The Ultimates #1 review: Earth's mightiest heroes must assemble once more in Marvel's new flagship super-team book

ComicsMarvel Comicsthe avengersThe Ultimates #1 review: Earth’s mightiest heroes must assemble once more in Marvel’s new flagship super-team bookWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. ComicsMarvel Comicsthe avengersThe Ultimates #1 review: Earth’s mightiest heroes must assemble once more in Marvel’s new flagship super-team bookWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Marvel Comics) The Maker has recreated the Ultimate Universe (now numbered Earth-6160), but transformed Earth into a world without superheroes. Since then a young Tony Stark and a number of other desperate survivors have started the fight back, but the Maker’s Council has convinced the world that Stark and Co. are actually dangerous terrorists. That’s the basic setup for The Ultimates - a new ongoing series from writer Deniz Camp and artist Juan Frigeri. WhileSpider-Man,Black Pantherand theX-Menare off adventuring in their own series, The Ultimates is the line’s flagship team book. We’ve read the first issue and while we can’t get into any spoilers just yet, we can say that this is an effective and suitably epic start to the new series. (Image credit: Marvel Comics) Roughly split into two halves, the first part of the issue does an effective job of establishing just how desperate the situation is: Iron Lad and Doom are barely getting on; both Captain America and Thor are temporarily out of action; the team are fugitives; and their attempts to kickstart a resistance against the Maker are failing - with disastrous consequences. Even worse, Tony has calculated how long they have to save the world and the answer is bleak: just 18 months. The countdown starts now. In the second half of the issue the gang come under attack from Captain Britain - now one of the Maker’s minions. It’s here that the series' other leads - Hank and Janet Pym - step forward, and give the issue some heart. There’s a real warmth and vulnerability to Camp and Frigeri’s portrayal of the couple. They’re care-worn, down on their luck, but still trying to do the right thing in a world that has made being a good person that much harder. If I have one criticism, it’s that Doom feels oddly sidelined. This take on the character - a corrupted Reed Richards - is fascinating, but he’s given little to do here. Then again, this is only the first issue and that’s sure to change in the coming months. For the most part The Ultimates #1 is an exciting, fun, and suitably widescreen start to a series that has immediately become one of Marvel’s monthly must-reads. Comic deals, prizes and latest news Get the best comic news, insights, opinions, analysis and more! 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heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”