INTRODUCTION
Marvel’s revolutionary initiative has been going on for almost a year (I know, they grow up so fast…) and if your on the fence there’s never a bad time to hop in to this outstanding story.
WHERE TO START?
The overarching narrative starts in “Ultimate Invasion”, which isn’t super new reader friendly, but for long time readers of the main 616 Universe, it’s a bunch of fun and a great starting point. This mini-series is followed up in the “Ultimate Universe: One-Shot” following the formation of the center of this universe, and the world’s mightiest revolutionaries.
For new readers: Ultimate Invasion (and the 6160 Ultimate Universe) follows The Maker, a super villain variant of Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards). He’s obsessed with making a “perfect” world. That’s pretty much it.
The series is meant to be read sequentially, like Books A,B,C, then start back with Book A. If that didn’t make sense, just read one issue at a time, then go to the next series.
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN
Johnathan Hickman opens the story with Peter Parker, an everyday photographer for the daily bugle, with a twist. Peter on Earth 6160 is happily married to Mary Jane Watson, with two kids. He also happens to look like Grant Gustin!
Following the events of Ultimate Invasion, it’s revealed to Peter that he was supposed to be the superhero Spider-Man, and that The Maker took this freedom away from him. The run is still currently ongoing and follows this Peter goes through the trials and tribulations of being a hero, while juggling the responsibility of being a husband, friend and father.
This book is tons of fun, with great art, and even better character building. It establishes relationships quickly and keeps building every issue. If you’re looking for a lot of action, this might not be the book for you as Hickman is taking a very slow approach, building the tension between Spidey and his villains (or soon to be villains…)
Ultimate Black Panther
In what is sure to be a soon classic Wakandan tale, Bryan Hill spins a story about the hidden city of Wakanda, separated from The Maker’s cruel world. T’challa, the Black Panther, is cast out in search of a mission where he encounters a mysterious Killmonger, and his partner Storm. It’s cool.
This is a great series with a lot of good concepts and some cool action sequences, with GREAT character design, but ultimately (wink wink) I think it doesn’t hold up to the rest of it’s sibling comics, as this just feels like an everyday Black Panther comic. Not that that’s a bad thing, though. It’s still a good book. If you want to read a Black Panther story, this is a good pick.
Ultimate X-Men
Peach Momoko is the author and artist of this manga-inspired reinvention of our merry band of mutants. Is it for everyone? No, not really. But it’s a really well drawn series with some interesting themes and definitely the farthest departure from the main universe. Sorry I don’t have more to say on this one, and I hope I eat my words sometime in Year-Two of the Ultimate Universe that this book isn’t for me.
THE ULTIMATES
Holy #%*#.
Deniz Camp, indie comic darling, weaves all the layers of this universe together using The Ultimates, this universe’s version of The Avengers. Each issue introduces a new concept and reveals another tragedy The Maker committed, and covered up. It’s political undertones are wonderful and so nuanced, and it’s pacing is great. If you like teams with big rosters, this is the book for you. If you like comics with well written characters, messaging and world building, this is the book for you. If you like comics, this is the book for you.
I love this book so much. The day this book is no longer on my pull list probably means something happened to me, please check up on me.
CONCLUSION
It’s… really, REALLY good so far. My favorite part of each week these days is walking to my LCS (Local Comic Shop) and picking up that week’s Ultimate book, because I know the quality is going to be great. P.S. When are we getting Ultimate Doctor Strange it would be so sick.
