After 20+ Years, The Wire's Question About Spider-Man Is More Important Than Ever Before
The HBO classic series The Wire and the comic book character of Spider-Man could not be more different from each other. And yet, the franchises continue to be intertwined. Most notably, The Wire fans will recall the moment when Omar Little leapx from the sixth floor of the Murphy homes in Season 5 relatively unscathed. Antagonist Marlo Stanfield reacts by saying "that's some Spider-Man s***."
However, The Wire name-drops Spider-Man much earlier in its time on air in the third episode of Season 2: "Hot Shots." In 2003's "Hot Shots," D'Angelo "Dee" Barksdale is approached by a young fellow inmate and asked a simple question: "What do you like better: Ultimate Spider-Man or regular Spider-Man?"
Dee asks what the difference is, and the inmate promises to teach him "everything." That's actually a valid question that, for any comic fan, is even more relevant and valid to ask in 2025 than it was in 2003, seeing as Marvel has come full circle by recently relaunching its Ultimate Spider-Man title in 2024, introducing a new Spider-Man of a new world.
One Episode of The Wire Poses an Essential Question About Ultimate Spider-Man vs. The Amazing Spider-Man
What Was Happening in The Amazing Spider-Man in 2003?
This episode of The Wire first aired on HBO on June 15, 2003, and The Amazing Spider-Man #53 by J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Dan Kemp, and Chris Eliopoulos - focusing on Marvel's main Spider-Man whom readers have known since the '60s - hit comic book stands on May 21st of that same year. Straczynski was still relatively new to his run as lead writerfor The Amazing Spider-Man, having taken over the series for its second volume starting in 2001.
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The issue begins with Aunt May openly venting to Mary-Jane Watson now that she knows her nephew is Spider-Man. The two bond as MJ helps May come to terms with both sides of Peter Parker's identity. Just then, Peter calls in from the site of a protest over Gamma Bomb testing in the Nevada deserts, where, in 1957, a mobster named Morris Forelli had killed seven mafia bosses - the Vegas Thirteen - and buried them in the area. The Gamma Bombs had created a monstrous amalgamation of all their bodies, calling itself Digger - and Digger wants revenge.
Morelli hires Spider-Man to protect him, leading to Spidey thwarting Digger's ambush at a club. However, behind Peter's back, Morelli has his hired guns unload their bullets into Digger. Digger survives, but the building around them collapses, causing them to separate. Peter warns Morelli never to pull a stunt like that again, promising that no one - not even the monster - will be dying. Before Morelli's daughter, Lynne, enters the room, Peter demands a raise in his price to twelve grand a day. To end the issue, Morelli prays that Spidey protects him and his daughter against his sins.
What Was Happening in Ultimate Spider-Man's World at the Time of the Wire Episode?
Ultimate Spider-Man #42 by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Art Thibert, Transparency Digital, and Chris Eliopoulos
On the flip side, Ultimate Spider-Man #42 had just dropped on June 4th, 2003, starring a younger Peter Parker from an alternate world early in his Spider-Man career. This story comes one issue after Peter and Mary-Jane officially become boyfriend and girlfriend after declaring their love for each other and sharing a kiss. Peter wants nothing more than to kiss his new girlfriend some more, but instead he needs to investigate an explosion in the middle of New York City. The culprit is Geldoff, a new antagonist who debuts mere issues earlier. He's a Latverian orphan with the power to discharge fiery balls of energy from his hands.
Geldoff makes his first appearance in Ultimate Spider-Man #40 by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Art Thibert, Transparency Digital, and Chris Eliopoulos.
Geldoff is something of a pyromaniac, using his powers to blow up cars for fun, and this issue begins much the same way. This time, he blows up the high school principal's car to protest the suspension of the football team for shenanigans at a party the previous night. He then gets carried away when he blows up another teacher's car, "because she called me a name." Spider-Man tries to talk some sense into Geldoff, even after Geldoff becomes furious about Spider-Man's insistence that he's probably a mutant.
His foster parents also think he's a mutant, but upon seeing how terrified they are of the possibility, Geldoff is convinced that "mutants are the Devil's children." Their conversation is interrupted by a robbery - one where the robbers are dressed in Avengers masks of Iron Man, Captain America, and oddly enough, Batman - and Spidey leaves to thwart it. Geldoff tries to help by using his spontaneous combustion powers, but causes more harm than good, infuriating Spidey after Geldoff's explosion injures the owner. The issue ends with them being confronted by the Ultimate X-Men.
What Was Better in 2003: Ultimate Spider-Man or "Regular" Spider-Man?
Answering The Wire's Burning Question
Answering the question of whether Ultimate or Amazing Spider-Man is better is harder to answer than some readers may think. While the original Ultimate Universe was introduced in the 2000s as an alternative to the Earth-616 comics, the main canon comics weren't bad. Comparing Ultimate Spider-Man's comics with those of the main canon's Spider-Man, it becomes apparent that both properties were enjoying strong runs at the time, bolstered by strongly written issues at the time of the Wire episode. While both have their differences, they also share positive similarities, especially in terms of the interactions between MJ and Peter.
The Amazing Spider-Man had a lot to love, but Ultimate Spider-Man gave readers a chance to fall in love with Spidey all over again.
Bendis and Bagley's run on Ultimate Spider-Man marks the blossoming of Peter and MJ's love, while their love is as strong as ever in Amazing. Meanwhile, both stories get to the root of Spider-Man as a street-level hero. Rather than focusing on high-stakes, world-ending narratives, both versions see Peter prioritize helping the people in the New York area. More than anything, Ultimate exists to freshen up that character, and thus, the excitement of a new origin might be enough for fans to prefer it. The Amazing Spider-Man had a lot to love, but Ultimate Spider-Man gave readers a chance to fall in love with Spidey all over again.
Is Ultimate Spider-Man Better Than The Amazing Spider-Man in 2025?
Marvel's Ultimate Universe Is Back and Making Waves in Pop Culture
The choice between the 2003-era Spider-Man and the Ultimate Spider-Man of the same time period is a close race, one that is more subjective than anything else. However, when readers consider the 2025 revamp of Ultimate Spider-Man alongside the current era of The Amazing Spider-Man, it isn't close at all. Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto is more relevant than ever in 2025, shaping a brand-new Peter for a brand-new reality, one where he's married to MJ with young teenagers of their own. The fresh take on the characters is a breath of fresh air compared to The Amazing Spider-Man.
Fans are undeniably disgruntled with The Amazing Spider-Man. Be it the direction of Peter Parker, Marvel's refusal to pair MJ and Peter together, or controversial characters like Paul drawing such ire from fans, people aren't happy with the run. However, everything fans are disgruntled about, they get in Ultimate, which is better acclaimed as a result. MJ and Peter are happily together raising a family, new characters and new revamps of characters receive positive reception, and storylines remain intriguing. More than when The Wire first released "Hot Shots," Ultimate Spider-Man is much better than "regular" Spider-Man.
Ultimate Spider-Manand The Amazing Spider-Man - from both eras - are available now from Marvel Comics.
- Created By
- Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
- First Appearance
- Amazing Fantasy
- Alias
- Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner
- Alliance
- Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors
- Race
- Human
- Franchise
- Marvel, Spider-Man
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
The Wire
- Release Date
- 2002 - 2008-00-00
- Network
- HBO
- Showrunner
- David Simon
- Directors
- Ernest R. Dickerson, Ed Bianchi, Steve Shill, Clark Johnson, Daniel Attias, Agnieszka Holland, Tim Van Patten, Alex Zakrzewski, Anthony Hemingway, Brad Anderson, Clement Virgo, Elodie Keene, Peter Medak, Rob Bailey, Seith Mann, Christine Moore, David Platt, Dominic West, Gloria Muzio, Jim McKay, Leslie Libman, Milcho Manchevski, Robert F. Colesberry, Thomas J. Wright
- Writers
- Richard Price, Joy Lusco, Rafael Alvarez, Dennis Lehane, David Mills, William F. Zorzi, Kia Corthron
Cast
Dominic WestJimmy McNulty
Lance ReddickCedric Daniels
The Wire, debuting in 2002, is a series that explores the complex world of Baltimore's narcotics scene, presenting perspectives from both law enforcement and their targets. It delves into how the war on drugs has evolved into a self-perpetuating institution, blurring moral boundaries between right and wrong.
- Seasons
- 5
- Story By
- David Simon
- Streaming Service(s)
- MAX
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