- Written by: Jonathan Hickman
- Art by: David Messina
- Colors by: Matthew Wilson, Erick Arciniega
- Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
- Cover art by: Marco Checchetto, Matthew Wilson (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: September 24, 2025
Ultimate Spider-Man #21, by Marvel on 9/24/25, delivers mainly a slow burn with stylish art, focusing on Mister Negative rather than the hero himself.
First Impressions
This issue feels like a missed opportunity. It’s heavy on moody scenes and dramatic character moments but light on the excitement and punch that Spider-Man fans crave. Mister Negative steals the spotlight, but Spider-Man barely makes an appearance.
Recap
Ultimate Spider-Man #20 set the stage with Gwen Stacy revealed as one of the Mysterios, launching a covert war against the Sinister Six. Harry Osborn, the Green Goblin and co-CEO of Oscorp, is caught in a web of betrayal involving his wife Gwen and the Kingpin’s criminal empire. Peter Parker received a radioactive spider and advanced suit from Tony Stark, empowering him to fight alongside Harry. Meanwhile, the shadowy Maker, who had prevented Peter’s original spider bite twenty years earlier, looms as a dark force behind the scenes.
Plot Analysis
The issue opens with a stark scene of Mr. Negative overseeing loyal Bullseye henchmen as they blindfold and capture an James Wesley, setting a grim, violent tone. Mr. Negative reflects on his distrust of others and how he manipulates Kingpin’s assassins like obedient weapons. The narrative shifts between flashbacks describing the rise of criminal empires and cold strategies to control and manipulate global conspiracies.
Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin and his aides, including Gwen Stacy’s Mysterio double, continue plotting power moves, but much of the action is behind the scenes. Mr. Negative interrogates James Wesley, Kingpin’s right-hand man, demanding secrets while wielding psychological dominance.
The bulk of the comic focuses on power plays, loyalties, and betrayals within the Sinister Six. The tension builds toward a looming “clear the board” plan to erase distraction and opposition as part of a larger war. The final pages drop a dramatic cliffhanger, signaling massive upheaval ahead, but Spider-Man himself is notably absent from the fray.
Writing
The writing relies heavily on exposition and monologues, often slowing the pacing significantly. The dialogue carries a heavy weight of world-building and power dynamics but comes at the expense of action or character-driven momentum. The absence of Spider-Man, the title character, is jarring and undermines reader engagement. The cliffhanger finale promises stakes but fails to deliver on plot progression within the issue itself.
Art
David Messina’s art is the standout strength here. The moody visuals perfectly match Mister Negative’s dark, brooding personality and the grim underworld setting. The facial expressions, body language, and stark contrasts bring a cinematic quality to the story’s psychological warfare. The detailed layouts and shadows elevate the tone and sustain interest despite the slow pace of the script.
Characters
Mister Negative is given rich characterization, with depth and menace that make him compelling. His dialogues reveal a complex figure controlling chaos with precision and cold calculation. The Kingpin’s ominous presence adds weight, while the other Sinister Six members serve mostly as background pawns. Spider-Man’s minimal presence weakens the comic’s emotional anchor.
Positives
The issue shines in its atmospheric art and strong character work for Mister Negative. The visuals are striking and immersive, drawing readers into a cold, brutal criminal underworld. The psychological depth given to Mr. Negative and his manipulation of Kingpin’s loyalists is a highlight, giving the story a dark and cerebral edge that sets it apart from typical superhero fare.
Negatives
The comic suffers from a lack of dynamic action and plot advancement, feeling more like setup than payoff. Spider-Man, the central character, is barely featured, leaving the book feeling incomplete and underserving its own title. The story’s pace is bogged down by excessive exposition and monologues, which dilutes dramatic tension. Without clear forward movement toward the Maker’s return or meaningful conflict, the issue feels stagnant.
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 #21 offers stunning art and a fascinating look at Mister Negative’s dark mind, but it is painfully light on Spider-Man and action. The storytelling waits in the shadows, refusing to advance the plot or excite the reader. This issue feels like a long intermission before the real show begins—and it’s hard to stay interested when the star barely shows up. There’s promise here, but it needs to snap out of its moody haze and get moving fast.
5.8/10
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