Marvel Comics has released a first-look preview for the upcoming second issue of Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto‘s Ultimate Spider-Man.
Written by Hickman, illustrated by Checchetto, and colored by Matthew Wilson, Ultimate Spider-Man #2 arrives in comic shops next month. The issue features a main cover by Checchetto, as well as variant covers by Dike Ruan, Mateus Manhanini, Elizabeth Torque, and Mark Bagley. At this time, Marvel has revealed a number of unlettered preview pages — in which the series’ 35-year-old Spider-Man takes on his very first supervillain: the Shocker. The publisher has also shared Checchetto’s design sheets for both the Shocker and the new Green Goblin.
Check out the first-look preview for Ultimate Spider-Man #2 below:
An official synopsis for Ultimate Spider-Man #2 reads as follows: “THE MOST SURPRISING SPIDER-MAN STORY OF THE 21ST CENTURY CONTINUES! Spider-Man faces his first super villain! J. Jonah Jameson‘s quest to uncover who is really pulling the strings of this new Ultimate Universe leads to a shocking revelation! And New York City welcomes its newest hero … the Green Goblin!”
Marco Checchetto talks Spidey’s ultimate new direction
“My love for this character is no secret to anyone,” Checchetto said. “As soon as I received Jonathan Hickman’s plot of the series, I was immediately fascinated with how he managed to create something truly fresh and new, while keeping the spirit and essence of the web-slinger intact. I really loved the dialogue and got chills drawing these scenes. We have the opportunity and privilege to create our version of Spider-Man, and for me, to create the entire design of the series.
“Throughout our run, expect changes and both classic and new versions of characters,” the artist continued. “One of the first you’ll meet is Shocker. He’s at the beginning of his career, so I wanted to create something different. Shocker wears a bomb squad suit to protect himself from the powers of his gloves, but still maintains some details of his classic costume. I had a lot of fun, and I believe it helps convey that we are at the dawn of a new storytelling universe. I would also like to talk about the origin of the Green Goblin’s design, but I think it’s more exciting to let you discover it by reading the fantastic story created by Jonathan!”
What is Marvel’s new Ultimate Spider-Man series about?
Hickman and Checchetto’s Ultimate Spider-Man takes place on Earth-6160 — Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe. This reality was shaped by the Maker — that is, the evil Reed Richards from the original Ultimate Universe, Earth-1610. Thanks to the Maker, Earth-6160’s Peter Parker was never bitten by the radioactive spider at the age of 15, like he was supposed to be.
20 years later, however, a young Tony Stark finally gave Peter the chance to fulfill his heroic destiny. That said, Spidey being 35 isn’t the only thing the new Ultimate Spider-Man does differently. On Earth-6160, Peter is married to Mary Jane Watson and the two have a family. Furthermore, Uncle Ben is still very much alive, while Aunt May died in the attack on New York the Maker framed Tony for.
Ultimate Spider-Man #2 goes on sale Wednesday, February 21 from Marvel Comics.
