Ultimate Spider-Man: Legacy

Join me on my quest to read all Spider-Man stories, one collection at a time. Today, we will read Ultimate Spider-Man #22-27. In these issues, Norman Osborn (the Green Goblin) returns and has set his sights on Peter Parker. As the story progresses, Peter meets Nick Fury and realizes he is now part of a bigger world. I collected these issues in the trade paperback Ultimate Spider-Man vol. 4: Legacy. You can also read these issues online through Marvel Unlimited.

Recap

Our story opens with Spider-Man saving the day during lunchtime and trying to get back to school on time. After battling super-powered villains, stopping common street thieves is easy work for Spider-Man. However, Peter Parker’s day is interrupted with the return of his friend Harry Osborn. Harry had left after his father attacked the school weeks ago. Now that he’s back, Harry swears that he was mistaken. That the monster that attacked the school was not his father. Not only that, Harry’s father, Norman, is also back in town. To make matters worse, Norman Osborn has invited Peter to visit his penthouse.

Peter declines the invitation and tries avoiding Harry for the time being. But Norman is insistent; to the point of sending a limo to Peter’s house. With Aunt May’s approval, Peter gives in and visits Norman. That night, Norman reveals to Peter that he is the Green Goblin.

The Green Goblin threatens Spider-Man with killing his family and friends. Peter has no choice but to work for Norman to save his loved ones. The next day at school, Peter gets a visit from Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Fury explains how the U.S. government funded Norman’s research. And now, Norman wants to kill Nick Fury. Unfortunately, due to lack of evidence, S.H.I.E.L.D. cannot arrest Norman until he attacks Peter or his loved ones. This leaves Peter feeling hopeless and alone in his battle against Norman.

Peter decides to confront Norman. He dons his Spider-Man outfit and meets the Green Goblin at the roof of the Osborn penthouse. After a lengthy discussion, Norman spots Mary Jane and kidnaps her. Peter, in desperation, chases after them while crying out for help. Peter manages to save MJ and fights Osborn.

Peter finally defeats Norman with the help of Harry Osborn and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. But his life is rocked once again when Nick Fury tells him that when he turns 18, he will have to work for the U.S. government. Peter leaves the penthouse feeling defeated and broken. He goes to MJ who is still traumatized from the night. They both sit in silence, trying to process their trauma.

Review

This arc is a huge growth moment for Spider-Man. In these issues, Peter realizes that he lives in a larger world of espionage, shady government deals, and super-powered lunatics. For the first time, Peter’s loved ones are out in danger due to him being Spider-Man. These issues are dark, and seem grim and hopeless. They are a great shift in tone for Spider-Man as he joins the larger Ultimate Marvel world.

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