Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 20: Ultimate Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends [Paperback]

Brian Michael Bendis (Author), Stuart Immonen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: 4 and up

"Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends!" Things are changing in the young life of Peter Parker: Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four is now his buddy - and the hot-headed super hero has taken a liking to Peter's classmate, Liz Allen! But something is horribly wrong with Liz - something that will soon affect the life of every student at Midtown High - including Peter's ex-girlfriend, Kitty Pryde! Collects Ultimate Spider-Man #118-123.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Marvel (September 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785129618
• ISBN-13: 978-0785129615
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.2 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 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

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Friends? Not really., November 2, 2009

By 

hanmabookie (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 20: Ultimate Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (Paperback)

When I was little, I used to watch the 80's cartoon "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends." So when I saw the title to TPB #20, I was so hoping that Bendis was going to create some kind of throwback, one-off substory that would give us a quick shot of the 80's cartoon in Ultimate form.

No such luck. As you've probably read from other reviewers, #20 focuses mainly on Pete's angst-filled, teenage superhero life and the "sudden" birth of the girl who is probably Firestar. She's never ID'd as Firestar, but the title of this TPB implies that she is Firestar. Anyway, we watch her freak out as she manifests her powers. There's a who's-your-daddy subplot that felt a little forced. And then there's an interesting (if under developed) Magneto/X-Men sub-sub-storyline that connects to the who's-your-daddy storyline. But, oh well.

Some reviewers have said that this is the weakest story arc that Bendis and Co. have put out so far. They may be right, but with one caveat; Ultimate Spider-Man is better at its worst than other books are at their best.

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Good Character Development, August 24, 2010

By 

Tyler S. "Super-Review" (Brentwood, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 20: Ultimate Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (Paperback)

My main reason for love of this book, is that Bendis finds something amazing to do with all the sidecharacters. This was more of a developmental arc than anything, but that's why its my favorite. If you like comics where authors expand on characters and lay off the fights, then this is the trade for you. Heres why volume 20 makes my favorites list:

*Kong turns out to be a really smart guy with a strong moral compass. I always hated him, but now I've sucessfully turned a 180 due to Bendis's ability to revisit this character without making it feel forced.

*Liz Allen gets the center stage this time around. Sweet irony is thrust upon her, and her mystery is the strong highlight of this arc. I was really happy with what Bendis did with her. She is an interesting character that desperately needed something to do.

*Kitty Pryde and Mary Jane actually formulate some kind of benign friendship. I didn't see it coming, but it really isn't fake here. Under the circumstances, their effort at being cordial is inspiring to those of us who hold strong grudges. Is there a message here? Maybe.

So you might be saying, where's Spider-man? I did notice that this trade focuses strongly on other characters and leaves Spidey on the sidelines. You may see it as a ripoff, but I see it as effective. The side characters are just as important to Peter's story as are his villains. While "Spider-man and His Amazing Friends" isn't the most exciting Ultimate Spider-man book, it's one of my favorites due to its unique differences from the other books. I was happy to see Bendis switch it up and make us care about these other characters much more for a change.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great story in the series, May 12, 2010

By 

Jeremy M. Scully "That Guy" (NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 20: Ultimate Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (Paperback)

Ultimate Spiderman continues to grasps what Spiderman should really be about. A teenager having to deal with his normal life, his powers, and as the saying goes all the responsibility that comes with them. Having a nice call back to the old cartoon series, this book really shows the awesome conntection between the young hot shots of the marvel ultimate world and how they interact with eachother. Funny enough, these three will all be living in the same house hold once ultimatum is over.