Writer Brian Michael Bendis
Artist David Lafuente
Colorist Justin Ponsor
Letterer VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Dated August 2010
Tainted Love, Part Three of Six
Aunt May was at the school assembly and comes home, declaring that there will be no more super heroes. She wants them to stop until the heat goes down. Aunt May thinks Johnny is cute. Gwen wants to know if anyone has heard from Kitty.
Bobby hasn’t and Aunt May is worried about whoever becomes the new principal. She is mostly worried about having one of her kids being hunted by the government. Aunt May was the boys to take this opportunity to be normal and live their lives, properly. Bobby wants to look for Kitty.
Gwen reminds them that Kenny is with Kitty. Bobby is worried Kitty is going to join a Brotherhood of Evil Mutants – I would be more worried about her starting one.
Very funny exchange about Peter calling Bobby paranoid and him committing to it.
Aunt May wants the costumes to stay in the closet. She also lets them know that she knows how to use the Internet and will be checking for any superhero sightings.
Bobby wants to use this opportunity to get a job, as he has no money. Peter says the Burger Frog is hiring. Bobby is new there, so he is called, a Tad Pole. Pretty clever, management. Johnny shows up to harass Bobby and gets his underpants frozen, as thanks.
Mary Jane arrives,Kitty wouldn’t have called her. Mary Jane has tried Kenny’s house but no one answers the phone. Is Bobby hitting on Mary Jane? She wants to speak with Gwen too. I like how Gwen misunderstands Mary Jane’s intentions, as she says Peter can talk to her on his own, as she trusts him. Bobby’s “Dun Dun Dun” is fun.
Mary Jane shows the footage that she recorded. Mary Jane wants advice on what to do with the footage. She would like to use the footage to save Principal Suitress’ job, or at least, his reputation. Gwen and Peter have a quick fight, what is that about? Peter knows the best person to talk to.
Peter takes Mary Jane to the Daily Bugle. Peter introduces Mary Jane to Ben Urich. The Daily Bugle is an exclusive online newspaper now. Peter misses the old fashion office, whereas Mary Jane really digs the new layout. Ben doesn’t remember meeting Mary Jane before, but from the dialogue, I take it, it wasn’t on panel.
Urich is impress with Mary Jane’s whereof all to film the event. Urich explains their situation – it is news but you don’t want to make the victim more of a victim. On the other hand, the FBI was grossly wrong and the principal was trying to make it right. He offers to pay Mary Jane for the footage.
There is an ad for the Honda Insight.
He offers ten thousand, pumps it up to twenty thousand and Mary Jane keeps declining. He was only testing her, to make sure she was serious. Urich states that they don’t show the footage, they report it. He asks if they know where Kitty is, and they don’t.
Peter sees Jameson, and his spider sense goes off. Peter starts following his trail. Mary Jane tries to cover for Peter. Urich asks how long she has known Kitty, she says on this school year.
Peter catches up to Jameson, and he doesn’t recognize the kid, so Peter knows something is wrong. We get the cover scene recreated. He knocks Peter out in his confusion. Jameson takes Peter’s wallet and puts Peter in his trunk. He wakes Peter up, and while holding his face, shifts into Peter. This is the first appearance of Ultimate Chameleon, which is a shame as he is the first super villain that proper Spider-Man fought.
He knocks out Peter, once he learns his voice. Apparently it hurts when he shifts his height from 5’11 to 5’5.
“Peter” heads back up to Mary Jane and Urich, as he saw him talking to them earlier. Urich is still asking questions, such as if Mary Jane knew she was an X-Man. She did, as Kitty was very open about that. The issue ends with Peter confirming he doesn’t want to be on the record.
I will be reviewing issue 155 of Ultimate Spider-Man next.
Shadow and Flame with Magik 