Ultimate Spider-Man – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ultimate Spider-Man

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2025

93%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

The gold standard for teen superhero stories—Peter Parker deals with high school drama and homicidal goblins without losing his soul.

Ultimate Spider-Man

book

2025

93%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

The gold standard for teen superhero stories—Peter Parker deals with high school drama and homicidal goblins without losing his soul.

4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the quintessential Spider-Man experience. If you're looking to transition a kid from picture books or light chapter books into something with more meat on its bones, this is it.

It bypasses the campy history of older comics and goes straight for the heart. It's funny, tragic, and genuinely exciting. Brian Michael Bendis wrote a Peter Parker that feels like a real human being, which makes the superhero stakes feel much higher.

Don't let the '2000' date in the credits fool you—this stuff hasn't aged a day. It’s a must-read for any kid who has ever looked at a spider and hoped for a bite.

Age Fit

Ideal for ages 10 and up. It hits that sweet spot of middle-school angst and superhero action that appeals to both kids and adults who never grew up.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Peter Parker is the ultimate 'good kid.' He navigates grief and puberty with a strong moral compass. The focus is on responsibility and family, even when things get messy.

Imaginative

This run reinvented the Spidey mythos for a new generation. It takes familiar tropes and makes them feel fresh, grounded, and scientifically curious.

Safe

Standard comic book action. There's punching, some scary villains (the Green Goblin is a bit of a monster here), and the tragedy of Uncle Ben, but it avoids gratuitous gore or sexual content.

Enriching

It's a masterclass in character development. It deals with the consequences of choices and the weight of adulthood better than almost any other teen media.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Peter is actually relatable; he's a kid struggling with homework and girls, not a 30-year-old in spandex.
The dialogue is snappy and modern—it doesn't feel like a dusty relic from the 60s.
It's the perfect entry point for kids who want to get into comics but don't know where to start.
The art is cinematic and dynamic, keeping even reluctant readers engaged.

⚠

What to Watch For

Uncle Ben's death is a heavy emotional beat that might be tough for more sensitive kids.
The bullying from characters like Flash Thompson can be mean-spirited and realistic.

Conversation Starters

"If you suddenly got powers, would you tell your best friend or keep it a secret?"
"Why do you think Peter feels like he has to help people even when it makes his own life harder?"
"Which is harder for Peter: fighting the Green Goblin or trying to talk to Mary Jane?"
"What does 'With great power comes great responsibility' actually mean in real life, like at school?"

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