On May 15, Marvel Comics' "Ultimate Spider-Man" #23 saw creative team Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez pick up with Miles Morales one year after the death of his mother in the previous issue -- and Miles hasn't put on the webs since his mother's death. While many readers knew about the time-jump in advance, that wasn't all the surprises Bendis and Marquez had in store -- the issue brought the first Ultimate introductions of Kate Bishop and the duo of Cloak and Dagger, as well as the reintroduction of an old, familiar face from Peter Parker's days as the Ultimate web-slinger.

To shed some light on the latest developments in this week's issue, CBR spoke with the Marvel editor in charge of the Ultimate line, Mark Paniccia, about bringing new characters into the Ultimate Universe and what it means for the line moving forward. Plus, check out an exclusive first look at "Ultimate Comics Spider-Man" #24 interior art.

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #21
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W)
SARA PICHELLI (A/C)
VENOM WAR CONTINUES
• As his father lies in critical condition, Miles is desperate to solve the mystery of the new VENOM!!
• How does the villain know so much about Miles?
• Miles turns to the one person who can help him… Gwen Stacy!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 [SOURCE]

What's tougher than being a Marvel Comics super hero? Being a legacy hero, especially if the person who preceded you casts a long shadow. Miles Morales, star of "Ultimate Comics Spider-Man" is currently finding this out. In Marvel's Ultimate Universe, teenager Peter Parker AKA Spider-Man died late last year while defending his beloved Aunt May from the onslaught of a number of his deadliest enemies. Miles, who had received spider powers earlier in a similar accident involving a spider bite, was on hand to witness Peter's death and that inspired him to pick up the mantle of Spider-Man.

Unfortunately for Miles, Peter Parker's death moved a lot of people, many of whom were less than thrilled to see someone following in his footsteps, especially a 13 year-old boy like Miles. The Ultimate Universe's new Spider-Man is a determined and heroic kid though, and he's slowly been winning the approval of some of his detractors. In "Ultimate Comics Spider-Man" #14 by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Marquez, Miles received two endorsements that will go a long way toward legitimizing his claim to the Spider-Man identity. CBR spoke with the creators about the endorsements and their upcoming plans for the series.