Well the time has finally come everyone, the Spider-men story arc has finally been drawn to conclusion and we finally get to see if this story was worth is. Does Miles get Peter’s blessing? Does Peter finally get back home? Do they ever put a stop to Mysterio’s hyjinks? The answer is a resounding YES as issue #5 brings what has truly been a one of a kind story arc to a close.

Issue # 5 starts out with Mysterio being just as bitter and worried about the events that have happened so far that he, in his own typical fashion, shoots himself in the foot by re-opening the dimensional vortex that he really should have just left closed. “Just a peek,” he tells himself. “Just to make a plan.” A plan for what Mysterio? A way to gloat over Peter Parker, the man you’ve already beaten by trapping him in another dimension? He lets his ego get to him in a way that is so very much a comic villain move. Perfect for such a “second-rate” villain like himself, despite his arguing the contrary.

Of course, opening the portal just gets him dragged right out onto the other side, and smack dab in front of both Spider-men and the Ultimates (or at least what’s left of them these days). Mysterio refuses to go down though, and manages to break away from his captures just long enough to cause a few explosions and dose them all with his pantented fear toxin. Which gives us one of the cooler 2-page spreads we’ve seen so far, featuring Tony Stark, Nick Fury, Peter Parker and Miles Morales all standing in front of their worst fears. Tony can’t stand the thought losing all of his friends and allies, Nick Fury is afraid that the world will burn in fire and chaos and both Spider-men are faced with their loved ones being brutally murdered by their arch-nemeses.

Although it would have been nice to see what some of the other agents saw (or at least just Thor or Hawkeye), I can understand why only those four were chosen. Both Tony and Nick have played pretty big roles in Ultimate Peter Parkers life, so by this point the are kinda secondary characters in the series by this point.

Miles though, being the BA he is, manages to push through the fear toxin and attacks Mysterio, pushing him through his own portal. Why is it easier for Miles to break the toxins hold over him? It’s not really explained. Perhaps he simply hasn’t had as many years of fears and mental scarring for the fear to draw on, so there is less nightmare for him to push past. His young age giving him a sort of “adaptability” to facing these sorts of things. Or perhaps it’s a sign that Miles isn’t quite the pushover you’d think he might be, and has the mental fortitude to stand strong is what is truly shaping up to be a very different world then the one Peter Parker lives in. Either way, the fact that it’s Miles who pushes through the toxin first and manages to save the day is an important fact to note. He’s a kid we need to keep our eye on.

Of course, it doesn’t take long for Miles to beat the snot out of a very confused, very over-confident Mysterio. As he, like a few villains before him, underestimates Miles abilities and combat prowess. With a quick sneak attack after going invisible, Miles manages to kick him back into the Ultimate dimension and (with the help of Peter Parker) delivers the final blow via his now signature venom blast attack. Leaving Mysterio bloody and broken on the floor as the Ultimates take him into custody once again.

From there things get moving pretty fast, as the portal begins to close and Peter has to head back to his own world ASAP. But not before giving Miles some advise (like never loaning anyone named Wolverine money) and, most importantly, giving Miles his blessing. That’s what this whole arc has been about people, Miles finally knowing that what he’s doing is the right thing to do. Sure, this technically isn’t the same Peter Parker that Miles has replaced, but it’s as close as Miles is ever going to get (barring some sort of serious magic BS). Miles now has the approval of not only Peter’s family, but of Peter Parker himself. Any fear or lingering doubt he might have had about whether or not he was in the right to take up the mantle of a dead High Schooler should all but be gone by now.

Peter Parker might be dead, but Spider-man is still very much alive. And it’s Miles who has earned the right to wear the mask. If this arc has proven that, then I dare say you aren’t a True Believer.

Of course, one lingering question remains for those of us who are avid comic book readers… If Miles is the new Spider-man in one dimension, then is there a Miles Morales is the other dimension? That, my friends, is a question best left for some other adventure…