Summary

  • Ultimate Spider-Man #9 expands on the new version of Walter Hardy, who currently operates as the Black Cat – a title more famously associated with his daughter, Felicia.
  • Walter is a member of the new Ultimate Sinister Six, led by Wilson Fisk, villains who are in control of New York City in the Ultimate Universe.
  • Walter Hardy, as Black Cat, will have a very different dynamic with Peter Parker – though it is possible they can still find common ground.

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Ultimate Spider-Man #1-8

The Ultimate incarnation of love interest that Earth-616 Peter Parker is familiar with. While still a mastermind thief, this version of the Black Cat is certainly gruffer than readers are used to.

latest incarnation of the Sinister Six.

Comprised of Fisk, Mr. Negative, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, Mole Man, and Black Cat, the Ultimate Sinister Six completely control New York City. While readers have yet to see the villains in action, the preview provides a brief glimpse of the debonair Black Cat in action.

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Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man Offers A Radically Different Take On BLACK CAT

Ultimate Spider-Man #9 - Written by Jonathan Hickman; Art by Marco Checchetto, Matt Wilson, & Corey Petit

Ultimate Spider-Man #9, Black Cat Walter Hardy is introduced as a family man & career criminal.

Similar to that of the Gentleman Thief Arsène Lupin, albeit without the Robin Hood-esque sense of nobility, Walter Hardy carries himself with a sense of masculine class.

Fans of the one and only Black Cat. Although, Walter Hardy’s Black Cat has already made his fortune; this time, he’s in it for the fun. Like his daughter’s version of the alter-ego, Walter is a relatively un-serious gentleman who simply enjoys the spectacle of Fisk’s superpowered menagerie of criminals.

Similar to that of the Gentleman Thief Arsène Lupin, albeit without the Robin Hood-esque sense of nobility, Walter Hardy carries himself with a sense of masculine class. Nearly never seen without his mask, what part of his face he does expose is usually dressed with a charming, toothy, grin. Walter, much like his daughter, carries himself confidently and has the proven skills to be highly respected in his field. However, among a group of ruthless killers, superpowered criminals, and egotistical megalomaniacs, Black Cat does feel somewhat out of place as a member of the Sinister Six.

The Ultimate version of Spider-Man is a father, something that could serve as the basis for Peter and Walter Hardy to find common ground in the future.

Ultimate Black Cat Will Have A Very Different Dynamic With Peter Parker

A Father-To-Father Connection

Ultimate Spider-Man #8, Black Cat and Mr. Negative in Wilson Fisk's lair.

As Peter Parker continues to get a grip on his new powers and, more importantly, continues to learn the cost of having them, it looks like Black Cat will be a seemingly easy villain for Parker to take on himself – though their dynamic could be more surprising than that. The Ultimate version of Spider-Man is a father, something that could serve as the basis for Peter and Walter Hardy to find common ground in the future. While this version of Black Cat's dynamic with Spider-Man will be very different, it could still parallel the original in certain ways.

Source: Marvel Comics

Ultimate Spider-Man #9 will be available on September 25, 2024 from Marvel Comics.

Ultimate Spider-Man #9 (2024)

Ultimate Spider-Man #9 cover, Spider-Man confronted by the new Sinister Six
  • Writer: Jonathan Hickamn
  • Artist: Marco Checchetto
  • Colorist: Matt Wilson
  • Letterer: Corey Petit
  • Cover Artist: Marco Checchetto; Matt Wilson (color)
Ultimate Spider-Man #1 Cover Art

THE NEW ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN FOR A NEW ULTIMATE UNIVERSE! After the events of ULTIMATE INVASION, the world needs a hero…who will rise up to take on that responsibility? Prepare to be entangled in a web of mystery and excitement as the all-new ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN comic redefines the wall-crawler for the 21st Century!