Since launching in January, Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto's Ultimate Spider-Man has become one of Marvel Comics' biggest hits. The first couple of issues have received multiple printings as new and old readers alike dive into the wall-crawler's bold new origin story.
The comic has introduced devoted family man Peter Parker, his wife Mary Jane Watson-Parker, their two precocious kids, and Peter's beloved Uncle Ben. Now, in April, Ultimate Spider-Man #4 will debut another iconic member of the Spidey family: Gwen Stacy.
With a twist, of course.
In this new universe, Gwen never met a tragic fate. Instead, she married Harry Osborn and now co-runs Oscorp Industries. We'll learn more about this ambitious power couple when the Parkers and Osborns go on a double date.
Amidst cocktails, small talk is quickly dispersed as this fearless foursome discusses and exposes the dark corruption that shaped their world. Little do they all know that the two men at the table have already taken matters into their own hands by suiting up as the vigilantes Spider-Man and Green Goblin.
You can check out the new Ultimate Universe's take on Marvel's "It Girl" on a new Ultimate Spider-Man #4 variant cover by Mateus Manhanini as well as never-before-seen interior artwork from guest artist David Messina.
Messina will bring his acclaimed style to the title for two issues before series artist Checchetto returns with June's Ultimate Spider-Man #6.
In the regular Marvel Universe, Gwen Stacy was introduced by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1965's Amazing Spider-Man #31. Later becoming Peter's girlfriend, she was the teenager's first love; unfortunately, their relationship ended in tragedy when the Green Goblin threw Gwen off a bridge. Despite Spider-Man's effort to save her, she dies when his attempt to catch her with webbing inadvertently snaps her neck.
In recent years, the character has been reinvented, with an alternate reality version suiting up as the spectacular Spider-Gwen (a.k.a. Ghost Spider or Spider-Woman). She's since made the leap to Earth-616 but is depicted as being in her late teens/early 20s, meaning there's no chance of romance between her and Peter. The hero was played by Hailee Steinfeld in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Check out this newly released Ultimate Spider-Man #4 preview below.
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #4
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by DAVID MESSINA
Colors by MATTHEW WILSON
Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO
Ultimate Special Variant Cover by MATEUS MANHANINI
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