Warning: Spoilers forUltimate Spider-Man#8Marvel Comics has officially deemedSpider-ManEarth’s most important hero, and the new Ultimate Universe proves this definitively. A scene in the critically-acclaimedUltimate Spider-Manseries puts all debate to rest as to the hero with the most impact on the Marvel Universe, and that hero is no god, no billionaire, and no alien: he’s the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Ultimate Spider-Man#8 by Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto, Matt Wilson, and Cory Petit follows up on the previous issue’s ending, whereinTony Stark finds Peterto check in on his progress towards becoming a hero. During their conversation, Peter asks what made him so special, andTony explains to Peter why he’s the most important hero in the Marvel Universe.
Within the history of Earth-6160, the Maker had systematically prevented several superheroes from developing their powers in order to prevent them from stopping his schemes, as seen in last year’sUltimate Invasionseriesby Hickman and Bryan Hitch. Tony Stark reveals that Peter Parker’s name was at the top of the Maker’s list of superheroes to erase from history. Therefore,Spider-Man has been officially marked by the Maker as the most important superheroon Earth, and the one the Maker sees as the greatest danger to his plans.
Spider-Man’s Importance to the Marvel Universe Is a Constant Throughout the Multiverse
Ultimate Spider-Man Confirms What Every Spidey Fan Knows
Spider-Man being declared the most important hero in the Marvel Universe, even in an alternate universe, isconsistent with how his contemporaries view him in the main Marvel Comics universe. Multiple heroes on Earth 616, such as Captain America, Daredevil, and Cable have heldSpider-Manin high regard, calling him the best of all superheroes. This revelation in the Ultimate Universe proves that it isn’t just Spider-Man’s friends who recognize his importance, but also his foes who see how important Spider-Man is, even if their takeaway is that Spider-Man must be taken out of the picture.
Spider-Man Just Debuted His Most Powerful Costume Ever (But I Think Another Hero Will End Up Wearing It in Marvel’s New Ultimate Universe)
With the new Spider-Armor introduced into Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe, the stage is set for a different character to claim the suit as a new hero.
Spider-Man being the most important hero in the Marvel Universespeaks to the character’s universal qualities. He isn’t the center of a super-soldier experiment or a god from Asgard. At his core, across every iteration of the character, Peter Parker is depicted as an ordinary person given extraordinary gifts who must then learn to make the world a better place with them. That he is an ordinary person speaks to how anyone can be a hero, and making such a character the most important hero on the planet affirms the idea that heroism can be found in everyone.
Spider-Man’s Importance as a Key Hero Sends an Inspiring Message
Power Is More than Pure Strength
While Spider-Man is far from being the most powerful superhero in the Marvel Universe, he remains the most important due to what he stands for. His legacy of heroism and responsibility transcends worlds, amassing the respect of his peers. In the Ultimate Universe, and across the entire Marvel multiverse, it has become clear thatSpider-Man’simportance cannot be overstated.
Ultimate Spider-Man#8is available now from Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
