While we have believed that it was time for the Ultimate Marvel Universe to be put out of its misery, it’s apparently not to be today.
Discussed in an interview with the Associated Press, it looks like the Ultimate Universe is getting rebooted into the All-New Ultimate Universe, as per Marvel’s recent branding efforts in the 616. It is unknown what exactly remains of the Ultimate Universe if anything, as Bendis says that the end of the story involves “a sacrifice that is so huge that it changes the entire landscape” and “creates a place that demands a fresh start.”
Many believe that the Ultimate Universe will get combined with the 616, and that’s still ostensibly a possibility. I guess a thought is that it could be a new universe of some kind as well. Or, it’s just the same kind of platitude that we had at the end of “Ultimatum” and “the Death of Spider-Man.” Either way.
What is interesting about the announcement, though, is the new line-up of books. They are:
- Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Bendis and Dave Marquez, Miles’ continued ongoing
- Ultimate FF by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Mario Guevara, a book about the new Future Foundation and starring Sue Storm and Tony Stark, as well as a “missing psychopath” (aka most likely Ultimate Reed Richards)
- All-New Ultimates by Michel Fiffe and Amilcar Pinna, a book starring Cloak and Dagger, Miles Morales, Kitty Pryde, Bombshell and Jessica Jones
A lot of this seems to point to the Ultimate Universe now being combined with the 616. Miles Morales’ title, for example, would help differentiate it from the Amazing Spider-Man; there is no more FF in the Marvel line-up, either, and the All-New aspect of the Ultimates title is currently a 616 “thing” — though there’s no reason it can not cross over, as this is all speculation. In the interview, Axel Alonso refers to “tearing down” the Ultimate Universe to make it better (“we’re destroying something and building something new”) and remarks that “dead is dead,” so anything is possible.
What is exciting about this announcement, though, is that newcomers Michel Fiffe and Mario Guevara’s will be making their Marvel debut in high profile titles, and a new spotlight will be shown on the magnificently talented Amilcar Pinna, who worked on the last volume of “Astonishing X-Men.” Bendis and Fialkov remain the Marvel stewards, but after the success (totally earned) of “Copra,” it’s nice to see Fiffe get a chance to shake things up with these characters as well. I look forward to the new designs that Guevara and Pinna will also bring to their respective books.
So there you have it. It’s the end of the world as the Ultimate Marvel Universe knows it, but they feel fine.
Updated: Now with more cover images and a press release! Here you:
And here’s the official Marvel press release.
Marvel Comics Press Release
The most popular characters! The most acclaimed creators! The most ambitious stories! This is the energized Ultimate Marvel NOW!.
This April, Marvel’s Ultimate universe undergoes a massive overhaul in an exciting and new direction as the industry’s top creators – Brian Michael Bendis, Michel Fiffe and Joshua Hal Fialkov take everyone’s favorite Ultimate universe characters – Spider-Man, Iron Man, Kitty Pryde, Sue Storm, Black Widow (formally Spider-Woman), Cloak & Dagger and more in an all-new and exciting direction after the devastating events of Cataclysm.
“The Ultimate Universe is relatively young, which yields more opportunities for real change, real dangers, and dramatic avenues left unexplored in superhero comics,” says ALL-NEW ULTIMATES writer Michel Fiffe.
It all starts in April with ALL-NEW ULTIMATES, from the creative team of Michel Fiffe (Copra) and Amilcar Pinna (X-Men: First Class). Spider-Man, Black Widow (formally Spider-Woman), Kitty Pryde, Bombshell, Cloak & Dagger officially unite to tackle the vicious, rampant crime wave overtaking Hell’s Kitchen! But can this new team of Ultimates stand up to the murderous gang known only as the Serpent Skulls?
Ultimate Marvel NOW! continues through the spring of 2014 with the launch of ULTIMATE FF by Joshua Hale Fialkov (Cataclysm: Ultimate X-Men) and upcoming superstar artist, Mario Guevara. The FF – Future Foundation – is all that stands between the Ultimate universe and COMPLETE AND UTTER DOOM! Can Sue Storm, Tony Stark, Machine Man and Sam Wilson face the oncoming devastation directly after the events of Cataclysm?
Continued belowAnd finally, Miles Morales is back in his own web-slinging solo-series, MILES MORALES: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN by creator Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, All-New X-Men) and artist Dave Marquez (Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, All-New X-Men). In the wake of earth-shattering events, Miles is back in action with a new status quo and a new outlook on life! But there is no time to sit back and relax. A BIG villain from Peter Parker’s past is alive and well and about to turn New York upside down.
Every FIRST ISSUE bearing the Ultimate Marvel NOW! branding includes a code for a free digital copy of that same comic on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices.
Once again, the biggest creators bring you the biggest characters in the biggest stories…and it’s happening NOW!
For more on Ultimate Marvel NOW!, please visit www.marvel.com.
