Spider-Man Just Turned His Son into His Official Superhero Sidekick

Warning: Contains Potential Spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man #15!

Two versions of Spider-Man will officially be webslinging through Marvel’s Ultimate Universe side-by-side, as Peter Parker brings his son along for high-stakes superhero action. Richard Parker recently took on the Spider-Man mantle while his father was missing for months on Earth-6160, but now that they’re back together, Peter is helping his son get in the swing of things as they take on the alternate universe’s adventures together as a team.

Marvel’s preview for Ultimate Spider-Man #15–written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by David Messina–sees the father and son reunite and discuss Richard’s new superhero status after the family was sent on the run. Although Peter fears for Richard’s safety, Spider-Man’s son has basically become his new sidekick.

With villains targeting Peter and his loved ones, he’s decided it’s time for Richard to join him in some action-packed battles as Spider-Man, realizing that he needs to be able to defend himself. Their first mission as a dynamic duo? Taking on the Ultimate Sandman.

The Ultimate Universe’s Spider-Men Have Officially Become a Father-Son Superhero Duo

Ultimate Spider-Man #15 – Written by Jonathan Hickman; Art by David Messina; Colors by Matthew Wilson; Lettering by VC’s Cory Petit

Since taking on his dad’s picotech suit and acting as his own black-suited Spider-Man, Richard Parker is making a name for himself as a truly unique version of the hero for the Ultimate Universe. While Marvel’s multiverse contains a seemingly never-ending supply of webslinging heroes, Richard’s Spider-Man will work in tandem with Peter Parker and give Earth-6160 a friendly neighborhood father-and-son duo to fight for them. This version of Peter has been established as a family man from the start, but this development takes it to a whole new level, making the concept of Spider-Man a sort of family business.

However, Richard and Peter’s double Spidey team-up is already proving complicated, especially when it comes to the sentient suit that allows the powerless Richard to hold his own. A gift from Tony Stark, Peter’s picotech suit has been acting strange, even doing creepy things like impersonating Peter on Christmas. Now, this mysterious suit—acting almost like a tech version of Venom—has thrust Peter’s son into the middle of danger. It looks like in Ultimate Spider-Man #15, Peter will finally have a serious conversation with the suit, as teased in the preview, and hopefully set some boundaries.

Richard Parker: Just a Sidekick or Destined to Take Over as Spider-Man?

Peter Parker Could Be This Universe’s Uncle Ben Equivalent

As the Ultimate Universe introduces this unique twist on the Spider-Man formula, it raises the question of how long the two Spider-Men can coexist on Earth-6160. There are already theories suggesting Richard could permanently take over after Peter’s death, and unfortunately, that scenario isn’t entirely unlikely. In this universe, Uncle Ben is still alive, which could set the stage for Peter to experience his own defining moment, reminiscent of Ben’s death, with his son stepping into the role of Spider-Man. With Harry Osborn already killed in a shocking moment from the last issue, Peter could very well be next if he isn’t careful.

Richard might seem a bit more concerned with texting and attempting to flirt with the new Black Cat, but his exciting adventures as Spider-Man are really being set into motion now. Though he’s been at it for a little while, readers haven’t really gotten a chance to see his version of Spider-Man in a fight just yet, but that will change as he works side-by-side with his super-powered dad. As the Ultimate Universe introduces new twists to reinvent Spider-Man lore, Peter Parker’s son stepping up as his own sidekick could fundamentally change everything for the hero moving forward.

Ultimate Spider-Man #15 will be available March 26, 2025, from Marvel Comics!