• Written by: Jonathan Hickman
• Art by: David Messina
• Colors by: Matthew Wilson
• Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
• Cover art by: March Checchetto, Matthew Wilson (cover A)
• Cover price: $4.99
• Release date: May 28, 2025

Ultimate Spider-Man #17, by Marvel on 5/28/25, finds Harry returning to don the Green Goblin suit once again to team up with Mysterio and wage war on the Ultimate Sinister Six.

---

Is Ultimate Spider-Man #17 Good?

Recap

When last we left the Wall Crawler’s corner of Earth-6160 in Ultimate Spider-Man #16, we learned Mysterio is a shared mantle that’s passed around a coven that includes one Miss Gwen Stacy. Gwen and her mystically powered witches have subtly manipulated events behind the scenes in order to uncover the truth – that a parallel timeline exists and Earth-6160 is a lie perpetrated by an unknown mastermind. In the end, Gwen and her coven found the evidence that they were correct, moving on to their next mission – to inform the world. Also, Mysterio saved Harry but used illusions to let everyone think he was still dead.

Plot Synopsis

In Ultimate Spider-Man #17, the war for New York begins… without Spider-Man (again). The issue begins with Harry secretly visiting Uncle Ben to tell him that he’s alive and that everyone needs to prepare for what’s coming. Later, Gwen receives a briefing in Oscorp headquarters as the interim owner. Robbie Robertson (another Mysterio) gives Gwen information that appears to be very useful. Next, Kingpin shows up with his lieutenant, Mr. Wesley, to explain that his business dealings with Harry are expected to continue in spite of Harry’s death. When Kingpin leaves for other appointments, leaving Mr. Wesley to handle the documentation, Mr. Wesley hands over the magic amulet for Gwen to hold for a week because he’s also a Mysterio.

Elsewhere, Harry enters a secret lab he set up for Otto Octavius to repair and upgrade the Goblin suit. Otto tells Harry the upgrades are complete, and he needs more money for components for a special project. Harry agrees, and he hesitantly puts the Goblin suit on because he expects to be berated by his father’s voice and personality through the suit’s A.I. His expectations are correct.

Green Goblin and Gwen as Mysterio ride the Goblin Glider to a secret bomb-making factory run by Mr. Negative. Harry evacuates the indentured workers while Gwen takes care of the guards, blowing up the factory once every civilian is safe. Harry seems uncomfortable with Gwen’s vicious methods. The issue ends with Harry getting a message to Peter Parker to come home.

First Impressions

Baffling. Truly baffling. How can Marvel allow an ongoing series about Spider-Man to get printed month in and month out with only a handful of the total run containing an actual Spider-Man in the comic? The Maker returns in less than six months, so how did Jonathan Hickman and the editors think the Ultimate Web Head would be ready in time?

How’s the Art?

David Messina steps in for Marco Checchetto once again for a bold set of visuals that complement Checchetto’s style without outright copying it. Messina’s signature bold outlines create visual pop in even the most mundane scenes, and the one brief fight looks excellent.

What’s great about Ultimate Spider-Man #17?

Things are heating up for Earth-6160 as the Harry and the Mysterios (sounds like a 60s band) begin a war that’s sure to cause headaches for the Kingpin. As with most of Jonathan Hickman’s comics, the developments, in isolation, are interesting, and the character moments are well done. I like this issue except for the one glaringly horrendous problem.

What’s not great about Ultimate Spider-Man #17?

Where the %$!& is Spider-Man? Why do we have to keep recycling this criticism over and over? There’s no earthly sense to having a Spider-Man comic where Spider-Man doesn’t appear, isn’t remotely connected to the events that are unfolding, and doesn’t appear to be a factor for the Kingpin, the Sinister Six, the Maker’s Council, or the Maker. In effect, Spider-Man is irrelevant in his comic, and that’s a failure of epic proportions.

---

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Final Thoughts

Ultimate Spider-Man #17 would be a darn fine Spider-Man comic if Spider-Man actually showed up. Jonathan Hickman delivers another Spider-Man-free issue, opting instead to have Green Goblin and Mysterio start a war against the Sinister Six. The individual moments are fine for what they are, and David Messina’s art is great, but the lack of Spider-Man is well past ridiculous.

6/10

---

We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media: 

Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics

If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.

Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.