REVIEW: 'Ultimate Spider-Man' (2023-) #15 - New Villains, Old Faces, Disappointing Outcomes
- Christopher Mills
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Disclaimer: This article contains minor spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man #15.
Ultimate Spider-Man had a great first year in 2024 with its first two arcs. Jonathan Hickman introduced us to this world with familiar faces but brand new dynamics that showcase the characters like they've never been seen before. In last month's issue, Kraven the Hunter preyed on Peter Parker and Harry Osborne in the Savage Lands, which led to the untimely death of the latter. While that death was shocking, it wasn't the only shocking event to take place in the last issue. Richard Parker, who now dons the picotech A.I. to takeover as Spider-Man, has run into Felica Hardy, the new Black Cat, who has taken over from her father after his injuries from Osborne. There's love in the air between these two, and it continues over into this issue.
This is an issue that steps down from the intensity of the last two issues as the Parkers take a vacation. After witnessing the hearbreaking final panels of the last issue of Peter telling MJ that they should "run," there was an expectation that the comic would switch into a grounded, gritty thriller, but that might've been asking for way too much. #15 instead takes a different approach and seems to make it feel like MJ isn't all too bothered by the fact that Harry is dead, and they could easily be next. It's ironic with Wilson Fisk saying later in the issue that he "runs a global operation," leaving the threat in the air that he can kill whomever he wants no matter where they are. In this sense, the story feels contradictory and convoluted with the emotions Hickman is trying to convey with his writing.
The artist for this issue and the following issue has switched over from Marco Checchetto (who is still on cover art duty) to David Messina. Messina does an outstanding job of representing the characters and the world, still bringing his own style, but without there being a jarring difference.
The relationship between Richard and Felicia continues through this issue with both of them texting. It's become more clear that they're falling for each other, with Richard being mad at some of his awkward responses and Felicia returning the same sentiment of thinking about him while they've been away from each other. It's cute and truthfully feels better than anything we got in 616 with Peter and Felicia's relationship.
As we move destination, we get to see both Peter and Richard team up as the Ultimate Universe's Spider-Men as they face Sandman. It's refreshing to have a filler issue every once in a while, Daredevil: Born Again proved that with their release of episodes 5 and 6 this week, but the sudden tonal shift from the last issue to this one is too drastic not to notice the stark difference. It's unfortunate that Sandman has been dwindled to just a one-issue villain, as he's a character that has so much depth to him, but Ultimate Spider-Man #15 wipes all of that away.
Thankfully, the issue ends on some progress with Uncle Ben and J. Jonah Jameson having to deal with the reprecussions of writing their hit piece on Fisk under a pseudonym. Ultimate Spider-Man #15 currently showcases that this current arc lacks direction compared to the previous two arcs we had, and we can only hope that Hickman can get back on track with writing that fits the tone of the story being told.
About Ultimate Spider-Man #15
Release Date: March 26, 2025
Written by: Jonathan Hickman
Art by: David Messina
Cover by: Matt Wilson
Page Count: 32 Pages
Synopsis: THE ULTIMATE SANDMAN ATTACKS! As the dust settles from the events of recent issues, Peter, MJ and the kids take a family vacation — but nowhere is safe for Ultimate Spider-Man!
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