Ultimate Spider-Man 17
From Ultimarvel
“Taking Advantage”
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Mark Bagley
Inker: Art Thibert
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Publication Date: March 2002
• Peter Parker starts his day by seeing an interview on a morning talk show with Kraven where he states that he is going to kill Spider-Man with his bare hands.
• Kraven meets with his publicity agent. The agent has prepared a teaser ad of Kraven killing Spider-Man in photoshop and is stressing to Kraven that they need to push this episode to get the show close to the 100 episode syndication mark. The agent stresses that Kraven needs to be “sex and violence personified”.
• One week later, Gwen Stacy returns to class from her suspension. She apologizes for her actions to the class and demands that Kong gives an apology to Peter Parker for the kick that started everything (Ultimate Spider-Man 15). The social studies teacher interrupts this. The teacher then goes on to review the “be a super hero” assignment she has recently given to the class (Ultimate Spider-Man 14) and asks if there are any questions. Liz Allan states that she believes that this is a bad idea and mentions that her mom is going to bring this up at the next P.T.A. meeting. Liz states that her mom said “that mutant stuff shouldn’t, like, even be in the classroom”.
• Justin Hammer makes his way to a presentation for the construction announcement of the Big Apple Energy Dome Project at the docks. On the way he converses by teleconference with a Doctor John Skrtic at Hammer Industries Research Facility. Hammer discusses with Skrtic about getting a genetically modified bodyguard to which Skrtic replies that they have nothing currently available. Skrtic suggests that Hammer cooperates with S.H.I.E.L.D. to apprehend Otto Octavius. Hammer replies that he, like Norman Osborn, is knee deep in violations against the superhuman test ban treaty and that Otto was an industrial spy. Hammer also reveals that he has a 4 billion dollar arms contract with the U.S. government.
• During the announcement of the Energy Dome, screen behind the podium show the inner workings of the project. While Justin Hammer gives his speech, Otto Octavius attacks the project and is seen on the screens. Ben Urich points this transaction out and directs Hammer’s view to the devastation being perpetrated behind him.
• The students at Midtown High are pulled to a school assembly where it is announced that Kraven the Hunter will make an appearance for the taping of his show on the following day. An announcement is then made that there are reports of a disturbance in the city and that the students are to remain calm. Peter sneaks out of the assembly and gets into costume to go to the disturbance.
• Peter attaches a webline to a NYPD helicopter and hitches a ride to the Energy Dome. He crashes through the ceiling of the dome to last next to Dr. Octopus.
Notes:
- It is mentioned that Hammer industries were responsible for the creation of Electro’s powers and that Hammer sold him to Wilson Fisk in return for the constructon contracts for his Energy Dome project. It is also shown that Hammer Industries are working on the Sandman project with a test subject named Flint Marko, but he is currently unable to control his mass and density.
- During the press conference, Hammer is asked a question by an Eddie Brock from the Daily Globe regarding Hammer’s funding of super powered beings. Hammer dismisses this question by saying he figured the Globe would be more concerned with things like Reed Richards sleeping with Madonna. For the sake of continuity, this must be a different Eddie Brock than the one who will become Venom, as we will see in Ultimate Spider-Man 33 is a college student and does not work at a newspaper. Also it is unlikely that the comment about Reed Richards can be taken into account as a part of canon as the Fantastic Four has not gone public at this point the Ultimate Marvel Universe and Reed Richards is part of a top secret military think tank.
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