Better than it has any business being.  This has been my tagline for Marvel's Ultimate relaunch.  And while I feel this is true for Ultimate Comics Armor War and Ultimate Comics Avengers, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man is a little different.  First it has Bendis at the helm which screams quality storytelling, and considering how long he has been on the book that is quite an accomplishment to keep going.  Not that the book was suffering before Ultimatum, but the narrative jump forward has definitely benefited the story.

With the relaunch comes a new artist at the helm - David Lafuente.  His style takes some getting used to with its anime-type feel.  I don't mind it as much as others, it does not distract from the story at hand, which has been fun.

Issue three dropped this week and the story has been a good one since the return of Peter Parker, who was thought killed at the end of Ultimatum.  A weird bait and switch to the character if you ask me (unless they reveal him to be a clone of a clone or something stupid like that, but I digress ...).  Anyway, without giving too much away, a lot has changed in the life of Mr. Parker.  He has a new job and NYC is rebuilding.  And another thing, the city that never sleeps loves its resident super-hero. So things are moving along for the character.  But as much as things are the same, there has been other changes that will make you scratch your head (but in a good way).  And thanks to the jump forward, we get to figure out what happened and why the new dynamics.

One new dynamic introduced in issue two and explained a little more in three is the addition of Johnny Storm to the Parker household.  Only can be good for more interesting adventures.

The relaunch has also seen the addition of an iconic Spidey villain in Mysterio.  The Ultimate version is a lot of twisted fun and definitely a good foil for our favorite webhead.  He is not an easy win to say the least.

All that being said, if you are not reading Ultimate Comics Spider-Man for some reason other than you did not realize it was out, now's the time to jump back on board.  Only three issues out, all still available.  Would I steer you wrong (don't answer that)?