The Ultimates
January 12, 2006
I just completed reading the full first Ultimates run (1-13) and am now up to date on the current run (1-9). There is only one word that describes The Ultimates series.
Dark.
There isn’t a single character in this series so far without some massive flaw. But I’ll get to that in a moment…
The Ultimates is a recreation of The Avengers in the Ultimate Marvel Universe. This is a primarily non-mutant super hero team that is commissioned by the government as a division of S.H.I.E.L.D. In this reality, mutations have become somewhat common as they are cropping up all over the world. These mutants are hated and this story all plays out in the Ultimate X-Men series. However, science has also progressed to the point where manipulations are being made to “normal” humans’ genetics, giving super powers. These artificially enhanced humans are then made members of the Ultimates, or are villains.
Even Ultimate Spider-Man falls under this “requirement,” Fury informed Peter Parker that when he turns 18 he will be required to join the Ultimates.
Another interesting note about this series is the way the Ultimates don’t actually have much reason to exist. There aren’t any significant super villains in the series, no global fights to justify their existence. In fact, they wait until the 11th issue before revealing the first non-member global threat. This is only a 13 issue original series.
The second, currently ongoing series has a similar start. There is a lot of back story and character development, which I appreciate, but again no massive threat until the current issue (#9) which justifies government creation of the “super team”.
Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of action in this series. My point is that the other “bad guys” existence can be directly attributed to the work S.H.I.E.L.D and the government in general is funding. Or, in some cases members of the Ultimates themselves. Clearly the authors want the readers to wonder about the politics and justification of this super army. Maybe they want us to wonder about our own militaries on a smaller scale. Do aggressive militaristic groups spawn additional?
Anyway, one thing that kept me intrigued by this series was the lack of true hero in any of the members of this super team. Here’s a quick rundown of the flaws in each of these character which stops me from being able to idolize any of them, as I might someone like Spider-Man.
Captain America [Steve Rogers]: Uber-aggressive “old” codger, 40’s mind set. Sees things in black and white.
Iron Man [Tony Stark]: Playboy alcoholic, flaunts his place as one of the world’s richest men.
Wasp [Janet Pym]: Secretly a mutant, loaned genetic material to Hank so he could make great scientific breakthroughs. Publicly dates Steve Rogers while still married, but continues to screw Hank. She has other subtle flaws, but in many ways I like her the least.
Giant Man=>Ant Man [Hank Pym]: Secretly cheated to get where he is professionally. Wife beater. ‘Nuff said.
Hulk [Bruce Banner]: arrogance leads him to self experimentation. Hulk rampage leads to over 800 civilians killed. Cannibal.
Nick Fury: Pawn of a larger scheme he may be a part of. Plays like Samuel L. Jackson in a Pulp Fiction/XXX kind of way. An ends justify the means sort of guy.
Thor: Possibly insane. Conspiracy theorist. Ultra left wing. Violent opposition to American dominance. In many ways I find many of these traits endearing, but the writing clearly does not intend them as positives.
Scarlet Witch [Wanda Maximoff]: Daughter of Magneto. Known Terrorist, only in this for the money. Belive in mutant supremacy. Implied incestuous relationship with Pietro.
Quicksilver [Pietro Maximoff]: Son of Magneto. Known Terrorist, only in this for the money. Belive in mutant supremacy. Implied incestuous relationship with Wanda.
Black Widow [Natasha Romanova]: Her evil is a massive spoiler… Trust me though, it’s bad.
Hawkeye [Clint Barton]: The one we know the least about, and in turn, I think he’s clean…
There are also a pile of “reserves” who are all portrayed as mindless puppets to whatever S.H.I.E.L.D wants of them.
As I devour each issue in this series I find myself torn between loving and hating the series. I guess either emotion conveys conviction, and I’m still reading it. Mark Millar was successful at least in hooking me.
Tags: ant man, avengers, black widow, bruce banner, captain america, comic book, comic books, comics, giant man, hawkeye, hulk, iron man, Magneto, mark millar, marvel, nick fury, quick silver, scarlet witch, shield, steve rogers, super hero, thor, ultimate, ultimates, wasp, x-men
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6 Responses to “The Ultimates”
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[...] The movie centers around Captain America, Nick Fury, and Bruce Banner almost equally. The story told here stays true to the basic characters and universe defined in The Ultimates. Mostly this movie stands as a setup for further Ultimate Avengers movies, but it succeeds admirably at this. [...]
[...] This movie, subtitled “Rise of the Panther” seems to concentrate quite a bit on Black Panther. This departure from the basic Ultimates story line may prove to make a better film, but I also fear that any departure from Mark Millar’s fantastic work is a bit of a shame. [...]
[...] The Ultimates #1-13 - Mark Millar’s skewed take on the Avengers. Read my detailed take on this. [...]
“Thor: Possibly insane. Conspiracy theorist. Ultra left wing. Violent opposition to American dominance. In many ways I find many of these traits endearing, but the writing clearly does not intend them as positives.”
I beg to differ. I read them as positives and I believe they were intended so. Especially when you consider that it was written Mark Millar.
Considering it was done by Mark Millar? Now I love Millar, don’t get me wrong, but he writes characters with dark and gritty angles. Look at how he is portraying Cap, Spidey, Iron Man, etc in Civil War. Millar likes to take the darkest and worst in people and play with that for story lines. Throw in a mix of current events and political atmosphere and you’ll see the core of every Millar story.
Again, I love Millar. I find this portrayal of the characters to be engaging and features nicer depth than usual.
But… to say the Ultimates aren’t a group of squabbling jerks bumbling through a government induced team up is to not fully appreciate the difference between the Avengers of old and Millar’s Ultimates.
you guys are really lifeless, sad and must suacide
talking about cartoons and shitt in a way that makes you sound like politicians
i bet you’re all a bunch of geeks with ugly faces can’t even get a date
into kulkum 3ala zibi ya americans