Ultimate Universe #1: What Happens to a House of Cards?

Ultimate Universe #1 picks up after the messy, overly convoluted Ultimate Invasion, to further set up Jonathan Hickman’s new Ultimate universe. While recent comic book news has gathered a lot of attention towards the new Ultimate Spider-Man series, Ultimate Universe #1 plays it safe in most regards, sticking to the worldbuilding that it promises to set out to accomplish. While this issue is destined to be collected with the Ultimate Invasion series, the overall focus, direction, and character work help justify the fact that this issue is Ultimate Universe #1 rather than Ultimate Invasion #5. That being said, Ultimate Universe #1 stumbles through its stronger direction, hardly justifying the amount of panels dedicated to seemingly pointless character work.

Starting with the positives, Stefano Caselli assumes control of the penciling duties, giving this book a classic Marvel feel. While Ultimate Invasion had Bryan Hitch return in order to grasp onto fan’s long standing nostalgia towards the original Ultimate universe, Ultimate Universe #1 seeks to break new ground. Caselli establishes a unique feeling here that further enforces the idea that this is no longer the Ultimate universe from the 2000s. A shining depiction here is Casselli’s Ultimate Thor, who has never looked more hulking and brutish until now. This carries over into the Ultimate Iron Man who is given a uniquely Ultimate suit that has as many new aspects as it does old. Caselli has to be the perfect artist to bridge the gap between the old Ultimate universe and this new one, giving this world a new life that sets it apart from what has come before.

Equally as strong as the pencils are the colors from David Curiel, who fills this book with a strong, vibrant tone, helping offset the sometimes bleak content within. Together, Caselli and Curriel deliver a fantastic looking issue, helping justify this plus-sized issue’s higher price tag. Curiel’s colors help paint a sense of scope when the action ramps up. This gives all of the fights an explosive nature which fits well with the tone being set throughout the issue. 

Hickman’s goal with Ultimate Universe #1 seems to be to set the stage for what this world is going to look like for the new versions of the Ultimate characters. While that central focus is understood and easily identifiable, a lot of time seems to be wasted in the interpersonal play between Thor, Iron Man, and Reed Richards/Doctor Doom. It almost feels like Hickman wanted to write a series about the forming of this universe’s Avengers, but then remembered half way through what he was really writing about. This issue is definitely more focused than the entirety of Ultimate Invasion; however, the amount of time spent between these characters only for them to not be featured in any of the upcoming Ultimate series is astounding. 

Unlike Ultimate Invasion, Ultimate Universe #1 worries less about the intricacies for how this universe was made, opting to instead focus on the general worldbuilding via the cataclysmic conflict against the powers that be. Hickman definitely has something to say about an unhealthy distrust of authority, highlighting the world power’s willingness to manipulate the masses in order to further their own goals. This elegantly pairs with The Maker’s own mission, creating a fun symmetry between the two. This also helps define the status quo for this universe in very concrete terms, drawing a firm line between good and evil, summing it up to free will versus destiny. From a thematic standpoint, Hickman nails Ultimate Universe #1 on the head.

Though it is not any longer than two pages, Ultimate Universe #1 concludes with a preview look at Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men series. This series looks to focus on the often forgotten X-Men member, Armor, who looks to be the ride along character for this universe’s X-Men. If this minor preview is any indication, Momoko is about to blow people away. In only a way that Momoko can do, these two pages build a whole ton of intrigue and nuance around this new world, using body horror and mystery to create an x-cellent hook.