Fanboys Anonymous

The opening, as promised, features a Great Britain Airlines flight trying to find somewhere to land, not knowing New Jersey has been obliterated. Their descent towards the nonexistent arm pit of America then leads them to what seems to have become a staple for the Catacylsm event: a two page spread of Galactus within the first four pages of the book. Although the art is excellent, the constant commitment of precious story space to the character around whom the event centers is beginning to feel a bit over the top. Following the two-page reveal of the Devourer of Worlds, the plane is eclipsed by a beam of light.

A credit page later and we're back at Morales Manor where Miles had just swung down and removed his mask before his father in the prior issue. The book completely casts its trademark fun nature aside here and commits completely to the emotional situation. Miles' father quickly dredges up the death of his brother at Spider-Man's hands, as well as the death of his wife in a Venom attack. Although the major action and events of the book are easily recapped, this scene is one you have to see for yourself to fully appreciate (and it certainly earns the $3.99 cover price). Bendis allows Miles' father to have a true human reaction after realizing all that his son's secret implies. His emotional struggle is perfectly aided by the art which drives home the massive internal conflict Miles' reveal has caused within him. Before long, however, a familiar airplane breaks the tension between the two as it sails overhead and straight for New York.

Miles follows the plane and, alongside Spider-Woman, Cloak, Dagger, and Bombshell, quickly begins helping both survivors of the crash as well as the civilians who were nearby when the plane comes down. Inside the downed plane, Miles uncovers a battered J. Jonah Jameson who, having witnessed Peter Parker's actions during Ultimatum, seems to have found another front row seat to apocalyptic Spider-Man heroics. Upon realizing who it is that's helping him, a grateful Jameson vows "I'm going to change your life." Once the area is secure, Miles returns home to find his father, only to discover the man has left. Before he can do much searching, Captain America phones Miles informing him that the Ultimates have a plan, thus bringing the book up to date with Cataclysm: Last Stand of the Ultimates #2.

The book was another fast read, but was full of strong emotional moments. They're little instances like these that are making this event feel much more real and fulfilling than some of the larger ones from Marvel's main line. With the fate of the Ultimate Universe still unsure and the Ultimate Spider-Man title now in sync with the main Cataclysm: The Ultimates' Last Stand book, the event seems poised to continue ramping up the action and consequences. Stay tuned to fanboysanonymous.com for more Catacylsm coverage.