[8.4/10] Very nice start to this story arc. I like the introduction (or re-introduction) of all three of our new Spider doppelgangers in this one, and I like the themes and mysteries the show seems to be setting up.
For starters, this is an interesting way to include Kaine in Ultimate Spider-Man. The notion of a Hydra synthezoid version of Spidey, with misaligned arms and a Frankenstein vocabulary is a neat one. The way he kept trying to suck out the identifying features from Spidey and MJ distinguished him, and his ability to learn and copy their moves made him a unique threat. Plus the sliced-in-half way he went out was really cool visually, amid the alright interesting body horror with him and the other spidery synths.
I also really liked Mary Jane as the Ultimate Spider-Woman here. For one thing, seeing her use the Carnage Powers to manifest axes and maces is just a cool visual. But more than that, I love love love her philosophy being a challenge to Peter’s famous “great responsibility” mantra. Spidey is devoted to masked adventuring whole hog in this show, and thinks it’s the only thing worth doing in some ways. I like Mary Jane talking about how she wants to have a life, fulfill her other responsibilities, and isn’t necessarily sold on being a superhero, something that Spideys in other mediums have grappled with. It’s an interesting philosophical conflict, and I hope we get more of it in this arc.
But I also appreciated the return of Scarlet Spider. While his miraculous survival is a little cheesy, I like the fact that the show is continuing his “Wolverine except with spider powers” routine. The reveal that he’s now not only bent on revenge against Doc Ock for using him, but also wants to uncover his past feels very Wolvie. I like that Peter favors answers over revenge, I like that Scarlet has learned something from his last big experience and is worried about hurting people, and I like that they’re of two different minds about whether it’s safe or worth it to dredge for answers on an enemy ship at the bottom of the ocean. There’s three different takes on the use of spider powers and hero abilities generally here, and I like the clashes that brings.
Sure, it’s a little tired making Dr. Octopus the villain in every other episode, but still, his taunting of Scarlet, discussions of how Hydra the real enemy and the one who stole from both him and Scarlet, and the worries about trust and team-ups all strengthen this one considerably.
Overall, a mighty fine start to the spider slayers arc, with good conflicting perspectives, quality character introductions, and worthwhile mysteries to investigate.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2019-04-04T05:07:22Z
[8.4/10] Very nice start to this story arc. I like the introduction (or re-introduction) of all three of our new Spider doppelgangers in this one, and I like the themes and mysteries the show seems to be setting up.
For starters, this is an interesting way to include Kaine in Ultimate Spider-Man. The notion of a Hydra synthezoid version of Spidey, with misaligned arms and a Frankenstein vocabulary is a neat one. The way he kept trying to suck out the identifying features from Spidey and MJ distinguished him, and his ability to learn and copy their moves made him a unique threat. Plus the sliced-in-half way he went out was really cool visually, amid the alright interesting body horror with him and the other spidery synths.
I also really liked Mary Jane as the Ultimate Spider-Woman here. For one thing, seeing her use the Carnage Powers to manifest axes and maces is just a cool visual. But more than that, I love love love her philosophy being a challenge to Peter’s famous “great responsibility” mantra. Spidey is devoted to masked adventuring whole hog in this show, and thinks it’s the only thing worth doing in some ways. I like Mary Jane talking about how she wants to have a life, fulfill her other responsibilities, and isn’t necessarily sold on being a superhero, something that Spideys in other mediums have grappled with. It’s an interesting philosophical conflict, and I hope we get more of it in this arc.
But I also appreciated the return of Scarlet Spider. While his miraculous survival is a little cheesy, I like the fact that the show is continuing his “Wolverine except with spider powers” routine. The reveal that he’s now not only bent on revenge against Doc Ock for using him, but also wants to uncover his past feels very Wolvie. I like that Peter favors answers over revenge, I like that Scarlet has learned something from his last big experience and is worried about hurting people, and I like that they’re of two different minds about whether it’s safe or worth it to dredge for answers on an enemy ship at the bottom of the ocean. There’s three different takes on the use of spider powers and hero abilities generally here, and I like the clashes that brings.
Sure, it’s a little tired making Dr. Octopus the villain in every other episode, but still, his taunting of Scarlet, discussions of how Hydra the real enemy and the one who stole from both him and Scarlet, and the worries about trust and team-ups all strengthen this one considerably.
Overall, a mighty fine start to the spider slayers arc, with good conflicting perspectives, quality character introductions, and worthwhile mysteries to investigate.