/16_medium.webp)
Prev
Or, reading it for Spider-Man and MJ and are tolerating the conceit of the Ultimate Universe.
THE SECRET ORIGIN OF MYSTERIO!
Even Kingpin knows little about the criminal in the smoky helmet...but Spider-Man's about to learn more than he bargained for!
RATED T
Checchetto and Wilsons dedication to a consistent visual style across the timeline and stories ensures that this issue is a deepening of whats already been seen, rather than a tacked on post-script. Overall, as more heroes emerge and time marches on, the scars on this reality look less like reminders of a world that once was and more like motivators for the world that could be. Ultimate Spider-Man #16 makes that clear for Gwen as the clock ticks down until the Makers return. She understands that work has to be done, and what it may cost her in return. Read Full Review
Ultimate Spider-Man #16 is the most intriguing comic book we've gotten from this series thus far. Gwen Stacy's ties to the origin story of Ultimate Mysterio adds a whole new layer to not just this series but the entire Ultimate Universe. Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto did an excellent job using the narrative of the previous fifteen issues of Ultimate Spider-Man to make Gwen's story as compelling as possible. It all drives home how this series continues to be a must-read monthly. Read Full Review
What did you think of the issue? Be sure to comment your thoughts below, or reach out to me on social media! Read Full Review
Checchetto delivers some beautifully detailed and thoroughly compelling art throughout the issue. The art beautifully captures the dark, mysterious tone of the story and enhances it. Read Full Review
Ultimate Spider-Man #16 is a bold, brilliantly executed chapter that reshapes Gwen Stacy's role in the Ultimate Universe, delivering a game-changing twist that feels both shocking and earned. Even with Spider-Man largely absent, the powerful character work, layered storytelling, and stunning visuals by Marco Checchetto make this one of the series' most important and satisfying issues yet. Read Full Review
Ultimate Spider-Man #16 is another one-and-done and Spider-Man-free issue that explains the weird and mysterious identity of Mysterio. Jonathan Hickman's cool twist on a classic villain is worthy of exploration, and Marco Checchetto's artwork is fantastic. That said, the number of issues in this run that don't have Spider-Man is long past unacceptable, and the issue, while interesting, is missing any sense of drama or urgency. Read Full Review
Hickman gonna Hickman. This issue was epic.
Brilliant. Bloody brilliant. I literally laughed out loud at the twist because of how good it was.
If you're not giving this issue a 10, you're:
- simply out of your mind
- unable to read
- drunk or intoxicated
- in possession of an incomplete copy
- not wearing your glasses
- recovering from a bad break up or recently fired
- not a true comic book fan
Haven't read a Spider-Man comic this good in decades. Thank god for Jonathan Hickman!
Plot
This comic focuses on the origin of Gwen Stacy. She lost her mother at a young age and discovers that her father is part of a cult called MYSTERIO, which firmly believes there are two timelines: one they live in and the other they should live in, but which was altered with a time shift. In other words, they discovered the Maker's time illusion.
The leader of this cult is Quentin Beck, and Gwen is an important member. She was always watching over Harry, and when Kraven shot him, it was actually an illusion of Mystery, who at the time was Gwen Stacy. She later mercilessly murdered Kraven after Peter left.
Harry, unaware of who Gwen was, sent Otto to watch over and protect her when he was kidnapped by Kraven. Sh more
Holy Peak! Great reveals and amazing dialogue.
Yes, absolutely magnificent. This is the kind of tension in a story telling that made Jonathan Hickman the saviour of the Spider-Man universe.
Absolutely stellar.
With the DC Absolute line utterly trouncing Marvel, we need more stories of quality from them.
What a superb twist/reveal.
Incredible! The reveals here are so cool, I can't wait to see where Hickman takes this. So far, he hasn't missed once.
What a wild idea and story. I was pretty impressed with where they took it.
this was a massive step up on the previous issue, I like the twist and I'm excited to see how all these players will play a role in the future. Also, Marco Chechetto's art is always a treat
As a standalone issue, this is amazing.
As a 16th issue of USM, it's frustrating.
Once again, we get more focus on side characters who aren't related to Peter. This book is basically Ultimate Harry Osborn at this point.
Don't get me wrong. I love everything in this. From writing, to art to making it all make sense.
But I'm so annoyed, because Peter, MJ or their family doesn't get the same focus. And because this series is so deadset on having each issue cover a month, having an issue have an exciting ending doesn't matter. Last issue we had Ben and JJJ facing Kingpin. This issue, they are barely mentioned.
And since Peter doesn't learn this stuff with the reader (like the solicits say more
I have not read this issue in yet. I just stuck a rating in there to post a comment. I just finished the second collection. I am enjoying the execution very much. My comment, which perhaps will start a discussion, is that this setup is flawed. In this ultimate universe that they have created, I don’t see a scenario wherein Peter Parker’s and Harry’s family and friends are not all already dead.
© 2025
