Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, Volume 1: The World According to Peter Parker Book

3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up because I have a geek-crush on Bendis. It really should have been a 5 star book for me, because I love Ultimate Spider-Man. In the end, though, there were a few too many things that I just didn't like. First thing, not crazy about some of the art. It was a little over-the-top and...well, cartooney in spots. I probably could've overlooked the art, but I'm still scratching my head over the Gwen/MJ switch. What happened? Did I miss something? I'm guessing this huge chunk (six months, a year?) is missing so that the writers will have a chance to go back and tell the Between This and That story. Felt kinda rip-offish, for some reason.
Don't get me wrong, I still had a great time reading this! Just prepare yourself for a lot of WTF? moments.

Comparing this volume to the Ultimate Spider-Man from before Ultimatum and you'll get your heart broken. Set six months later, Peter is totally not at all dead (what a cheap trick) and Peter is now suddenly dating Gwen. Ok... There's a lot of sudden changes, apparently for the sake of having sudden changes. (MJ to Gwen, Daily Bugle to fast food, nearly empty house to very full one) I just don't know where Bendis is going with any of this stuff. I assume that we'll get explanations and full story at some point, but sooner would be better. Dialog is still good enough, it's just that the plotting confuses me.