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Health & Fitness

Marvel: The Ultimate Universe

Marvel has published four new lines in their Ultimate universe. This article provides an introduction to the Ultimate universe, how it got to where it is, and what Marvel is currently doing with it.

It's very difficult to kill a comic book character, and when they die, it's often temporary; but not in the Ultimate universe. In Earth-1610 of the Marvel multiverse, writers are free to push Marvel's most iconic heroes in the most extreme directions.

 

Ultimatum

Ultimatum was a five-issue limited series that ran from November 2008 to July 2009. In it, many characters met their demise, and it has received a very mixed reviews because of it. Some thought it was epic while others thought the writing was sloppy. Personally, I thought that while many of the deaths were gratuitous, a lot were very well done. Overall, it was a good limited series.

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What makes Ultimatum so important, however, is how mutants are treated in the Ultimate universe. Along with super heroes, millions of innocents also lose their lives, all because of the actions of one mutant. The feelings of resentment and fear still carry over to the Ultimate universe as strong as ever.

 

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Death of Spider-Man, Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates, and Ultimate Fallout

Death of Spider-Man was a story arc that ran from Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (volume 1) #153 to #160. It is a phenomenally written arc. Anyone who is a fan of Peter Parker must read this. As well as giving a great sampling of Spider Man's rogues gallery, it also shows how much of a courageous hero Peter Parker really is and how many lives he touches.

The six-issue limited series Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates pits many of Marvel's heroes against each other and ties directly into the Death of Spider-Man arc. Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Punisher, Blade, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Nicky Fury are just some of the characters caught up in a crazy conspiracy that's a thrill to read. It's heroes vs. heroes in an story that brings up some serious ethical questions with global ramifications. 

Ultimate Fallout is a six-issue limited series that directly follows the Death of Spider-Man and Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates. The arc is very character-driven. It jumps between many people who were affected by the previously mentioned arcs and tells very stirring stories. 

The reason why Ultimatum, Death of Spider-Man, Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates, and Ultimate Fallout are all so important is because they all directly lead into...

 

Ultimate Comics Universe Reborn

Marvel has a new line of Ultimate comics that began this August. The universe has only three ongoing series as of now: Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man, Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates, and Ultimate Comics: X-Men. It also has a four-issue limited series, Ultimate Comics: Hawkeye.

 

Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man

There's a new Spider Man in town! Miles Morales has recently found himself in possession of super powers. His powers are distinct from Peter Parker's, however, and he's definitely his own character. After two issues Miles Morales as a person is what makes this story so compelling. His family, friends and life in general as a thirteen year old growing up in Brooklyn all create a very real human being with whom one can sympathize. Miles Morales is going to grow into an awesome superhero.

 

Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates

I didn't like the first issue because I just didn't find myself caring about what was going on. In the second issue, however, Reed Richards and his warring civilization made up of ever-evolving, brilliant, powerful people now have my full attention. Iron Man, Thor, and some of Marvel's other heroes are in an extremely dire situation. The destructive force of their enemies may leave the Ultimate universe forever scarred.

 

Ultimate Comics: X-Men

Only one issue has been released so far, unlike the other Ultimate comics, and I'm dying to read the second. The evils and prejudice plaguing mutant-kind are stronger than ever. The very origin of mutants is radically changed, redefining the very concepts of mutants and how they relate to the government and the rest of society. Magneto's son, Pietro (Quicksilver), is scheming, and that can only spell trouble for mutants and humans alike. The first issue is told from the point of view of Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) and the pain she goes through forces the reader to sympathize with her. Amazing comic!

 

Ultimate Comics: Hawkeye

This comic is fast paced and high-action. The world is in political turmoil and Hawkeye is given the responsibility of stopping an entire mutant army. Super powers and government don't usually mix well, and this story is no exception. Besides a thrilling tale, this comic also gives insight into Hawkeye's character; the first two issues of this series are great.

 

And there's the current standing of the ultimate universe in a nutshell. As of now, all of the Ultimate series are closely interrelated, but can still stand on their own. The series are all marvelous and I can't wait for more.

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