The Ultimates Omniversal 1: Start With the Impossible

Ultimates is a brand new title written by Al Ewing, and it is a sight to behold for more reasons than one. First up, it's actually new! So many titles released under the ANAD (All-new all-different) banner are anything but those two descriptions. Amazing Spider-Man, X-men, Avengers: these titles are, for all intents and purposes, just continuations of situations from before Secret Wars (the supposed line-wide reboot) and rarely order anything new that is halfway decent. Some titles, however, such as All-new Wolverine, Iron Man (Riri Williams), Old Man Logan, Steve Rogers: Captain America, and the Ultimates do fit those descriptions, and Ultimates is especially a breath of fresh air. It's different because this team is more than space-swashbuckling action like Guardians of the Galaxy; rather, they deal with cosmic threats like Galactus and mysteries about who is really causing all the trouble in the omniverse.Second, it's scale is stupidly large! The sheer size of the problems and the theories Ewing writes about are nothing short of mind-boggling with "holy crap!" moments around every page turn. While the first issue is a bit slow, when the team meets Galactus at the end of that issue, the series takes off and never slows down! They go from one problem to the next relying on their wits, cunning, and tech to get them through, only really using their powers when they have to. The exception there is Miss America as she can create doorways throughout space-time and does it regularly to keep the plot going.Now for the sad part that is not the writer's fault: Ultimates may be one of the best titles in ANAD Marvel right now, but it's sales are very low. I beseech you, if you love sci-fi/fantasy and/or love Marvel comics as a whole, or are even new to comics as a whole, check this book out. Buy it so it won't get cancelled as it is one of the few good titles in ANAD Marvel.

In the aftermath of Multiversal Rebirth at the end of Jonathan Hickman's Secret Wars (2015), the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe was a very different place. With that opportunity writer Al Ewing used this series as a chance to do something new, something of a cosmic scale. Reading this again years later, I'm reminded why I enjoy Ewing's writing. He thinks big and never looks back. Though the change brought about in this book to a major Marvel character has since been undone in Gerry Duggan's Infinity Countdown (2018), this is not a book to be overlooked. The best way to describe it, and Ewing alludes to this himself, is what Tony Stark's Illuminati could have been if it hadn't operated in the shadows. That's a pretty good selling point to me. That and the fantastic team of underutilized characters who each get their chance to shine. Ewing is a writer who can take what's come before and shape it into his own fantastic vision. Pair him with artists like Kenneth Rocafort and Christian Ward, each able to handle the cosmic concepts given to them with ease, and you've got a winning book. Though it bears little resemblance to the alt-universe Mark Millar creation it's a series I recommend reading if you can get your hands on it. I'll be following up with the second volume of the series and its follow-up title later, so keep an eye out for that if you've found what I've had to say interesting.4/5

They dip around through dimensions in spacecraft trying to right what they perceive to be cosmic wrongs. Great storyline and the best artwork currently of all Marvel comics. If you are into the cosmic side of Marvel this is everything you ever dreamed of. If you prefer more street level comics this one's probably not for you.

All Ewing keeps doing a great job of launching new Avengers teams. And thus is no exception. Black Panther takes the lessons learned from Secret Wars and builds a proactive team to deal with cosmic dangers to the earth. An interesting mix of characters shows a lit if promise. But the problem in our modern comics world is that nothing lasts too long before the next crossover or company-wide relaunch reboots everything. But even with those known this is a very good read.

If you can think of 3 to 5 good Galactus stories, get this book. Alternatively, If you have been reading Marvel for AGES, get this book. Beyond that, especially if you're a new reader, avoid this. It's an absolutely wonderful book with ideas I don't remember from any other Marvel book/writer BUT..... it's not new reader friendly. The various big/shock moments will have no meaning and ultimately be wasted.

The Ultimates is an amazing book, which captures so much of Marvel's blood, it's almost impossible to give enough credit. The Ultimates captures the cosmic spirit of Jack Kirby, daring to reach beyond the stars, and into the unknowable beyond. It presents itself in truth as the modern day Fantastic Four funny book. With Reed and co. largely absent from the new MU, Blue Marvel and co. take it upon themselves to solve everything. They are not a team of responders, they are an ensemble of ultra-talented futurists, stitching our fractured omniverse back together, reading almost as if it were a direct continuation of Hickman's Secret Wars. Ewing takes command of these larger than life concepts, writing with such vindication, that I forgot at times that I wasn't actually reading a Hickman book. Combined with Rocafort's talents, the two create a project both urgent and insightful, a must read for fans of the cosmic side of the MU, eager to understand the metaphysics which make the comic book world tick.And none of that's to say anything about the excellently diverse and compelling cast of central characters. Truly, The Ultimates is something special, and one of my favorite new Marvel titles.

Ordered this along with something else, and they decided to ship it in a box that was slightly smaller than the comic. Like, I'm in the shipping industry, you don't do that. The cover's got a crease, but not bad enough that I'll request a replacement. Just really annoying.

Great. Thanks.

Some say the success of Fantastic Four in the first place was that Lee & Kirby did not follow Martin Goodman’s order to replicate DC’s then rather successful Justice League. They created something original, something completely new. Three decades later it was similar, when editorial ordered the creators of the Ultimates to make “something like The Authority”. Millar & Hitch created the template of the Avengers movie, but no Authority.We know that Al Ewing is a declared fan of Warren Ellis. So when he re-imagined the Ultimates in the Marvel Universe he wanted to go for the original. He wanted to create Marvel’s Authority.Well, I can say that he only succeeded partially. What was the genius of The Authority? I would isolate three components. The first was the Act-in-advance approach differing to the traditional reacting of super heroes to the action of villains. It included killing instead of just arresting the bad guys (not because the author approved, but because the world is like this). The second was great characterization including great characters, before all Jenny Sparks. The third was genial concepts like the “God” character in Elli’s third arc who had modeled the solar system for his needs, by chance creating an environment where mankind could develop.Ewing’s Ultimates build upon his former Mighty Avengers. The first you have to say is that Carol Danvers is no Jenny Sparks. With the emotional complexity of a girl scout you cannot represent what is your century. Maybe it would have been a better idea to have America Chavez or Monica Rambeau as the focus character. The “new concept” of course is hard to realize when you have the boundaries of the main stream Marvel Universe. No killing. Continuity. Characters that also appear in solo titles. Not by chance Ellis wildered in the Wildstorm Universe. His characters were not supposed to be likeable. The third point is that Marvel has a rich history of Cosmic characters. What Ewing does with Galactus here contradicts 5 decades of Marvel history. It is nice to have somebody who toys with the likes of Chaos, Order, and the Living Tribunal. But neglecting what creators like Kirby, Byrne, Gruenwald, and Englehart have done, you have to be very good. VERY good. Ewing is just good until now.I will go on following, but skeptically. This one collects Ultimates #1-6 and material from Avengers #0. The art of Kenneth Rocafort is top notch.

Una de las historias más infravaloradas de los últimos años. El concepto de cambiar a Galactus es impresionante pero tienes que haber conocido su naturaleza. No es un cómic para principiantes. Le doy 4 estrellas porque me llegó dañado.

I'm not a big fan of cosmic stories, but Ewing got me really hooked in his version of the Ultimates!A surprising turn for Galactus!And incredible drawings by Rocafort!

This is truly what comics books should look like- tackling cosmic events with creativity and flair. After a poor showing on his Avengers title, Ewing is back to his brilliant best here. Of course, such cosmic ideas need a particular type of artist to make them come to life. Step forward Kenneth Rocafort- artist supreme. His artist creativity appears to be boundless and this series has given him free rein. The storyline is complex, but uses all the heroes to good effect and features Galactus, purple and gold versions, Eternity and other cosmic characters.A truly superb debut for the new series- the best I've read for some considerable time