The Ultimate Universe Just Switched Up Marvel’s Biggest Romance

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Marvel’s popular Ultimate Universe is wrapping up a two-year story arc with a dramatic finale. This alternate Earth, designated Earth-6160, was created by the villainous Maker – a twisted version of Mr. Fantastic – who tried to prevent the rise of superheroes. But his plan backfired, and the world’s heroes, known as the Ultimates, have united to defeat him and his allies, the Maker’s Council. Among the Ultimates are the well-known superhero couple, Ant-Man (Hank Pym) and Wasp (Janet Van Dyne). However, a shocking twist reveals that Wasp has been secretly working as a spy for Nick Fury, who leads the organization H.A.N.D. and is surprisingly part of the Maker’s Council. This development offers a fresh and unexpected take on Marvel’s classic couple.

In the primary Marvel Universe (Earth-616), Hank Pym uses his intelligence to invent Pym Particles, which allow him and his assistant Janet van Dyne to become the superheroes Ant-Man and Wasp, and eventually marry. But in an alternate universe (Earth-6160), a villain called the Maker causes an accident that severely injures Hank, preventing him from finishing his research. This forces Hank and Janet to work as pest control professionals. They only become superheroes when Iron Lad, a hero from the future, arrives and provides them with size-changing suits. However, Janet’s personality shifts in this reality, making her a much more complex and morally ambiguous hero than she’s ever been before.

Wasp’s Betrayal of the Ultimates is Finally Explored

Half a year ago, in Ultimates #12, it was discovered that Wasp was secretly working for Nick Fury. The consequences of Janet’s double life became clear in Ultimates #19 when H.A.N.D. used the information to find and destroy the Ultimates’ hidden satellite base. Surprisingly, Janet seemed truly upset by the destruction, even horrified. The death of a badly injured crew member in her arms deeply affected her, and it was then that her history and reasons for becoming a hero and spy were revealed.

We learn through a memory that Janet initially didn’t want to get married, as she was determined to achieve something significant in her career. However, meeting and falling in love with Hank changed her perspective. After Hank’s accident, she put her own goals aside to support them financially, taking a more conventional job. Even though this was a disappointment, she never stopped hoping for a more fulfilling life. This possibility arises when a secretive person recruits her for a confidential project, where she’s trained as a spy. She’s ready for anything when Iron Lad appears and gives both her and Hank super suits that can shrink them to a tiny size.

Okay, so initially, the story really led me to believe Nick Fury was the one pulling the strings, training Janet to go up against the Ultimates. But then, a huge twist! When Janet pleads with Fury to spare Hank, we find out the truth: Vision, not Fury, was her actual mentor. Turns out Janet’s been playing everyone – a triple agent working against Fury the whole time. And while we don’t know exactly where this Vision came from yet, the hints strongly suggest he’s on the same side as the Ultimates, trying to stop the Maker. This doesn’t exactly make Janet a villain, but it does mean she’s deeply betrayed her friends, her husband, and caused a lot of harm – all in the name of what she thought was the greater good. It’s a complicated situation, to say the least.

Marvel Turns the Classic Ant-Man and Wasp Dynamic on its Head.

The revelation that Wasp was a triple agent is a surprising development, but it also fundamentally changes the relationship between Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne in a way we haven’t seen before. Traditionally, across most versions of the story, Hank is depicted as flawed – brilliant but sometimes controlling and secretive, struggling with mental health and prioritizing his work, even causing significant harm like the creation of Ultron. Janet, on the other hand, is usually the compassionate and stabilizing force in their relationship, even if they ultimately separate. But the actions of the Maker have completely upended this established dynamic.

In the Ultimate Universe, Hank still lives with bipolar disorder, but it’s much more under control, and his relationship with Janet is the most important thing to him. He deeply loves and trusts Janet, often feeling like he doesn’t deserve someone so smart and brave. Interestingly, Janet takes on a role similar to Hank’s – she’s a complex hero who keeps secrets and sometimes makes questionable choices in her efforts to do good. Just as Hank’s ambition in another universe led to the disastrous creation of Ultron, Janet’s secret work in the Ultimate Universe leads to unintended consequences and the deaths of innocent people, all in pursuit of stopping the Maker.

Janet’s secret work as a spy unexpectedly led to Hank being shot by a flying fortress controlled by Fury. Wounded and trapped, Hank was stunned to discover Janet was secretly working with his enemy. Just before he was about to be killed, Vision rescued Hank and explained that Janet was actually a triple agent – a spy working for both sides. This betrayal in the Ultimate Universe is similar to what happened to Janet in the main Marvel universe, where she was hurt by Hank’s deception and declining morals. While the Ultimate Janet never physically harmed Hank, her actions still deeply wounded his trust and broke his heart. Though her choices might have ultimately helped win the war against the Maker, they came at a personal cost to Hank.

These new revelations will definitely change Hank and Janet’s relationship forever. The Ultimate Universe version of their story offered a fresh and interesting take, moving away from the typical conflicts rooted in Hank’s intelligence and mental health. Now, Janet’s choices are driving the problems between them, and these actions will likely play a crucial role in the upcoming fight against the Maker.

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2026-01-07 00:14