The Good
The origin of Cloak and Dagger is explained. Gwen urges Miles to put the Spider-Man costume back on in order to help out those who need help.
I've never cared for Cloak and Dagger, up until this issue. Sure, it's the ultimate version here, but I just didn't ever find these two interesting. I never understood the appeal. However, that's changed. This issue revolves greatly around who these two are and how they became to be this (don't say dynamic...) dynamic duo (ugh). Bendis makes these character extremely interesting by showing us how these two high school sweethearts became the super-powered beings they are today.
Without getting too into detail, there's four people behind Cloak and Dagger, and I am super excited about every single one of them because I love their 616 counter-parts. It almost feels like Bendis is paying me fan-service by tapping into my brain... If so, thanks. This single issue really expands upon a lot of new characters and concepts.
Someone give David Marquez a gigantic high five. He is amazing on this issue. He has some dynamite page layouts on numerous pages here, but what really "wowed" me was the smoke effects for Cloak. At times, it looks like it was photoshopped, but I don't care. It's so cool and adds a whole new dimension to this character, even though this is the first time we've seen the Ultimate version of him.
Marquez is consistent at amazing art work. You should buy this book for the art alone. Luckily, there's a really good story attached to the wickedly awesome pictures within. In addition, Marquez is accompanied by some fantastic color work from Justin Ponsor. Ponsor nails it here. I know it should be something you expect in every issue of any book, but the lighting remains consistent to each individual scene. This art team is nothing short of phenomenal.
The Bad
That final page feels a bit awkwardly placed in the book. It feels like it needs a page or two prior to it, since the book is jumping between the past and present.
This book is still a year ahead of ULTIMATES and ULTIMATE X-MEN... It bugs me.
The Verdict
Between this issue and the events of another issue that ended today (nope, not saying what book), I am super-excited for the future of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN. Bendis and Marquez (and Ponsor). This issue made two characters I've never really cared for likable... incredibly likable. I actually want to see what happens to Cloak and Dagger. I thought that would never happen. Now, we just have to wait for Miles to put the mask back on.
Overall, I highly recommend this issue.