Post by goldenfist on Mar 27, 2008 8:08:54 GMT -5
It's time to read another review from ign.com on Ultimate Spider-
Man #120.
I'll admit, the direction of the final part of "Amazing Friends" caught me off-guard, and the story is actually better for it. In fact, it's the subtleties that Brian Michael Bendis injects into this issue that really make it one of the best issues of Ultimate Spider-Man in recent memory.
You wouldn't be blamed for assuming that a giant brawl would break out after Magneto crashed Spider-Man, Iceman, and Firestar's party last issue and that the new mutant would come into her own almost immediately after her powers manifested in a trial by fire. Instead, though, Bendis takes the alternate route and the character instead faces a trial by... well, talking head. Thankfully, it gives Bendis the opportunity to indulge in one of Magneto's more intriguing strengths, his power of rhetoric. The X-Men naturally cameo and the issue plays like a clever update of the '80s Firestar limited series that saw Emma Frost and Xavier vying for Angelica Jones's membership into their respective clans. The clash between ideologies is handled very well here, with some surprising twists on Magneto's behalf.
The only major strike against this issue that may bother fans (but didn't irk me a bit) is that Spider-Man's book is taken over by characters not named Spider-Man. It's so wrapped up in mutant drama that the normal cast of USM play a largely supporting role. Make no mistake, the issue tells a great story, particularly if you're interested in the X-Men. But fans of Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate Spider-Man alone might view this as nothing more than an extended trailer for Ultimate X-Men's new direction with little in the way of lasting effects for the title it's hijacked, aside from swiping one of its minor characters.
Stuart Immonen's pencils have received a lot of flak from some, and I have a hard time believing this issue will change any opinions. The other side of that coin is, if you've liked him so far, you'll find no fault here. Having worked on Ultimate X-Men prior to this title, his mutants look predictably nice, although he seems to struggle with Wolverine in a few places. Still, solid work by my approximation.
"Amazing Friends" is a surprisingly enjoyable little side story for the title. It makes good use of the shared Ultimate Universe and gives its characters' feelings the respect they deserve.
Review Score: 8.6 Great
Man #120.
I'll admit, the direction of the final part of "Amazing Friends" caught me off-guard, and the story is actually better for it. In fact, it's the subtleties that Brian Michael Bendis injects into this issue that really make it one of the best issues of Ultimate Spider-Man in recent memory.
You wouldn't be blamed for assuming that a giant brawl would break out after Magneto crashed Spider-Man, Iceman, and Firestar's party last issue and that the new mutant would come into her own almost immediately after her powers manifested in a trial by fire. Instead, though, Bendis takes the alternate route and the character instead faces a trial by... well, talking head. Thankfully, it gives Bendis the opportunity to indulge in one of Magneto's more intriguing strengths, his power of rhetoric. The X-Men naturally cameo and the issue plays like a clever update of the '80s Firestar limited series that saw Emma Frost and Xavier vying for Angelica Jones's membership into their respective clans. The clash between ideologies is handled very well here, with some surprising twists on Magneto's behalf.
The only major strike against this issue that may bother fans (but didn't irk me a bit) is that Spider-Man's book is taken over by characters not named Spider-Man. It's so wrapped up in mutant drama that the normal cast of USM play a largely supporting role. Make no mistake, the issue tells a great story, particularly if you're interested in the X-Men. But fans of Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate Spider-Man alone might view this as nothing more than an extended trailer for Ultimate X-Men's new direction with little in the way of lasting effects for the title it's hijacked, aside from swiping one of its minor characters.
Stuart Immonen's pencils have received a lot of flak from some, and I have a hard time believing this issue will change any opinions. The other side of that coin is, if you've liked him so far, you'll find no fault here. Having worked on Ultimate X-Men prior to this title, his mutants look predictably nice, although he seems to struggle with Wolverine in a few places. Still, solid work by my approximation.
"Amazing Friends" is a surprisingly enjoyable little side story for the title. It makes good use of the shared Ultimate Universe and gives its characters' feelings the respect they deserve.
Review Score: 8.6 Great