One of Spider-Man’s best alt-universe reboots was directly inspired by an epic 2018 movie. In the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man, Peter Parker is quite different from the Webslinger of the main Marvel Universe. However, he does have a lot in common with one of the most beloved Spider-Man variants in recent memory (which is by design).
Created by Jonathan Hickman, Ultimate Spider-Man is easily one of the most popular titles within Marvel’s latest version of the Ultimate Universe, an alternate Marvel Universe where The Maker rules, having rewritten history to serve his own ends, and to limit the existence of several heroes. However, Peter Parker became Spider-Man, albeit much later in life.
Here’s how Hickman’s Ultimate Spider-Man was directly inspired by one of the very best Spider-Man movies of all time.
Jonathan Hickman’s Ultimate Spider-Man Is One Of The Best Comic Runs Of All Time
Since its initial release in 2024, Jonathan Hickman’s Ultimate Spider-Man has widely surpassed expectations as one of the most popular Spider-Man runs in recent memory. The new series dropped readers into a radically altered life for Peter Parker, one already shaped by responsibility long before he received his spider-powers.
This is largely because this version of Peter Parker is older, married to Mary Jane Watson, and a father to two children (Richard and May). He’s not scrambling to pay rent or hiding bruises from Aunt May (May recently passed away while Uncle Ben is still alive in this alternate universe).
Receiving the powers he should have been given years prior, were it not for the interference of The Maker, this Spider-Man is shown balancing his new call to heroism with the weight and responsibility of his family.
As stakes continue to rise with new foes and allies, Peter comes to understand that his choices can have major consequences beyond his own life alone, especially after he chooses to take on Mayor Wilson Fisk, The Sinister Six, and their widespread rule of New York while serving The Maker himself.
Fans have responded incredibly well to this new Ultimate Spider-Man, and it’s not hard to see why. After all, Hickman has created a Spider-Man who’s progressed much further in his personal life compared to the mainline Spider-Man of the current Marvel Universe.
Additionally, we recently got the confirmation that Hickman took key inspiration from one of the very best superhero movies, and specifically one of the leading characters in 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Ultimate Spider-Man Was Based On Peter B. Parker From 2018’s Into The Spider-Verse
In a recent interview with Popverse’s Jules Greene, Hickman confirmed that his version of Ultimate Spider-Man was largely inspired by Into the Spider-Verse’s Peter B. Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson):