Ultimate Spider-Man: Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Brian Michael Bendis (Author), Mark Bagley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2007 | Grade Level: 4 and up

Collecting the groundbreaking first year of Ultimate Spider-Man in one colossal trade paperback! High school, puberty, first dances - there are many pitfalls to being young. Compound these with intense personal tragedy and superhuman powers, and you can start to visualize the world of Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man. Following the murder of his uncle and the Green Goblin's assualt on his high school, Peter finds himself on the brink of manhood: getting a job at the Daily Bugle to help support his widowed aunt and taking on extracurricular activities - such as bringing down the Kingpin, the head of organized crime in New York City! Collects Ultimate Spider-Man #1-13.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Marvel; Direct Ed edition (March 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785124926
• ISBN-13: 978-0785124924
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 0.5 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Children's Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Superheroes

More About the Author

Brian Michael Bendis is an award winning comics creator and one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics. For the last eleven years, Brian's books have consistently sat on the top of the nationwide comic and graphic novel sales charts.
Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel's popular AVENGERS franchise by writing every issue of the NEW AVENGERS plus debuting the hit books MIGHTY AVENGERS and DARK AVENGERS along with the wildly successful 'event' projects HOUSE OF M, SECRET WAR, SECRET INVASION, and SIEGE.
This summer will see the blockbuster new line-ups for AVENGERS and NEW AVENGERS.
Other recent projects include the groundbreaking SPIDER-WOMAN MOTION COMIC, that debuted number one on iTunes TV sales chart and the New York Times best selling HALO graphic novel.
Brian is one of the premiere architects of Marvel comic's Ultimate line of comics. A line of comics specifically created for the new generation of comics reader. He has written every issue of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN since it's best selling launch in 1999, and has also written ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, X-MEN, MARVEL TEAM UP, ORIGIN, SIX and the ENEMY trilogy.
He is creator of the JINX line of crime comics published by image comics. This line has spawned the graphic novels GOLDFISH, FIRE, JINX, TORSO (w/ Marc Andreyko) and TOTAL SELL OUT.
Brian's other projects include the Eisner award winning "POWERS" (w/Mike Oeming) from Marvel's creator owned imprint ICON, and the Hollywood tell all "FORTUNE AND GLORY'. Entertainment Weekly gave both projects an "A." SONY and FX networks are currently developing POWERS for series with Brian as exec producer.
Brian is currently adapting his spy graphic novel FIRE for Universal Pictures as a starring vehicle for Zac Efron.
Brian is a member of Marvel studios creative committee, which consults on their numerous ongoing film projects. He has consulted on IRON-MAN and IRON MAN 2 and is currently consulting on THE FIRST AVENGERS: CAPTAIN AMERICA, THOR and THE AVENGERS
Brian has won five prestigious EISNER awards, including 'Best Writer of the year' two years in a row. He has also won over two dozen Wizard comic awards. Brian is the recipient of the Cleveland Press 'Excellence in Journalism' Award and was named "Best Writer of the Year." by Wizard Magazine and Comic Buyer's Guide for three consecutive years.
He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Alisa, his gorgeous daughters Olivia and Sabrina and his dogs Lucky, Max and Buster.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars from an old-school fan of the Webhead (SPOILER-FREE), September 3, 2011

By 

Jacob Wortman (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ultimate Spider-Man: Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

I've been a big Spider-Man fan for years. I guess you could call me an old-school fan, as I've really enjoyed much of what Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and John Romita did with the character and his world back in the 60s. While waiting for the latest volume of the Marvel Masterworks series to come out, I decided to pick this up on a whim. Boy, was I glad that I did. Terrific writing and tone from Bendis and great artwork from Bagley. It was a treat to see the origin and some of the characters re-imagined for a more modern feel. The few issues that I have with the main continuity's origin were addressed and, in my opinion, fixed.

If I had a complaint, it's that some of the villain redesigns didn't work for me, especially the big bad of the first story arc. This, of course, is a taste issue and may not bother you too much.

After reading this, I felt compelled to come back on to Amazon.com, review this volume (my first one, mind you), and order the next one. I don't care that I'm late to the party - Ultimate Spider-Man is spectacular. While I'd say that the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko stories are the best place to start for people who want to get into Spider-Man (check out the Marvel Masterworks series for that), this TPB certainly isn't a bad place to go either.

This volume collects Ultimate Spider-Man issues #1-13 (the first two story arcs). As a nice little bonus, the cover art to all these issues are included as well as character concept art.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasic reboot of Spidey, March 15, 2008

By 

Michael Henry "Big M" (Nagoya, Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Spider-Man: Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

I bought this collection (#1-2) quite by chance, while I was in New York on a holiday. I had been collecting only Batman and Superman trade paperbacks, and thought I would try a Spidey one. Boy, was I pleased I did!

The story revolves around a younger Peter Parker (15 years old) who is a high school student. He is friends with MJ (Gwen Stacey comes into the picture later) and works at the Bugle as a web designer, rather than a photographer (which is a nice change). There are some other differences compared to the Spacactular/Amazing Spiderman series all which make this Ultimate Spider-man series stand out.

The art work is fantastic, great colours, shades and a very modern technique without being cartoony. The story is great and the diaglogue is often very clever and funny and I loved reading it from start to finish. This collection actually inspired me to buy some more TBP in the series (#3-6, 13).

I really recommend this collection to anyone starting out or wanting a refreshing, funny and gripping storyline with awesome art.

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing start off for Spidey, July 13, 2011

By 

Trey - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ultimate Spider-Man: Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

**NO SPOILERS**
This was one of the first books i thought Brian Michael Bendis really did a great job on characterization with every single character and other fabulous things, i mean a 50 paged first issue that is just astounding. The art is just great Mark Bagley just does a fabulous job. The only complaint about this book is how very long it is, i don't mean issue wise i mean how much dialogue is in these issues with my favorite issue being 13 because you didn't expect it to come so early. But regardless I wold recommend this book to anyone.