Miles finally has his costume, his web shooters, and now he has his first A-list Spider-Man villain! There’s a new Venom in town and he’s hungry! All this, plus Miles’ new girlfriend and the return of award-winning Ultimate Spider-Man artist Sara Pichelli!
While the big baddie does make an explosive entrance, J. Jonah Jameson steals the spotlight with a sentimental yet harrowing scene that shows the impact Spider-Man and Peter Parker had on his life and why protecting the identity of the new Spider-Man is so important to him. Pichelli's work on that scene is strong except for a minor inconsistency with Jameson's face, but the emotional power she puts into one panel in particular overshadows any flaws. It's a gut-punch for sure, and it'll stay with you after you shut the book, which is just one more reason you ought to be reading Ultimate Comics Spider-Man. Read Full Review
Of course this issue saw the grand return of Venom to USM. This issue was mainly teaser until the last panel, so it looks like we will be seeing a lot of more him next issue; which is just fine by me. BMB knows what he is doing, and so does Sara Pichelli on art duties. These two are becoming a lethal combination, which makes me have no doubt at all that this Venom story is going to be something rather special. Bring on issue #20. Read Full Review
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man is the triumphant king of Spidey comics right now. Bendis has taken his time to flesh out everything in Miles world, and has done it in a way that is compelling and breathtaking. This series needs to be on everybodys pull list. Read Full Review
All of this pales into comparison compared to the return of Sara Pichelli on art. As of late I have critised the series for flipping between artists issuetoissue and for continuity sake would have been happy enough to just continue having Marquez penciling. However it's hardly anything to complain about when the person that does replace him is the wonderful Sara Pichelli who managed to give me my biggest heartache in 2011′s Spider-Men miniseries. However that being said JJJ looks a little off at times as if he had one too many doughnuts but that is only a minor thing to bring up which doesn't really constitute an actual complaint. Read Full Review
"Ultimate Spider-Man" is definitely one of Marvel's most accessible comics at the moment, and while Miles definitely needs to step up his game he's never the less fun to read about. His journey has a clear direction " to become the next Spider-Man " and while his walk down the road of life is seemingly aimless, 'Venom Wars' is off to a good start. Here's hoping that Bendis and Morales get that push over the story-cliff they both need. Read Full Review
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man continues to be a very consistent series, and issue 19 looks like a great start for the next chapter in Miles' story as Spider-Man in the new year. Read Full Review
This issue was pretty good, I really liked the stuff with Jameson and the respect he has for Spider-Man, as well as the respect he has for Peter Parker now. Read Full Review
Exposition is a necessary part of any story, but when it takes over the entire comic, pacing and flow are secondary thoughts. This doesn't make Ultimate Spider-Man a bad comic, but knowing the abilities of its writer, this is a noticeable departure from his usual forte. Read Full Review
And what was up with Sara Pichelli's art? Was it always this sketchy and awkward before? Perhaps I just got used to fill-in artist David Marquez, whose work was grand over the past few issues. I loved Pichelli in the beginning of this series, but now"I kind of want Marquez back. Or at least for Pichelli to stop drawing J. Jonah Jameson. Read Full Review
Art: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
Total: 6.5/10