Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Okay, we’ll back up a bit: Peter Parker was dating Kitty Pryde (of the “world famous X-Men”), but is now dating Mary Jane Parker. But now Kitty goes to the same high school as them (and everyone knows she’s a mutant). (And everyone knows Spidey goes to this high school, but not who he is.) Peter is friends with Johnny Storm, who has a thing for Liz Allen, a supposed “mutantphobic”, who recently burst into flames during a party during the evening at the beach. (Yes, she’s Firestar - duh, genius.)

Well, yes, of course everybody I mentioned above was at the beach - what would be the point otherwise? So, Liz “flames up”, and then freaks out - unfortunately, Johnny then gets called away by the special FF signal, which means “something bigger than any of this is going on and I have to report in.” (Wow - arrogant much, Johnny?)

So Liz, who has hated mutants all her life, now bursts into flames - a pretty sure sign that she’s a mutant too. (Gosh, irony is so… ironic, sometimes.) How does she deal with this? Well, yes, of course she flips right the hell out, and goes speeding around the city, spewing a trail of flame behind her. All while Bobby Drake, aka Iceman, follows her and tries to calm her down — while leaving a huge trail of ice slides behind him. Gee, think anyone might possibly notice?

Oh, yeah - that guy might.

And like the rest of us, Liz/Firestar is pretty impressed. And curious…

Well, no - duh, folks. You have been paying attention, right?

The one thing that stands out to me from this entire run is the dialogue - both internal and external. Ultimate Spidey #118 has a great run at the beginning of the book where every major character does a series of internal expository dialogue, each and every one of which starts with “ARGGGHHHH!!!” Not since the heyday of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” has a piece of pop culture so clearly captured the angst of being an American teenager in this modern world.

Rating: 8 out of 10

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