10 DC Creators Who Should Dive Into Marvel’s Ultimate Universe

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Marvel Comics has successfully rebooted the Ultimate Universe, with Earth-6160 offering a modern alternate take on familiar Marvel heroes and villains. Jonathan Hickman spearheaded it, but other writers have jumped in to create some of the line’s different books. Given this precedent, quite a few creators from the “distinguished competition” might fit right in.

Though most major comic book writers have notable works at different publishers, many writers and artists are most known for their comic books at DC Comics. This includes some of the best comics and stories about different DC heroes, many still defined by these works. With the Ultimate Universe offering loads of potential for bold new directions concerning iconic characters, the best way to achieve that balancing act might be to pull from DC’s classic Rolodex of talent.

10

Gail Simone Defined Some of DC’s Female Heroes

Notable Works: Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman, Batgirl

Gail Simone is one of the most prolific female writers in comics, and she’s also written major comic book runs on a variety of female characters. Getting her start writing works such as The Simpsons for Bongo Comics, Gail Simone took the female team Birds of Prey and produced the group’s best run ever. She’s more associated with the team than even creator Chuck Dixon, and later on, none other than Wonder Woman benefited from Simone’s touch as a writer.

Given her penchant for female superheroes, it might be worthwhile to have Gail Simone handle an Ultimate Universe book based on a female Marvel hero. An Ultimate Black Widow title is one potential route, and female street-level characters such as Jessica Jones or Dakota North would recall her days writing Birds of Prey. These would be the main solo Marvel heroines (who aren’t associated largely with teams) that the new universe hasn’t introduced yet.

9

Jerry Ordway’s Style Could Be an Interesting Fit In the Ultimate Universe

Notable Works: The Adventures of Superman, The Power of Shazam!

Jerry Ordway is a writer and artist who, during the grim and gritty 1990s, was known for having a retro style. His painted pieces evoked the artistry and weight of Alex Ross while still having a cartoonish and old-school style to them. Thus, it’s no wonder he did so well on The Power of Shazam!, which reintroduced the true Captain Marvel of comic books.

At first glance, Jerry Ordway’s style feels completely at odds with the new Ultimate Universe. At the same time, there’s room for stylistic experimentation, both visually and narratively. Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men is nothing like the other books in the line of X-Men books, but this difference makes the series stand out. Thus, there could be an intentionally more lighthearted or old-school book for Ordway to draw and/or write that would be unique amid its fellow titles.

8

James Tynion Only Has Two Marvel Issues Ever

Notable Works: Batman, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Department of Truth, Something Is Killing the Children

James Tynion IV is a writer associated with DC Comics on several levels. Beyond his tenure on the mainstream Batman title, he also wrote the Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics and the DC Horror series The Nice House On the Lake. This is amid other success in independent comics, with most of these also being horror titles.

Despite his success with DC, James Tynion has only written two issues at Marvel Comics. This could change by bringing him into the Ultimate Universe, especially by using his penchant for dark and somewhat supernatural stories. Thus, characters such as Ghost Rider or Blade might be introduced in the Ultimate Universe under Tynion’s talent pen, finally upping his number of Marvel issues.

7

Phil Jimenez Brings Twice the Talent to the Table

Notable Works: Wonder Woman, Tempest, Infinite Crisis

Phil Jimenez is an artist and writer known for his fandom of Wonder Woman, to the point where he even wrote and drew one of her best runs. Having highly detailed art that the late great George Pérez inspired, he succeeded Pérez by providing the art to DC’s Crisis on Infinite Earths follow-up. He also transitioned Aquaman’s former sidekick from the childish role of Aqualad into Tempest.

Like Pérez, Phil Jimenez excels at giving details to even the most crowded battles and team books. The flowy sense of magic in Jimenez’s art style would work great in an eventual Ultimate Thor or even an Ultimate Doctor Strange book. Likewise, by giving every character on a team the necessary detail in battles and quiet scenes, his art might also work well in the pages of The Ultimates.

6

Mark Waid Might Be an Odd Fit for the Ultimate Universe

Notable Works: Kingdom Come, The Flash, World’s Finest

Mark Waid is most associated with the DC Universe, though he’s also worked for Marvel. Known for his penchant for the Silver Age, Waid’s style tends to be more lighthearted and “traditional” than some modern superhero writers. Likewise, he also brings back obscure elements from a character’s past, making him one of the more classical creators in today’s landscape.

This might not mesh with the more experimental and darker Ultimate Universe, though this could be exciting. Mark Waid could bring a small sense of old-school comics to the Ultimate Universe while still changing his own style a little bit to fit in with the new continuity. It would be a narrative experiment all the way around, but given his talent, it could very well work.

5

Dan Jurgens Is a Classic Comic Book Creator

Notable Works: Superman, The Sensational Spider-Man, Thor, The Bat-Man: First Knight

Dan Jurgens is a name that many DC fans will recognize, especially since he was involved with one of the most monumental stories from the publisher. Having worked on The Death of Superman, Jurgens has since been heavily associated with the Man of Steel and even wrote Action Comics during the DC Rebirth era. He’s also shown a penchant for more mature storytelling, namely in the recent DC Black Label series The Bat-Man: First Knight and even his Thor run at Marvel, which felt particularly topical in its second half.

Given his versatility, Jurgens could work as a writer in the new Ultimate Universe. In particular, his classic Thor run might inspire a new Ultimate Thor series, showcasing how a god is treated in modern society. Even his recent Batman story shows that he has the right degree of grit to write mature yet thoughtful stories needed to make the Ultimate Universe more than just an edge-fest.

4

Scott Snyder Can Finally Return to Marvel Through the Ultimate Universe

Notable Works: Batman, American Vampire, Absolute Batman, Justice League

Scott Snyder is one of the most prolific and influential creators DC Comics has had in years, being second only to, perhaps, Geoff Johns. Having written a landmark run on Batman during the New 52, he also showcased a penchant for epic and ridiculous comic book carnage in books such as Death Metal. Currently, Snyder is helping to curate DC’s Absolute Universe through the pages of Absolute Batman, but he could do something similar at Marvel’s main alternate continuity.

Scott Snyder previously wrote Iron Man Noir for Marvel Comics, but there isn’t an Iron Man book or an Iron Man character in the new Ultimate Universe. Given his success with Justice League, Snyder might be able to do wonders with The Ultimates. This could also be used as a vehicle for some of his more ridiculous and high-octane ideas, especially since the new Ultimate Universe is otherwise more grounded due to the machinations of The Maker.

3

Jeff Lemire Has Made a Name at Marvel and DC

Notable Works: Animal Man, Green Arrow, Sweet Tooth

Jeff Lemire has had major works at DC Comics and Marvel Comics, like many writers. When it comes to the former, Lemire essentially saved the Green Arrow title during the New 52, adding elements that were even adapted in the TV show Arrow. He’s also known for his horror-tinged indie work, and this well-roundedness could benefit several heroes in the Ultimate Universe.

The most obvious route is for Lemire to write The Ultimates or an Ultimate Hawkeye book to focus on that similar archer. At the same time, Justice League United showed that he could use Silver Age concepts (namely Ultra the Multi-Alien) in dark, serious stories. That kind of updating would work well in the Ultimate Universe, and just about any current running series in the line could showcase that.

2

Frank Miller Might Be a Gritty Fit for the Ultimate Universe

Notable Works: The Dark Knight Returns, Daredevil, Wolverine, Sin City, Ronin

Frank Miller has worked at Marvel Comics before, with his run on Wolverine inspiring the story for The Wolverine by Fox. He also redefined Daredevil from being a low-rent Spider-Man into being an actually popular hero. At DC, he’s most known for a similarly gritty take on Batman, and this conceptualization has defined the Caped Crusader ever since.

Given how dark it already is, the new Ultimate Universe seems like the perfect place for Frank Miller’s hard-boiled style. If nothing else, he could provide art and covers for the new Ultimate Wolverine book. Given that Matt Murdock isn’t Daredevil in this world, another hero – perhaps The Punisher – might be reimagined by Frank Miller instead.

1

Greg Rucka Wrote DC’s Trinity

Notable Works: Wonder Woman, Detective Comics, Gotham Central, Queen & Country

Greg Rucka is one of the few writers known for not only writing monthly comics starring Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, but also for these runs all being good. He has a great grasp on the entire Trinity, and besides these books, he’s also done several great indie works and some titles at Marvel. Able to give even the fantastic a sense of grandiose pathos, Rucka is great at just about anything he puts his pen to.

Any of the current Ultimate Universe books would only benefit from having Greg Rucka write them, and any book he launches is certain to be a similar hit. One interesting route might be an Ultimate Damage Control book, adapting the mainstream Marvel Universe concept and being similar to Gotham Central by Rucka, Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. This would show off his skill in writing great characters and fleshing out the everyday people caught in the mix of superhero universes, a concept that would work best in the current Ultimate Universe.

“}]] With Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe proving to be such a success, there’s a chance for prominent DC creators to make their mark in the imprint.  Read More