Steve: I like the way Bendis has maneuvered Gwen into being Peter’s best friend rather than a romantic speedbump.

Adam: Very clever.
Adam: But, like, Gwen has to be destined to die, so without the romance element, I dunno if it works as well.

Steve: Why’s she destined to die? It’s a new universe – things can work out differently, especially now that we’re so far beyond the origin.

Adam: Bah–it’s Gwen. Gwen’s gotta die.
Adam: I mean, I was pissed when Bendis had us think MJ died. Very clever, shows how good of a writer he is.

Steve: I disagree. I think that would be a terrible move with the book.

Adam: No, I mean, he made us care about the character by making us think he offed her.

Steve: Peter needs a best friend who’s not a romantic interest. Gwen fits into that role beautifully, especially since she’s living with him and Aunt May.

Adam: Oh, nuts–you’re still on Gwen.
Adam: Yep!
Adam: Well, I don’t mean she’s gotta die NOW.

Steve: Why die ever? There’s no need for that.

Adam: Eh.

Steve: This is a different, more socially adept and well-adjusted Parker. That would add nothing to the character.

Adam: If Thunderbird showed up in Ultimate X-Men, wouldn’t you expect him to die?
Adam: Sheesh–I got law on the brain right now–the metaphysical arguments of comicdom aren’t coming to me.
Adam: Shoot, maybe you could make this a round table discussion for 4CR.

Steve: Re: Thunderbird – not neccesarily. I don’t WANT things to mirror the MU exactly.
Steve: S’why, IMO, Ultimate Spidey and Ultimates are so mucghh stronger than UXM. I like UXM, but it’s a little too much like the regular X-Men in some ways.

Adam: Well, a mirror image rule would be silly–but I think themes should be maintained.
Adam: That’s why I like Ult. Spidey–thematically, it’s still the tragic Parker-Spidey interplay that was so systemic of the original

Steve: Dude – Peter and MJ dating in high school totally destroys any similarities the 2 version have.
Steve: S’why it rocks so hard.

Adam: I’m not sure–I think Bendis is just bringing in the college-era stuff from Romita’s day

Steve: Yeah, the death of Uncle Ben is a tragic catalyst, but beyond that, the characters are miles apart.
Steve: True – but dropping it on a much younger character makes it a very different character.

Adam: Hmmm–I disagree–this series feels more like Spidey than Spidey has in 15 years.

Steve: In a lot of ways, yes. Which is Bendis’ genius. It’s a different character in many key ways, but the spirit and soul is the same.
Steve: It’s a very subtle line that Bendis has drawn, and I absolutely friggin love it.

Steve: It’s like this – 7-8 years ago, what was the best Spider-Man book on the market?

Adam: 7-8 years ago–I dunno, is that when Untold Tales was out?

Steve: Yeah, I think so.

Adam: Well, then Untold Tales.

Steve: Wrong.
Steve: It was Milestone’s Static.

Adam: Hah–never read it.
Adam: See, you need to write an editorial on this–

Steve: Totally different character, powers, everything, yet it managed to capture the essence of why Spider-Man was such a popular character for so long, at a time when Spider-Man had betrayed it’s own roots.

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