Reading the final issue of Ultimate Spider-Man feels like the end of an era. I still remember the buzz when it first hit the shelves. Finally, we got to see Peter Parker married to Mary Jane, with a stable family life and two kids, all from the fantastic creative team of writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Marco Checchetto. The series was an instant success, with three issues landing in the top ten best-selling comics of 2024. It has its flaws, yet sticks the landing as one of the web-head’s best runs in recent years.
There’s a lot going on, but Hickman wraps up the major plot threads. Peter defeats Kingpin and Mr. Negative, while Richard Parker and Felicia Hardy accomplish their mission. Meanwhile, Harry and the Gwen-Mysterio fusion determine their path forward, and Ben and Jonah broadcast their anti-establishment message globally. Two poignant scenes featuring Peter and MJ bring the story to a close, proving why they’re one of comic’s greatest couples.
Does Peter Parker Defeat Kingpin in the Ultimate Universe?
Peter is rightfully the star of this book. There’s legitimate criticism of past issues that he’s been pushed to the background, but that couldn’t be further from the truth here. His fight against Mr. Negative and Kingpin is an all-timer, with Checchetto’s art delivering a brutal beat down. Spider-Man leaps into battle in agile poses, his fluid movements contrasting Kingpin’s raw physicality. Colorist Matthew Wilson bathes our combatants in dark shadows, giving this fight the ominous feel that its stakes deserve, while letterer Cory Petit makes Kingpin’s screams oversized and bold like the man himself. Checchetto’s use of motion trails on page sixteen showing Peter dodging the Kingpin’s attacks is stunning and a testament to why he’s one of the wall-crawler’s best artists.
Spidey’s victory over the Kingpin isn’t just great action though. It’s also a perfect commentary on his character. Ben and Jonah’s broadcast frames their fight, the two journalists focusing on the power of the people as our hero gains the upper hand. They assert all it takes is one man to make a change, and Peter versus Kingpin is the perfect example of that. While the Maker granted Kingpin his leadership, Peter was stripped of his destined abilities. Yet here Peter is victorious, as one lone man willing to make a stand. It’s part of what makes his character great, and Hickman was wise to give him this moment.
The Ultimate Spider-Man Ending: A New Era for the Parker Family
The final two scenes are some of the best in the entire series. We first see Peter and MJ on the day they find out MJ’s pregnant with Richard. They’re two college kids, scared and unsure of what to do. But they are sure of their love. In a touching moment, Peter drops out of college to help raise Richard and allow MJ to finish her degree. It shows how sacrifice defines Peter.
The book ends with the Parkers reunited and back at home. Peter lets MJ know that he’s thought something was missing for years, but his recent struggles prove one thing. His family is all he ever wanted. It’s a moment of vindication for any reader who’s wanted to see Peter mature and start a family with MJ. The final panel echoes the end of issue one, where Peter was standing on a rooftop in his picosuit for the first time. This time he’s there with his family in a stunning splash by Checchetto, giving his journey a full arc and a fitting end.
Unresolved Plot Threads and the Future of the Ultimate Line
The problem with this issue, and the rest of the Ultimate line, is that this story doesn’t feel like the end of a series. It feels like the end of an arc. We’ve been told that ending the Ultimate universe was always Marvel’s plan, but after reading the finales of Ultimate Black Panther, Ultimate X-Men, and now Spider-Man, it doesn’t feel that way. It’s clear that this narrative had further potential. We’re left wondering about Doctor Octopus’s true objectives, Harry’s destination after he erases his abusive father’s AI, and the fate of the hybrid Gwen-Mysterio now controlling New York. It’s disappointing that these plot threads won’t be explored.
There were some strange choices in having Checchetto share art duties with David Messina. Messina does a competent job, but Checchetto’s art has been so synonymous with this book that it’s disappointing he didn’t do all of it. They split pages within the same scene, resulting in a page turn that presents the ongoing conversation with a different artistic approach. It’s a jarring decision that breaks your immersion.
Verdict
Despite a premature end, Ultimate Spider-Man #24 is a worthy conclusion. Peter Parker was stripped of his destiny and still won. Hickman gives him the spotlight, Checchetto, Messina, and Wilson make each panel feel alive, and the final splash of the Parker family ties it all together. It’s tough to shake the feeling there’s more story to tell, but I’d rather a series end with me wanting more than wanting less. Ultimate Spider-Man does just that – it leaves me wanting more.
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‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ #24 | The Emotional Legacy of Jonathan Hickman’s Run
Despite a premature end, Ultimate Spider-Man #24 is a worthy conclusion. Peter Parker was stripped of his destiny and still won. Hickman gives him the spotlight, Checchetto, Messina, and Wilson make each panel feel alive, and the final splash of the Parker family ties it all together. It’s tough to shake the feeling there’s more story to tell, but I’d rather a series end with me wanting more than wanting less.
