5 Things Marvel Fans Don’t Want to Admit About the Ultimate Comics

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The relaunch of the Ultimate Marvel universe has been Marvel’s biggest success of the 2020s. While there have been other notable stories, nothing compares to the launch of Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men, and Ultimate Black Panther. Since then, several other Ultimate series have followed, including ongoing titles and limited series like The Ultimates, Ultimate Wolverine, Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion, and Ultimate Hawkeye. Readers are really enjoying the current Ultimate line, and the news that it will be ending has left many fans feeling conflicted – they appreciate a story with a definite conclusion, but they’re sad to see these books go.

Marvel’s Ultimate line of comics has been a major success over the past two years, becoming a significant part of the company’s legacy. While fans have developed certain expectations about these books, those expectations aren’t always accurate. These five ideas demonstrate that the Ultimate Marvel universe often differs from what readers assume.

5) The Month to Month Trope Have Hurt the Books

The Ultimate comics initially used an interesting approach: each issue was set a month after the previous one, mirroring the real-time publication schedule and aiming for a more realistic feel. However, this technique hasn’t held up well over time. It undermines the classic comic book cliffhanger, as follow-up issues often lack the same level of suspense. While there have been a few attempts at cliffhangers – like the finale of 2024’s Ultimate Spider-Man #12 – they don’t quite deliver the same impact. This approach has also occasionally made storylines confusing and disrupted the natural flow of the narrative.

4) Ultimate Spider-Man Stopped Being Amazing After Issue #12

When Ultimate Spider-Man first launched, it was truly something special – a real standout in the Marvel Universe and quickly became the top-selling comic out there. I, along with many fans, was immediately drawn to this version of Peter Parker; he felt more mature and genuinely happy as Spider-Man. The dynamic between Peter and Harry Osborn was fantastic, and the interactions between Ben Parker and J. Jonah Jameson were comedy gold. The story really grounded Spider-Man in a believable New York City. Issue #12 was a particular highlight, bringing everyone together for a story that ended with a huge cliffhanger. However, things started to shift after that. The focus drifted away from Spider-Man himself and increasingly centered on the Green Goblin, and honestly, it just hasn’t been the same since. It’s still an enjoyable read, but it’s lost that initial magic and isn’t the best comic on the stands anymore.

3) Ultimate X-Men Is the Best Series

Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men surprised many and has become a standout title in the Ultimate line. While The Ultimates is popular, it largely follows the familiar Avengers formula of a super-team battling major threats. Ultimate X-Men, however, takes a completely different approach. It’s a horror manga-style story that focuses on young mutants and unfolds slowly, and this unique style has really resonated with readers. The book is consistently excellent, with Momoko successfully creating a distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart. Ultimate X-Men offers a fresh perspective on the team and its history, making it the only book in the Ultimate line that truly feels original.

2) The Ending Won’t Make Anyone Happy

The latest iteration of Ultimate Marvel always felt temporary, with plans for the Maker to return in two years. Most fans expected a typical Marvel pattern: a large-scale event to conclude the initial storyline, followed by cancellations as interest waned. However, Marvel surprised everyone by announcing Ultimate Endgame would be the definitive end. While the creative team – writer Deniz Camp and artist Jonas Scharf – are both incredibly talented, it’s likely fans won’t be satisfied with how things conclude. Marvel hasn’t delivered a truly great event comic in years – since 2015’s Secret Wars, only A.X.E. Judgment Day stood out – and Ultimate Endgame probably won’t break that pattern.

1) Marvel Shouldn’t Be Ending the Ultimate Universe

Marvel in recent years has unfortunately stretched out storylines and character arcs for too long, often damaging books that fans loved. A prime example is the X-Men’s Krakoa era; the initial success clearly influenced creators to prolong it, even if it wasn’t the original plan. Considering this, the ending of the Ultimate Universe might actually be positive – it prevents the series from becoming a weak imitation of its former self. However, the Ultimate books are still strong and popular, with plenty of potential stories remaining. Ending them now feels like a mistake, especially since creators like Deniz Camp and Peach Momoko have expressed their desire and ability to continue their work in that universe. Marvel would be better served by letting them explore those possibilities rather than cancelling the line.

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2025-12-16 22:14