Ultimate Spider-Man #12

This issue is quite honestly the best issue I've read this week and the most shocking one I've read in quite a while. The twists at the end of the issue are so unexpected from what I expected to happen that I'm glad I was wrong. Hickman is truly on one of the most memorable runs I've ever seen in a comic, and if you're skipping this series for whatever reason than you don't know what you're missing out on. This issue is absolutely a MUST READ ASAP! Read Full Review

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 is at the same time a piping hot meal on a cold winter day, enriching the reader in the comforts of the holidays while also delivering rich, cutting family drama. Hickmans writing perfectly captures the barbarous family discussions that can arise from tight quarters and stress over massive meals. Checchetto then takes that base and elevates it to a higher visual concept by leveraging the blocking and panel work into dynamic, cinematic moments of pure tension. Throw in pinches Wilson's dueling colors of comfort and conflict, and the result is a filling meal that hints at a gambit of flavors. Ultimate Spider-Man #12 achieves both a great cap to the year and a memorable Christmas comic that is sure to be an instant classic. Read Full Review

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 is a brilliant Christmas present from Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto, and a beautiful closer to one of the absolute best comics of 2024. Read Full Review

Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto have truly created something special with their run on Ultimate Spider-Man. Ultimate Spider-Man #12 is the greatest example of the magic they've created as they made a superhero comic book about a family Christmas party be something you are invested in from beginning to end. The results of how the party was handled led to big reveals that created an even greater investment into the second year of this series. Read Full Review

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 has heartwarming, holiday film energy and lets this book's supporting civilian cast shine while also having dark undertones around the edges leading into year two. Read Full Review

Checchetto delivers beautiful art throughout the issue. The character designs are always impressive and the final visual moments of the issue are brilliantly dark and engaging. Read Full Review

While Ultimate Spider-Man #12 leans heavily into family drama at the expense of superhero action, it offers meaningful character development and a suspenseful cliffhanger that promises intriguing developments ahead. Fans of Hickman's storytelling will appreciate the groundwork being laid, even if this issue feels more like setup than payoff. Read Full Review

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 does exactly what Marvel and Jonathan Hickman should NOT be doing – more world- and character-building of side characters, relegating Peter Parker to the back burner again. If it weren't for the strong, albeit predictable, twist in the last three pages and Marco Checchetto's gorgeous art, this issue would be a complete waste of time for Spider-Man fans. Read Full Review

Un Cómic Más / Dave DSG

Dec 18, 2024

Plot Peter and Mary host the Christmas party, which this year includes many unexpected guests, such as Gayle and Madeline, Mary Jane's sister and mother with whom she has had little contact. There's also Aunt Anna Watson, who tries to calm the tensions. Ben and JJJ get to witness some family tension, while MJ prepares dinner, this comic presents a family dynamic that is easy to identify with, but MJ manages to reconcile with Gayle. But the comic closes with a shocking twist, Gwen tells MJ that she needs Peter to help her locate Harry, who has been missing for six days. In reality Peter and Harry are gagged by Kraven. The Peter who is with MJ is an impostor. Exciting closing of the second story arc, where this series leaves us want ing more. Art It's loaded with cool details that explode in your face supported by subtle and well-placed textures, which gives a raw and powerful tone to this story that shakes and gives a realistic twist to Spider-man. It's organic and dynamic. Summary The Parker family has a busy Christmas full of family conflicts and a powerful revelation. more

Lock

Dec 18, 2024

Gabe Hernandez reviews are so weird

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Weird Science Jim - Dec 18, 2024 (edited)

Gabe is weird (and Sus) but being one of the few reviewers that isn't a shill and just hands out perfect scores like candy at Halloween doesn't make his reviews "weird" The amount of perfect scores being given out these days is what is weird! Also - Gabe is SUS! Take the guy below - 451 reviews and his average score is a 9.6/10! That means if he gives a book a 9.5/10 it is below average for him! I get that he is a fan (which is awesome) but is that being a critic?

Lock - Dec 18, 2024 (edited)

I get what you mean. I hand 10s easily too I guess but thats because I only review things that I liked (unless something annoys me deeply so i feel the need to make a bad review) Even then I think his (Gabe Hernandez) reasonings to give bad reviews are weird. He criticizes dialogue and suporting characters a lot which I don't understand for example. I agree its great to have critics with a more "severe" view tho.

Hex - Dec 18, 2024

Pumping 10s is just as frustrating as people who tank scores with 1s but I think it's the random inconsistency from Gabe that people have a problem with. He's becoming the Armand White of comics reviews. Everything good is bad, things that are objectively bad aren't seen as poor then every once in a while he throws a curveball and rates a good book fairly. What I don't agree with is to have someone simply to have a harsher view. You don't have to fill that role just to prove a point.

Psycamorean - Dec 18, 2024

Gabe is sort of a joke. I don't think his reviews are adding anything, because I don't think he's taken seriously.

daspidaboy - Dec 18, 2024

I agree that both extremes are kind of irrational, but the problem is that Gabe Hernandez reasonings for not liking a comic book aren't fair at least. I read the entire review, and it just comes off as nitpicky. Art is subjective, and there are books that I like but other people don't. It's the same thing other way. But at least make the reasoning more "objective" or "fair" if that makes sense @WeirdSciencejim

Weird Science Jim - Dec 19, 2024

everyone's reasoning is their reasoning and different people go into a comic with different backgrounds, likes, pet peeves, etc. It's gabe's opinion and you all seem to check out Gabe's reviews so you know what his reviews are like - the idea that a person thinks it's odd that he takes into account dialogue and side characters is odd in and of itself to me - there are sites that give percentage score to the letterer.

Weird Science Jim - Dec 19, 2024

Also, don't discount the fact that there is a site that reviewed this issue that tells their writers they can't go under an 8/10 and if they do, they have to make it up with another review all to keep the free/early review copies. You do notice that as we get further past Wednesday morning, a lot of the overall scores go down a bit. It's also funny that everyone attacks Gabe (which he 100% loves btw) and yet there is a site that pumps out A.I. written reviews each week & gets no flack!

Psycamorean - Dec 19, 2024

I've always said comic book criticism is terrible as a whole. Gabe's just a rather loud example as to why.

Weird Science Jim - Dec 19, 2024

that's your opinion and 100% biased -something i am sure you would accuse Gabe of!

Psycamorean - Dec 19, 2024

All opinions are biased. There's really no need to defend Gabe here, idk why you've decided to do that now. Comic book critics are a joke, but that doesn't mean we can't laugh at Gabe specifically. You said he likes it anyhow.

Weird Science Jim - Dec 19, 2024

why i defend him? He reviews things on my sites! I have always had an open door policy for anyone who wants to write reviews and even if i don't agree with a lot of Gabe's scores, they are his and there are no ads or whatever so there is zero reason to make scores lower or higher . And as far as comic book critics being a joke - a lot are now, but that wasn't always the case - I stopped reviewing books after 3000+ written reviews because you put the effort in and get shit on anyway

Weird Science Jim - Dec 19, 2024

and a lot of user reviewers are a joke as well - there are good and bad reviewers in both sections - most people don't give a shit about comic reviews anyway and most sites just gave up doing it because it wasn't worth it to them.

Psycamorean - Dec 20, 2024

This is just weirdly defensive in a way that you haven't been in the past, from my recollection. I'm basically asking: what's changed? If you put an opinion out there you have to expect a reaction, good or bad. On the other side of things, consumers have to find a critic that most represents them, so that their reviews might actually be a determining factor in whether they ought to consume something. Gabe doesn't seem useful in that regard to me, or to a lot of people here, so we write him off.

Weird Science Jim - Dec 20, 2024 (edited)

this is the first time I've really commented on it! I joke around and call him "Sus Gabe" and on a podcast we do i have a "Sus Gabe's Sus Take of the Week" but when 99.9% of comic reviewers give high scores with little to no reasoning everyone is ok with it - there is even a site that obviously has used AI to write their reviews for months now - and nobody says a word, but because Gabe's score's are lower, he is the guy people crap on.

Weird Science Jim - Dec 20, 2024 (edited)

most people would look at all this as a good thing (like a clickbaity way to drive more traffic to the site) but i never cared about clicks or views, i just like letting people review comics. To be honest, though, the past year or so since Gabe started reviewing stuff, the traffic has gone through the roof so somebody is interested

Smithd33 - Dec 23, 2024

I trust Gabe more than any other reviewer. I’d love to see this much flack for a hack like geek dad. Dude gives 10’s to anything. You can shit on a plate and as long as he gets his comps he will give you a 10. Go after shills like that. Not someone who will give an honest score whether you like the score or not.

motorik

Dec 18, 2024

I'm a shill. 10. For you Gabe!

MarVVel

Dec 18, 2024

Have yourself a 5.8/10 little Christmas Gabe Hernandez.

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motorik - Dec 18, 2024

Haha, love this comment!

Sollywoods

Dec 18, 2024

I rate things based on how it made me feel. Trying to rate something objectively is a ridiculous pursuit in my opinion. It's all subjective. And this issue is bloody fantastic! From character work, the art, the ending, it's a fun ride and a comic I will read again and again. It's a 10 because this is why I read comics. Great stories like this.

Moriaen

Dec 26, 2024

This issue masterfully utilizes dramatic tension. We witness a well-written Christmas gathering featuring the Parkers and Watsons, with the added intrigue of J. Jonah Jameson. I understand that Marvel's leadership may prefer to avoid a committed relationship between Peter and Mary Jane in the main series. However, I believe MJ and Peter have achieved iconic status as a couple, much like Lois and Clark. In the hands of a skilled writer, their dynamic can remain captivating and entertaining. Now that Miles Morales embodies the teenage Spider-Man, couldn't Peter evolve into an older, more committed figure in the main series? I am pleased that Ultimate Peter can enjoy a committed relationship with MJ in his universe, as this issue demonstrates how effectively it can work. And Marco Checchetto's artwork, as always, is exceptional. more

Linkush

Jan 13, 2025

What an issue! It was such a joy to see all these characters sharing an evening, and that twist was brilliant! But most importantly, it felt earned. The entire issue had a weird vibe to it with Gwen calling multiple times and Peter just standing there, not saying a word, which made the twist hit even harder. Best ongoing series right now!

Screaming Enigma

Jan 26, 2025

An absolutely crazy ending. I had to go back and re-read to actually notice that Peter had not said a word the entire issue. I know Mary Jane was talking to him and she resolved things on her own, but I just thought that was a funny character moment for her. Good lord, man. Maybe I'm just riding the high of that ending and noticing all of the little hints of build to it (The two quote pages were wonderful, by the way), but this was my second-favorite issue of the book so far, only coming up short behind #1.

BirdmanG07

Dec 21, 2024

Another issue where Peter barely says anything, but yet, still another amazing (ultimate even) issue.

Hex

Dec 18, 2024

A direct quote from Gabe's review, “Why on Earth does Jonathan Hickman believe Spider-Man fans are interested in the interpersonal dynamics between MJ, her sister, and her mother?“ Because people have been asking for more from the wider Spider-Man family for years and now, that family is a FAMILY. If you don't create characters with depth, interpersonal dynamics or anything to do, you're left with what the main Marvel universe has. Every character going from one event to the next, no time to talk to Aunt May, Tony running the bodega, Jonah, anyone unless they force themselves into the story. Peter wouldn't have time or make time for anyone if the current 616 editorial team had their way with it so I'm sorry Gabe that I and the wider audience of this run seem to really like these character/world building issues you seem to have such a problem with. Maybe go back to reading the Golden Age where every human interaction was two panels of dialogue and 4 pages of action. Maybe that will clean your palette from your distaste for displaying human connection in a medium so devoid of it of late. Look at the overall user scores of USM. Take into account really just the ones where people took the time to actually review the book and you'll get a good gauge on the general consensus. Gabe is the odd man out but hey, being a contrarian gets clicks. It's a tried and true way to get foot traffic. I proved that myself in finding his quote. Getting clicks generates revenue for the site which in turn keeps the cycle going and allows reviewers access to more free issues, invites to events, exclusive interviews, etc. I don't generally believe in pumping up a book just because someone rated it poorly. I'm not even promoting it here but just because something has great reviews also doesn't mean that one has to try and balance things out. If a book is good, it deserves the praise. I believe in rating books fairly because otherwise, what's even the point? A 7 deserves a 7, a 10 is a 10, but the thing about that is everything is subjective. Someone could genuinely not like this issue but what baffles the mind is the complaint here is that you get more out of your characters and somehow that's a problem. more

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motorik - Dec 18, 2024

Damn straight.

motorik - Dec 18, 2024

Gabe has singled handledly reduced the critic score overall to an 8.5. Take away his reviews, it'll sit closer to 9. There are people on here that only read 9 scores and above. Ludicrous though that may be, he's stopping people from reading this. He clearly doesn't dig the run and yet continues on this path of disdain. As his colleague implies, he is suspect indeed. But we're shills, don't you know?

Hex - Dec 18, 2024

All you have to do is look at the difference between ASM and USM. One is holding pretty steady in it's readership and scores whereas ASM is tanking in reviews and scores every release. If shilling for a book is reading the things that I actually like and rating it accordingly, then I don't know what being objective is.

daspidaboy - Dec 18, 2024

Apparently Gabe Hernandez tends to grade things lower than usual is because he likes to compare everything to Watchmen as that's a 10/10. So this comes off as a 6/10. Again, I don't know if it's true. but that's what I heard. What are your thoughts on that reasoning?

daspidaboy - Dec 18, 2024

Personally I disagree with that. you should judge every book by its own merits and not comparing it to other books. I think The Dark Knight is a personal masterpiece and is the greatest superhero film of all time. But I wouldn't say Avengers 3/4 is a "6/10" because it pales in comparison to TDK. That's just unfair and not correct. We should judge a book based on plot, pacing, art, action, characters, and dialogue. That's my Ted Talk

Hex - Dec 18, 2024

Basing judgement of one thing on another can be useful but when the two things you are comparing have nothing in common or you are letting your personal biases make criticism that would otherwise not be there, you have a huge problem. Comparing Spider-Man to Watchmen is a waste of time. Comparing most things to Watchmen was a waste of time until whenever Doomsday Clock started because there wasn't really any meaningful comparative story to it.

Hex - Dec 18, 2024

That's like taking Van Gogh's Starry Night and comparing it to nearly anything in comics. They aren't depicting the same thing. They are both art but they aren't trying to convey the same message. It comes off as disingenuous. It's not giving a fair shake to whatever you are holding it up against because of preconceived ideas that nothing can top whatever you liked previously.

Criminology. - Dec 19, 2024 (edited)

I'm seconding Hex. I think that a lot of Spiderman could be on the same level as Watchmen while doing something very different. By the way, I find the notion that Watchmen or whatever comics really perfected the art form to be really disrespectful and narrow-minded, those are not the only ways to do comics.

Hex - Dec 19, 2024

Absolutely. Comics that are "perfect" or timeless classics, however you want to frame it, 10/10 comics are not all the same. Even if you used the same measure to compare Batman: Year One and Kingdom Come, two arguably "perfect" series, you're not giving the respect each deserves which is to view them on their own merit. These weren't written with the same ideas in mind. Comics themselves have evolved past a lot of old storytelling conventions and expanded genres not even approached in the 80s.

Weird Science Jim - Dec 19, 2024

when i look at the user reviews I see way more people saying Gabe is wrong than actually just doing their own review saying what they like/don't like about it. I also see people discounting what is actually just one person's opinion and for some reason being upset about the book's overall score. The odd thing is that 99.9% of the writers at Marvel & DC care less about scores than everyone here and the worst you get is writers reaching out to discuss a review in a more sensible and respectful way

Hex - Dec 19, 2024

If you've seen any of my previous reviews, I generally do try to go pretty in depth. I know and likely everyone here knows that creators really don't give two craps about what people have to say here. That doesn't discount those voices here or uplift those on the Weird Science site simply because it makes money and we don't. The creators and the publishers care about sales but when a reviewer is giving unfavorable reviews seemingly to be against the grain for whatever reason that person may have

Hex - Dec 19, 2024

it can turn off a potential reader for no reason. I'm not saying to be a shill. As I said in my review, I don't support pumping up books for the sake of it but tanking is just as much of a problem. People consuming media generally look to critics more than whatever the average userbase is. They have pull. When the critics reviews don't align with the userbase there is usually a reason. Gabe can have his reasons but that doesn't make them objectively correct. He just comes off as a curmudgeon.

Hex - Dec 19, 2024

I'm just a guy who likes comics. Like Gabe, I want to see Spider-Man do Spider-Man things. But just because Spider-Man isn't in it beating up the bad guys every issue doesn't discount the book from being good. My opinion is subjective. His is as well. His review is up on this site, people will see it lending itself to criticism. Not everything has to be bombastic and what people have across the board enjoyed about this series is that it takes the small world building moments and highlights them.

daspidaboy

Dec 18, 2024

Maybe Gabe Hernandez is a senile old man, but this issue was easily a banger. It's amazing, spectacular, and the ultimate showcase of what a good comic book is. I like how Hickman kind of disses on how Aunt Gayle is jealous that Mary Jane and Peter Parker are all happy and have kids, similar to how Marvel doesn't like Peter Parker and Mary Jane together. Marco Chechetto art works, I like Hickman's pacing and dialogue (even though it might turn casual fans away). Overall this was a solid concluding chapter of the year. I'm a Superman and Batman fan now, but I can easily say Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman was the best series of the year hands down. I can't wait to see how Hickman is cooking up next year. Hickman may not be my writer, but I can't deny his talents. more

Kalaoui

Apr 04, 2025

Well played. Peter felt removed all issue and finally it hits and makes sense. Although Peter and Spidey can use more space to breathe and build their voices among the other characters. MJ got a nice one so did Uncle Ben and JJJ. Checchetto and Wilson at the top of their game.

Afre

Dec 19, 2024

What an issue. I like it a lot. But I also have multiple problems. There is a lot to like here. Art is fantastic and how characters are written is great. I am more invested in MJ now, it feels like the criticism I had for her after #6 is finally being answered. The final pages are fantastic and family dynamic is great. But what problems do I have with this then? Titular character. Normally I wouldn't mind if it was another issue of very little Peter. But it's like every other issue in this series. Hickman seems to like writing every other character besides Peter. Because he is sidelined again and it does hurt the experience. What hurts it the most is the 12 month structure. Peter has been Spider-Man for almost a year now. And I have seen so little of it. I have no idea how much he has matured, how much experience he now has, because Hickman shows Spider-Man being Spider-Man so little. After reading Gabe's review (that many dislike for the lowscore), I get why he is disappointed. For a book called Spider-Man, it focuses very little on Spider-Man. So as a standalone issue, this is fantastic and focus on MJ is amazing. You love to see it. But as issue 12 of an ongoing series that spans one issue per month in timeline of the comic as well, it does hurt the experience a lot. There is so little I know about this Peter and it does annoy me while I read it. more

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Hex - Dec 23, 2024

That is a very fair and understandable criticism.

Kenjamin

Mar 17, 2025

Art: 4/5 Story: 4/5 Total: 8/10

Rhinoeat

May 01, 2025

Directed by Nancy Meyer

DDJamesB

Dec 29, 2024

It was a fine issue. Had some good family moments and a good cliffhanger.

K-23

Mar 17, 2025

The strength of this series is the character moments and conversations which is starting to become a weakness as that's almost all that's happening with a lack of focus to the Spider-Man aspect of the book. I hope the series starts to have more super hero moments while still giving us great dialogue and moments with the family.

JBL Reviews

Dec 23, 2024

Wasn’t bad..just seemed skippable until the last pages