Twenty years ago, The Maker (the original Ultimate Universe's Mister Fantastic) prevented a radioactive spider from biting a young Peter Parker. He likewise prevented the creation of any other superheroes and formed a secret council to rule the world from the shadows.
Five months ago, Tony Stark sent Peter that same radioactive spider along with a "picotech" suit and warnings of The Maker's Council. Since then, Peter has used the spectacular powers granted by the spider's bite to fight crime alongside a masked vigilante called Green Goblin (Harry Osborn, co-C.E.O. of Oscorp).
They met fighting an assassin hired by Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of New York and a subordinate of the Maker's Council. Fisk is also, as owner of The Daily Bugle, Peter's boss.
Fortunately, Peter has managed to keep his second life a secret from everyone...well, except his daughter, May.
In today's Ultimate Spider-Man #6, the web-slinger and Green Goblin team up to take down the Kingpin, only to soon realise that the villain is far more powerful than them both. He mercilessly beats both heroes into submission, forcing them to flee without giving up the information on The Maker's Council they wanted.
The next morning, a badly beaten Peter is unable to hide his injuries from his wife Mary Jane and son Richard, forcing him to confess that he's New York City's newest superhero. They support his decision and, after May and Richard go to be, Peter sits down for a heart-to-heart with MJ.
"Peter, I'm not mad," she says. "A lot of confusing stuff is suddenly making sense, but...I'm not mad. I do wish you would've told me sooner. But hearing you tell us what happened. - scary as it was...I'm mostly proud."
"Call it...30 percent scared, 40 percent impressed...there may be other numbers for other things." MJ then requests to see her husband's new costume and wonders what his codename is (earlier in the issue, Peter had to point out to the Green Goblin that he doesn't have one).
With that, she realises he should be called - you guessed it - Spider-Man.
It's a great way to end Ultimate Spider-Man's first arc as there are still tonnes of places for the series to go and Peter Parker is now Spider-Man (even if he clearly still has a lot to learn). As for The Kingpin, we recently learned of his plans to assemble a new Sinister Six.
THE SHOCKING CONCLUSION OF THE ULTIMATE OPENING ARC! Spider-Man must finally confront the head honcho himself: Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin! Kingpin, as owner and operator of the Daily Bugle, has been working with the Maker's Council to control the spread of information in their favor… Which means he's the first domino that must be toppled to end their regime! PLUS: Mary Jane holds her own. 'Nuff said!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #6
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art & Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO