Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian Bendis
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colors: J.D. Smith

Ultimate Spider-Man #58 July 2004

This is great.  Last issue, Doctor Octopus had just kidnapped an unconscious Peter Parker, tortured him on a hijacked jet to Brazil, only to lose somewhere him on the plane before landing.  This issue is comprised of two things, firstly Spider-Man giving a long overdue smack-down on Doc Ock, and secondly Peter's attempts to get back to New York City from Sao Paulo before Aunt May makes it home.  I've heard some say they feel the good doctor went down too easy in the Brazilian fistfight, but I'm not bothered by it.  My rationale is that even though Otto sports these awesomely useful and deadly tentacles, he's really just a normal guy.  Peter is an altered human, with the proportional toughness of a spider.  He can take repeated pummelings from metal objects and walk away from it cursing.  But when Spider-Man actually connects with Doctor Octopus's face... its got to feel like a sledge hammer to him.  One, maybe two good punches and he is out, if not seriously injured.  Anyway, this issue sports some funny dialog between the Portuguese speaking airport workers and Peter who is just trying to figure out where the heck he is.  The second part of the story is hilarious because although he is a super-hero... getting home from Brazil is not that easy for him.  Granted, he does catch a few good breaks by hiding in the luggage compartment of a US-bound airliner, but he laments the fact that no Avenger, X-Man, or Fantastic Four person would have any problem catching a ride on a privately owned superjet... probably with a Jacuzzi.  Bagley nails the art, especially when Peter has to put on various clothing articles he can dig out of people's suitcases to keep from freezing to death.  Lastly, the emotion shifts suddenly as a final scene cliffhanger slaps you right in the face when Peter gets a nasty surprise right when he walks in the door after a miserably long trip.