- Written by: Jonathan Hickman
- Art by: Marco Chechhetto
- Colors by: Matthew Wilson
- Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
- Cover art by: Marco Chechhetto, Matthew Wilson
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: March 27, 2024
Ultimate Spider-Man #3 gives Peter’s pico-tech suite a glow-up (courtesy of May’s input) before deciding to hunt down the Green Goblin to find out why he’s attacking Wilson Fisk.
Is Ultimate Spider-Man #3 Good?
Jonathan Hickman may be getting a little heat for spending too much time on character- and world-building and not enough on plot, but in Ultimate Spider-Man #3, you get a pleasant balance of action, story, character work, and world-building. This issue won’t blow you away, but you will be entertained.
Previously, Peter’s attempts to get used to his powers and “smart suit” feel short when both encounters with the Shocker ended in defeat. After a body- and ego-bruising, Peter came home late and accidentally surprised young May Parker in all his Spider glory. After calming words, May seemed to embrace Peter’s new role. Meanwhile, we learned the attacks on Wilson Fisk by a masked man riding a glider were increasing.
Now, May secretly helps Peter with fashion advice to update his black pico-tech suit into the familiar red and blue. After a visit to the new offices of Ben and J. Jonah’s fledgling publication, Peter learns about the newly-named Green Goblin, the attacks on Fisk, the Bugle’s internal attempts to squash the story, and the locations where the Goblin has or likely will attack.
Peter puts the new red & blue suit through its paces with a stakeout in the hopes of encountering the Green Goblin. After a few days, he gets his wish when he encounters the Green Goblin in a serious fight against Bullseye. Spider-Man intervenes, helping to capture Bullseye. The issue concludes with masks off, where we learn the Green Goblin is Harry Osborn.
What’s great about Ultimate Spider-Man #3? Despite the well-done battle, it’s the simple moments between characters that bolster this issue. The brotherly charm between Ben and J. Jonah is solid, and Peter’s father/daughter chemistry with May is off the charts. Further, the reveal of Harry as the Goblin isn’t a surprise, but what he’s doing and why remains an intriguing mystery.
What’s not so great about Ultimate Spider-Man #3? It’s the intangibles that are lacking. So far, Hickman hasn’t established a major threat or challenge that puts Peter and his loved ones in harm’s way. In short, Peter is playing at being Spider-Man, but he isn’t showing any of the responsibility or urgency of what it means to BE Spider-Man. The famous “Uncle Ben” moment may be coming to give the series what it lacks, but for now, the vibe is a bit too casual.
How’s the art? Stellar. Chechhetto is firing on all cylinders with great action, a cool new look for Bullseye, and great character moments through gestures and expressions.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces
Ultimate Spider-Man #3 lacks the urgency and “responsibility” that makes up the soul of a Spider-Man comic. However, what the issue lacks is adequately made up for with fantastic art, immaculate character- and world-building, and an intriguing plot. You won’t be blown away by this issue, but you’ll enjoy it.
Weird Science Marvel Comics 
I wouldn’t call the plot simple, the mystery of this world and the bad guy or good guy situation + the potential for future is more than enough and complex enough so other than the well done character moments you mentioned there are still plenty of good points for this comic and I hope this keeps up and doesn’t get bad ( I dread that sadly, hope the Gwen introduction goes well). I also think the added weight and responsibility of Peter having a wife and children and the harm that may come to them as result of the good he is trying to do and the background dread of this world’s fisk and others is enough, he may be casual in spiderman fashion in these issues but we as readers see the threat and tension waiting there, even if we don’t get a uncle ben moment. Definitely a very good issue that has done a lot in just 3 issues other titles struggle with in 30 issues no joke, well at least till now ( and is actually a superhero comic complete with the hero training to get better and learning the ropes and well established side characters, cool fight scenes and a good mystery plus it actually manages to show some interesting character moments about what kind of man and hero peter is more than many superhero comics manage these days ) would give it higher than 8. Now if only in the next ten years or so at least DC realises what made this one issue work and does the same with some of its heroes even if it’s a black label, that would be nice. (The closest we got recently was Adam’s The Flash somewhat), I don’t expect or hope the same for Marvel main continuity since they are too far gone at this point probably.
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