The Kingpin is back. ‘Nuff said.
General Information
Title: Ultimate Spider-Man: Unfair (Issues 47-49)
Author: Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrator(s): Mark Bagley (pencils) and Art Thibert (inks)
Original Publication Date: October through November,
2003.
Cover Price: Each issue is $2.25 US or $3.75 Can
Premise
The Kingpin comes back to town, paying for the campaign of a
politician on an anti-Spider-Man platform.
High Point
Dinner conversation.
Low Point
This version of JJJ wears a different moustache.
The Scores
An entire arc without superhuman combat. It’s very plausible
politics
and character work. That’s a nice boost to the
originality
score. It’s also nice to see a villain make a comeback with more
than
half a dozen panels explaining how they came back after the
previous
appearance. I give it 5 out of 6.
The artwork is right where it’s always been on this
title. I
give it 5 out of 6.
The story is an excellent break from the ordinary.
Spider-Man’s as funny as usual, particularly in the High Point
scene.
I give it 6 out of 6.
The characterization is fantastic all around. We gain
insight into every character who graces more than three panels.
I
give it 6 out of 6.
The emotional response this produces is pretty solid.
Lots
of laughs, surprises, and sympathetic moments from a variety of
characters. I give it 5 out of 6.
The flow is smooth and seamless once again. Very
well
managed on script and art. I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, it’s a typical chapter in a great series, and
leaves
me ready and willing to grab issue 50 when it ships next month. I
give it 5 out of 6.
In total, Ultimate Spider-Man: Unfair receives 37 out
of 42.
High Points…
I think my top three from this arc would be (in no order):
– The Restaurant scene with Kingpin
– The three thugs quitting as they “just suck”
– Aunt May giving JJJ a mouthful over the phone.
I really liked this arc, the no real fighting action was a welcome relief from the norm especially with Ultimate Six going on. I am looking forward to seeing what they do with Black Cat, could be, interesting.