Once again, I am impressed by how Bendis and Bagley take a premise that is right out of early Stan Lee/Steve Ditko Spidey and spin it for the new millennium, exploring some of the more realistic elements of being a teenage vigilante. This time out, the story largely revolves around the ramifications of the cliffhanger of last issue, as Peter must call on Mary Jane for help. The story is told, as is traditional for Bendis, in decompressed time, so that we can really see the pain, anguish and uncertainty facing Peter in his situation, and I wasn't really sure what he was going to do either.
In comics, it is traditional for the hero to get shot at, and if the hero is bulletproof, to get shot. But it's a rarity to see guns treated more realistically, and Peter being shot is a huge deal. Though the wound may not be life-threatening given his super-powers, it's definitely painful and terrifying, if only because he can't be sure that his powers will save him from bleeding out. The terror he feels, compounded with pressure from adversaries that prevents him from dealing with it on his own timetable, is made very clear in this issue. Bendis has always been good with the pacing of a chase, and he does a great one in this issue.
Credit must also go to Bagley for his work in this regard. He manages to convey not only Peter's pain, but also his agility even with that pain. The shot of him running up a wall while handcuffed is fantastic action, and the chase from the police helicopter is equally impressive. I also like how much of Peter's pain is portrayed visually, usually in subtle movements of his eyes or in how lethargic some of his kicks or movement seem.
While the focus of the issue is on the danger that Peter is in, the slow build of the troubles with his double life continue to show up as well. While Mary is clearly a strong person, she has a lot of pressure on her as the only one who knows Peter's secret in his life, and her nightmares and having to lie to Aunt May clearly are wearing on her. In addition, the sequence that shows Aunt May worrying about Peter give a good reason why Peter has to keep his secret from her, even as it makes it seem borderline cruel that he does so.
Though the story resolves itself to some degree in this issue, there's a larger problem still waiting in the wings... and there's still no super-villain for the arc. Instead, this story arc seems to be focusing, as some of the best issues of Ultimate Spider-Man have, on the problems that come with being a super-hero and the societal pressures rather than the dangers of a man with powers dressed up as some other animal who wants to beat you up.
