2014 is shaping up to be an interesting year for Peter Parker fans. Six months ago the original, and most iconic, Spider-Man was "dead" in both of Marvel's Spider-Man publications, and the verdict was still out on the fate of the cinematic Spider-Man universe. Following Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man #1, Peter was inexplicably back in the Ultimate Universe, so that it's Miles' future that's now uncertain.The opening pages of the issue promise massive things to come. We watch as a recently escaped Norman Osborn transforms into the Green Goblin and breaks into an old Oscorp facility, where he finds dozens of green vials of the Oz formula that turned him into the Green Goblin. Although Norman offers no dialogue, it's fun to see the classic villain slowly re-entering the fold.
The issue truly gets started in Miles' apartment. There Miles stands face to face with Peter Parker, who wants his web shooters back. The scene is a perfect showcase of Bendis' talent. It's the sort of character scene you just don't get in other books, particularly in the main line. He devotes several pages of story to allow Miles the sort of emotional reaction you'd expect from someone who is suddenly confronted by an idol he believed to be dead. Furthermore, he doesn't show them grappling with one another or teaming up against a villain. It's an honest conversation between two characters who truly feel like people. The reunion quickly ends, however, with Peter knocking Miles unconscious and taking the web shooters. Later than evening, Miles awakens and decides that this must be a clone and not the real Peter Parker.
Elsewhere, the twin robbers in spider-themed costumes pull another heist, offering us a closer look at their character. Their banter during the evil deed reveals an affinity for flashy fisticuffs as opposed to efficient use of weapons. After a flurry of blows, the twins turn to the last conscious guard and ask for a crate Tony Stark is sending to Latveria. Although their appearance doesn't last long, the tightly-scripted scene got me invested in the twins' plot line.The next day, Miles tells Ganke about his meeting with the clone and explains that this false Peter is keeping himself removed from ties to the original Peter's life. Before they can get too far into the discussion, however, Kate Bishop arrives, and she's wary of the secretive nature of the conversation she intruded on. Miles begins to lie but changes his mind, and as the issue comes to a close, we read the opening lines of a monologue in which he reveals his identity to her.
Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man #2 certainly feels like the beginning of a new chapter of the Ultimate Spider-Man series. Although the last two issues have been rather slow, I think the quality of character work and pacing make up for the lack of driving action. The buildup to the reveal was unexpected, but cliffhangers are a dangerous thing to get too excited about. Do you think Miles is going to tell Kate his secret identity? Let us know in the comments section below!
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