This is the iconic cover of this era for me. This is what this comic is about, this is what it’s for. And I’m all for it. But the era of USM being one artist’s baby is over, and this month, we have the series’ first ever fill in artist, 137 issues into the run. The end of an era! This month, the book is in the hands of Takeshi Miyazawa, last seen ’round these parts in SMU V2 #1. His style pairs nicely with LaFuente’s, at least, it’s not as jarring a change of hands as it could be. This month, we’re handling some old business, as we flashback 6 months ago to Ultimate Rick Jones’ crumpled, glowing form crashing in his back yard at the abrupt end of Ultimate Origins 5, some 15 months ago in real life. You could be forgiven for not remembering that Rick was chosen to be “the herald” of the Watchers, to “guide humanity through their new world order.” Whatever that means! Maybe it begins to make sense here.
Jump ahead to today, and Rick wakes up from the coma he was apparently in the whole time. Aaaaalrighty. Meanwhile, at the mall:
Ominous. At the Parker home, Gwen is explaining to May what happened last issue as they unpack some groceries when May see’s Rick being brought home from the hospital. She explains to Gwen that he’s been in a coma, and everyone thinks it was drugs. May later brings some lasagna to the Jones house to help out, because she’s nice. Marion Jones blurts out, “It’s not drugs.”
May goes home and announces a family meeting. She wants her super-boys to go help Rick. They are very confused. But, the next day, Spider-Man, the Human Torch and Iceman are all on the roof of a nearby building, arguing about what to do. Iceman feels confident he can lead on this, having been trained by Professor X. Neither other guy agrees. Spider-Man urges caution, since the last time Rick used his powers, he went into a coma, but then they see Rick in the backyard, and…
These guys are nailing it. Rick and Spider-Man go smashing through a restaurant window, and a convenient newspaper on the ground makes Spider-Man think they are in Detroit.
It’s funny how “I know what this is” is such an all-time Bendisism. But, of course, Johnny does know what this is, and we get a second 2-page flashback to Ultimate Origins 5 in one issue, featuring the FF being told a herald has been chosen.
The way Miyazaki draws the Torch looks very cool. We’ll presumably learn more about Rick next issue. I honestly don’t remember this part.