REVIEW: ‘Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion’ Issue 2

Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 2 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar, with art by Jonas Scharf, colors by Edgar Delgado and letters by Cory Petit.

In this issue, Spider-Man, Giant-Man and The Wasp travel to Wakanda, trying to reclaim Miles’ sister. There is a brief gap between the previous chapter and Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 2. Friends have been made, and we didn’t witness the initial confrontation because there was an urgency to get to Wakanda and Billie, Miles’ sister. It becomes clearer in this issue that each charity will contain a different area of the Ultimate Universe, from Ultimate Spider-Man and the Ultimates to Ultimate Black Panther.

There are some important moments for the whole world in Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 2, including the first meeting of Black Panther with the rest of the world and superhumans. Spider-Man isn’t treated with the same warm welcome as he was in New York, and a battle quickly erupts. It’s a fantastic fight that features a diverse display of soldiers and powers. The pace is rapid, always moving forward. Wakanda may seem safe, but Miles’ prize is not as secure as the Black Panther believes.

As with the first issue, those who aren’t familiar with all the storylines may struggle to understand what’s happening, and Miles doesn’t either; however, the explorations aren’t too deep to lose newer readers. The ending is creepy and surprising, again propelling the comic forward.

The wiring of the characters is fascinating for multiple reasons. For one, Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 2 has a different narrator. It follows Hank Pym, aka Giant-Man. This is intriguing because we’ve never had Hank as a narrator, not even in the Ultimates series. His personality is not that of a standard superhero. He’s nervous and insecure, always feeling inferior to those around him. But he is brave enough to fight against the Dora Milaje, Storm and Killmonger.

The Wasp is very calm and collected, taking all of this in stride. And yet, the fact that these two are double agents seems not to be recognized by them. As for the Wakandans, much is revealed about them as well. They are inherently suspicious, especially of a baby that has suddenly appeared within the nation’s walls. But they are also caring and protective.

Billie has instantly become something to protect, even if she is not one of them. There’s a terrific inclusion of all the main characters in Ultimate Black Panther. Camp and Ziglar don’t introduce them, but they’re easy to identify, and their personalities shine through.

Miles is relatively quiet inside Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 2. He is so desperate to get to Billie that his humor and goodwill are vanishing quickly. His distress is palpable. And then there are the moments when his connection to the Ultimate Universe is mentioned, causing him to falter and feel confused.

The art shows both the chaos and changes within this universe. Scharf’s art style works much better with these characters than the immensely detailed Ultimate Spider-Man. There’s precision and details needed for the Wakandan armor too, but the straight lines and patterns are superbly illustrated. There are only a few panels where some figures look odd or have irregular proportions.

Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 2 is a frantic, busy comic, and the fight scene is fantastic. There’s size changing on two extremes. Wasp goes big, and Giant-Man goes small, collecting an ant army. This is put up against the weaponry and technology of the secretive but intelligent nation. The changes in costume remind us that these are not the heroes of the main universe.

The colors are terrific. The costumes feature a great deal of vibrancy across the characters and series. Both The Wasp and Giant-Man have primary colors coating their armor as bulky, singular shades, whereas the Wakandan residents have smaller and more intricate patterns. The screens inside Black Panther’s palace are bright yellow, making them stark and surprising. Outside, the sunny day and lush nature provide a mild backdrop to the battle, allowing the metal and mechanical weapons to stand out. The lettering is the same font used for the whole Ultimate Universe, which is comfortable and easy to read.

Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 2 takes Miles on a tour. In the first issue, the young Spider-Man seemed so far away from his baby sister, and the Ultimate Universe seemed so big. But now she’s so close, and he has traversed the world so quickly. It’s more than just a sightseeing tour, as important events are happening within this story.

It’s the first time that these Ultimate counterparts are meeting, and all of them are impressed by what Miles can do and what he knows. And because Billie is so close, it hurts so much more when he can’t reach her. Miles’ desperation and the revelation of Hank’s feelings give Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 2 an emotional side as well as an exciting adventure.

Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 2 is available where comics are sold.