The idea behind the original Ultimate Universe was to put new spins on classic Marvel Comics characters. This gave established readers a reason to read new books, while creating more easily accessible series for newcomers. The new Ultimate Spider-Man series continues this trend, putting new spins on beloved Spider-Man characters in a new reality. However, the latest issue does this with one character whose inclusion is something of a surprise.
Written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by David Messina, Ultimate Spider-Man #4 centers around a dinner double-date. The previous issue saw this world’s Peter Parker meeting Harry Osborn for the first time. In this reality, Harry adopted the Green Goblin persona with noble intentions, targeting the shady enterprises of Kingpin Wilson Fisk. This leads the two heroes to meet for dinner, with their respective wives in tow.
Ultimate Spider-Man’s Gwen Stacy is Married to Harry
Harry Osborn’s wife is revealed to be Gwen Stacy, who is also unknown to the Ultimate Spider-Man versions of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. Gwen is unveiled as the CEO of Oscorp, and is late due to a meeting with some “old-school executive types.” She comes off as an aggressive and detail-oriented woman. This is shown through her quickly calculating, to the day, just how long she and Harry have been married.
There is irony in Gwen and Harry marrying in this world, given her death at the hands of Green Goblin in the main Marvel Universe. It makes sense, however, given the two had been friends since childhood, long before they met Peter Parker. It remains to be seen, however, if the Gwen Stacy of Ultimate Spider-Man is doomed to die like her counterpart from Earth-616.
Ultimate Spider-Man #4 is now available on-line and at comic shops everywhere.