Ultimate X-Men #34

 Title: Ultimate X-Men
 Posted: 2004
 Staff: spidermad (E-Mail)

Background

Spidey and Wolverine have met twice before in the Ultimate universe and after some initial problems, get on pretty fine. So, what does Bendis do for his first storyline after taking over the writing chores of Ultimate X-Men? He orchestrates a Spidey and Wolverine team-up.

Story Details

  Ultimate X-Men #34
Summary: Ultimate Spider-Man Appears
Arc: Part 1 of 'Blockbuster' (1-2-3-4-5-6)
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: David Finch
Inker: Art Thibert

The issue opens with Wolverine being gunned down while eating at a diner by some guys in white vans. Later, Spidey is swinging his way back home. When he enters the basement, Wolverine is lying in the shadows in a bloody heap and startles Pete. Of course, Pete is a bit freaked out, and not recognising him, Wolverine starts beating him. After calming down, Wolverine explains that he is shot up bad and just needs a place to lay down and heal. Pete's a little stressed that Wolvie knows where he lives. Wolverine explains that he followed Pete home after their first meeting. MJ walks in and faints at the sight of Wolverine's wounds.

Two days later, Wolverine wakes and Pete and MJ give him some food. Wolverine seems healed and readies himself to leave. As he gets up, he looks out Pete's basement window and sees the white vans that gunned him down pull up across the street...

General Comments

I like Bendis. I like the Ultimate X-Men. And I love Ultimate Spider-man. So I was really looking forward to this storyline in Ultimate X-Men. And mostly it doesn't dissapoint. The only thing you could really complain about is that not mauch really happens due to Bendis' pacing. But, since I'm a fan of the way Bendis builds things up with a lot of mood and interesting character interactions, I liked that about this issue too!

The art is pretty good, and it seems like this is an interesting set-up for the storyline. I hope that the rest of the X-Men get involved. Though it does seem that this sort of tense, on-the-run set up, has some potential. But I guess the quality of this issue won't be fully apparent until the whole storyline plays out.

Overall Rating

I like most of the elements to this issue, but I guess there's not that much to it, so 4 webs.

 Title: Ultimate X-Men
 Posted: 2004
 Staff: spidermad (E-Mail)