Marvel Teases Major New Ultimate Universe Crossover (But It’s Too Soon)

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As a seasoned comic book critic who has been following Marvel’s adventures since the days of Kirby and Lee, I must say that the current state of the Ultimate Marvel Universe is nothing short of exhilarating. The freshness, the boldness, and the sheer audacity of these new stories are reminiscent of the golden age of comics when creators were not afraid to push boundaries and redefine what superhero storytelling could be.

In the first installment of “Timeslide,” authors Steve Foxe and Ivan Fiorelli follow Marvel Comics’ recent pattern set by the “Timeless” one-shots, hinting at upcoming stories for the next year. The comic even provides potential future events, such as “Ultimate Incursion,” which suggests a significant crossover event for the budding Ultimate series. The current Ultimate Universe has been a resounding success for Marvel, producing several top-selling books like “Ultimate Spider-Man” that consistently outsell established favorites like “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “Batman,” while also captivating readers with an entirely fresh universe.

The second year of Marvel’s Ultimate series is brimming with energy, and titles like “Ultimate Wolverine” are eager to capitalize on that momentum. Despite the excitement surrounding the new Ultimate line, now is not the ideal moment for a crossover event. For quite some time, Marvel’s event strategy hasn’t been particularly successful, and integrating the new Ultimate Universe into it isn’t the solution.

Ultimate Marvel Needs More Chance to Grow

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In the revamped Ultimate Universe, the landscape is hostile towards its heroic figures. The Maker, an analogue of Reed Richards from the original Ultimate Universe, seized control over an alternate Earth and systematically prevented his former adversaries from even beginning their heroic careers. This world, labeled as Earth-6160, is under the rule of the Maker and his Council – a powerful assembly of superhumans who govern entire continents. The recent Ultimate comic books have been shedding light on how this universe operates, creating a fresh, distinct superhero realm.

Example: Ultimate X-Men has been gradually developing a unique narrative around mutants, particularly in Japan, often referred to as Hi No Kuni, the “Land of Fire.” The story unfolds with Sunfire, a Japanese mutant, exercising authority over the region. Over the course of a year, the comic has meticulously constructed the mutant community within Hi No Kuni, only barely delving into the intricate workings of its government. There remains much unexplored territory in terms of character and setting development for this series.

The comic “Ultimate Spider-Man” is fantastic, but it’s not yet heavily focused on Spider-Man himself. Instead, the story delves into the inner workings of New York City and its impact on the broader Ultimate Universe. Some of the most popular issues revolve around J. Jonah Jameson and Ben Parker uncovering a significant story about the world’s power structure. Harry Osborn, this universe’s Green Goblin, and OsCorp are connected to the corruption at the heart of the Ultimate Universe, which adds a sinister undertone to his partnership with Spider-Man. The narrative is filled with intrigue surrounding these mysteries.

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In simpler terms, both “The Ultimates” and “Ultimate Black Panther” are separately developing their own narratives. The “Ultimate Guardians of the Galaxy” are set to appear in “The Ultimates”, introducing the cosmic aspects of the fresh Ultimate Universe. “Ultimate Wolverine” offers a fresh perspective on the Winter Soldier, sparking enthusiasm among fans eager to explore more of Earth-6160’s mutant community. The buzz surrounding this collection is high, and a major crossover event promises to quench fans’ thirst for excitement.

Typically, significant events boost sales, but the Ultimate comics are already thriving at their peak. They don’t require an increase in sales and a crossover event might even harm these books. The reason they are so well-liked is due to their distinctiveness. For instance, titles like “Ultimate Spider-Man,” “Ultimate X-Men,” “The Ultimates,” and “Ultimate Black Panther” have unique tones that don’t align with each other. A crossover wouldn’t seem fitting or natural. At the moment, each of these comics is deeply engrossed in compelling narratives, and interrupting them for common Marvel event antics isn’t wise.

Ultimate Marvel Needs to Be Different From the Main Line

Title “Ultimate Incursion” certainly piques interest, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee a good choice. Marvel initially introduced the concept of “Incursions” more than a decade ago, describing catastrophic events between universes where Earths physically clashed with each other. “Ultimate Incursion” could signify a new wave of these collisions or perhaps the merging of Earth-6160 and Earth-616 in some fashion. The upcoming introduction of the Ultimate Guardians of the Galaxy may serve as a foundation for this fresh narrative, undoubtedly executed with skill at minimum. However, this doesn’t imply that “Ultimate Incursion” is the ideal time for such an event.

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I’ve been a firm believer in the original Ultimate Universe, as it revolutionized Marvel for contemporary times back then. However, the new Ultimate Universe seems to be veering away from retelling familiar tales and is instead challenging the norms of the Marvel Universe to craft daring new stories with timeless themes. These books thrive on their intricate world-building, and once more of that world is established, a crossover between them would be truly spectacular.

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2024-12-26 21:10