Ultimate Spider-Man #22 – A Lit Powder Keg

Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I’m going to be reviewing the 22nd issue of Ultimate Spider-Man from Marvel Comics!

Things have been chaotic lately for Peter Parker and those close to him. From Kingpin, to Mysterio & the Sinister Six it’s been absolutely relentless, and things aren’t slowing down. So let’s jump into it!

Ultimate Spider-Man #22 by Jonathan Hickman (Writer), Marco Checchetto (Artist), Erick Arciniega (Color Artist, VC’s Cory Petit (Letterer) feels like a set up for a larger story that’s coming in either the next issue, or some point down the road.

The Story

This issue certainly isn’t one of Hickman’s better ones, but by no means is it a dud. I hate to sue the word filler, because it does feel like we’re setting up some future storylines for the series. However, the issue is lacking that moment that feels like it’s the seminal moment of the issue. There really isn’t one major moment that makes me sit there and go, “HOLY CRAP”.

It’s still a good story, and it hits some of the familiar beats we’re used to at this point. However, there’s almost too much going on. It definitely could’ve used a little more fine tuning along the way.

Check out Pad’s review for Ultimate Spider-Man #21

The Artwork

Marco Checchetto & Erick Arciniega really stand out in this issue. As I said before, there is A LOT going on in this issue and the artwork really does a good job conveying that in each panel. The use of color is very varied, and the artwork in general is as crisp and beautiful as ever.

Overall Grade: 7.0/10

FINAL POINT: This is an issue that I wouldn’t put at the top of my reading list, but would rather set aside and come back to in another issue or so to fully grasp it’s relevance. Because right now it just feels like a filler issue to get to the next story point.

Thanks for checking out my review on Nerd Initiative. For more of my content, check out ODPHpodcast.com, follow me on Twitter, and check out more of my reviews here on Nerd Initiative!

What did you think of the issue? Be sure to comment your thoughts below, or reach out to me on social media!