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The Ultimates by Al Ewing
The Ultimates: Omniversal, Vol. 1: Start with the Impossible
Black Panther! Captain Marvel! Ms. America! Spectrum! Blue Marvel! Together, they form the ultimate super team, finding and fixing problems beyond the limits of the infinite! From cosmic forces lurking on Earth to whatever waits beyond the omniverse -- they start with the impossible and take it from there! And what's more impossible than ending the threat of Galactus...forever? The devourer of worlds is beyond good and evil. He's a necessary part of the universe. The Ultimates have heard it all before -- and respectfully, they disagree. The bigger they are, the harder they fall -- but if they succeed in taking him down, what will take his place? Another problem: Spacetime is broken. And to solve that, the Ultimates can't just think within the box. They need to go...outside!
Collecting: The Ultimates 1-6 & material from Avengers 0
Collecting: The Ultimates 1-6 & material from Avengers 0
144 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2016
23 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
July 20, 2017
Space opera alert!!
Captain, we’re taking damage to the right frontal lobe!
*sigh*
Nothing’ll give me a dose of deep-space cosmic brain freeze than a grandiose story that takes place in outer space.
The Ultimates are Marvel’s superhero team designated to handle interstellar threats – rifts in the time space continuum…
…residual crap from Secret Wars…
…and freaking Galactus.
Who the heck are the Ultimates?
Black Panther (ruler of Wakanda and coming to a theatre near you sometime in the Winter of 2018. You’re welcome, Disney)
Blue Marvel (has a bunch of science-y powers and he’s really, really smart)
Captain Marvel – Carol Danvers and current commander of S.W.O.R.D. (something to do with stopping intergalactic threats)
(I hate the new hairdo, Carol!)
Spectrum (Monica Rambeau) formerly a Captain Marvel and former leader of the Avengers, she transforms herself into any type of electromagnetic energy and kicks a$$.
Miss America – she flies, she’s strong and she opens doors in reality so she can travel through the multiverse. She’s also Hispanic, a Lesbian and she’s from another dimension. Way to be all-inclusive MarvelJeff says cynically.
So what’s going on?
Galactus is hungry and he eats planets, so a trip to the local Chinese buffet just won’t cut it. Black Panther somehow gets inside his head, discovers his origin story…
…and tries to put the planet eater back into his box…
Viola! It works and now, Galactus, instead of consuming forms of living energy wants to give it back and this throws off the balance of stuff, which forces Galactus, in his new role of “provider”, to punch a big head in the mouth…
…and grab a couple of brewskis with The Molecule Man, the a$$hole who’s powers were the driving force behind Secret Wars.
The ultimate reading experience result:
I betcha old-timer Kirk can still get it up for a green-skinned alien.
Bottom line: Al Ewing has done a decent job with Marvel teams in the past and this one is no exception: the storyline is comprehensible enough, there’s some deep-space action and Ewing has a decent sense of humor. The art is trippy enough for you space opera nerds, Thanos makes an appearance and the task of Sisyphus is incorporated into the works. It’s just --- > Space Opera --- > Ugh!
Captain, we’re taking damage to the right frontal lobe!
*sigh*
Nothing’ll give me a dose of deep-space cosmic brain freeze than a grandiose story that takes place in outer space.
The Ultimates are Marvel’s superhero team designated to handle interstellar threats – rifts in the time space continuum…
…residual crap from Secret Wars…
…and freaking Galactus.
Who the heck are the Ultimates?
Black Panther (ruler of Wakanda and coming to a theatre near you sometime in the Winter of 2018. You’re welcome, Disney)
Blue Marvel (has a bunch of science-y powers and he’s really, really smart)
Captain Marvel – Carol Danvers and current commander of S.W.O.R.D. (something to do with stopping intergalactic threats)
(I hate the new hairdo, Carol!)
Spectrum (Monica Rambeau) formerly a Captain Marvel and former leader of the Avengers, she transforms herself into any type of electromagnetic energy and kicks a$$.
Miss America – she flies, she’s strong and she opens doors in reality so she can travel through the multiverse. She’s also Hispanic, a Lesbian and she’s from another dimension. Way to be all-inclusive Marvel
So what’s going on?
Galactus is hungry and he eats planets, so a trip to the local Chinese buffet just won’t cut it. Black Panther somehow gets inside his head, discovers his origin story…
…and tries to put the planet eater back into his box…
Viola! It works and now, Galactus, instead of consuming forms of living energy wants to give it back and this throws off the balance of stuff, which forces Galactus, in his new role of “provider”, to punch a big head in the mouth…
…and grab a couple of brewskis with The Molecule Man, the a$$hole who’s powers were the driving force behind Secret Wars.
The ultimate reading experience result:
I betcha old-timer Kirk can still get it up for a green-skinned alien.
Bottom line: Al Ewing has done a decent job with Marvel teams in the past and this one is no exception: the storyline is comprehensible enough, there’s some deep-space action and Ewing has a decent sense of humor. The art is trippy enough for you space opera nerds, Thanos makes an appearance and the task of Sisyphus is incorporated into the works. It’s just --- > Space Opera --- > Ugh!
October 6, 2016
The Ultimates are: Black Panther, Captain Marvel (aka Colonel Carol Danvers - so she demotes herself whenever she becomes a superhero?!), Ms America, Spectrum, The Blue Marvel, and… Galactus?! Together they solve the cosmic problems of the universe no other superhero team supposedly can.
The Ultimates is another garbage Al Ewing Marvel comic. Why do they keep putting him on team books? He can’t write them! His New Avengers and Contest of Champions books are terrible and his Ultimates is only marginally better.
I didn’t read any of the Ultimate line before Secret Wars destroyed their universe so I don’t know if any of these characters are from the previous team but I recognise Black Panther, Ms America and Captain Marvel and they look like they’re from the main Marvel universe (not sure if we’re still calling it 616 or not anymore?). It might just be “The Ultimates” in name only this time around.
Once again there’s no explanation behind this team’s line-up, why these individuals, why these goals, etc. - arbitrary bollocks are the watchwords! Spectrum especially is one big question mark given that she doesn’t seem to do anything! I think Ewing just likes including obscure characters nobody’s seen in years in each of his books.
I like that Al Ewing in the main storyline is addressing the fallout of Age of Ultron, Marvel’s 2013 summer event book, the consequence of which was that time was supposedly broken. At least someone is! Everyone else seems to trundle along with business as usual, tossing out one terrible time travel story after another; Ewing’s at least pretending that it mattered.
The problem is that even though it’s a science-based storyline with some scientist characters working on solutions that should be scientific, the end result is still superheroes punching things! It’s always the illusion of intelligence with Marvel - they have supposedly genius characters but they have them do things dumb people do.
I know it’s temporary and part of Marvel’s weird “making the villains the heroes” thing they’re doing at the moment but I hate what they did with Galactus, essentially doing an Axis and reversing his alignment - he’s no longer the WorldEater, he’s the LifeBringer! They’ve even done away with his purple outfit and given him this gross yellow thing. Boo - give him back his purple hat!
I also don’t like Ewing’s writing style, putting labels all over the page in between the speech bubbles. Every single issue you get a label reminding you of the character’s name and a blurb on what their powers are - just once would be more than enough! It makes the pages horribly cluttered.
I’ve never been a fan of Kenneth Rocafort’s scratchy art - it’s a competent enough style for superhero comics but not very appealing to look at, at least to me.
Al Ewing tries to write a Warren Ellis-esque team book about space-time and other dimensions and Eternity being chained, and ends up with a boring, unengaging and forgettable comic that wishes it were smarter than it is. Like Ewing’s other Marvel titles The Ultimates isn’t worth bothering with.
The Ultimates is another garbage Al Ewing Marvel comic. Why do they keep putting him on team books? He can’t write them! His New Avengers and Contest of Champions books are terrible and his Ultimates is only marginally better.
I didn’t read any of the Ultimate line before Secret Wars destroyed their universe so I don’t know if any of these characters are from the previous team but I recognise Black Panther, Ms America and Captain Marvel and they look like they’re from the main Marvel universe (not sure if we’re still calling it 616 or not anymore?). It might just be “The Ultimates” in name only this time around.
Once again there’s no explanation behind this team’s line-up, why these individuals, why these goals, etc. - arbitrary bollocks are the watchwords! Spectrum especially is one big question mark given that she doesn’t seem to do anything! I think Ewing just likes including obscure characters nobody’s seen in years in each of his books.
I like that Al Ewing in the main storyline is addressing the fallout of Age of Ultron, Marvel’s 2013 summer event book, the consequence of which was that time was supposedly broken. At least someone is! Everyone else seems to trundle along with business as usual, tossing out one terrible time travel story after another; Ewing’s at least pretending that it mattered.
The problem is that even though it’s a science-based storyline with some scientist characters working on solutions that should be scientific, the end result is still superheroes punching things! It’s always the illusion of intelligence with Marvel - they have supposedly genius characters but they have them do things dumb people do.
I know it’s temporary and part of Marvel’s weird “making the villains the heroes” thing they’re doing at the moment but I hate what they did with Galactus, essentially doing an Axis and reversing his alignment - he’s no longer the WorldEater, he’s the LifeBringer! They’ve even done away with his purple outfit and given him this gross yellow thing. Boo - give him back his purple hat!
I also don’t like Ewing’s writing style, putting labels all over the page in between the speech bubbles. Every single issue you get a label reminding you of the character’s name and a blurb on what their powers are - just once would be more than enough! It makes the pages horribly cluttered.
I’ve never been a fan of Kenneth Rocafort’s scratchy art - it’s a competent enough style for superhero comics but not very appealing to look at, at least to me.
Al Ewing tries to write a Warren Ellis-esque team book about space-time and other dimensions and Eternity being chained, and ends up with a boring, unengaging and forgettable comic that wishes it were smarter than it is. Like Ewing’s other Marvel titles The Ultimates isn’t worth bothering with.
August 13, 2019
This version of the Ultimates has nothing to do with any of the previous versions. Since the FF has disbanded there isn't any science based team of heroes to deal with metaphysical, sciencey stuff in the Marvel U. The premise of the series isn't a bad idea. Where it goes wrong is the execution. Ewing needs to read a few science books to ground the series in real scientific theory. It's all just, "This works because, well, Science!" Imagine how terrific this book would be if they could bring Neil DeGrasse Tyson on as a consultant.
The story deals way too much with the Marvel cosmic beings. I think they are way overused at this point. And what's the fun in dealing with creatures who can do anything. The original premise is good, that they are going to fix the problem of Galactus. Once they bring in all the other cosmic characters, Chaos and Entropy, Eternity, etc. I lost all interest.
The story deals way too much with the Marvel cosmic beings. I think they are way overused at this point. And what's the fun in dealing with creatures who can do anything. The original premise is good, that they are going to fix the problem of Galactus. Once they bring in all the other cosmic characters, Chaos and Entropy, Eternity, etc. I lost all interest.
May 21, 2019
While, it has to be said, this book has absolutely nothing to do with the previous Ultimates books (it has no characters in common... Hell, it's not even set in the same universe) I'm really enjoying it.
Perhaps because I was never a fan of the previous Ultimates books (they tried too hard to be 'grim & gritty' and to shock for the sake of being gratuitously shocking for my tastes) and am therefore not bothered by the arguably valid case of false advertising in the title, I've fully embraced this new team. I love the line-up and I love the mission statement of proactively tackling large scale problems that nobody has dared to even consider tackling before.
When their first mission is nothing less than attempting to stop Galactus once and for all, you know they're serious. I hope Marvel has the courage to let the creative team live up to this rather ballsy quest and actually allow them to make lasting changes to the Marvel universe status quo and doesn't retcon everything the team accomplishes.
The artwork's pretty darned nice too.
Perhaps because I was never a fan of the previous Ultimates books (they tried too hard to be 'grim & gritty' and to shock for the sake of being gratuitously shocking for my tastes) and am therefore not bothered by the arguably valid case of false advertising in the title, I've fully embraced this new team. I love the line-up and I love the mission statement of proactively tackling large scale problems that nobody has dared to even consider tackling before.
When their first mission is nothing less than attempting to stop Galactus once and for all, you know they're serious. I hope Marvel has the courage to let the creative team live up to this rather ballsy quest and actually allow them to make lasting changes to the Marvel universe status quo and doesn't retcon everything the team accomplishes.
The artwork's pretty darned nice too.
January 5, 2023
This was so fun and its very high concepts and all that like we see the origins of the team and the personalities that make them, their first task aka Galactus and his new status quo and I love the way its done and its so awesome and then seeing the new status quo play out, the problems with the Shi'aar, the return of the anti-man, addressing the post secret war cosmic order of Marvel really well and Galactus big mission
This was well done and I love how Al explores this big cosmic concepts but also like addresses the continuity or bridges the gap between them, his focus on Adam brashear was awesome too and I love how he is gonna be doing big things with him, creating drama there and testing these characters unlike anything they may have faced before! Plus the art is a gem to look at, its so well done and truly live upto its name. One of those series which just ages better with time like fine wine.
This was well done and I love how Al explores this big cosmic concepts but also like addresses the continuity or bridges the gap between them, his focus on Adam brashear was awesome too and I love how he is gonna be doing big things with him, creating drama there and testing these characters unlike anything they may have faced before! Plus the art is a gem to look at, its so well done and truly live upto its name. One of those series which just ages better with time like fine wine.
July 20, 2017
The Ultimates have come together to fix the impossible problems in the universe.
This comic takes itself too seriously. It's attempting to delve into the mysteries of the Marvel Universe, most notably Galactus himself. It comes across as dull and somewhat pompous to me. They have a solid roster featuring The Black Panther and Captain Marvel, but it doesn't work for me. Little to no actual fighting occurs it's literally talking and some science fiction science throughout the volume.
This comic takes itself too seriously. It's attempting to delve into the mysteries of the Marvel Universe, most notably Galactus himself. It comes across as dull and somewhat pompous to me. They have a solid roster featuring The Black Panther and Captain Marvel, but it doesn't work for me. Little to no actual fighting occurs it's literally talking and some science fiction science throughout the volume.
August 13, 2021
One of the better marvel books I've read this year. I missed out on this when it came out originally and kept hearing it was really good, so I waited for the full first arc to drop on marvel unlimited.
It's a semi-follow up to Secret Wars and some of the stuff Hickman was doing in Avengers. Marvel seem content now in having their characters travel the multiverse and omniverse rather naturally, and there's lots of the going on here.
The main hook of the book is that the team are trying to fix the Galactus problem, but in doing that they cause other problems with the order of the universe.
I'd never checked Al Ewing out before now and I've never heard of the artist on this book before, so the writing and art styles were both new to me. It's a team book focusing more on plot than character moments, though I'd say the main character is Blue Marvel.
It's very good. Hope the rest of the series is as good.
It's a semi-follow up to Secret Wars and some of the stuff Hickman was doing in Avengers. Marvel seem content now in having their characters travel the multiverse and omniverse rather naturally, and there's lots of the going on here.
The main hook of the book is that the team are trying to fix the Galactus problem, but in doing that they cause other problems with the order of the universe.
I'd never checked Al Ewing out before now and I've never heard of the artist on this book before, so the writing and art styles were both new to me. It's a team book focusing more on plot than character moments, though I'd say the main character is Blue Marvel.
It's very good. Hope the rest of the series is as good.
August 10, 2016
The Ultimates are, apparently, going to be the cosmic team, the one that sorts out problems that aren't just bigger than the Earth, they're bigger than our solar system. Ok, there's a place for that. Marvel has a lot of cosmic level threats just floating around out there. And they deliver right off the bat, with the team's very first mission being to sort out Galactus. Oh. Ok. You guys do that, then. And then they promptly do, in a way that I doubt has ever been tried before. It works, but it also felt a trifle too convenient, and I doubt it'll be allowed to stick for long. It's a great team, though. It's Ms. America, guys!
August 20, 2018
Even the first page is a blast. Big science-y concepts battered around like they were things ANY definitely science need ever studied in school.
And subsequent pages intro a very cool team - Monica Rambeau (who was an awesome character in DeConnick's Captain Marvel), Ms America, Black Panther, and Carol:
...who has her Binary powers back!
Al Ewing makes comics super-fun, plus he brings cool ideas to play with - like "teleportation brings on hallucinations":
The adventures in this book are huge, and they tickle the comics/sci-fi bones in my body like crazy - super spoilers:
And subsequent pages intro a very cool team - Monica Rambeau (who was an awesome character in DeConnick's Captain Marvel), Ms America, Black Panther, and Carol:
...who has her Binary powers back!
Al Ewing makes comics super-fun, plus he brings cool ideas to play with - like "teleportation brings on hallucinations":
The adventures in this book are huge, and they tickle the comics/sci-fi bones in my body like crazy - super spoilers:
September 21, 2019
Excellent!
As colleagues have said this has nothing to do with the ultimate universe. Thank god!
This has a hard hitting and brilliant cast.
Some fantastic cosmic developments.
If you like cosmic marvel, you MUST READ THIS!
As colleagues have said this has nothing to do with the ultimate universe. Thank god!
This has a hard hitting and brilliant cast.
Some fantastic cosmic developments.
If you like cosmic marvel, you MUST READ THIS!
June 25, 2016
[Read as single issues]
Captain Marvel, Black Panther, the Blue Marvel, Spectrum, and Miss America cross time and space to save Galactus, explore the Outside, and try to repair the timeline itself in this high-concept Avengers series.
Al Ewing is one of my favourite writers in comics at the moment, and The Ultimates is a hell of a good example of why. This is him taking on Jonathan Hickman's mantle as the 'meta-writer', giving interesting commentary on the nature of the Marvel Universe itself, ideas of change and constancy, and having superheroes punch bad guys whilst doing it.
There are developments in this series that are going to ripple out into the Marvel Universe as a whole, I expect, as long as Marvel allow them to stick rather than reverting them as soon as the series ends, and this is definitely Ewing going big rather than going home.
Helping out immensely is Kenneth Rocafort on art, as his sci-fi sensibilities and detailed art style really craft the world around the Ultimates. I'm still not sold on his weird panel shapes, but they hardly detract from the rest of the series. Oh, and the fill-in issue about Galactus by Christian Ward is one of the most beautiful things I've read in a long time.
If you're only reading one Avengers series right now, The Ultimates makes a good case to be just that one. If not, Al Ewing's New Avengers is a good alternative. Basically, read Al Ewing's comics. They're good stuff.
Captain Marvel, Black Panther, the Blue Marvel, Spectrum, and Miss America cross time and space to save Galactus, explore the Outside, and try to repair the timeline itself in this high-concept Avengers series.
Al Ewing is one of my favourite writers in comics at the moment, and The Ultimates is a hell of a good example of why. This is him taking on Jonathan Hickman's mantle as the 'meta-writer', giving interesting commentary on the nature of the Marvel Universe itself, ideas of change and constancy, and having superheroes punch bad guys whilst doing it.
There are developments in this series that are going to ripple out into the Marvel Universe as a whole, I expect, as long as Marvel allow them to stick rather than reverting them as soon as the series ends, and this is definitely Ewing going big rather than going home.
Helping out immensely is Kenneth Rocafort on art, as his sci-fi sensibilities and detailed art style really craft the world around the Ultimates. I'm still not sold on his weird panel shapes, but they hardly detract from the rest of the series. Oh, and the fill-in issue about Galactus by Christian Ward is one of the most beautiful things I've read in a long time.
If you're only reading one Avengers series right now, The Ultimates makes a good case to be just that one. If not, Al Ewing's New Avengers is a good alternative. Basically, read Al Ewing's comics. They're good stuff.
August 24, 2020
Finally! Something acknowledges Secret Wars.
This answers some questions about why the post Secret Wars universe is the way it is. We also get to spend some rare and exciting time with our cosmic abstracts; eternity, master order, lord chaos, galactus and some surprise guests.
Definitely cool. This is about as cosmic as it gets. The art is interesting and not everyone’s cuppa... but I dug it.
This answers some questions about why the post Secret Wars universe is the way it is. We also get to spend some rare and exciting time with our cosmic abstracts; eternity, master order, lord chaos, galactus and some surprise guests.
Definitely cool. This is about as cosmic as it gets. The art is interesting and not everyone’s cuppa... but I dug it.
October 17, 2024
Поредният средняшки брой, в който нито сценарият, нито артът успяха да ме впечатлят...
June 26, 2017
Liked the art and basic plotline seems interesting enough. Just to read Galactus origin and more was worth it. Wouldn't mind seeing where this goes.
May 12, 2017
Does this look, feel, or smell like the Millar/Hitch Ultimates? Only if you’re really, really, REALLY drunk (and probably not even then). Still, this hyper-intellectual, superheroes-of-the-brain approach is a nice change of pace from the “let’s punch it until it explodes” school of bad guy fighting (though, let’s be honest, I really enjoy that school).
There’s considerable potential here for a long run of cosmic (or subatomic, depending on the mission) adventures that explore the furthest reaches of the Marvel U with a sci-fi bent (there’s something USS Enterprise about the whole thing). That is, of course, if The Ultimates can be kept out of the never-ending string of Michael Bay-like crossovers that keep…wait, what’s that? The second volume is a Civil War II tie-in?
Well, balls.
There’s considerable potential here for a long run of cosmic (or subatomic, depending on the mission) adventures that explore the furthest reaches of the Marvel U with a sci-fi bent (there’s something USS Enterprise about the whole thing). That is, of course, if The Ultimates can be kept out of the never-ending string of Michael Bay-like crossovers that keep…wait, what’s that? The second volume is a Civil War II tie-in?
Well, balls.
September 28, 2016
A bit of a slow start, weighed down in lots of dialogue and scholarly discussion. I was ready to move on half way through issue #1, I only have so much time and need to be picky about what I read. But I pushed through a little more and was handsomely rewarded. This book became one of my favorite Marvel stories this year in the last two issues. Great Secret Wars aftermath stuff here!
January 24, 2022
I had no idea what I was adding to my TBR other than the fact it was written by the same guy who does the very good Immortal Hulk, Vol. 1: Or is he Both?. This is one of those throwbacks to the wacky 70s and 80s cosmic comics Marvel used to do, where writers dropped acid and created weird shit.
None of it makes a lick of sense; didn’t then, doesn’t now. But it’s kooky and odd and gigantic. These things never change the Marvel universe, but they’re fun contemplations on the Big Ideas of time & space and the whole what-does-it-all-mean of life, the universe, and everything.
None of it makes a lick of sense; didn’t then, doesn’t now. But it’s kooky and odd and gigantic. These things never change the Marvel universe, but they’re fun contemplations on the Big Ideas of time & space and the whole what-does-it-all-mean of life, the universe, and everything.
May 4, 2021
Docela jsem se bál, ale zbytečně, ma boi Al Ewing má načteno a když píše o velkých věcech jako je Galactus, problémy s tokem času atd, je to radost, protože to dává hlavu a patu a zohledňuje i okolnosti, které nastavili lidi před tvůrci před ním v čele se Stanem Lee, Jackem Kirbym a Johnem Byrnem. Čteme dál...
July 18, 2016
The Ultimates: Start With the Impossible transports a once-potent brand into the mainstream Marvel Universe.
A small team comprising Black Panther, Spectrum, Captain Marvel, Blue Marvel and Ms. America forms to tackle some of the biggest problems in the Marvel Universe. In the opening story, the team “reboots” Galactus, transforming the biggest destructive force in the galaxy. With the fabric of time in disarray, the team travels beyond the edges of reality in an attempt to assess the damage. Along the way a bit of unfinished business from Blue Marvel’s past confronts the group. That sojourn shows the group that Eternity, the personification of all existence, is in chains and also paves the way for the return of a major threat, deadlier than ever. A spotlight on Galactus explores his new nature and its wider implications.
The Ultimates borrows a key franchise title from Marvel’s now defunct Ultimate line and re-defines it for a new era. Writer Al Ewing devises a compelling mission statement for this new team, deploying the considerable power set of these unique, compelling heroes for a reality-bending, cosmic adventure. Some of the concepts involved can be mind-addling, but Ewing mostly does a good job of corralling his Big Ideas into a focused, involving narrative. He also delves into the consequences of the team’s choices and how they impact the rest of the universe.
Ewing gives the various team members some nice moments and effectively contrasts the different personalities against one another. He drops some tantalizing suggestions about the evolution of Spectrum and does some subtle character work with the always intriguing Ms. America. Ewing also has the confidence to present a team of mostly non-white heroes and not make that one fact the focus of the story or to take the lazy route and make this a team of “street” protectors. It’s a nice step in Marvel’s efforts to broaden its character portfolio and spotlight diversity in a meaningful, dynamic way.
Kenneth Rocafort can be a divisive artist. His highly stylized, angular approach isn’t every reader’s cup of java. While his facial expressions can be offputting, his work is showcased to good effect here. He has a facility for intricately composed, widescreen pages that pop quite impressively. Rocafort deploys some imaginative layouts and design work to move the team through its cosmic adventures with a lot of energy. Primary colorist Dan Brown does some really nice work, mixing all sorts of cool effects into a varied palette that adds a lot of depth and momentum to the art. They’re a solid team that’s a good fit for the book.
While not officially an Avengers book, The Ultimates essentially takes the role that New Avengers filled during the Jonathan Hickman era, but charts its own, singular path. The creators forge a strong identity for the series and make it worth keeping an eye on.
A small team comprising Black Panther, Spectrum, Captain Marvel, Blue Marvel and Ms. America forms to tackle some of the biggest problems in the Marvel Universe. In the opening story, the team “reboots” Galactus, transforming the biggest destructive force in the galaxy. With the fabric of time in disarray, the team travels beyond the edges of reality in an attempt to assess the damage. Along the way a bit of unfinished business from Blue Marvel’s past confronts the group. That sojourn shows the group that Eternity, the personification of all existence, is in chains and also paves the way for the return of a major threat, deadlier than ever. A spotlight on Galactus explores his new nature and its wider implications.
The Ultimates borrows a key franchise title from Marvel’s now defunct Ultimate line and re-defines it for a new era. Writer Al Ewing devises a compelling mission statement for this new team, deploying the considerable power set of these unique, compelling heroes for a reality-bending, cosmic adventure. Some of the concepts involved can be mind-addling, but Ewing mostly does a good job of corralling his Big Ideas into a focused, involving narrative. He also delves into the consequences of the team’s choices and how they impact the rest of the universe.
Ewing gives the various team members some nice moments and effectively contrasts the different personalities against one another. He drops some tantalizing suggestions about the evolution of Spectrum and does some subtle character work with the always intriguing Ms. America. Ewing also has the confidence to present a team of mostly non-white heroes and not make that one fact the focus of the story or to take the lazy route and make this a team of “street” protectors. It’s a nice step in Marvel’s efforts to broaden its character portfolio and spotlight diversity in a meaningful, dynamic way.
Kenneth Rocafort can be a divisive artist. His highly stylized, angular approach isn’t every reader’s cup of java. While his facial expressions can be offputting, his work is showcased to good effect here. He has a facility for intricately composed, widescreen pages that pop quite impressively. Rocafort deploys some imaginative layouts and design work to move the team through its cosmic adventures with a lot of energy. Primary colorist Dan Brown does some really nice work, mixing all sorts of cool effects into a varied palette that adds a lot of depth and momentum to the art. They’re a solid team that’s a good fit for the book.
While not officially an Avengers book, The Ultimates essentially takes the role that New Avengers filled during the Jonathan Hickman era, but charts its own, singular path. The creators forge a strong identity for the series and make it worth keeping an eye on.
May 1, 2016
I have to admit that when I think of big, cosmic stories at Marvel Jim Starlin comes to mind. Sure there are a few other great cosmic sized stories by other authors (Steve Englehart being another favorite), but Starlin's the go to guy for cosmic. I mean Thanos right? Ok, ok, Jack Kirby created Galactus, the Celestials, the Eternals, the Kree, the Skrull, the Inhumans, the Mircoverse, the Negative Zone, Annihilus, Him (who became Adam Warlock), etc., etc., etc. Sure Kirby trumps Starlin, but ... Oh who cares - Marvel comics has had a longtime love affair with cosmic sized stories and cosmic sized themes and cosmic sized threats and cosmic sized ... Characters. So if your going to have a comic called The Ultimates I suppose starting with the impossible makes sense. And this comic doesn't disappoint. Galactus, Order, Chaos, Eternity ... Yep, it's cosmic baby. Can U dig it? (cue the Pop Will Eat Itself song please)
Al Ewing and compnay have assembled a team of some of my favorite charters at Marvel and are proceeding to blow my wee brain with the size and scope of the cosmic shenanigans they get up to. Basically, they're trying to fix the fundamental flaws in the natures of reality. It's a big task. A task on a cosmic scale, literally. But I have faith in Black Panther and his latest crew. Heck, these are the Ultimates! if they can't do it, it can't be done!
Al Ewing and compnay have assembled a team of some of my favorite charters at Marvel and are proceeding to blow my wee brain with the size and scope of the cosmic shenanigans they get up to. Basically, they're trying to fix the fundamental flaws in the natures of reality. It's a big task. A task on a cosmic scale, literally. But I have faith in Black Panther and his latest crew. Heck, these are the Ultimates! if they can't do it, it can't be done!
August 13, 2019
When in doubt- just recycle. That's usually the mantra at most comic/movie "thought sessions". Marvel brings back, yet again, the "Ultimates". Originally coming out when the MCU movies started (Captain America, Thor and Iron Man). The first few issues of the Ultimates was actually good. It hard a realistic and gritty edge to it that the other Marvel titles lacked. That being said, one of the things the original Ultimates did wrong was Galactus. In this is newer version, yet again they screw up the Galactus idea.
I knew I wouldn't like this comic and it would be fairly shitty with the atrocious opening scene of Ms America (who?) fighting whilst rocking out on her phone with another girl. Ugh. How fucking stupid is this? Well it gets wrose. Dr. Adam Brashear (who?) Capt Marvel, Black Panther and some others decide to take on Galactus. Yes...the Devourer of Worlds. I won't waste too much of your time but turning him into the Life Giver...not to mention not understanding how powerful he is.....it's just a waste. Mostly a crappy excuse to peddle some SJW bullshit characters and some piss poor story writing. At least the art was ok. If this is the hallmark of what this "new" Ultimates is all about, I am going to take a pass. This seems like a shitty series.
I knew I wouldn't like this comic and it would be fairly shitty with the atrocious opening scene of Ms America (who?) fighting whilst rocking out on her phone with another girl. Ugh. How fucking stupid is this? Well it gets wrose. Dr. Adam Brashear (who?) Capt Marvel, Black Panther and some others decide to take on Galactus. Yes...the Devourer of Worlds. I won't waste too much of your time but turning him into the Life Giver...not to mention not understanding how powerful he is.....it's just a waste. Mostly a crappy excuse to peddle some SJW bullshit characters and some piss poor story writing. At least the art was ok. If this is the hallmark of what this "new" Ultimates is all about, I am going to take a pass. This seems like a shitty series.
September 9, 2016
No idea why it's titled The Ultimates. There's no connection to the Ultimate Avengers series that came before. If anything it's a continuation of Ewing's Mighty Avengers. Albeit one with a hard sci-fi upgrade and other minor jiggling. A more apt title would be Cosmic Avengers or Avengers in Space.
I'm just pleased we're getting more Monica Rambeau and Blue Marvel! And Ms America too. It's a pretty neat little cast. Great art. Great story. Think it's the best team book going at Marvel. Hope Ewing can keep it going. His Mighty Avengers run sort of fell apart and didn't work very well rather quickly. Not sure if that was Secret Wars fault or the authors fault. I hope he has a long successful run here. He's off to a lovely start.
I'm just pleased we're getting more Monica Rambeau and Blue Marvel! And Ms America too. It's a pretty neat little cast. Great art. Great story. Think it's the best team book going at Marvel. Hope Ewing can keep it going. His Mighty Avengers run sort of fell apart and didn't work very well rather quickly. Not sure if that was Secret Wars fault or the authors fault. I hope he has a long successful run here. He's off to a lovely start.
August 1, 2016
This is an amazing book and I am SO ANGRY that Civil War II is interrupting it! It only just got started, but what a start, man!
The problem is, a bunch of the stuff I was so excited about in the beginning (outlined here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) has led into Civil War II: their solution turned out not to be something cool and sciencey from beyond space and time like the first book suggested it would be, but a turn back in on itself to bite its own tail in the never-ending saga of suck.
So anyway... This book was awesome, but going on from it is a huge disappointment.
The problem is, a bunch of the stuff I was so excited about in the beginning (outlined here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) has led into Civil War II: their solution turned out not to be something cool and sciencey from beyond space and time like the first book suggested it would be, but a turn back in on itself to bite its own tail in the never-ending saga of suck.
So anyway... This book was awesome, but going on from it is a huge disappointment.
June 21, 2017
It's good but a little too far out there for me.
August 4, 2017
I've always loved the Cosmic side of the Marvel universe -- Galactus! Eternity! Lord Order and Master Chaos! But it's always been frustrating that the Marvel heroes seemed a bit helpless when faced with it, despite having some of the most brilliant minds in the multiverse. That changes in this volume, with the formation of the new Ultimates team, which Black Panther describes as "an attempt to solve problems of cosmic scope before they become an issue for earth and the wider universe." It's a great team with some of my favorite characters (Captain Marvel and Spectrum), great writing, beautiful art, and a genuine reverence for the Marvel cosmos and continuity.
[Note: I read this via Comixology Unlimited rather than print.]
[Note: I read this via Comixology Unlimited rather than print.]
May 29, 2019
This story arc through 12 issues is reprinted in two volumes, so I will write the same review for both books, it being one story arc. This team, Ultimates implying that they top the Avengers, consists of a combination of established heroes, new arrivals who just got their own titles, and relatively unknown heroes. The Blue Marvel is a super genius. These are a cosmic team that deal with cosmic threats. This team, with their headquarters in space, go to new cosmic limits, literally going outside of creation. Two of my favorite cosmic villains, Galactus and Infinity, are featured, with Galactus getting a cosmic makeover from the World Devourer to become the Lifebringer, Seeder of Worlds. I would have liked more of him. Instead, Thanos is the main villain for most of the second book, Civil War, but only part of Marvel's big Civil War. The story does have a taste of the interesting moral dilemma, heroes siding with an Inhuman who has visions of disasters, creating trouble-laden "justice-before-the-crime"policies, which some heroes like and other do not. There are a number of artists, but the main artist, Kenneth Rocafort, is an effective blend of cosmic and realistic. I picked these up because of reading Al Ewing's Immortal Hulk titles. These Ultimates are not quite as memorable as the already legendary Immortal Hulk has been, but they do offer a rewarding read that does not disappoint.
January 4, 2025
Creo que el tema cósmico no es lo mío (al menos el que se fuman aquí). Me metí porque la etapa de Ewing en Hulk me turbo flipó, y su etapa de los guardianes me estaba entreteniendo, así que quería algo más de contexto. Lo que me he encontrado aquí es algo raro. Un equipo extraño que hace cosas extrañas de narices. Además, no acabo de ver si el tie-in con Civil War 2 suma o resta al conjunto. Me deja sentimientos encontrados. Y el dibujo... Entiendo lo que quiere hacer, pero no me acaba de convencer. Y me sabe mal, me gustaría que me gustase. Sobre todo porque Ewing tenía grandes planes y quería hacer "honor" al nombre de los Ultimates. En fin, me leeré el segundo y diré que me ha parecido el conjunto. Aunque ya digo que sí durante un año de etapa la cosa no va bien, es que no es para mí.
December 26, 2019
Big ideas, grand execution. Really good art by both artists. Great roster. Fantastic meta-commentary on the status quo and the Marvel editorial. Good to see a comic adressing Secret Wars so directly. Only minus is that some of the team members are there just to be there, Adam and America get more development than the rest, some characters feel unnecessary. The series is stuck between character-driven and concept-driven. Would be better if it commited to one or the other. But still fantastic. The character development might get better with next volumes.
January 18, 2023
"VOTE LOKI 2016! LIES YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!"
- Hiding in issue five, bottom of page six.
A ramshackle SUPER super-team of Blue Marvel, Captain Marvel, Spectrum and America Chavez; seriously heavy hitters taking on Tier 0 extradimensional baddies and such.
A sequel/parallel to Hickman's Avengers/New Avengers multiversal mess(?). But way bigger, if you can believe it. Omniversal, duh!
Pretty decent, but a tad complicated for me to wrap my short attention span around. Three stars.
- Hiding in issue five, bottom of page six.
A ramshackle SUPER super-team of Blue Marvel, Captain Marvel, Spectrum and America Chavez; seriously heavy hitters taking on Tier 0 extradimensional baddies and such.
A sequel/parallel to Hickman's Avengers/New Avengers multiversal mess(?). But way bigger, if you can believe it. Omniversal, duh!
Pretty decent, but a tad complicated for me to wrap my short attention span around. Three stars.
May 13, 2017
Remarkable: more, please, and thank you! Ewing goes cosmic, taking a cast of Avengers into the outer reaches of the Marvel Universe, and beyond. Plus, a first: Galactus gets a change of mood... and color scheme.
Recommended.
Recommended.
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