Ultimate Spider-Man: Hobgoblin, Part 1
Issue: #72
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Mark Bagley
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colors: J. D. Smith

The issue opens with a flashback to nine months ago. Peter Parker's high school class is on their field trip to Oscorp when the experimental spider bites Peter. As the class returns to the school, Harry Osborn is sitting next to Peter reassuring him. Later that day, Harry shows up at Mary Jane Watson's home and finds that Peter's aunt has taken him to the hospital. Harry accuses MJ of hanging around Peter to make Harry jealous. MJ complains that Harry keeps her at arm's length instead of publicly admitting that he likes her. There's a brief argument and Harry finally apologizes, after which he kisses MJ.

In the present day, an unnamed villain has just defeated Spider-Man. The villain demands that he be given the adamantium kept in the building's safe, and threatens to kill Spider-Man. A technician tells him to go ahead; they don't even know the guy under the mask. Spider-Man, who has been playing dead, suddenly "revives" and subdues the villain. Miffed by the technicians' attitude, Spider-Man asks what adamantium is anyway, but just gets a bunch of blank looks. He swings off, grumbling.

All the way across the city, he mentally complains about having to rescue the ungrateful, the fact that scientists everywhere seem bent on creating the next big super-villain, and how poorly he did in the fight at the museum. Back at school, he changes into his street clothes. Despite having sworn he wouldn't put the costume on again, he's doing it anyway, but now feels no sense of accomplishment. He feels guilty about not saving his uncle, or Gwen, and wishes he had some sort of sign that he is making the right decision in continuing as Spider-Man. At that moment, someone calls his name. Peter turns to find Mary Jane, Flash Thompson and Kong in a circle around Harry Osborn.

Harry has returned to school. After a brief greeting, Peter and the rest of the group are shooed out of the lunchroom by a cafeteria monitor. Harry, Flash and Kong walk on down the hall. Peter and MJ discuss the implications of Harry's return, knowing what they do about his father. Peter asks MJ to stay away from Harry, just in case. When she asks why, he complains that just once he'd like to do as he asks without shooting questions at him. He reminds her that the last time she didn't listen to him, she got thrown off a bridge. MJ is silent, then responds that she didn't kill Gwen, and runs off crying.

Peter goes home to find his aunt packing up their belongings. The Parkers are moving to a new house. She tells him to pack up his belongings in the basement. Downstairs, Peter muses that if he had any sense, he'd pack up the Spider-Man costume and throw it in the river. He also worries about Harry Osborn's reappearance. Harry knows Peter is Spider-Man, and had threatened to kill him before. But now Harry seems to be back to normal. Peter isn't sure he can trust Harry any more. At that moment, Harry walks in.

Harry asks why Peter and his aunt are moving, and Peter explains about the two deaths in the house. Then he asks where Harry has been. Harry was sent somewhere in Colorado, but he's not sure where. When Peter asks if Harry remembers what happened between them, Harry reaches into a trunk and pulls out the Spider-Man mask. He comments about the differences between Peter and himself -- Peter gets to be a superhero, while Harry's life has completely disintegrated. Every time Harry's father "goes nuts", Peter shows up. And now Harry has come back to find Peter is dating Harry's girlfriend -- MJ.


Submitted By: Seldes Katne