There's a reason why Hickman's Ultimate Spider-Man is doing well. I have hopes that Marvel's Flag Ship title will improve, but this first issue is middling at best. Kudos to Ed’s artwork. He draws a strong Spidey.

Im excited for the future of this title. Waid continues to fire on all cylinders. I look forward to JLU moving forward. I usually dislike "team" books, as characters often drown in the noise, but for now I'm excited. Also, I'd watch Dan Mora draw stick people.

This is world building in its best form. I enjoyed reading about Ben and Jonah's investigative journalism. Unlike some other reviews, I think this is exactly what this story needed. Readers witnessing how the world views current events allows us to see the full picture. There's so much mystery to this new Ultimate world and Im in for it all.

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.