The Chi✶Town Breakdown: USM #10 (2024)

October is here Crawlspacers and I do apologize for the tardiness of this review.  I was on vacation.  You see, our beloved Dark Mark decided to retire from reviews because he’s getting up there in his age.  So at the Spider-Man Crawlspace Staff Resort Spa, Brad decided to do a ROAST Dark Mark event.  Everyone showed up and had a great time.  The highlight of the night was when Neil took the stage to give his Roasting.  He looked a little plastered when he walked up to the podium, which was confirmed because he was about to speak the only words that came out was from his alphabet soup that he hurled all over Mark’s lap.   Mark was so surprised!  It was so beautiful, tears were coming down my face and it nothing to do with me laughing too hard.

So let get to what you really came here for.  This issue consists a word from 6160 sponsor, Starducks!  The coffee that makes the sun rise and set ever day.  I know you were expecting another member from Fisk’s Sinister Six to show up, but we actually take a break from that and focus on a fan favorite friendship.  A Ben and Jonah centric story that will put a pep in you step.

(Writer) Jonathan Hickman
(Artist) David Messina
(Colorist) Matthew Wilson
(Letterer) VC’s Corry Petit 
(Editor) Wil Moss
(EIC) C.B. Cebulski
Date Released 10/16/2024
Issue Number #10
Price Tag: $5.99 

STORY:  A brisk October morning has Ben handing Jonah a “Starducks” cup of coffee. These guys quack me up! They take a drive down to a country club in Long Island, but not to play golf. Instead to surprise question a lawyer, Mr. Wesley. Unfortunately, Mr. Wesley doesn’t like surprise questions and asks his security team, that look like Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto (Nice one, Mr. Messina), to escort them out. Jonah figures out that a shell company that bought Stane/Stark is under the Oscorp Umbrella, so they go ask the “non-delicate” who won’t be upset, Gwen Stacy about that. She gets delicate and very upset about their questioning and demands her investment money back.

Over family dinner, Mary Jane brings her concerns to Ben about this matter and Ben let’s MJ know to schedule a meet up with the Osborns. Harry shows up and Jonah wins an inside bet. Harry reveals himself as the Goblin and Ben wins ta inside bet. Harry hands them a thumb drive with info showing that The Maker is running the show and controls Fisk, the REAL STORY, in exchange for leaving the Osborn name out of it. Later on, Jonah published the story under the alias “Baked Flour”..er.um, I mean Ben Reilly.

Breakdown:

Jonah and Ben chemistry remains the same throughout this entire run. Two legacy newspaper hounds making their way in the Ultimate Universe. It’s a welcomed fan favorite that everyone wants to read. One of the key elements of a good Spider-Man comic is the supporting staff. It’s nice for these two to finally take center stage. Hickman has already developed their friendship and banter in previous issues so now it’s time for them to really cook.

I do like how they are playing it safe while working on The Paper. Using their “fictional name” to hide behind is a clever idea, but when you look on the other side of the coin, it’s not.

Ben and Jonah want to get the truth out, want to make it public, but I highly doubt Fisk or the rest of the members of the council will go after “Ben Reilly”. They’ll go after “his” editors and their loved ones if they don’t play ball with them. Of course, Peter will protect his family, and Harry has an armory to use at his disposal for protection, still…I can see these two biting off more than they can chew. Need to point out, Mr. Wesley didn’t get question by Ben Reilly, he got questioned by Ben Parker and J Jonah Jameson. However, I think Ben and Jonah are prepared for it.

Then you have Harry confronting the two.  The guy was already considered an embarrassment to his Father, his AI suit personality ISN’T make things any better. Stark already told him he’s not on the “Short List of Superheroes” and Peter’s suit is more advanced than his. He’s willing to take shots in order to protect, which reminds me, need to send flowers to the hospital where Walter Hardy is healing, and Harry moral compass is out of whack. I do like how he convinced Ben and Jonah not to connect Osborn with this story and remind them that these people are dangerous.  I think that’s what Gwen is thinking as well, to put the Osborn name as far away from this story as possible and that’s why she demanded her money back.  She doesn’t want these dangerous individuals to link The Paper to the Osborns.

The Story is OUT!  Question is how is Fisk going to handle it?  What will The Maker think and more importantly how will they react?  Only the issues ahead can answer that question, but it IS something to actually look forward to.

Grade: Giving this one an A+.  Hickman does a fantastic job keeping the characters that are driving the story.  Set ups along the way and drama is indeed happening.  Hats off to Messina for handling the artwork and actually having fun with it.  Look folks, this book is selling hot and if you like ACTION PACED then this issue isn’t for you.  However, the “interior action” of this issue is there.  Dark Mark, “Interior Action” is a voluntary action that takes place within the individual’s mind, and is not visible to others. This run if fun and so satisficing to read.  Yes, it does beat ASM every month as far as sales and fans are concerned.  These are wonderful characters to invest time in and you are missing out if you aren’t reading this book.