I am not putting down the book, but what if someone came up to you & said,

Regular Gwen Stacy died, so too did she die in Ultimate spidey.

How is ultimate black cat different from the regular black cat?
For one, she's older than Spider-Man. There's not really a whole lot about her that has been revealed yet. Obviously, parts of her origin remain the same because they are defining elements of the character in any universe.

If someone came up and asked me about the biggest difference betwen Ultimate Spidey and regular Spidey, the first thing that would come to mind is that Ultimate Spidey is actually fun to read while regular Spidey dropped the "fun" sometime in the mid-late 90's.

[Deathlok]

OK, she is older than spidey....but I hope thats not indicative of the really BIG changes to the spidey mythos that require another spidey book

[Deathlok]

I guess another change would be that in Ultimate Spidey, the Green Goblin injects himself with serum & transforms , physically, into a goblin form...rather than just put on a custome.

[Harold of the Rocks]

Like issue #25 or so...

Some key differences I noticed...

Kraven is a Reality-TV celebrity ala 'Croc Hunter". Different Origin.

Electro doesn't wear a mask or goofy green costume. Not sure about his origin.

Doc Ock learned Spidey's secret identity almost immediately. He also seems to have alot of gadgetry in his tentacles than I have ever seen in the '616'. He worked for Osborn, and was 'created' in an explosion in the labs. He was secretly performing corporate espionage for Justin Hammer. And he wears tighty-whities (I think 616 Ock was a boxer guy). Lotsa differences. Those are just off the top of my head.

Gwen was killed by Carnage. Not thrown from a bridge, either. Totally different.

Harry is Hobgoblin. Different villain.

The Venom symbiote was a man-made chemical 'suit'. Not an alien. Oh, and Pete and Eddie's fathers were the inventors. Way different origin.

I came up with these instantly, and like I said I haven't read this for a long time... so I agree with Jake V that this is a reinterpretation with significant changes. Some cosmetic, some substantial. I don't believe all the villains origins have been fleshed out, so there could be even more changes that 'have happened' that the readers are unaware of as well.

Incidentally, I didn't 'drop' this book, I used to read it when Marvel was putting them out as "DotComics". I wasn't "back" into buying comics then, (just the last year-and-a-half or so) so I only stopped reading it when it wasn't an option. Now, I haven't gone back to this book, but I did enjoy it when I was reading it, and wouldn't rule out picking it up.

I'm kind of surprised you weren't aware that it is quite a bit different, it seems like there is a lot of information at this site (and elsewhere) commenting on whether a person likes/dislikes the reinterpretations of different characters and stories. But I'm glad to offer a little insight. I'm sure there are many more 'well-read' posters here that could filll you in on a ton more if they are so inclined. Better yet, pick up a tpb and see for yourself. ;)

[brian2322]

two other big diferences are peter was around 5 or 6 when his parents died and aunt may is younger and fit rather than old and fragile

[Arrjay]

Well, I have bought every single issue of every single Ultimate Universe comic and in my opinion Spidey's book is second only to the Ultimates and the speration between the two is a bee's dick. The Ultimate Universe is so much different from the 616 Universe. It's hard for me to name specific things in the Spidey book that define it better than that. Mainly because Harold Of The Rocks reeled off everything I was gonna say before I saw this thread.
Seriously though, give it a chance. Pick up a trade and read it.
The differences will jump out at you over time.

[Deathlok]

ok, I mean significant differences. For example, All Star Batman & Robin is just a re-telling of the Batman story with a few twists. It is not hindered by continuity. So IMP, those differences are pruely cosmetic. Nothing radical.

Dark Knight returns was a radical departure from the standard Batman story.

So far, The differences in Ultimate Spidey are cosmetic.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Actually, All-Star Batman features a Batman who beats kids, kills cops, and calls people retarded.

[Deathlok]

He never killed any cops, and which children did he beat?

[Gaz]

He never killed any cops, and which children did he beat?
He slaps Dick a couple of times.

And the bigger changes are in personalities. For instance, Flash had a crush on Gwen but was too scared to tell her, Gwen was a bad-ass punk chick, and she and Pete never got together, but Aunt May took her in when Captain Stacy died, as her mother wasn't exactly brimming with maternal love, making her and Pete more like brother and sister. (which has tons of potential, btw, and is why killing her was a pointless move to stay the same as 616)
MJ was the one with the hots for Pete, which he was initially oblivious too, and she was one of the geek set at school too. Peter tells her he's Spidey almost right off, and she's fine with it. Gwen found out too, and was also trusted with it. (Again, a great idea that got thrown away)
Johnny Storm went to school with Peter and MJ, and currently Peter is dating Kitty Pryde, of the X-Men.
Nick Fury has also taken special interest in Peter, trying to groom him for the Ultimates when he become legal. He thusly alternates between father figure and bureaucratic, uncaring ass.
Aunt May, as has been said, is also younger, aroung 50 and is much more active and savvy than her counterpart, she has gotten a job and been to therapy as well as using the internet to be an amateur diagnostician for her family.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Deathlok, Bats clearly kills, or tries his best to kill, several Gotham cops in ASB&R #2.

Anyway, Ultimate Spidey doesn't differ from the norm nearly as much as say, The Ultimates does...but it's still a very fresh take on the story, and it's been a blast to read.

I love Peter and Kitty...I really hope this lasts a while.

[palaeomerus]

Batman has killed several cops in both issues of All Star. He destroyed the squad car that some where in with the batmobile. He then rams several cops on bikes at high speed with the Batmobile. That's killing people.

In Ultimate Spider Man Peter is less tightly wound than 616 Peter was. He is more mature and less on the edge or scary than Ditko's version. He is MUCH less impulsive and he handles rejection and disappointment better and seems to have a better grasp of who he is. He is also still living at home instead of attending Empire State this late in his comic's run.

He is also NOT a photgrapher but a web monkey for the Bugle.

[pmpknface]

Did you even see the Spider-Man cartoon from the mid-1990's? The difference between 616-Spidey and Ult. Spidey is the same difference between 616-Spidey and that animated Spidey. Sure, all the players and plots are there, but they're all in different settings and play out differently. It's just good, fun stuff! :D

[davidboring]

just out of curiosity, did Nick Fury have anything to do with Peter's parents death in Ultimate or regular stories? Because I thought he suspected it in one issue.

[brian2322]

just out of curiosity, did Nick Fury have anything to do with Peter's parents death in Ultimate or regular stories? Because I thought he suspected it in one issue.

peter did ask him about his parents death in the last issue of the venom storyline, but nothing has really led us to believe fury had anything to do with it

[Hellfan]

Ultimate Spider-Man is "just a retelling of the spider-man early years in a modern setting" the same way that Batman books are "just about a guy who dresses up in a costume and beats up bad people"

Sure, it can be simplified enough to have a one-sentance definition that doesn't sound very impressive, but so can everything.

That's so true!

That made me laugh like crazy! Now I'm sitting here thinking up simplified sentences to make awesomeness sound dull :D

[Charagon]

How is ultimate black cat different from the regular black cat?

Brunette.

[mistervader]

He slaps Dick a couple of times.


WHAT?!? That's material you don't show kids! Especially not at such a young and impressiona... oh. You meant Grayson. My bad.

TRP

The Ultimate Spider-Man is an entirely different animal compared to his 616 counterpart. The differences aren't even just superficial for that matter... mean, for one, the mere fact that Carnage isn't Cletus Kasady should already give you an idea....

[Crimson]

just out of curiosity, did Nick Fury have anything to do with Peter's parents death in Ultimate or regular stories? Because I thought he suspected it in one issue.

Thats going to be explored in the game.

[Zip]

Gwen didn't bang Norman. Then again, Marvel might just be waiting another 32 years to write that into the Ultimate universe.

[Gaz]

Gwen didn't bang Norman. Then again, Marvel might just be waiting another 32 years to write that into the Ultimate universe.
Please, Ultimate Gwen would've knifed him.

[Sean Whitmore]

There are a lot of cosmetic differences between Ultimate and 616 Spidey, but the main difference is in the tones of the worlds where they live.

616: There are dozens of ways to become a super powered being. Radiation, nuclear explosions, alien technology, cosmic influence, etc.
Ultimate: 90% of all non-mutant SPBs are the result of genetic experimentation, and most of the research comes from the government trying to create super soldiers.

616: Super criminals are widely known and recognized. There are even special jails built for them.
Ultimate: SHIELD tries to keep the existence of super criminals under wraps as much as possible, and locks them away sight unseen without trial.

616: Human law enforcement (even SHIELD to an extent) are mostly window-dressing, cleaning up after the heroes.
Ultimate: Many super criminals are caught/killed by law enforcement agents, despite Spidey's interference. Even the "Avengers" are basically SHIELD agents.

616: Through various plot contrivances and coincidences, Spidey rarely loses his mask or leaves evidence of his secret identity.
Ultimate: Spidey loses his mask as often as someone realistically would in the situations he gets into.

616: Heroes and vigilantes are kinda given a pass by the authorities because of their good intentions.
Ultimate: Anyone with super powers is either thrown in jail or drafted into SHIELD once they're 18. Even Iron Fist was thrown in jail for trying to break up a brawl on the street.


SEAN

[ninjapeps]

Ben Reily isn't a clone. in fact, he's a black guy who's much older than Spider-Man.
Venom was originally designed as a cure for cancer by Spider-Man's and Eddie's dads.
Carnage was created by Curt Connors from his blood, Spider-Man's blood and the Venom symbiote.
the list of people who know Spider-Man's secret identity is ridiculously long.
Sandman and Electro were experiments sold as super bodyguards.
Shocker is little more than comic relief. ;)
Spider-Man and Shadowcat are dating.
the formula for web fluid was started by Spider-Man's dad as opposed to him coming up with it all on his own.
costume was made by the wrestling guys and not his own design.

I'm sure there are more but I can't remember them right now.

[Bloopinator]

Well this Spiderman is extremely scrawny and regular Spiderman has muscles and is well toned

[StoneGold]

USpidey is smart for a 15-year-old kids smart, but not build webshooters all by himself smart. He adapted them from his dead father's notes.