There are a lot of reasons why I love this book. Great characterization, especially in regards to the fairly open and honest relationship that Peter and Mary share. A well-developed cast, from bullies like Kong and Flash to Peter's inner circle of friends to the villains that Peter faces as Spider-Man. Artwork that is clear and effective, and often highly underrated, by Bagley and Thibert. But if I had to nail down the one thing that makes this book so enjoyable for me on a consistent basis... it's the sense of fun. The creative team is having fun, much of the time the characters are having fun, and as a reader it's hard for me not to have fun. This issue in particular, a meeting between Spidey and the X-Women of a much different sort than the one we got in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, is hilariously fun to read and character advancing at the same time.
One of the great joys of reading a Bendis book is the dialogue. I know, that's no revelation, it's one of those things he's famous for, but it still bears repeating. Especially when you get an issue like this one, which is largely built on that rapid back-and-forth dialogue that he does so well. The banter between Spidey and the X-Women is hilarious stuff, and it manages to be revealing about the characters in the Ultimate universe as well. Kitty's crush on Spider-Man is adorable, and Jean's confident older woman act works with Spider-Man, putting her in a different context than the one she's in as a member of the X-Men. Even Professor X gets in on the act with a cute little pop-culture riff that made me chuckle.
Another of the joys is the way that Bendis obviously loves these super-heroes but also gets some of the ridiculous humor in the genre at times. Whether it's the costume debacle of the past couple issues, which gets mentioned here, or the hilariously-timed "stop picturing me naked" telepath thing going on between Peter and Jean, there are some real laughs here. Actually, the comic timing in general is just dead-on, complete with Geldoff's constant fainting or Kitty's glee at getting to take her crush home with her.
One thing that this book doesn't always do well is action, but there's an exception for that this time out. Bagley is always good with the expressions and his storytelling and pacing can't be beat, but the action is like a 50-50 proposition. This time, it's on the good side of that percentage, as the explosion aboard the X-Jet and trauma that causes is reminiscent of one of the more action-packed scenes in X2, not to mention just entertaining and exciting on its own merits.
Though the idea of Spidey meeting up with the X-Men is more out there than this book usually gets, Bendis and company keep it grounded with stories set back at the school. Spidey can't just disappear for a team-up without someone noticing, and it's fun to see Mary having to dance between May and Gwen to cover for Peter, and wondering just what's going to happen as a result. Not to mention the kind of neat idea of school closings for mutant activities, a nice touch of "only in the Marvel Universe" at work.
