Watching Brian Bendis write the Ultimate Spider-Man comic is like watching a high-wire act. At any moment you're convinced he's going to stumble and fall, or slip or stagger or something. But no, he just keeps cruising along, smiling to the world like he's having the time of his life.
He's handled this comic with incredible skill, giving us issues of straight super-hero action, some that are almost pure romance, others that evoke horror, and always with a laugh or a joke just around the corner.
Who else would have the guts to resurrect the cloning saga - surely the most hated Spider-Man storyline ever (wait, I forgot about the one about Gwen's babies - and "One Day More"). OK, one of the most hated storylines ever. Even more amazing - he made it work.
Who else would put Spidey in the middle of the filming of a Spider-Man movie, while Kingpin corners the market on Spidey merchandise? Oh, and he made that one work, too.
Who else would have brought Gwen Stacy into the book, only to kill her - and then bring her back as one of Spider-Man's scariest villains? That's the story that's unfolding in this issue, as the horror of her situation is revealed.
At the same time, Peter is wrestling with a moral dilemma, and there's no one he can turn to.
I'm constantly impressed that Bendis can maintain this kind of emotional balance, while telling stories that are moving, fun and very smart. It doesn't hurt that he's teamed with the outstanding art team of Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger. Mark Bagley is a tough act to follow, but the book hasn't lost a step with this team. They're able to handle superhero action and the more personal, real-world illustrations with great skill. And that final page is absolutely chilling.
If you're not reading this comic, you're missing one of the best Marvel has to offer. The book has maintained an incredibly high standard since the first issue, and even though I keep waiting for it to fall, so far, it's sitting pretty at the top of the line.
Grade: A-
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