Ultimates #22: Band of Brothers

Time has run out. The two years of “peace” have passed. The Maker has returned, and the Ultimates and their allies THOUGHT they were prepared, but we all know the saying about best laid plans. With battles raging all over the planet, the Endgame is finally here. 

The war against the Maker wages on, but old wounds still need to be closed. The roar of the battle takes a backseat to one man’s search for answers. Captain America has found the hideout of the Red Skulls and he won’t stop until he confronts the Grand Skull. However, knowing just who the Grand Skull is may be worse than any enemy bullet. 

If there was an underlying message in this issue, it would be a commentary on how America uses its soldiers and then discards them when they are no longer needed. It doesn’t go as deep as it could, but that’s not the place of this story. Above all else this is an issue about two brothers, and just how much the passage of time creates a chasm between them. Steve was able to bypass that abandonment from his country thanks to being frozen in ice, Bucky on the other hand had to live through that neglect. What’s worse is that he had to endure it alone. He was forced to watch as Maker took hold of the world, his attempts to direct America back on it’s proper path shut down at every turn (possibly due to the Maker as well). With nowhere else to go and death knocking, he had no choice but to seek the awaiting arms of the H.A.N.D. 

Deniz Camp gives what is perhaps the most emotional issue of Ultimates since issue 17. Taking a beat from the MCU, Camp roughly uses that same dynamic between Steve and Bucky in his story as well. With Bucky being Steve’s childhood friend and protector before Steve took the serum. This entire issue gives the history of their relationship up to this point, but at no point does it feel detrimental to the story at large. Steve and James are men stuck in time, and only one of them can move forward, but not without immeasurable tragedy. It’s not just them that gets some shine though. We once again see Wanda and Pietro (who now officially goes by Quicksilver), and the previously thought dead John Walker has declared himself the new Red Skull, but sadly most of the story potential of these characters will go unexplored due to the universe ending.

Juan Frigeri beautifully illustrates this tragic tale of broken brotherhood with scenes of horrific battles and blood, as well as genuine love and tragedy that are further highlighted by Federico Blee’s deeply-rich colors. Special shoutout also goes to Travis Lanham whose lettering on the last page leave an emphatic impression that will stick with you for a long time.