First Read: Ultimate Spider-Man

Reed Richards escapes from the Negative Zone, and a new wall-crawler emerges wearing a costume that's in pretty poor taste. Also included: Stories from Kitty Pryde, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and Val Cooper. Zach & John praise the future 2025 NBA champion INDIANA PACERSUltimate Fallout # 3 & 4Issue coverage begins at 18:00

The people of New York gather for Peter Parker's funeral and we explore various characters' responses to his death. Ultimate Fallout #1 & 2Issue coverage begins at 24:10

Ultimate Spider-Man concludes as Peter Parker dies defending his friends and family. Thank you to Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Mark Brooks, Stuart Immomen, David Lafuente, Bill Jemas, Justin Ponsor, Cory Petit, Art Thibert, and everyone else who had a hand in giving us this iconic run. We've loved every second of talking about it.Ultimate Spider-Man #159 & 160Issue coverage begins at 30:16

The penultimate chapter of Ultimate Spider-Man's story. Peter intervenes in the battle between the Avengers and the Ultimates while the Sinister Six plan their final attack.Ultimate Spider-Man #157 & 158 and portions of Avengers vs New Ultimates #4Issue coverage begins at 21:74

His dream job. His dream girl. A surprise party. An old friend returning. Peter Parker really has it all :)Ultimate Spider-Man #155 & 156Issue coverage begins at 12:00

Peter begins his superhero training with Iron Man while Mysterio and Black Cat wreck Soho in their dispute over a MacGuffin.Ultimate Spider-Man #153 & 154Issue coverage begins at 10:00

Our heroes confront Reed in this thrilling conclusion to the Ultimate Doomsday storyUltimate Doom #3 & 4Issue coverage begins at 10:13

Reed Richards muses about finding or creating a perfect world. I wonder if that concept will ever be brought up again... Ultimate Doom # 1 & 2Issue coverage begins at 19:10

The ULTIMATE MYSTERY is solved when the ULTIMATE ENEMY reveals himself. Will this spell ULTIMATE DOOM for our heroes?We also talk:Fauxchella 8 & becoming the #1 comic book podcast for midwest emo fansMr. Beast GamesInvincible War Daredevil Born AgainUltimate Mystery #3 & 4Issue coverage begins at 11:15

Peter and Jessica team-up to investigate Roxxon. Rick Jones returns to Earth to fulfil his destiny. Someone is still one step ahead of our heroes. Ultimate Mystery #1 & 2Issue coverage begins at 17:40

Gilroy the Terrible attacks the Parker house, Nick Fury confronts Carol Danvers, and The Thing gets his rocks off. Ultimate Enemy #3 & 4Issue coverage begins at 12:10

Someone is targeting the super heroes. Who watches the Fantastic Four? Ultimate Enemy #1 & #2Issue coverage begins at 18:10

Black Cat's history with The Kingpin puts her in conflict with Mysterio, Gwen Stacy and Peter have a much-needed conversation, and Iron Man misunderstands the meaning of "go pick up Peter Parker". Ultimate Spider-Man 151 & 152Issue coverage begins at 13:40

We return with a vengeance to discuss jaw surgery, Family Guy, crypto, and our favorite web-slinger. Ultimate Spider-Man 15 & 150 Issue coverage begins at 21:10

In our last episode before the 2 month hiatus, we check in on the latest work from the Distinguished Competition. Let's just say it's Batman AF.Absolute Batman #1 & 2Issue coverage begins at 27:26

Peter (the real one) comes face to face with his captors while Peter (the fake one) uses his great power irresponsibly. Ultimate Spider-Man 13 & 14Issue coverage begins at 19:04

Peter gets replaced by an impersonator (who would have guessed?!). Zach & John discuss the 2024 US Presidential Election results and defend their title as the #1 political podcast for comic book fans. Ultimate Spider-Man 11 & 12Issue coverage begins at 14:17

We look at a couple of standout issues for the girls. Jessica, Kitty, MJ, Gwen, and the Bombshells all shine. Also, Zach reads his Star Wars fanfic. Ultimate Spider-Man #9 & 10 (142 & 143)Issue coverage begins at 11:50

Rick Jones wakes up from a six month coma. Spider-Man, Iceman, and The Human Torch must help him uncover the origins of his newfound abilities. Ultimate Spider-Man #7 &8 (140 & 141)Issue coverage begins at 15:01

We finally learn the identity of the red-cloaked hero, and the Parker house gets a little bit fuller. Ultimate Spider-Man #5 & 6 (138 & 139)Issue coverage begins at 6:00

Mysterio (and Baby Billy) are causing problems. We laugh through the pain. Ultimate Spider-Man 3 & 4 (136 & 137)Issue coverage begins at 10:00

After the dust has settled, Peter has a new job, a new relationship, and new super-villains.Ultimate Spider-Man 1 & 2 (134 & 135)Issue coverage begins at 8:52

With Spider-Man missing in the aftermath of Ultimatum, a changed J Jonah Jameson begins work on the wall crawler's obituary.Ultimatum: Spider Man Requiem #1 & 2Issue coverage begins at 8:50

Everyone dies. Ultimate Spider-Man 133 & Ultimatum 5Issue coverage begins at 12:24

Peter faces supernatural foes at the ruins of Doctor Strange's house while the surviving members of The Ultimates and the X-Men launch their assault on Magneto. Ultimate Spider-Man #132 & Ultimatum #4Issue coverage begins at 11:00

Ultimatum nonsense continues. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Hank Pym, our fallen friend. May his heroic sacrifice never be forgotten. Ultimate Spider-Man #131 & Ultimatum #3Issue coverage begins at 15:54

Ultimatum plunges the world into chaos. You've never seen shock value like this in a Marvel Comic before or since! Ultimate Spider-Man #130 & Ultimatum 2Issue coverage begins at 7:04

Just when everything seems to be going well, Ultimatum kicks off.Ultimate Spider-Man # 129 & Ultimatum # 1Issue coverage begins at 13:21

On the eve of Ultimatum, we explore the origins of Charles Xavier and Magneto as well as a new retcon story about Richard and Mary Parker. Ultimate Origins 3 & 4Issue coverage begins at 15:35

So it turns out "The Suit" doesn't actually cure cancer-- but it CAN cure dead. Ultimate Spider-Man 127 & 128Issue coverage begins at 19:00

In this double sized episode, Spider-Man fights Venom in more than one way, and we try to make sense of this story's timeline. THEN we spoil the hell out of Deadpool & Wolverine, and share our thoughts on it & other recent MCU items such as Robert Downey Jr returning to the MCU to play Doctor Doom. Ultimate Spider-Man 125 & 126Issue coverage begins at 15:44Deadpool 3 & MCU coverage begins at 1:20:07

Eddie Brock returns- and he's hungryUltimate Spider-Man 123 & 124Issue coverage begins at 8:14

We dive into the psychology of our favorite tortured anti-hero: The ShockerUltimate Spider-Man #122 & Ultimate X-Men #96Issue coverage begins at 13:20

Peter and Mary Jane have a discussion about their relationship.WARNING: The content of this issue & episode is sexual in nature. If that offends you, we have dozens of episodes that are violent in nature which may interest you more.Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3Issue coverage begins at 10:48

Liz Allen must choose between joining the X-Men or Magneto, and Peter and Kitty present on their time as pretend parentsUltimate Spider-Man #120 & 121Issue coverage begins at 11:47

In these change-of-pace issues following Harry's death, the kids get a rare chance to enjoy themselves--- until someone's powers manifest for the first time. Ultimate Spider-Man #117 & 119Issue coverage begins at 12:52

In this episode, a goblin dies. Zach and John also talk Dr. Who, The Boys, and Justin Timberlake. Ultimate Spider-Man #116 & 117Issue coverage begins at 29:27

No matter who's running it, SHIELD is the reason we can't have nice things. Ultimate Spider-Man #114 & 115Issue coverage begins at 16:40

SHIELD hath no Fury... just a woman scorned. Peter & Kitty get paired up together for an awkward class project. Zach explains his latest concert injury. Ultimate Spider-Man #112 & 113Issue coverage begins at 30:47

We finish up the 2015 5-issue miniseries "Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows"Issue coverage begins at 20:44

We look at the first two issues of the 2015 Secret Wars tie-in miniseries "Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows". We also read leaked lines straight from the script of the upcoming Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman film "Deadpool & Wolverine". WARNING: INCLUDES SPOILERS!Issue coverage begins at 16:30

We look at Mark Bagley's final issues as the regular penciler for Ultimate Spider-Man. The Ultimate Knights arc concludes, and Peter finally has a much-needed conversation with Aunt May.Ultimate Spider-Man # 110 & 111Issue coverage begins at 8:34

Perhaps entrusting an important task to "Mark Steven Little-Girl Moon Grant Spector Ronin Knight" was unwise... Plus, we discuss the Drake & Kendrick Lamar beef and John shares his thoughts on X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014).Ultimate Spider-Man 108 & 109Issue coverage begins at 13:37

Midtown High gets a new student & Peter teams up with Daredevil, Dr Strange, Moon Knight, Iron Fist, and Shang Chi to take down the Kingpin.We probably break the record for Ayn Rand mentions in a Spider-Man podcast episode. We also discuss naming kids after presidents and what the X-Men represent.Ultimate Spider-Man # 106 & 107Issue coverage begins at 13:07

Three cheers for Zach recovering the audio that failed in the last episode! Here's that back half of it we promised you. In the second ever Ultimate Spider-Man Annual Issue, Spidey & friends take down the overconfident mobster The Kangaroo!Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2Issue coverage begins basically immediately

We cover the epilogue of the Clone Saga in this partial episode. Due to technical difficulties, Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2 will be covered in a separate episode. "We go through episodes too, like Attack of the Clones" -- Talib KweliUltimate Spider-Man # 105Issue coverage begins at 19:10

"It wasn't the arms, Peter..."Ultimate Spider-Man 103 & 104Issue coverage begins at 17:20

In which the answers to "what is going on?" start to slowly trickle out.Ultimate Spider-Man 101 & 102Issue coverage begins at 17:00

"Hey Brian, we love your drafts so far for the Clone Saga, but it's still not quite complicated enough. What if you had Peter's dead father show up right as everything else is happening?"Ultimate Spider-Man 99 & 100Issue coverage begins at 12:35

The clone saga kicks off in a big way!Ultimate Spider-Man 97 & 98Issue coverage begins at 9:13

We're back from our brief hiatus- and finally talking about the most popular comic of 2024 so far- Ultimate Spider-Man #1 by Jonathan Hickman & Marco Checchetto. We also discuss Lexington Comic & Toy Convention. Stay in your seats for a post-credits scene you won't see coming!