Ultimate Universe (2023)

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Ultimate Universe
Ultimate Universe.jpg
Visible characters: Captain America, Iron Lad, and Thor, from the Ultimates. In shadows, Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Armor.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
Title(s)
  • Ultimate Spider-Man
  • Ultimate Black Panther
  • Ultimate X-Men
Genre
Publication date2023-present

The Ultimate Universe (Earth-6160) is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring several reimagines of characters in a new fictional universe. Although the titles of the related comics are prefaced as "Ultimate..." and share some artists, it has no direct relation with the former Ultimate Marvel imprint. This new Ultimate Universe emerged following the events of Ultimate Invasion by Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch.

Contents

Publication history

The original Ultimate Marvel imprint ceased to be published in 2015, and was destroyed in-story in the Secret Wars crossover, with The Maker being transferred to the main fictional universe. Writer Donny Cates used the character during his run in the Venom comic book, with the character trying to restore and return to his original universe. At the end of the story arc, the Maker returns to a devastated Ultimate universe, and later hinted he was planning an invasion of the main Marvel Universe. [1] However, Cates had to pull out of writing Ultimate Invasion because of a car accident that left him with six months worth of memory loss, with the project given to Jonathan Hickman instead. [2] Hickman had worked with the Maker character in the original Ultimate imprint and wrote the aforementioned Secret Wars crossover.

Hickman started the project with Ultimate Invasion , which ignores both the original Ultimate universe and the plots in Venom , and shows instead the Maker moving to a new alternate universe and changing it with extensive time travel to prevent the existence of most superheroes and make himself its unquestionable leader. By the end of the story, the Maker is defeated and banished inside an impenetrable dome-city, but his group that manages international relations in a "Power behind the throne" style remains a threat; the new comics are set within such background.

The first comic was Ultimate Universe #1, a one-shot from Hickman and Stefano Caselli that further developed the context in which the comics of the line will take place. The flagship comic of the line is Ultimate Spider-Man, by Hickman and Marco Checchetto. In contrast with the original Ultimate Spider-Man comic, it stars an adult Peter Parker who is married to Mary Jane Watson and has two kids before he becomes Spider-Man. Hickman said that he was inspired by the version of the character seen in the film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse . [3]

Writer Bryan Hill, who had previously worked on Blade , will write Ultimate Black Panther with Caselli. The comic will be about Black Panther defending the continent of Africa from the deities Khonshu and Ra. Hill said "I was invigorated by this opportunity because in addition to my immense respect for Johnathan Hickman's detailed storytelling, the idea of shepherding this bold new take on Black Panther in this event gives me a platform to do the kind of broad, epic, storytelling I've always wanted to do in comics. My influences range from the history of Black Panther comics, to Ryan Coogler's incredible work with the recent films, to Frank Herbert's world-building capacity of Dune. This is something people won't expect, in the best of ways, and full credit to Marvel and editors Wil Moss and Michelle Marchese for bringing this creative possibility to me." [3]

Peach Momoko, from Demon Days: X-Men, will write and illustrate the new Ultimate X-Men comics. Armor will be the main character, and the X-Men will be tied to folklore and magic. Momoko said "I am very honored to be a part of the new Ultimate Universe. I am very careful in delivering the unique X-Men mutant elements while still being true to my vision and voice. I am also very proud (and surprised) that I was given enough freedom from C.B. Cebulski and Jonathan Hickman to create a brand-new X-Men character. It might not be the normal portrayal of a superhero... but, just like with my Momoko-verse stories, I am excited to introduce everyone to this new world." [3]

About Earth-6160

Issue #3 of "Ultimate Invasion" showed a map detailing Earth-6160 and its locations ever since Maker remade it into his own image: [4]

There are also undiscovered territories.

Publications

Ongoing series

Title WriterArtistColouristDebut date
Ultimate Spider-Man Jonathan Hickman Marco Checchetto Matt Wilson January 10, 2024 [5]
Ultimate Black Panther Bryan Hill Stefano Caselli David Curiel February 7, 2024 [6]
Ultimate X-Men Peach Momoko March 6, 2024 [7]
The Ultimates [8] Deniz CampTBA

Limited series

TitleIssuesWriterArtistColouristDebut dateConclusion date
Ultimate Invasion #1–4Jonathan Hickman Bryan Hitch Alex Sinclair June 21, 2023 [9] September 27, 2023 [10]

One-shots

TitleWriterArtistColouristDebut date
Ultimate UniverseJonathan HickmanStefano CaselliDavid CurielNovember 1, 2023 [11]
Free Comic Book Day 2024: Ultimate Universe / Spider-Man #1Deniz CampJuan FrigeriTBAMay 4, 2024

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References

  1. Stone, Sam (June 18, 2021). "Venom Teases the Marvel Universe's Next Major Invasion". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  2. Rich Johnston (August 2, 2023). "Donny Cates, Missing Six Months Of His Life, After Car Accident". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 JESSE SCHEDEEN (October 16, 2023). "Marvel Comics Reveals the New Ultimate Universe - New York Comic-Con 2023". IGN. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  4. Ultimate Invasion #3. Marvel Comics.
  5. Ultimate Spider-Man #1
  6. Ultimate Black Panther #1
  7. Ultimate X-Men #1
  8. "Deniz Camp on X: "Oh, hmm, I just noticed that the solicit kind of has an announcement in it. So I guess I can confirm, I'm writing an ongoing Ultimates series. Pretty neat". X . January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  9. Ultimate Invasion #1
  10. Ultimate Invasion #4
  11. Ultimate Universe #1