Bendis recovers this issue. Maybe not in terms of pacing (when am I going to get used to “decompressed” narrative again–it’s been way too long since I read mainstream ongoings), but definitely in terms of content.

He kills Uncle Ben right after the speech, right after the “great power, great responsibility” speech. Maybe more importantly, he introduces Peter’s internal dialogue (they aren’t called thought balloons, they’re present tense narration). It goes far in making Peter likable, though his racing after Mary Jane already does some of that work.

Again, problems with the Bagley talking heads, especially during Uncle Ben’s speech. The reaction shots on Peter too, they’re way too artificial, way too static. If it weren’t for the dialogue, the scene would fail.

Oh, and interesting choice on the robber… Peter’s not in costume, he, Peter Parker, is expected to be the hero in that situation, not Spider-Man.

CREDITS

With Great Power; writers, Bill Jemas and Brian Michael Bendis; penciller, Mark Bagley; inkers, Art Thibert and Dan Panosian; colorist, JC; letterers, Richard Starkings and Troy Peteri; editors, Lara Castle and Ralph Macchio; publisher, Marvel Comics.

How many pages of ads ran in these things? Because I really do not feel like I got a full issue’s worth of story.

In Ultimate, Bendis has Peter wrestling as Spider-Man to earn money to pay for Flash Thompson’s hospital bills, anonymously helping Aunt May and Uncle Ben. Bendis juxtaposes this effort with Peter getting on the high school basketball team (in Flash’s place) and winning a game.

Also included is Mary Jane asking Peter out to a geometry “thing”–but it’s a date.

Norman Osborn shoots up the super-serum with Harry in the other room–and Doctor Octopus is there. But it’s really just two pages, one without any talking.

I think I covered everything going on in the entire issue. Except it ends with Peter getting his Spider-Man costume.

It’s not really a story. Some stuff happens.

Amazing how different it reads in issues.

CREDITS

Wannabe; writers, Bill Jemas and Brian Michael Bendis; penciller, Mark Bagley; inker, Art Thibert; colorists, Marie Javins and Colorgraphix; letterers, Richard Starkings and Troy Peteri; editors, Lara Castle and Ralph Macchio; publisher, Marvel Comics.

I have an affection for Mark Bagley, based on Ultimate Spider-Man, but apparently it’s an overall thing. I mean, when I think of teenage Peter and Mary Jane, I think of Bagley’s rendition of them. However, his art is far from flawless, as this issue frequently shows. His faces are often way too rough and hurried–I’m thinking of Norman Osborn and Uncle Ben in particular.

Otherwise, a very good issue. It’s interesting how Bendis sets Doctor Octopus up as a villainous jerk before his accident (something Lee didn’t do, much to the detriment of the character).

There’s no Spider-Man yet. No mention of it. Black leotard Peter is as close as we get here. Bendis is taking his time with certain elements, but I can’t help but notice it’s a rather fast read. For all the decompressed storytelling, not much happens–not even in dialogue.

But good.

CREDITS

Growing Pains; writers, Bill Jemas and Brian Michael Bendis; penciller, Mark Bagley; inker, Art Thibert; colorist, Steve Buccellato; letterer, Troy Peteri; editor, Ralph Macchio; publisher, Marvel Comics.

What Bendis does, right from the start–which Lee didn’t do–is make Peter Parker the hero; sure, Bendis is dealing with more pages so he has more time, but it took Lee issues to form Peter Parker. Bendis does it right away here. Maybe he does it a little easily–I mean, the scene in the mall with Peter getting bullied while mooning over Mary Jane, it does the trick immediately.

I remember the first time I read Ultimate Spider-Man, I was just shocked how much of Uncle Ben we got to see. Uncle Ben rarely hangs around in any retelling, so having him be a character–one to care about past an innocent victim–is a fantastic move on Bendis’s part.

The issue sets a lot up–Peter, Mary Jane, Harry, Norman Osborn… but never overdoes the set-up.

It’s no wonder it was such a sensation.

CREDITS

Powerless; writers, Bill Jemas and Brian Michael Bendis; penciller, Mark Bagley; inker, Art Thibert; colorist, Steve Buccellato; letterers, Richard Starkings and Comicraft; editor, Ralph Macchio; publisher, Marvel Comics.