Just to chime in about Spider-Man: Blue, yes you are right it is amazing and anyone here who hasn't read it needs to read it. If you don't mind dipping into DC, [url=http://www.amazon.com/Superman-All-Seasons-Jeph-Loeb/dp/1563895285]Superman For All Seasons[/url] is also by Loeb and Sale, and is very much like their Marvel Colors Trilogy, in that it is kind of a distilled, quintessential story for the character. It isn't as good as Spider-Man: Blue, but it's better than Yellow or Gray.

That is a legacy from the 616 Peter Parker. He constantly evolved as the series ran, more so then any other character.

So three trades in, and I've finally figured out that it's not the art in general that bugs me about Ultimate Spider Man, but just the way MJ is drawn. I don't know why, I can't put my finger on it... I just absolutely deplore the way she is drawn with every fiber of my being.

Other than that, no complaints about Ultimate Spider Man so far! I like the fact that they took some time to flush out Uncle Ben for the first 6 or 7 issues, it makes his death have that much more impact. I also like the pace at which they've developed Peter, there has been a definitive transition from him as a normal kid to SM. They've taken the time to flush out a lot of little nuances that go a long way into making me genuinely interested in Peter as a character and care about what he's done and what he's going to do. The fact that I'm 3 trades in and he's still learning new things is a huge plus for me.

My next favorite thing about USM is that the trades seem to be for whatever reason, really cheap used. My local Half Price Books has multiple issues of almost all the trades through Vol 21 and they all range from 4 to 7 dollars. Even a teacher like myself can afford to stay involved at those prices lol.

[quote="DOOM"]Here is what to expect:
The consistently best ongoing spider-man that has ever existed.
'nuff said![/quote]

This.

the are definitely grows on you. Mark Bagely comes into his own on the series. He does the first 111 (i think) issues, which is a record for a writer/artist team.

Here is what to expect:
The consistently best ongoing spider-man that has ever existed.
'nuff said!

Cool, I was just wondering what to expect. Art tends to grow on me so, I imagine I'll come around.

I have to get up to snuff so I can start contributing to all the conversation around here lol

Its not more kid-friendly, its just a younger spider-man. They have refocused on him as a high school student instead of the college student that parker was for a decade and a half of comics.

It changes up the drama a bit, but it also adds interesting angels to come at the character. Just like in the 616 version, the Ultimate version of Parker is almost more interesting then the Spider-Man version, although this changes a bit later on when his relationships change (trying to avoid a spoiler)

The art, at least for me, seems to stay true to all the art for the Ultimate line, or at least a lot of it. I reread it recently, and the art for the first couple of trades doesn't strike me as particularly cartoony.

[quote="Kez"] Nice, glad you're enjoying it. Spider-Man: Blue is a story I've heard good things about.. as I understand it relates more to Peter Parker and his relationships than to Spider-Man himself?

Anyway, I still would suggest reading Ultimate Spider-Man - it really is good.

Also I noticed that a blog on CBR has just finished a list of the top 50 Spider-Man story arcs (Voted by fans) - it might be worth having a look:

[url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2012/06/21/50-greatest-spider-man-stories-ever-told-master-list/]Link[/url]

A lot of the higher ranking ones are a bit older - but you shouldn't let that put you off! They're really good![/quote]

Spider-Man Blue does focus a ton on Peter's relationships with Mary-Jane and more-so Gwen Stacey. The entire story is narrated by Peter talking into an old tape recorder to a dead Gwen. It's really quite good and by far the best of Loeb and Sale's color threesome. I found it to be exciting and genuinely touching, which isn't always easy to do in comics. Plus the throwback art is amazing.

Got the first two trades of Ultimate Spider-Man off of ebay for 5 bucks each shipped to my door. I feel as though I got a steal. Haven't had a chance to dive into them yet, but I am really excited to get going. However, flipping through them is this a more kid-friendly version of Spider-Man? The art really strikes me as more cartoonish than a couple of the other Spider-Man trades I've flipped through. I don't really care... a good story is a good story, just trying to get a feel of what to expect.

[quote="boilerup86"]Quick update... Thanks again for all the recommendations.

Well went to my local store and was all prepared to buy the trade of Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1 but alas they were out of Volume one. So I picked up Spider Man: Blue (pretty much based on Loeb and Sale since they wrote one of my favorite Batman stories) and was absolutely blown away. It was a genuinely moving and exciting arch, with some stunning visuals. It's making me rethink whether I want to invest in Ultimate Spider-Man or just hop on the train with the most current exploits of the Amazing Spider-Man. I also enjoyed them so much that I went out and got Hulk: Gray and Daredevil: Yellow, I'm half way through Hulk and while it's not as good as Spider-Man... it's still pretty damn good and I look forward to Daredevil.

Now on to Captain America, this was one of the most pleasant surprises I've had in my 3 or so years of reading comics. Bruebaker's first trade was a blast and if the quality keeps up, I'll be hooked for the entirety. Cap just really surprised me as a character he is much more deep and much less of a walking cliche than I expected. After reading Bruebaker's first trade, I found Waid's "Man out of Time" and read through it in one sitting. It was great as well and I loved the angle of Cap being a lost soldier trying to find his way in a world that has shunned a lot of his morals.

So far my exploits into Marvel has been immensely positive and I may just end up cutting some of my current DC pulls to pick up a few more Marvel titles.

Thanks again![/quote]

Nice, glad you're enjoying it. Spider-Man: Blue is a story I've heard good things about.. as I understand it relates more to Peter Parker and his relationships than to Spider-Man himself?

Anyway, I still would suggest reading Ultimate Spider-Man - it really is good.

Also I noticed that a blog on CBR has just finished a list of the top 50 Spider-Man story arcs (Voted by fans) - it might be worth having a look:

[url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2012/06/21/50-greatest-spider-man-stories-ever-told-master-list/]Link[/url]

A lot of the higher ranking ones are a bit older - but you shouldn't let that put you off! They're really good!

Glad you're enjoying it. I recommend reading Civil War around the time that the book crosses over with that particular event. You don't need all the tie-ins or anything, just the Civil War TPB will suffice. And obviously, only if you want to..
If you're reading both, I would finish Civil War before you read Captain America #25.