Join me on my quest to read all Spider-Man stories, one collection at a time! Today, we will read Ultimate Spider-Man #28-32. I collected these issues in the trade paperback Ultimate Spider-Man vol. 5: Public Scrutiny. You can also read them online with Marvel Unlimited. In these issues, Peter Parker faces his greatest enemy yet: a common thief in a Spider-Man costume.
Spider-Man: Criminal
A thief dressed in a Spider-Man costume is on a crime spree. Determined to stop him, Spider-Man shows up during one of the robberies, but is shot by the police. Injured and on the run from the law, Spider-Man has reached his lowest moment yet. But it’s about to get worse…
On one of his robberies, the costumed criminal murders Captain George Stacy, Gwen’s father. This is the last straw for Peter. He chases the criminal and beats him up, almost driven to the point of killing him. Realizing that this criminal has gotten the best of him, Peter turns him in to the police and returns home.
Back home, Aunt May agrees to take Gwen Stacy in after her father’s death. Mary Jane is traumatized by being kidnapped by Norman Osborn, and also angry due to her distrust of Gwen. She decides to break up with Peter for their own good.
Review
These issues have brought Spider-Man to his lowest point. His double-life as a superhero have affected his relationships, hurt his loved ones, and resulted in him being shot and labeled a criminal. Bendis puts together a short yet powerful story showing that all it takes is “just some guy” in a costume to bring Spider-Man’s world down.
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