Ultimate Comics Thread - Part 1

[Roose Bolton]

Ultimates was quite awesome, love the art writing.......MODI!

 

[Drz]

Ultimates #10 was indeed awesomeness, abit slow, but awesome. It's just that when you have a 20 page comic, seeing things like random citizens die from a nuke to create this emotional silence moment just doesn't work for me, i thought i had emotional impact from #9's final panel, and boy did i have emotional impact on this issue's final panel. =D Sam Humphries' seems to like how much of a screw-up Tony Stark is, this was evident in the interviews, and we can see this in the issue with Tony suffering hallucinations almost, and gotta say i really liked the way Luke Ross drew Thor, his new design Hickman/Ridic came up is very cool and has really grown on me, not that i ever had anything againts it. Not to mention based off #11's cover, finally a non-movie armor for Tony?!



May 10th Q&A: Spider-Men

Perhaps no other comic book event in the history of comics better epitomizes the phrase “best of both worlds” than the ultimate team-up set to take place in SPIDER-MEN, the limited series by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli kicking off June 13 that will introduce the Peter Parker we’ve known and loved for five decades to Miles Morales of the Ultimate Comics Universe.

With SPIDER-MEN among the many special projects set to commemorate the wall-crawler’s 50th anniversary, we pulled Senior Editor Mark Paniccia aside and lobbed a few webbed-up questions on what to expect from this killer kick-off to the festivities.


Marvel.com: Mark, what are the origins of the SPIDER-MEN project? How long has it been percolating in the hallowed halls of ol’ Marvel?

Mark Paniccia: We were at a Publishing meeting going over the upcoming anniversaries and plans for 2012. Joe Quesada suggested having Peter and Miles meet. Usually we’re all very conservative when it comes to the idea of crossing over between the two universes, but the 50th anniversary of our favorite wall-crawler seemed like a pretty good time to do something like this. We had lots of interest and momentum built up with Miles Morales and we in the Ultimate Office loved the idea of giving more readers the opportunity to discover this new Spider-Man.

Marvel.com: When you first got with Brian Bendis about it, what sort of direction was he given to shape the story? How was it envisioned, beyond a cool way to celebrate the 50th anniversary?

Mark Paniccia: To say Brian was excited is a great under-exaggeration. This was a moment most of us thought would never come. But it all made perfect sense when you consider the timing.

While there are several very cool things in the hopper to help celebrate Spidey’s 50th anniversary, this was a great time for us Ultimate folk to do something this big and crazy.

And knowing that Brian’s written some of the best Spider-Man stories out there, we didn’t need to give him direction. There were a few things I asked him to think about and we were very simpatico, but he had complete creative freedom.

Marvel.com: Okay, so you’ve obviously seen the script—what has Brian done so far to thrill you with the SPIDER-MEN story?

Mark Paniccia: Brian is doing what he does best with making us feel like we’re there. We experience the tension in the room, the electricity in the air, the intense emotions of the characters. There are some incredibly powerful moments for both Spider-Men, but especially Peter. There’s this one scene I thought was one of the most heart-wrenching moments I’ve read recently. But this isn’t a surprise from the man who made readers cry with Death of Spider-Man.

Marvel.com: As you’ve said, this was a moment you thought might never come. A crossover between two well-established, popular universes is fairly new ground for Marvel; what makes SPIDER-MEN a very special project for you and the team?

Mark Paniccia: We’ve never really done anything like this before. I mean, when I came over to the Ultimate line, I thought of it as a re-interpretation of the Marvel Universe, a place where things could be re-imagined with a more realistic and modern sensibility. I didn’t look at it as an alternate universe. So just based on that I wasn’t that interested in crossing over to the Marvel Universe. My associate editor, Sana Amanat, felt the same way. Crossing over was almost considered blasphemy.

But, with the advent of such an endearing and interesting character as Miles Morales as the new Spider-Man, you couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like for him and Peter to meet. Since the Peter Parker of the Ultimate Universe is dead, there was no other Peter he could shake hands with or have the classic Marvel hero misunderstanding—or the awesome “let’s go get the bad guys” moment. This kind of day dream made it easier to imagine an actual crossover and start thinking of it as more of a possibility. We just needed the right reason and the right story. So this is a very different thing especially with the barrier between dimensions broken. And I think it’s a great place for Marvel fans to crossover, too, and see what life is like in the Ultimate Universe. I can’t think of a better gateway to discover ideas and concepts that inspired many elements of the movie franchises.

I also want to take the opportunity to say thanks to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN writer supreme, Dan Slott, and series editor Steve Wacker. They were a big help with some of the behind-the-curtains stuff and helped make this a smooth venture.

Marvel.com: In the series, what will be the major delineation between the personalities of Peter and Miles? And how will they be most similar?

Mark Paniccia: The similarities are brilliantly choreographed and designed by Brian. Every Peter Parker paradigm has a cool twist. Peter can look at Miles and see so much of himself inside. He can see, has felt and can understand so many of the things that Miles is going through. It’s gut-wrenching stuff. And fun. There are plenty of times you’ll find yourself smiling as you read. But at the end of the day they are very different characters and part of the journey is discovering how.

Marvel.com: You’ve mentioned the death of the Ultimate Peter Paker; how will the Marvel Universe Peter take that news? What will it mean to him and how does he deal with it?


Mark Paniccia: A great skill Brian has is getting his readers to connect with the characters. In a lot of cases, you think, “wow, that’s just what I would do” or “that’s how I would feel.” So all you have to do is think about how you would react to something as shocking as this. That you’re feeling that impact along with Peter is a testament to Brian’s talents.

Marvel.com: And of course, for all of that to happen, the two guys must meet; how will the universe-hopping come about?

Mark Paniccia: I don’t want to say too much for reasons of spoiling, but there’s a great device in play for how this all works, something Brian had been setting up and toying with for years.

Marvel.com: We’ve learned that the bad guy in SPIDER-MEN is none other than Mysterio. What kind of scheme is he working here, that makes him think he can take on two Spider-Men and hope to succeed?

Mark Paniccia: Mysterio has been one of Spider-Man’s all-time great villains. Nothing would make him happier than to destroy not one, but two Spider-Men. And that’s all I’m going to say about that. I don’t want to take away any surprises.

Marvel.com: Let’s wrap things up with a Sara Pichelli question: other than her work on the regular ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN series, what makes Sara a joy to work with on this series?

Mark Paniccia: Sara does action very well and captures emotional beats better than almost anyone else out there. And there are big, important and heartbreaking moments in this series so we couldn’t be happier having her. We get a lot of letters from people who think she’s just the best and love the characters she’s designed.

I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that she’s a master of expression not just with the face, but with body language as well. I think everyone who picks this book up is going to walk away a big Sara Pichelli fan!

 

[spida-man]

On my first looksee, I didn't notice you were actually on the panel.

That's pretty BA.

Thanks! it was honestly such an amazing experience and truly an honor to be on 2 panels within 2 days

 

[Lord]

Anybody knows which Ultimate Marvel Team-Up issues are canon? I know that Issue 9 isn't because of the FF making an appearance, but what about Issues 4-5, the ones featuring Iron Man? I heard that the events of SHIELD trying to steal Tony's armor were referenced in Ultimates 2, but the begining of the comic seems to contradict the Ultimate Marvel Universe by having Reed Richards as an ex-college of Tony.

Anybody knows if it is canon or not?

 

[storyteller]

So umm what was the point of the costume for Jimmy and everyone else on all those X-men covers? No one actually ever wore them. It's fine because the redesigns actually make sense in the Ultimate Universe as opposed to 616 inspired suits.

 

[Roose Bolton]

Anybody knows which Ultimate Marvel Team-Up issues are canon? I know that Issue 9 isn't because of the FF making an appearance, but what about Issues 4-5, the ones featuring Iron Man? I heard that the events of SHIELD trying to steal Tony's armor were referenced in Ultimates 2, but the begining of the comic seems to contradict the Ultimate Marvel Universe by having Reed Richards as an ex-college of Tony.

Anybody knows if it is canon or not?

As far as I know some of those issues are, while others aren't, for instance the Hulk/Spider-man one has been mentioned often.

 

[Drz]

August Ultimate Comics! All part of: Divided We Fall, United We Stand!

All this part of Divided We Fall

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #13
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • DAVID MARQUEZ (a)
Cover by JORGE MOLINA
GRANOV VARIANT ALSO AVAILABLE
• DIVIDED WE FALL!!!
• Guest starring CAPTAIN AMERICA
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #14
SAM HUMPHRIES (w) • BILLY TAN (a)
Cover by MICHAEL KOMARCK
• Someone is working behind the scenes to divide the country, but who?!
• Ultimate Cap, Ultimate Iron Man, and Ultimate Thor finally reunited! ULTIMATES ASSEMBLE!
• A crisis in the United States forces the Ultimates into action!
• DIVIDED WE FALL continues to rock the Ultimate Universe!

ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #15
BRIAN WOOD (w) • PACO MEDINA (a)
Cover by PHIL NOTO
• DIVIDED WE FALL concludes with a startling ending that sends us into the next exciting chapter!
• A mutant refugee from one of the camps joins up, but where do their loyalties lie?
• The war for mutant liberation starts here!
• Guest-starring Nick Fury!

Ultimates: Before the Fall! Teasing Ultimates issues #11-12 Big teases on Fantastic Four!



Ultimates #11 Preview!

Looks like some people haven't forgotten about Carol's and Tony's relationship. :3 THo honestly? West Coast Ultimates? It just seems like one-use story element, after these guys are out there, the government will want them for either Avengers or Ultimates operative, but yeah it's a cute call out to the West Coast Avengers, very clever.

 

[THANOSRULES]

what happened to ultimate vision?

 

[Roose Bolton]

Wasn't that the version with boobs?

 

[DACrowe]

I just got caught up on the last two months of Ultimate comics. Thoughts:

1) Looks like Uncle Snoop Prowly Prowl will be Miles's Norman Osborn. Like Miles and his world and how the story is unfolding. However, I'm still annoyed with Bendis's slow pace. It works great in TPB (how I read the first 70 issues of USM), but this is painful to read monthly or bi-monthly.

2) Reed Richards attacked Washington? I can't believe the series went there.

As Abed would say, this must be the darkest timeline. Ultimate is clearly the darkest timeline of MU. And it is highly addictive and entertaining with one surprise after another because of that.

 

[storyteller]

Ultimates is not the darkest- AOA is. But it does allow for some serious no take backs. It's really amazing how they have fixed the mess that was Ultimatum and Ultimates 3. Hell I kinda feel that this is the redo.

USM is feeling a little slow but I think Spidermen will really get the ball moving. Also I think they are trying to work Miles into the rest of the universe because in a few months X-men,Ultimates, and Spiderman will all sync up.

 

[DACrowe]

I don't know. Reed Richards is the greatest threat in world history, Magneto flooded a huge chunk of Manhattan killing thousands not to mention a bunch of the heroes in the events and aftermath (Xavier, Wolverine, Daredevil, Cyclops, Dr. Doom, himself, I'm sure I'm forgetting more). Peter Parker is dead and the US government is collapsing into martial law complete with utter chaos.

It reminds me of Dr. Connors's talk with Peter in one of the mid-USMs (40s or 50s) about how Peter's dad ten years ago was a precursor of Reed Richards and the new terrifying "super" world. It now feels like Richard Parker may have been a harbinger of doom as it feels like the Ultimate universe is building to the end of the world or at least civilization.

And that makes it a very fun read compared to the rather generic status quo the rest of the MCU has had for over 5 years.

Sad, but true.

 

[CConn]

I find Miles' uncle kinda creepy.

Like I keep waiting for him to reinact that Spidey PSA comic from the 70s with Miles.

 

[The Morningstar]

Ummm... why isn't Hickman and Ribic doing Ultimates 14?

 

[Roose Bolton]

Hickman slowly moved off the title to work on something. don't know what yet, though most think he's Bendis' replacement on Avengers.

 

[storyteller]

I think Miles is getting his training from Parker in Spider-men and will probably get his webshooters from him when it's all over.

Also are artists forgetting that Captain America in this universe doesn't have the scales? I mean at least it aint as bad as Thor's hammer or the Iron Man armor being 616 but you know continuity,

 

[spida-man]

I think Miles is getting his training from Parker in Spider-men and will probably get his webshooters from him when it's all over.

Also are artists forgetting that Captain America in this universe doesn't have the scales? I mean at least it aint as bad as Thor's hammer or the Iron Man armor being 616 but you know continuity,

That's what I'm thinking and hoping for as well!

 

[Drz]

Brian Wood's Ultimate X-Men went with a strong start, it really focuses on Kitty Pryde and her start as USA' biggest terrorist aka a freedom fighter, however Jimmy Hudson further descends into being lil'Wolverine, despite never having meeting his biological father whatsoever.

September Ultimate Comics:

ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #15 & 16

CLASSIFIED!

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #14

DIVIDED WE FALL!
• The first-ever Ultimates/Ultimate Spider-Man team up!!
• With the nation at war, Miles Morales decides to become a member of the Ultimates and he will do anything it takes to earn the righ

ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #16

UNITED WE STAND BEGINS!!!
• The X-Men fight for their lives in the Sentinel-controlled states
• Featuring…Nick Fury’s Howling Kittens?!

• The shocking conclusion to the Spider-Man event of the year!
• How will the amazing Spider-Man get back to his own reality?
• What will both Spider-Men due now that they know they’re not alone in the universe?
• Will Peter Parker give Miles Morales his blessing?

 

[Lord]

Am still reading the pre-Ultimatum Ultimate Marvel comics, is the villainous Reed Richards still alive? I liked the idea they were going with of making him Ultimate Dr.Doom, i also liked the idea of Pietro becoming the new great villain terrorist like his father (basically a new Magneto) but from what i heard they're not following that.

 

[Fives]

I didn't see anyone post anything from SDCC relating to the Ultimate universe. So here it is:http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=39756

Nathan Edmondson is doing a Iron Man mini-series which sounds cool.

Plus Ultimate Batroc makes his first appearance here in Ultimate Spidey. He's got a cool modern updated desgin.

 

[Lord]

I finally got to the Ultimate Doom trilogy and i like this Reed Richards becoming a villain, but i don't understand one thing. Sue said what she like about Reed was mostly acts Ben made him do, however she knew him and seemed to be in love with him since even before their transformation and most of the time Reed helped and difd the things he did on his oun.

I mean, he risked his own neck some times to try to help cure Ben and after the first time Sue broke up with him he did all he could to get her back, not to mention that he also traveled back in time to save his sister and now simply killed along with his familly.

 

[WolfCypher]

UNITED WE STAND BEGINS!!!
• The X-Men fight for their lives in the Sentinel-controlled states
• Featuring…Nick Fury’s Howling Kittens?!

Kittens don't howl

 

[Lord]

I think the only real problem is that the Ultimate Marvel line is now 10 years old. It felt fresh, new, and exciting, even when it had talentless hacks like Mark Millar leading the line.

I actually think that Mark Millar has talent, but he's better in reinventing already existing characters than he is with creating original characters.
His Ultimate X-Men and Ultimates stuff were better movie pitches than his comics like Nemesis that were actually movie pitches

 

[KevanG]

When I first read this

• Will Peter Parker give Miles Morales his blessing?

For some reason it translated to

Will Peter Parker give Miles Morales a beating?

 

[CConn]

Heavens to Betsy, Ultimates #13 was awesome.

Except for Billy Tan.