It’s hard to believe, but everything’s coming to an end, and that really hit home with the new Marvel one-shot, Ultimate Universe: Two Years In #1. As much as we all love the Ultimate Universe, Marvel is actually letting it go, and they’re planning a big send-off with the Ultimate Endgame event. A lot of us fans were hoping it was just a marketing ploy, that they’d change their minds. But Marvel’s been pretty clear: this is it, and time is running out for this world we’ve all enjoyed.
Perhaps that’s alright. That’s certainly the idea behind Ultimate Universe: Two Years In #1. This comic revisits the Ultimate Guardians of the Galaxy, who are giving it their all to save what’s left. However, they quickly realize they’re as unable to prevent disaster as anyone else. But this isn’t a story about giving up. Instead, the creators have crafted a powerful story about dealing with loss, finding acceptance, and the reasons we keep fighting even when things seem hopeless.
Rating: 4 out of 5
| PROS | CONS |
| Amazing message | The differing art styles can be distracting |
| The Daredevil scene makes the issue | Still kind of a downer |
The Guardians of the Galaxy Shine in a Story That Captures Our Feelings About Ultimate’s End
The one-shot comic Ultimate Universe: Two Years In #1 is written by Deniz Camp and Alex Paknadel, with artwork by Patrick Boutin, Phil Noto, Francesco Mann, Lee Ferguson, and Javier Pulido. It follows the Ultimate Guardians on a space-time journey to save their friends and reverse the Maker’s control over their universe. A key idea in the story is the power of hope—the Guardians’ ship is literally fueled by it—but as the team faces setbacks, their hope, and their will to fight, begins to fade.
The Guardians are forced to say goodbye to friends and teammates, discovering some have died or are completely broken, all while facing the impending apocalypse. There’s a powerful scene where the Ultimate Daredevil (who’s like a god in this world) tries to save what’s left of the Ultimate Universe using a special cube, but it feels less like a selfless act and more like a desperate attempt to hold onto the past as the future rushes in. While stories in the Ultimate Universe are often grim, this one felt particularly hopeless at times.
The story doesn’t end with despair, though. While the book makes it clear the main villain is nearly unbeatable and the universe is likely doomed, it emphasizes that trying your best is what truly matters – as seen when Star-Lord saved Ultimate Maddrox. The Guardians find renewed hope, and even though they can’t prevent the coming end, they bravely continue fighting, just as they always do.
Ultimate Universe: Two Years In #1 is the Message of Acceptance Fans Need
What’s really compelling about this story is its emotional depth. While it’s an action-packed adventure with the Guardians saving the day across time and space, it’s also a powerful exploration of grief and acceptance. The characters are facing the loss of everything they hold dear, a feeling that mirrors how fans might feel when a beloved series comes to an end – like a devoted Marvel reader unable to change the release of Ultimate Endgame. Writer Al Ewing has always understood what makes the Ultimate Universe special, and here, he seems to be saying that even though things change, the impact of these stories will last.
The artwork in this story is really strong. I especially enjoyed the fight between the Guardians and Ultimate Daredevil, whose powers allow him to manipulate the very space around him on the page – and that’s just one aspect of what he can do! The art style does change every few pages, which wasn’t my favorite, but I think others might appreciate the variety, as each style fits the mood of the scene it accompanies.
The most compelling aspect of this story is its sincerity. When Captain Marvel and Nullifier talk about the Ultimate Universe, it’s clear the creators always intended it to have a limited lifespan, despite its popularity with fans. The story handles the inevitable ending with a sense of peace and acceptance. While many of us wish the Ultimate Universe could go on forever, everything eventually ends, and like the Guardians, the story encourages us to come to terms with that.
The first issue of Ultimate Universe: Two Years In could have focused on the sadness of the series ending, but it chooses a more hopeful path. It’s a story about accepting change and remembering that endings don’t have to mean losing hope. While Marvel is finishing this popular series, the optimistic spirit of the Guardians of the Galaxy – facing challenges with smiles and hope – inspires us to feel the same.
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2025-12-03 17:51