24 Years Ago, Marvel Revealed an Iconic New Superhero Comic (And It Was Controversial Almost Immediately)

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As a huge movie fan, I’ve definitely noticed how Marvel has dominated the superhero scene this century. Things really started to take off when Joe Quesada became editor-in-chief, and they began experimenting with some amazing new ideas. One of the coolest was the creation of the Ultimate Universe – basically a fresh start for all their classic heroes, reimagined for a modern audience. It began with Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate X-Men, and it was a huge hit! Everyone was buzzing about who they’d revamp next, and 24 years ago, we got our answer with The Ultimates – a series by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch that instantly stirred up a lot of debate.

The original Ultimate Universe was groundbreaking, but The Ultimates quickly became the dominant title. This new take on the Avengers was specifically designed for a modern audience. Reflecting the post-9/11 world, writer Mark Millar wasn’t afraid to take risks. Having trained under Grant Morrison, Millar first gained recognition for his work on the bold and unconventional team book The Authority. Known for his edgy humor and thrilling stories, he was a perfect match for artist Bryan Hitch, who had previously contributed to The Authority and helped shape its distinctive style. Together, they delivered spectacular, large-scale action and some of the most daring storytelling of the time.

The Ultimates Felt Like an Evolution of the Superhero Team Book

It’s difficult to explain what made The Ultimates so impactful without understanding the comic book landscape of the early 2000s. The comic industry had undergone huge changes following the collapse of the speculator bubble in the mid-90s, which led to many comic shops closing and reduced availability in newsstands. This forced comics to move away from being primarily for children and instead target an older readership. Marvel had already begun bringing in writers known for more adult-oriented work, such as Grant Morrison, David Mack, Brian Michael Bendis, Garth Ennis, and Mark Millar, along with editors Stuart Moore and Axel Alonso. This shift towards more mature content started in 2000, and Millar’s Ultimate X-Men was a prime example. The Ultimates aimed to combine the grand scale of action seen in Morrison’s JLA and Millar’s The Authority with the edgy humor they’d both become known for.

The first issue of this comic is truly exceptional – arguably one of the best first issues ever published. Set during World War II, it depicts Captain America’s final battle of the war with a level of realism rarely seen in Golden Age comics. While not overly graphic, it felt more authentic, and the beautifully illustrated action sequences, thanks to Hitch and Paul Neary, were incredibly detailed. From the start, reading this felt like watching a big-budget movie, and that impression only grew stronger. Millar’s portrayal of Captain America felt more grounded and raw, yet he remained the hero we all know and love. The issue concluded with Cap being frozen, then jumped forward to the present day. It was a fantastic reading experience, and even without knowing what happens later in the series, it still stands out as a truly remarkable comic.

Millar’s characters felt relatable and contemporary, speaking in a natural way and playfully teasing each other, just like real people. They weren’t idealized heroes, but flawed and human. The series even featured appearances by actual celebrities like Shannon Elizabeth and Freddie Prinze Jr. It presented a unique take on familiar heroes – Iron Man struggled with alcoholism (played for laughs), Captain America was a bit of a traditionalist, and both Bruce Banner and Hank Pym dealt with feelings of inadequacy. Readers realized just how edgy the series would be during a fight scene involving the Hulk, where he made threatening and disturbing remarks towards Betty Ross and Freddie Prinze Jr. And that set the tone for everything that followed.

Considering the challenges the team faced during Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch’s 26-issue run, the stories resemble typical Avengers adventures, but Millar’s distinctive humor and emerging conservative viewpoints are noticeable. The series featured superheroes working with the military, being used as government tools, and even controversial jokes about Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver’s family. Millar delivered exciting superhero action while pushing boundaries, which felt groundbreaking at the time. In retrospect, much of it seems like shock value, but it perfectly captured the edgier tone of the 2000s. Despite long waits between issues, the book remained incredibly popular with fans, likely because Millar’s humor combined with Hitch’s stunning artwork appealed to a demographic that appreciated its often-immature style.

The Ultimates Are the Ultimate Relic of Another Time

While necessary and groundbreaking for their time, The Ultimates and The Ultimates 2 don’t quite hold up today. They injected a new level of energy into mainstream comics and weren’t afraid to take risks. The series featured intriguing concepts – like the introduction of the Chitauri and a unique take on Thor – and excelled at large-scale action sequences. Despite some problematic moments, such as questionable dialogue and instances of domestic abuse, the comics also delivered strong character development and dramatic storylines. These books are firmly rooted in the political climate of the early 2000s, representing a pivotal moment for the comic industry, and remain significant works in comic book history.

So, Millar and Hitch moved on after The Ultimates 2, and then The Ultimates 3 came out… and wow, it really went off the rails with the edgy humor, in all the wrong ways. Honestly, even though it felt like a natural extension of what Millar was doing before, it was just way too much. It was super violent and disrespectful, and I think it really started the decline of the original Ultimate Universe, leading to its eventual cancellation. Looking back, those old Ultimate books are nothing like what Marvel’s doing with the line now – it’s a huge difference. Actually, compared to most mainstream comics today (especially ones not written by Millar, who, let’s be real, has just gotten more shocking and tasteless over the years), it comes across as just crude and unnecessarily mean. But you know what? Twenty-four years ago, we all thought this was where comics were headed – it felt genuinely groundbreaking at the time.

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2026-01-31 00:17