Messina delivers stunning art throughout the issue. I love the visual style and the focus on characters visually throughout. Read Full Review

It's hard to believe we have so few issues left when so much time can be spent on a single villain, but it works. Ultimate Spider-Man #21 is a gripping character study of Mr. Negative, pairing tight storytelling with outstanding art to set the stage for seismic shifts in the series. Read Full Review

Ultimate Spider-Man #21 is a great issue that proves the series is about more than just Spider-Man. It's about the brutal and complex world he lives in. Exploring Mr. Negative's past and the conflict within the Sinister Six makes for a gripping story. Read Full Review

Ultimate Spider-Man #21continues on with the series' hallmark of delivering a brilliant issue that significantly breaks the pace of serialization that elevates this medium. While the origin for this new Mr. Negative may be enthralling, any hope for the character is doomed by the continued pattern of poor developmental pacing. Read Full Review

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 has so many things to like about it that where it ends up faltering is even more disappointing to see. Everything that has to do with Mr. Negative and Gwen Stacy's Mysterio crew is fascinating. Unfortunately, because of time management issues we don't get to see other characters get time to shine, such as Spider-Man's only having a cameo appearance. Hopefully the remaining issues of Ultimate Spider-Man will do a better job managing the time left to fully tap into the potential of the Sinister Six war. Read Full Review

Ultimate Spider-Man #21 offers stunning art and a fascinating look at Mister Negatives 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 beginsand its hard to stay interested when the star barely shows up. Theres promise here, but it needs to snap out of its moody haze and get moving fast. Read Full Review

Some crazy twists there

This issue was really scattered and the first one where I will agree with some of the nay-sayers that the story took a hit due to its following of the month an issue format. It all felt very rushed but also like a punt story-wise. This would have worked with better build up and more space for the climax, I worry that next issue is going to feel like a complete transportation from where we last left off with Peter and the gang. Also convenient way to avoid any fall out or follow up from the climax of the last issue. The montage near the end feels like a slap in the face, that's the story I wanted to see.

Jonathan Hickman wants to write anything other than a book featuring Spider-Man. The title character has been barely in the book for much of the series and when he is featured… it’s not doing any heroics. Spider-Man has not thrown a single punch since issue #18 in a single panel. Let that sync in. If Hickman wants to world build , write D&D guides or a story with dinners and side quests etc he should do that and not waste my $ with a Non Spider-Man book. Give me the title character in a book with stakes.

Much like others have pointed out, this story has drifted from its original focus. Unlike Hickman’s work on Fantastic Four and Avengers, his final issues here don’t quite stick the landing. What began as an excellent character study of Peter/Spider-Man has shifted into an extended spotlight on the supporting cast. While their backstories and development are handled well, a Spider-Man comic without enough Spider-Man doesn’t quite work.

It feels as though the book might be trying to set the stage for the upcoming Ultimate Endgame, but in the process, Peter’s growth into the hero we want him to become has been sidelined.

Maybe I’m nitpicking, but it often feels like Hickman starts strong only to lose momentum—his X-Men run, Decorum, and G.O.D.S. all come to mind.

I also recall this series was originally slated for Donny Cates. Hickman has undeniably revitalized the Ultimate line, but this series either feels like it’s treading water until the finale, or it simply doesn’t fit cleanly within the timeline. more

I am going to make the executive decision to stop reading this book, and basically read the final issue. Jonathan Hickman is a writer that a lot of people love, but I have reservations. It's like after Hickman left his X-Men books, he just doesn't have that spark or hook like Fantastic Four, or Avengers, Secret Warriorsor even his Ultimates. Ultimate Invasion, G.O.D.s, Imperial just don't have that magic in it.

Hickman likes to shake up status quo and change things to make sure the characters aren't stagnant. But he also likes decompressed long-running story-telling. He takes some high-level concepts, but he makes it vague sometimes. But he also has really strong character moments with GREAT dialogue that hits home.

I bring this up because in Ultimate Spider-Man, he Is so focused on developing the other characters, yet not Peter Parker. And I agree with Afre on how this Peter Parker is so woefully underdeveloped. If there was a person who has never seen the Spider-Verse animated films reading this, I guarantee they would not be attached to this Peter Parker. It's very clear that Hickman loved Peter B Parker in those movies, but at least that movie has strong characterization for Peter Parker in a short amount of time.

Even if I can get over how it's just fleshing out the characters and making them attached.... I don't care. The art is not as good, the writing and dialogue don't engage me, and too many things happen off-screen. Last issue Peter and Mary Jane had a date with Harry and Gwen, now Peter is.... fighting with Venom? In one panel? What? J Jonah Jameson and Uncle Ben literally have been investigating Kingpin, and it's briefly mentioned but also the writing isn't good? I don't care about Mister Negative because the writing for it is not as interesting. How is this an Ultimate Spider-Man series, yet Peter Parker barely gets focus.

Overall, maybe in 2030 I can appreciate this series. A lot of things are praised retrospectively. But I ask you this. Do you genuinely like this series because of the writing, characters, action, dialogue, pacing, and art? Or did people highly praise this because it was released alongside Zeb Wells Spider-Man.
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Com' Cool N' Collected - Sep 24, 2025

Yeah, I think originally it was a great run AND the only other Spider-Man option was Zeb Well's run. ASM has been in a funk for so long, people would probably drink the sand. It was a recipe for success with Marco Checchetto on art. I remember reading the first 3-4 issues and enjoying the story, the art, and excited for what might be.

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Easily the worst issue by far. Damn it's sad how disappointing this book has become. I am intrigued to read this till the end, but oh boy is this poorly made series.

Again, is this a bad issue in a vacuum? No. Enjoyable one. But the idea is so stupid.

This. This??? We have 3 issues left after this and this is what Hickman decides to start focusing on??? A side villain???

Yeah it's nice to get backstory for a character introduced 14 months ago. BUT IT'S NOT THE MAIN PROTAGONIST OR THE ANTAGONIST. AND WE KNOW SO LITTLE OF EITHER OF THEM .

Like I don't get how this book is praised as a good Spider-Man comic. How is this a Spider-Man comic at this point??? It's like Hickman is deadly afraid of showing us anything related to Peter at this point.

Sure you don't need to focus on the main cast every issue. But it would be nice if you focused on them at all.

Remember the punch last issue? That was praised because MJ was so badass? Well that's ignored. As usual. Why even bother with cliffhangers at this point.

We see one panel of Spider-Man. And even that raises a lot of questions. It seems to be AI Venom. Is Richard controlling it? Has it gone rogue? Does Richard even know what it did to Fisk's men? Who knows! That would be interesting to follow, right? But stupid me, expecting Spider-Man stuff in Spider-Man comic.

JJJ and Ben do literally nothing. We are given an illusion that they have progressed ,but in truth, they seem to be in the same spot as in #10. So you know, 11 months ago.

If anyone wants to say this is a good Spider-Man comic, I would ask you: can you tell me anything about this Peter? Even how he and MJ met and established their relationship? Got married? The one thing that is constantly marketed?

No? Well screw me I guess, another issue focused on side villains backstory then. more

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daspidaboy - Sep 24, 2025

it's so strange because I thought this was Hickman just having full reins on Spider-Man where he isn't held back by editorial since it's his own ultimate universe. This isn't like how he had to quit X-Men because other writers wanted to be in Krakoa era while he moved on.

daspidaboy - Sep 24, 2025

I would not say that Hickman has a downfall. He's still the best modern Marvel writer of all time. But it's clear that after his X-Men era, he hasn't been writing out the same quality Pre-Krakoa.

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