In the late ’90s, Marvel’s sales were declining causing financial problems. Marvel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy leaving their future in peril. Another possible reason, new readers like me who were introduced the Marvel Universe since Fox Kids weren’t up to speed on past stories. Poorly received comic book movies in 1995-1997 such as “Judge Dredd,” “Tank Girl,” “The Phantom,” “Steel,” “The Crow: City of Angels,” “Spawn” and the biggest one of all, “Batman and Robin.” In 1998, “The Mask of Zorro” & “Blade” made superhero movies awesome again winning the hearts of critics and fans.
Thanks to the popularity of Fox Kids cartoons and the aforementioned from 1998, Fox purchased the film rights for X-Men to bring new and old generations of Marvel fans. Sony did the same obtaining the films rights for Spider-Man. Marvel recruited Brian Michael Bendis & Mark Millar (DC’s The Authority) to write new iterations of Spider-Man, X-Men, and The Avengers. Mr. Bendis wrote Ultimate Spider-Man’s seven issue storyline, “Power and Responsibility.” Published in October 2000-May 2001 as the first series within the Ultimate Marvel Universe. It became a critical and commercial hit. Followed by Mark Millar’s “Ultimate X-Men” and “The Ultimates.”
All 13 issues of The Ultimates were officially published in March 2002-April 2004. It became a commercial success. Ultimate Marvel expands more titles including “Ultimate Daredevil and Elecktra,” “Ultimate Fantastic Four,” “Ultimate Iron Man” & Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk.” In 2006, Lionsgate loosely adapted The Ultimates as in animated movie under, “Ultimate Avengers” and its sequel, “Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Black Panther.” When I was 12-13, I watched the animated movies. I admit, I never read the comics. I only read comics set in Marvel’s OG Universe (Earth 616) like X-Men, Wolverine & Deadpool. I’m more of an X-Men fan than Avengers & Spider-Man.
Anyway, before “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” & “Avengers: Doomsday” come out in 2026, I’m reading a ton of Marvel stuff on the app, “Marvel Unlimited.” Expand my horizons on various universes set in the Marvel Multiverse. Give me some time to write and review various storylines. Which one should I review next? Please leave a comment.
This review contains SPOILERS.
Mighty & Weak Aspects
Mighty: Bryan Hitch did a terrific job illustrating battle scenes depicted in panels giving a cinematic quality.
Fun Fact: Marvel asked Samuel L. Jackson permission to use his likeness for Nick Fury. Sam approved under one condition, let him play Nick in a movie. The rest is history, Sam became a prominent figure in the MCU.
My favorite part of the thirteen-issue series is when the team discuss which celebs should portray them in a movie. Nick mentioned he wants Sam Jackson to play him. Heck, in issue #3, Nick sarcastically said, “The nose has been smashed than Robert Downey Jr. RDJ sobered up and made a huge comeback as Iron Man. A huge example a second chance can redeem a person.
The series is set in 2002 around the same time Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man and “Blade II” came out. George W. Bush appears in the comics at the time he was president in real life. Shannon Elizabeth (Nadia from American Pie) & Larry King also appear in issue #4.
The only characters I give a crud about are Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Nick Fury & Thor.
Weak: Mark Miller didn’t do a good job writing a modernized iteration of Avengers. Some of them are not good people. I’m putting an Extra Point down on each character. Mark did ’em dirty.
- The dumbest reason Bruce Banner transformed into Hulk he gets jealous over Freddie Prinze Jr. having dinner date with Betty Ross. I’m not making this up.
- Unlike the main universe Earth 616, Hulk has cannibalistic tendencies.
- The Wasp distracts Hulk by flashing her boobs. She could’ve just gone inside his ear from the get-go. This ain’t “American Pie.”
- Hank Pym beats the crap outta Janet. Then, he uses Ant-Man tech that nearly killed her. Prior to that, Hank was already a wife beater.
- During a climactic battle, main villain, Kleiser taunts Captain America to surrender. Cap retaliates and yells this quote. “You think this letter on my head stands for France?!” Cap called the France cowards. Cap’s a hypocrite. The U.S. aided France (they didn’t give up) in World War II as allies against the Axis Powers. I guess the A on Cap’s head means a-hole.
The Final Verdict: D, FOR DIMWIT!
The Ultimates is not a good modern take on Avengers. I don’t mean to contradict myself, but there are some positive things later incorporated in the MCU like Sam Jackson as Nick Fury and Avengers fight the Chitauri in the 2012 movie. Thank goodness the MCU didn’t adapt The Ultimates as a 100% accurate adaptation. It heavily takes elements from Earth 616 retaining positive redeeming qualities. The animated movie, Ultimate Avengers is an improvement loosely adapting the first six issues. If you’re curious to check it out, go ahead. It’s better than the comic itself.
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