WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR FINAL SPIDER-MAN #9! Marvel Comics recently gave fans an entirely new one Spider-Man Continuity with the newly established Ultimate Universe of Earth-6160, complete with an alternate origin story and an updated, high-tech costume. However, it seems that Spider-Man has already traded in his Picotech costume for a brand new costume that has one huge advantage over his advanced suit Despite technically being a downgrade.
In a preview for Ultimate Spider-Man #9 by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto, Spider-Man and the Green Goblin finish a patrol of the city before heading back to Oscorp to check in with Otto Octavius. In this reality, Peter Parker and Harry Osborn are heroic partners, and Octavius ​​is effectively Osborn’s ‘guy in the chair’. As Spider-Man and Green Goblin protect New York from everyday criminals (while working to dismantle the Maker’s Council), Octavius ​​is working on something of equal importance.
Spider-Man and Green Goblin both got their suits from Stark/Stane Industries, meaning there was still a lot about them that they didn’t understand, or have full control over – especially Spider-Man. Spider-Man’s suit is made of “picotech”, which is nanotech-like technology that was the last thing Howard Stark invented. No matter how hard he tried, Octavius ​​couldn’t figure out exactly how the picotech worked, which was dangerous because it left Spider-Man vulnerable to outside forces hacking in and hijacking his suit. So, Otto created a new costume for Spider-Man to wear, one that might be less technologically advanced.
The Ultimate Universe could bring back Spider-Man’s classic costume
Ultimate Spider-Man Given Peter Parker a high-tech suit from the start, now it’s rolling back
Spider-Man is no stranger to high-tech suits in Marvel’s main Earth-616 continuity, especially ones created by Stark (ie, the iconic Iron Spider Armor). However, Spider-Man has also consistently worn cloth costumes with No advanced technology integrated into the suit. This is something that the Ultimate Universe has totally side-stepped right from the start, as Tony Stark gave Peter his father’s. Picotech suits to ensure that Peter would have all the resources he needs to be the best version of himself that he can be.
Narratively, Spider-Man wearing the Picotech suit makes sense. But Spider-Man as a character is so much bigger than any single storyline told around him – even that of the wider Ultimate Universe as a whole. Therefore, it also makes sense that he would return to a more classic version of his costume, as the low-tech (aka no-tech) nature of his original suit is an iconic aspect of Spidey’s character. And now, it seems the Ultimate Universe is giving him just that with Otto Octavius’ new design.
The new suit of Spider-Man honors his origin and is also the most practical
Spider-Man is in danger wearing the Picotech suit, so giving him a classic costume makes sense
Spider-Man’s new low-tech costume honors Spidey’s original Earth-616 history and legacy, it also makes the most sense based on the details of this story. The team of heroes do not know how the picotech really works, so Spider-Man is in danger every moment he’s wearing it. Given Spider-Man’s natural superhuman abilities that require no tech, it simply makes the most sense to get rid of the risky technology he’s covered in, which is a huge advantage the new suit will have over his more advanced one.
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Although it is true that fans have not yet seen the new low-tech suit, it can be sure that it will be reminiscent of Spider-Man’s classic Earth-616 costume design. Spider-Man really only needs a costume to hide his identity, and since the picotech armor is a potential hazard (and completely redundant in terms of his powers), it’s better to just eliminate tech altogether and just let Spider-Man be. Spider-Man – and fans should be excited to see this ‘new’ look in action when the full comic comes out.
Ultimate Spider-Man #9 by Marvel Comics is available September 25, 2024.