Summary
Contains Spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #6!Spider-Man’ssecret identity has always been a core part of his character, but the newUltimate Spider-Manisturning Peter’s struggle on its head by revealing his identity to several characters very early on. It’s a sign of how this new book’s priorities are very different from those of its mainstream counterpart and fits perfectly with its characterization of avery different Peter Parker for the modern era.
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024)#6–written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Marco Checchetto– features Peter Parker’s revelation of his secret identity to his family, after failing to come up with a believable alibi for his superhero injuries.
This middle-aged, married Peteraccidentally revealed his identity to his daughter Mayin issue #2, but chose to keep the secret from his wife Mary Jane and son Richard. However, when he struggles to explain away bruises to his family in this issue, and May practically blurts out his secret, Peter relents, telling his family everything after hiding it for several months.
“I Don’t Want to Write It”: Marvel’s First Choice to Write Ultimate Spider-Man Explains Why He Refused the Job
In an interview, writer Chip Zdarsky revealed that he was approached about writing Ultimate Spider-Man, & his very good reason for turning it down.
Ultimate Spider-Man’s Family Learns His Secret, A Major Change From Classic Spidey Lore
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024)#6 – Written By Jonathan Hickman, Illustrated By Marco Checchetto; Colored By Matthew Wilson; Lettered by VC’s Cory Petit
Peter not telling [Mary Jane]…represents the easy option for the fledgling crimefighter. Telling his wife his secret shows Peter’s growth, and encapsulates his arc so far.
It is hilarious that this Peter Parker’s alibi for being Spider-Man falls apart as soon as he fights his first real supervillain. This is in keeping with writer Jonathan Hickman’s characterization of Peter inUltimate Spider-Man, starting with issue #2, where Peterwas constantly tricked by the Shockerinto letting the villain escape. This Peter isn’tgood at being Spider-Man yet. There’smore to being Spidey than just power and responsibility, and superpowers don’t insulate the hero from making dumb mistakes. What’s different about this incarnation is that Peter can’t just get away with bad excuses.
This series also makes a moral argument about Peter revealing his identity: inUltimate Spider-Man#4, Harry Osborn makes the case that Peter should tell Mary Jane, arguing that Peter won’t be able to keep his family safe from the inevitable consequences of becoming a superhero, and theyneed to know what they’re getting into. Peter not telling MJ is understandable, but selfish, and represents the easy option for the fledgling crimefighter. Telling his wife his secret shows Peter’s growth, and encapsulates his arc so far, which is a journey of self-actualization.
Spider-Man’s Ability To Maintain His Secret Identity Has Never Been Realistic
Hickman’sUltimate Spider-ManAcknowledges That
InUltimate Spider-Man#6, Peter slipping up so easily and giving away his superhero secret…is a funny little moment that shows how trying to hide a secret identity would really go. The question is whether these mostly comedic moments are only a prelude to a more serious, costly mistake.
Peter keeping his identity hidden in mainstream continuity is often less him being good at deception, and more a narrative convenience. The comics rely on Peter’s secret identity as a plot point, so Peter’s identity often sits on a knife edge. He’s always struggling to hide his secret, but in the majority of comics he succeeds in doing so. InUltimate Spider-Man#6, Peter slipping up so easily and giving away his superhero secret shows how this comic’s story priorities are different, and it is a funny little moment that shows how trying to hide a secret identity would really go.
The question is whether these mostly comedic moments are only a preludeto a more serious, costly mistake. From this ‘reveal’ to his encounters with Shocker,Ultimate Spider-Manhas a clear interest in playing with fan expectations, and making Spidey more ‘realistic’, at least within the world of the still-fantastical fiction. Dumb mistakes cost Peter, and he can’t just bluff his way through a comic invested in him keeping his identity.This is a world whereSpider-Manhas more to lose than ever, and asUltimate Spider-Mancontinues, it’s hard not to worry that the next mistake could be deadly.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
