During New York Comic Con, Marvel unveiled the first details of the relaunched Ultimate Universe that begins with Jonathan Hickman & Marco Checchetto’s Ultimate Spider-Man in January. Today the publisher announced variant covers by Elizabeth Torque that will adorn the first four issues of the series. Likewise, Marvel also debuted a new promo piece variant cover by Ryan Stegman showcasing the Ultimate Peter Parker and his family.
Official press release below:
Meet Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson—MR. & MRS. PARKER! They’re one of pop culture’s most iconic couples, and now readers will see them stronger than ever in the Ultimate Universe. To celebrate, Peter and MJ’s romance will be featured on a series of picture perfect variant covers by Elizabeth Torque that will adorn the first four issues of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN. Spidey superstar Ryan Stegman also spotlights the whole Parker family on a new promotional piece.
“When we decided that we were going to do a book about an older Peter Parker becoming Spider-Man, we really wanted to lean into him starting his super hero life from a very different place than what’s traditionally expected,” Hickman explained. “Peter and MJ being married is one of many decisions we made that underline this being quite a ‘different’ kind of Spider-Man story.”
As Hickman described during the NYCC panel, this Ultimate Spidey is a bit of a Peter B. Parker situation. It goes without saying a contingent of fans have been demanding that the infamous “One More Day” storyline be undone and a return to the Peter Parker/Mary-Jane Watson marriage in the mainstream Marvel Universe. It may be the 616 Universe but perhaps fans can make do with this new Ultimate Universe. With any luck Mephisto won’t be tormenting the Parker clan anytime soon.
Look for Ultimate Spider-Man #1 to arrive in stores and digitally on Wednesday, January 10th.
