Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) has come to a close after its two-year run, bringing to a close one of the greatest chapters in Marvel comic history. At least, as far as I’m concerned.
While the mini-series Renew Your Vows treaded in the same water, it walked so Ultimate Spider-Man could run. Proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that married couples do not make for a boring comic book.
All things considered, the main run of Spider-Man – The Amazing Spider-Man – should be here in his life. Except with wildly more time as the wall crawler since Ultimate Peter here gets his powers later in life. I feel this comic run proves beyond a shadow of doubt that Peter and Mary Jane are still incredibly interesting as a married couple.
With two kids.
Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Add onto that running your own business and being a superhero, there’s a whole lot of stress, and sources for conflict that do not need to be internal.
I think the audience is over seeing a love interest be annoyed or upset that their significant other is a superhero.
Here, we have a Mary Jane who is concerned by her husband’s late-night activities but she’s not stopping him from being Spider-Man. She just worries for her husband.
Like any spouse would if they were in the same position. AKA a cop’s spouse or military or firefighter.
But they do not ask them to change a fundamental piece of themselves. If you’re asking them to do that, then you’re probably not meant to be together.
Ultimate Spider-Man demonstrates to the world that there are writers more than capable of making a married couple interesting and well written without weird BS drama – they just don’t want to. I mean, this is the second time we’ve had a successful version of Peter married with children, yet Marvel Comics refuses to allow the main Amazing Spider-Man Peter Parker to have this growth.
I once saw a thoroughly well-done commentary that the very thing that makes Peter Parker so relatable is his ability to grow. We’ve been with him since he was a teenager, following him on this journey through life.
That doesn’t magically disappear just because he grows up.
We can still read those comics and relate to the younger Peter.
While getting an older, wiser, more mature Peter Parker.
Truthfully, Ultimate Spider-Man leaves me longing for more of this family but also the restoration of the original Peter and Mary Jane marriage in the main comic books. To see it so well done, yet know those two are not afforded the same happiness it a special kind of awful.
On the other hand, while I know the story is carried forth in Ultimate Endgame, I do hope for another title starring just this Spider-Man and his family.
Because this entire run was a good time for me.
Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship here felt just like Superman & Lois’ relationship on the TV show. A strong partnership meant to withstand the test of time. No matter what the world threw at them, they’d weather the storm together.
While that version of Lois and Clark had far more time to become accustomed to being superheroes, Mary Jane and Peter quickly worked out a new normal for themselves and their children. With everyone in on the secret and the family being the core of the comic book.
I loved the ending as Peter revealed that he felt something was missing, but truthfully, it wasn’t so.
Yes, he’s fulfilled being Spider-Man. But all this showed him how fulfilling his life already was with his family. With the woman he’s loved since college. The one he chose to be with every step of this terrifying pathway as they became parents much sooner than intended.
As they defied family members to be together because they knew they could make it.
Honestly, I’m not sure why anybody bothered to go up against these two. They conquered parenting. Which is an infinitely harder task than saving the world.
Especially when your children want to join in.
Also, the other thing I love about this series is demonstrating exactly why Mary Jane is important to Peter.
Throughout their marriage in Amazing Spider-Man, Peter often laminates that he could not do the things he does without Mary Jane. That he would have lost himself in Spider-Man years ago without her. She’s the reason he’s able to be Peter Parker. The reason he comes home at night. Why he wins so many fights he should lose. Because of his love for her.
He once pulled himself free from a grave just by thinking of her.
Once, he hefted debris at the bottom of the ocean or some other body of water because if he did not, Aunt May would die.
The people Peter love – give him the strength he needs to be Spider-Man. And to take his mask off.
The final issue of Ultimate Spider-Man displays a true understanding of what Peter is capable of when he sets him mind to something.
His son was in danger. His family. His everything.
Kingpin. Mr. Negative.
It didn’t matter the power they possessed, nor the strength they wielded. It did not matter how badly he was beaten or outmatched. Whether or not back-up was coming.
He simply had to get up.
There was no other choice.
Get up. Or the people he loves will die.
Fight.
Until there is nothing left. Until he’s dead or they’re defeated.
Ultimate Spider-Man is a perfect example of why Peter Parker should be allowed to grow. To remain relatable to everyone. At every age.
Ultimate Spider-Man is an exemplary understanding of not only Peter Parker, but of Mary Jane as well.
This is the version of them we should have in the main comic. But regardless of that – I am so grateful we have had this version of the Parkers.
Considering the popularity and the ongoing Endgame comic, I do hope we’ll be seeing more from this universe. I would certainly like another title run for Spider-Man.
What do you guys think? Drop me a comment and let me know!
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