Jonathan Hickman has made a reputation for himself with a few of the finest Marvel Comics’ runs within the writer’s historical past, specializing in the likes of the Fantastic Four, Avengers, and X-Men. With the arrival of Ultimate Invasion this yr, a brand new Ultimate universe has been born that offers Hickman carte blanche to create a brand new tackle some traditional comedian e-book characters. While the brand new “‘verse” may share the identical title because the one which gave us Miles Morales, this universe is much totally different from what preceded it.
To get potential new readers up to the mark, the Ultimate universe was first launched within the yr 2000 with writers like Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Millar initially providing recent takes on traditional heroes. The authentic Ultimate universe labored as a option to “modernize” Marvel’s heroes, whereas additionally giving inventive groups a degree of freedom in making everlasting adjustments to many characters. Hickman was additionally part of this preliminary universe and has returned to create a really totally different universe this time. The Reed Richards of the unique Ultimate universe, now often known as The Maker, tried to halt the creation of the Marvel heroes on this new locale, and the protagonists are aiming to show issues round and make an setting that will be much more productive for superheroes.
Jonathan Hickman as a author has at all times excelled at world-building, setting the stage for grandiose tales the place every chapter works as an efficient gear in a sequence’ “machinery” as a complete. While this new Ultimate universe won’t be taking a extra “modern” method than what we’re seeing within the core Marvel Comics’ line, it’s presenting loads of distinctive takes to maintain followers guessing when it comes to the way forward for this universe. Hickman and Caselli are in a position to current fairly a couple of attention-grabbing new takes on traditional characters, laying the groundwork for a really totally different crew of Avengers to guide the cost.
With this new Ultimate Universe, there are a whole lot of shifting items that readers might want to familiarize themselves with in the case of hopping on board Hickman’s newest foray. The Reed Richards of this world drops an exposition dump, although it is one that does not take into consideration quite a lot of components that is perhaps wanted as an introduction to any newcomers. Reading the Ultimate Invasion mini-series is an absolute should in the case of not solely studying extra about why there is a Reed carrying Doctor Doom’s armor, Tony Stark wielding the title of “Iron Lad” versus “Iron Man,” who the brand new villains secretly ruling the world are, and so forth. It’s each a power and a weak spot of Hickman’s abilities in that the shifting items match collectively completely, however if you happen to miss a beat, you may end up scratching your head. There are some considerably large reveals on this subject’s pages that may hit a lot tougher if in case you have an understanding of what got here earlier than in The Maker’s journey.
In Ultimate Universe #1, readers are given one thing of a breakneck tempo as a brand new crew comprised of Tony Stark (Iron Lad), Reed Richards, and Thor, joined by his jailer, Sif, is making an attempt to proper the wrongs dedicated by The Maker. It’s at this tempo that we lose some much-needed characterization for these new takes on traditional heroes, Hickman takes some large swings when it comes to setting the stage for the way harmful the brand new rulers of this new Ultimate Earth are and what’s at stake for the ragtag group of “Avengers” main the cost.
One factor that I might need modified is the necessity for this new universe to be labeled “Ultimate” in any respect, because it would not have the identical modus operandi as its predecessor and appears like a far totally different method than what got here earlier than it. There’s room for confusion in the case of previous followers of the unique Ultimate universe hoping for a similar however getting a far totally different dish on their dinner desk. This is not to say that one should not take a look at Hickman’s new Marvel universe, it is simply that readers mustn’t go in considering this can be any kind of continuation of or homage to the unique comedian line.
Ultimately, Ultimate Universe #1 does a stable sufficient job of introducing Hickman’s courageous new world, however this appears like a primary subject that is perhaps higher learn as a set than a single subject. I’m excited to see what comes subsequent for this new Marvel Comic universe, however that is due to what we noticed in Ultimate Invasion and what’s been hinted at with different sequence on the way in which. Ultimate Universe #1 is a squeaky wheel that will get the automobile previous the end line however undoubtedly might have used extra grease. The future appears shiny for Hickman’s new universe, however this is not a roaring success.
Published by Marvel Comics
On November 1, 2023
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Stefano Caselli
Colors by David Curiel
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair
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