The 10 Best Moments in Marvel’s New Ultimate Universe So Far

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With Marvel Comics‘ brand-new version of the Ultimate Universe having been underway for over a year now, the books within the universe have really begun to shine. Each title in the all-new Ultimate Universe has felt particularly unique, exciting, and fresh in its own ways, and the universe shows no signs of slowing down.

With superstar writers like Jonathan Hickman, Peach Momoko, and Deniz Camp working on titles in the universe, fans know that they are in for something special whenever they pick up a new issue. Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Black Panther, Ultimate Wolverine, and The Ultimates fill out the current lineup of titles, and each one has provided readers with bold and exciting moments that rival anything in the mainline Marvel Universe.

10

Peter Parker Gets a Second Chance At Being a Hero

The Ultimate Spider-Man’s Origin Gives an Adult Peter Parker a New Outlook On Life

In the pages of Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto’s excellent Ultimate Spider-Man #1, an adult Peter Parker finds himself dismayed and discouraged in life. Although he is happily married to Mary Jane Watson and has two wonderful kids, May and Richard, this version of Peter feels that something is missing in his life.

After receiving a message and package from Tony Stark, this universe’s version of the hero Iron Lad, Peter discovers that he was meant for so much more, and the villainous Maker took his destiny from him. Wanting to right the wrongs of the past and take on the future as a superhero, Ultimate Spider-Man #1 ends with Peter allowing the radioactive spider from his past to finally bite him, giving him the great power that he should have had years ago.

9

Storm Saves Black Panther

The Mutant Weather Goddess Arrives In the Midst of Wakandan Strife

The Ultimate Black Panther book is perhaps the most underrated series currently being released in the Ultimate Universe. It contains a number of excellent characters, wonderfully constructed worlds, and political themes that feel well articulated and thought out. The book also gave readers their first real look at one of this universe’s classic X-Men—Storm.

Arriving in the nick of time to rescue T’Challa from the forces of the terrifying Ultimate version of Moon Knight, Storm’s arrival in the final moments of Ultimate Black Panther #2 marked an exciting shift for the series. It established her as a major player in the story going forward, and it gave fans of the mainline relationship between Storm and Black Panther hope that their Ultimate counterparts might be headed down a similar path.

8

Armor Succumbs to the Shadow King

The Lead of Ultimate X-Men Gives In to Her Darkest Urges In a Shocking Moment

While Ultimate X-Men might be the most major reinterpretation of a title in the Ultimate Universe, it still very much feels like a classic mutant story. Packed with new characters trying to discover where they belong in a world of superpowers and terrifying villains, themes surrounding marginalized groups and youthful angst, and enough mutant action to satisfy any kind of fan, Ultimate X-Men has been a creative blast from start to finish, thanks in no small part to artist and writer, Peach Momoko.

In the final moments of Ultimate X-Men #12, Hisako, the lead of the book, and the mutant hero known as Armor in the mainline Marvel Universe, is finally confronted at her doorstep by the Ultimate Universe’s version of the Shadow King, a terrifying psychic threat that latches onto the worst instincts and fears a character has. Giving in to the darkness before her, Hisako becomes wrapped up in the Shadow King’s nebulous form, prompting fans to wonder what could possibly come next for the Ultimate Universe’s band of mutant misfits.

7

Black Panther Battles the Spirit of Vibranium

T’Challa and the Ultimate Sorcerer Supreme Face Off Against the Mysterious Entity Linked to Vibranium

The pages of Ultimate Black Panther have explored new and exciting avenues surrounding the mysterious element of Vibranium, the main resource of the nation of Wakanda. Implying that the metal is somehow sentient, the series has taken the relationship between Black Panther and Vibranium in new and exciting directions.

Shockingly, when working together with Inan, the Ultimate Universe’s current Sorcerer Supreme, Black Panther inadvertently lets loose the physical manifestation of Vibranium’s spirit. T’Challa and Inan battle the entity as it attempts to wreak havoc throughout Wakanda, manipulating the Vibranium built into the very foundation of the nation. It’s a tense and exciting battle, and it sets up a myriad of engaging future plot threads.

6

Nick Fury Attempts to Overthrow The Maker’s Council

The Ultimate Universe Is Explored Deeper Through Nick Fury’s Eye

Taking place in the one-shot issue, Ultimate Universe: One Year In, written by Deniz Camp with art by Jonas Scharf, the Ultimate Universe’s version of Nick Fury attempts to take on the terrifying Maker’s Council. Believing that he is somehow slipping under the radar and carrying out a secret plan to save the world from the Council’s clutches, Fury’s world is flipped upside down when it’s revealed the Council has known of his plot all along.

In a sick twist on the mainline Marvel Universe’s concept of Nick Fury having a number of Life Model Decoys, or LMDs, it’s revealed that the Ultimate version of Nicky Fury is simply a Life Model Decoy that the Council sees as nothing more than a plaything—something that they know will try to overthrow them, but that they don’t see as an actual, credible threat. It’s a terrifying addition to the Ultimate Universe, and it establishes just how hopeless things feel.

5

The Ultimates Are Ambushed By the Hulk and His Forces In K’un-Lun

The Evil Version of the Hulk Uses the Powers of Iron Fist to Handily Defeat The Ultimates

While The Ultimates has been the book that has focused most closely on the overall world of this brand-new Ultimate Universe, it has also given fans plenty of character depth, human interaction, and political commentary. The Ultimates #6 features one of the most brutal fights of the team’s short history, wherein the Ultimates are ambushed in K’un-Lun by the Hulk and his martial arts-obsessed minions.

The issue is brutal, intense, and emotionally devastating, as it features the critical injury of Tony Stark, aka Iron Lad. Clearly setting up more to come, and giving the new team of Ultimates its first major defeat, The Ultimates #6 remains perhaps the best example of an action-focused issue in the entire new Ultimate Universe.

The Father-Daughter Costume Discussion Was An Early Highlight

The Ultimate version of Peter Parker is far different from his mainline counterpart, most notably in the fact that he is older, and is established as a husband and father to two children. His youngest child, May Parker, inadvertently ends up being the first member of the Parker family to discover Peter’s secret identity, and what follows is a touching connection between father and daughter.

With Peter’s starting super-suit being nothing more than a future-designed black stealth suit, he and May decide that it needs something more. With the ability to change its shape at will, the suit takes on a number of familiar looks, before the pair finally decide on a classic look—the iconic red and blue that fans know and love.

3

The Ultimate Doom’s Tragic Origin Is Revealed

Reed Richards’ Past and Present Collide to Form a Tragic Tapestry

The Ultimates #4 might very well be the best single issue released in the Ultimate Universe so far, and the main reason for this is the emotional punch it packs when revealing the truth behind the Ultimate version of Reed Richards, aka Doom. Instead of being a member of The Fantastic Four, this version of Reed Richards was imprisoned and tortured by the Maker—a version of Reed Richards, himself.

Told wonderfully through flashbacks and current-day moments, The Ultimates #4 weaves an emotional tapestry of a life full of possibility ripped away from a person. Reed Richards is forced to see what he could have been, and that is what makes his current title of Doom all the more tragic.

2

Spider-Man and Green Goblin Fight Against Kraven In The Savage Land

Peter Parker and His Ally Harry Osborn Work to Escape Kraven the Hunter’s Traps

With a terrifying new version of the classic Marvel Universe’s Sinister Six team forming in the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man, the frightening reveal that Kraven the Hunter had captured Peter Parker and Harry Osborn was seemingly only a matter of time. Discovering their identities and threatening their families unless they comply, Kraven sends the pair into the depths of the Savage Land, where they must fight to survive while they are hunted by the murderous villain.

The story culminates in a physical confrontation between Peter and Kraven, and it is one of the most brutal and thematically weighty moments in the entire series so far. Packed with rage, tragedy, and terror, the final moments of Ultimate Spider-Man #14 are some of the most effective and wonderful Spider-Man comic book moments in decades. It sets up the future of this version of the character effortlessly, and it has fans chomping at the bit for what comes next.

1

Captain America Experiences the 21st Century and Leads an Assault on the White House

Steve Rogers Struggles With the Weight of the Modern Day Before Leading The Ultimates to Battle

Perfectly articulating what makes Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, so special, The Ultimates #2 is heavily focused on the hero and his response to waking up in a world he no longer recognizes. Locking himself away to study and learn the history of this world he’s so unfamiliar with, Captain America is devastated to discover what the world has become.

In a politically charged gesture, Captain America’s first mission with The Ultimates is an assault on the White House, which is currently occupied by a villain named Midas. The Ultimates face off against the forces of Midas, and eventually find themselves rescuing the person that had been somehow powering the villain’s machines and city—the multiversal hero, America Chavez. The Ultimates having an issue where the heroes literally save America from the clutches of the Maker and his evil underlings is perhaps the single most effective piece of political commentary in the entire Ultimate Universe thus far, and it is also the best moment that the universe has had to offer.

“}]] Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe has been blowing fans’ minds since its start, and a few key moments have stuck out as particularly excellent.  Read More