In Ultimate Comics Ultimates: Divided We Fall, United We Stand the remaining Ultimates have no time to look at troubles overseas as America itself is In Ultimate Comics Ultimates: Divided We Fall, United We Stand the remaining Ultimates have no time to look at troubles overseas as America itself is under threat from itself with Washington gone and the country already splitting apart! Very much centred on Thor and Captain America character development, this is an OK Ultimates volume even with the way over the top, Second American Civil War! The art is fair to middling. The Ultimate version of HYDRA Is interesting. Overall not up to the standard of Mark Millar's earlier volumes but still a Three Star, 7 out of 12. [image] In Ultimate Comics: X-Men: Divided We Fall United We Stand Kitty and co. decide they can't just hide in New York when mutants are getting geno-cided in the newly formed South Western states area overseen by... the Nimrods! Before they can face the Nimrods and try and save their kin they have to travel through 1,000s of miles of a fractured America! Feels like a gap filler before Brian Wood really starts his run with his own plotting. The Nimrods look far more deadly than they turned out to be. A Three Star, 7 out of 12. [image] In only his third volume Miles Morales find himself in a fractured America in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man: Divided We Fall United We Stand and as well as being worried he will be formally accused of killing the Prowler, as America is on a ledge, surely he should fight alongside the Ultimates? A true baptism of fire tethering on the edge of plausibility.. I mean a 13 year old boy partaking in war! As ever it's the characterisations that continue to place Ultimate Spidey, and now even the Miles version at the head of the Ultimate family. The like of Johan Jameson, Aunt May, Gwen, MJ, Ganke (yass!) are just so well constructed. 7.5 out of 12, a very strong Three Star read. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2013 read...more
Collecting the 'Death of Spider-Man Prelude', 'Death of Spider-Man', 'Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates: Death of Spider-Man' and Ultimate CoCollecting the 'Death of Spider-Man Prelude', 'Death of Spider-Man', 'Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates: Death of Spider-Man' and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man: Death of Spider-Man Fallout arcs in which Bendis expertly ratchets up the drama and reality of a 16-year old super powered boy trying to be a superhero whilst living with his middle-aged aunt and Gwen Stacey. It's simply one of the best Spider-Man stories ever told, and saddest! It features the best ever version of Mysterio = the darkest version. It features the bravest ever Aunt May and MJ. It probably features the craziest Norman Osborn and that's saying something. It hurts to read this. Bendis portrays a truly teenage boy Spider-Man, and also the best of the best. A absolute must read for all lovers of the superhero genre. Excelsior! 9.5 out of 12. [image] The Avengers/Ultimates battle can be left on the sideboard, but the Ultimate Spider-Man volumes are superbly superb, after the marvelous Mysterio and Black Cat shenanigans in the Prelude, thinks kick off big time when led by Osborn the entire Sinister Six breakout and are after Spidey, or should I say Peter Parker! One night of high drama and mayhem ensues, and from the series we fear the worse! [image] The Fallout volume is immense. Not only foreshadowing the next steps for the Ultimates, mutants and the former Fantastic Four tea, but going deep on the pain and loss of losing Peter Parker across the Ultimate community, so heartbreaking and so well written. Oh and introducing a new Spider-Man!!!! 9 out of 12 overall. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
In Ultimate Enemy some force, some plan, targets the scientific community of ROXXON, the Baxter Building, Spider-Man and more. Why are they being targIn Ultimate Enemy some force, some plan, targets the scientific community of ROXXON, the Baxter Building, Spider-Man and more. Why are they being targeted, and what's to do when they come for you where you live? The Doomsday event begins, but there's far too much shock and awe, and not enough plot; although Ben Grimm's arc is interesting. 7 out of 12. Next-up was Ultimate Mystery, where our under attack parties know they need to solve the mystery of who and why. As Rick Jones and Sue Storm get closer to it, the shocking truth is beginning to emerge. On first reading this blew my mind, on third reading I realise it was such a shock because there were no real foreshadowed pointes, still to much shock and awe. 7 out of 12. [image] The final piece of this event is Ultimate Doom... essentially if you thought Ultimate Dr Doom was dangerous, here's the final part with EVERYONE and a mainstream villain combining against 'Ultimate Doom', but will that be enough? Love Nova, Sue Storm and Ben Grimm's stories. Fury almost steals the show yet again, such an awesome character. This is one of the biggest Ultimate Universe must-reads! 8 out 12.. but 7 out of 12 overall as it begins very averagely and just gets better as it progresses. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
Using this omnibus listing allows me review all Ultimate Avengers' volumes in one go :). Ultimate Comics Avengers, Vol. 1: Next Generation sees the reUsing this omnibus listing allows me review all Ultimate Avengers' volumes in one go :). Ultimate Comics Avengers, Vol. 1: Next Generation sees the re-emergence of the Red Skull, and Captain America going rogue, give Nick Fury the opportunity to build a new black-ops team, the Ultimate Avengers. This hasn't got that great 'real' feel of the Ultimates but does have some neat plot twists. Next up was Ultimate Comics Avengers, Vol. 2: Crime and Punishment followed by Ultimate Comics Avengers, Vol. 3: Blade vs. The Avengers with the likes of Punisher, Ghost Rider, Blade and Vampires these volumes focus a lot more on physical conflict than anything else, and it was only Fury's backdoor plotting that kept me interested. 6 out of 12 [image] In Ultimate Comics New Ultimates: Thor Reborn with a different first person thoughts' perspective in each of the five parts (issues), the story of Thor's rebirth, which includes the origin of the Valkyrie, the coming of the super powered Defenders and Cap and Iron Man really struggling to keep the team together. Superb guesting by Black Panther and Kazaar and co. One of the best Ultimates' volumes in years, especially with the pretty cool Valkyrie story. [image] Last but not least the Death of Spiderman sister series Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates: Death of Spider-Man in which a global conspiracy has the Ultimates facing the Avengers! Was this a Nick Fury conspiracy, or was it a genuine threat? We'll never know, but I do know that this was an awful sister series to the main Death of Spider-Man event. 7 out of 12 overall. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
This collection opens up season 2 of the Ultimate spider-Man, which picks up six months after Ultimatum, starting with the first volume The World AccoThis collection opens up season 2 of the Ultimate spider-Man, which picks up six months after Ultimatum, starting with the first volume The World According to Peter Parker, which is the start of this ongoing series really humming, as the series locks down on Parker's world and friends. We get a truly bad-ass Mysterio and Parker dating still... but not daing MJ!!! The bad-ass Mysterio alongside Parker's domestic issues raises this volume, as does David Lafuente's challenging art. [image] In Chameleons what has virtually become Spidey and his Amazing Friends sees Johnny, Bobby, MJ, Gwen etc. thrown in at the deep end when the FBI come to arrest Kitty... for being a mutant! And then Rick Jones seeks a purpose, will be fair or foul? A great mix of teenage hi-jinks and dire teenage peril, what makes this series so superior to mainstream equivalents, grounding it in reality. 8 out of 12 overall [image] 2022 read; 3017 read; 2011 read...more
The end of the Ultimate universe is nigh? The Ultimatum Wave has struck! This volume collects the final season one issues of FF, our merry mutants andThe end of the Ultimate universe is nigh? The Ultimatum Wave has struck! This volume collects the final season one issues of FF, our merry mutants and Spidey. Let's roll this out in order of quality, from low to high, so kicking off with the Fantastic Four, who have the most insular story as Ben Grimm find himself the lone resident member after the Wave, where are the other three and how can he get them back. On one hand a brilliant character study of Grimm, but too understated a story for Ultimatum, methinks? 7 out of 12. LIke everything in Ultimatum still a must-read though. [image] The carnage and graphic violence in the Ultimatum X-Men story further underlines the more realistic approach and works pretty well.... but ooh the carnage. As soon as the Wave strikes it's apparent the next target is all the mutants, how will the X-Men fare? I'll tell ya, they don't! 8 out of 12. [image] And at the top of the tree, it's a no-brainer Brian Michael Bendis and David Lafuente's Ultimate Spider-Man, take some medication before reading this one, this is the shocking ride a superpowered teenager has to take when trying to help, and survive an apocalyptic event with sterling performances Aunt May, Jameson, Spider Woman, Hulk, Dr Strange and the creative team themselves. LOVE! 9 out of 12. [image] You have to read the mind blowing and wonderful well thought out Requiem for Spider-Man! A Five Star read! 10 out of 12! The Ultimate Fantastic Four requiem is pretty good, but the Ultimate X-men one, which you'd think would be the best considering Ultimatum's cause, is the weakest. Four Stars, 9 out of 12 overall [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
Starts with a team of future X-Men coming back in time to kill a Fantastic Four member(!) in Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four (Ultimate X-Men/Ultimate FaStarts with a team of future X-Men coming back in time to kill a Fantastic Four member(!) in Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four (Ultimate X-Men/Ultimate Fantastic Four. Some very interesting takes on the future, but ultimately rushed and poorly drawn. Still a Three Star, 7 out of 12. Ultimate Captain America Annual #1, is a little delight composed of two stories about Cap and ...the Ultimate Black Panther! 7/12. [image] Jeph Loeb tries humour as a Squadron Supreme comes across the Hulk in Ultimate Hulk Annual #1, note I wrote 'tries', hence a Three Star, 6 out of 12. The best Ultimate annual in this March to Ultimatum money-grabber, I mean prelude, is Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3, in which the coolly David Lafuente drawn Parker and MJ ponder going 'all the way' as the Ultimate version of Mysterio is want to go all the way with a banks' money. A Three Star, 7 out of 12 overall for all five annuals, which you don't have to read to 'get' Ultimatum, by the way. [image] 2022 read...more
Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 21: War of the Symbiotes sees some formerly ongoing plot holes being filled as we catch up with both Venom and Carnage! InUltimate Spider-Man, Volume 21: War of the Symbiotes sees some formerly ongoing plot holes being filled as we catch up with both Venom and Carnage! Interesting paths taking with these stories, worth keeping an eye on. 6.5 out of 12. [image] Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 22: Ultimatum, at the top of the Ultimatum tree, it's a no-brainer, of course it's Brian Michael Bendis and David Lafuente's Ultimate Spider-Man, take some medication before reading this one, this is the shocking ride a superpowered teenager has to take when trying to help, and survive an apocalyptic event with sterling performances Aunt May, Jameson, Spider Woman, Hulk, Dr Strange and the creative team themselves. LOVE! 9 out of 12. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 18: Apocalypse, sees, well the title says it all. A superb rendition of single -minded and all-powerful Apocalypse . Can the X-MeUltimate X-Men, Vol. 18: Apocalypse, sees, well the title says it all. A superb rendition of single -minded and all-powerful Apocalypse . Can the X-Men, Morlocks, Cyclops, Phoenix, SHIELD and their allies survive, nevermind win? Supposedly a tie-ing up of numerous threads, but the foreshadowing has not been strong enough for me to care about these closures. Nonetheless a great volume, 8 out of 12, despite a love-it-or-hate-it epilogue, that I loved. [image] In Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 19: Absolute Power as some of the X-Men begin pondering what to do with Phoenix, the Ultimate version of Alpha Flight turns up superpowered by a drug Banshee! Will the shocking secret of Banshee be revealed before the team destroy it all. On this my third reading of the Ultimate universe, I better appreciate Aron Coleite's debut on the series, 8 out of 12 again. :) [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
Like a few other Ultimate reads, I'm reviewing this hardcover version so that I can review two volumes at a time. First is Ultimate Fantastic Four, VoLike a few other Ultimate reads, I'm reviewing this hardcover version so that I can review two volumes at a time. First is Ultimate Fantastic Four, Volume 9: Silver Surfer, which starts off with a three comic book El Diablo story that is very moderate, but a must-read for ongoing character development. The big story is that of the Silver Searcher(!) but what starts off quite well in a neat alien is coming way jumps the shark half way through, but the Silver Searcher powers, story and core concept still lifts the volume. 6 out of 12 [image] Ultimate Fantastic Four Volume 10: Ghosts sees Reed get Cosmic Cubed focus and be rude to all, causing Sue to jet off to Siberia on a mission only to fall into the hands of super criminal scientist! OK story, art's kind of neat now. This is closely followed for an all out cosmic storyline as Thanos and co. come for the Cube. First time reading I loathed this, but it's grown on me on rereads. 7 out of 12. [image]2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
This collection takes no prisoners starting off with Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 19: Death of a Goblin, which see everyone's favourite psychopath NormThis collection takes no prisoners starting off with Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 19: Death of a Goblin, which see everyone's favourite psychopath Norman Osborn at his most deadliest uses his brain and his brawn to really put it to Spidey and co. What really works is the abruptness of it all, as well as the rationale that drives Osborn. Class. 8 out of 12. [image] The next volume, Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 20: And His Amazing Friends is more about Spidey and his human and super powered friends, yet Bendis and Immonen bring us three great shorts, and I really do mean great. With all this going on we still get to see Parkers' evolving relationships with both friend and enemies. More class. 8.5 out of 12. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
Reviewing these hardcover editions means I can review two volumes in one sitting :). In Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 17: Clone Saga, this superlative cReviewing these hardcover editions means I can review two volumes in one sitting :). In Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 17: Clone Saga, this superlative creative team takes one of the lesser loved Spider-Man sagas and takes it to an all-new and wondrous level as the Ultimate clones make their appearance, but in a far more realistic and deadly nature, and with guest stars galore :) 8 out of 12. [image] Wasting no time and leaving no room for a breath the Ultimate street heroes, Daredevil, Moonknight, Dr Strange (the only version of Strange I like) Shang Chi and Spidey team-up to get Kingpin once and for all in Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 18: Ultimate Knights, everything that goes wrong does, and it pushes all our heroes to the brink. Ultimate Kingpin is as sublime as some of the other great Marvel Kingpins. 8 out of 12 [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
Kicking off with Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 16: Cable, it's all guns blazing with this creative team with the coming of Bishop, and also a Cable lead team, Kicking off with Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 16: Cable, it's all guns blazing with this creative team with the coming of Bishop, and also a Cable lead team, Fury's Legacy Project, Pyro and the Morlocks! The nice mix of re-imagined Marvel Universe and Ultimate Universe new stuff is really clicking. Cable's mission? To kill Xavier! Could this be the end of the Ultimate X-Men! [image] Xavier's students are bereft having not coped at all with their immense loss, so a perfect time for the return of the Sentinels and the emergence of the Mutant Liberation Front and Stryfe in Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 17: Sentinels. Robert Kirkman's run really picks this series up, especially with the arrival of Bishop and Cable and how they turn it up! The art with so many artists is all over the place though, and I can see that turning a lot of readers off. Overall an improving series. 8 out of 12. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
This one starts with Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 14: Phoenix? which begins with date nights that include Jean getting closer to Scott, a homophobic team membThis one starts with Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 14: Phoenix? which begins with date nights that include Jean getting closer to Scott, a homophobic team member, a Spidey team-up; rekindled passion and the Ultimate versions of Lilandra and the Shi'Ar, and finishes with a bit carnage. [image] This is quickly followed with the quick absorption of a new team member Magical in the previous volume suddenly not sitting right with our Ultimate mutants in Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 15: Magical. These volumes see a big uplift in the quality of the immediate storytelling while maintain the overall ongoing plot lines, as well as increasing the amount of real jeopardy the team face. This collection is finished with more Robert Kirkman, with Ultimate X-Men Annual #2 in which a team member essentially loses his mind! 7 out 12 overall. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
First I read Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four, which brought together the public first family and the not-so-public mutant outliers the X-Men to face theFirst I read Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four, which brought together the public first family and the not-so-public mutant outliers the X-Men to face the delightfully dark Ultimate version of the Mad Thinker; followed by Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #2 which is actually a cleverly plotted story around the return of the Mole Man, which takes a number of unexpected and thought provoking turns. 7 out of 12 for this half of this collection. [image] The latter half of this collection sees Reed and co. get caught up in their first non N-Zone alien reality; they are drawn into a rebellion against the Ultimate Thanos(!) and co. in Ultimate Fantastic Four, Vol. 7: God War which is not only poorly drawn by Pascual Ferry, but just as poorly written by Mike Carey, but the ongoing plot lines and the clever alien reality and art concepts still manage to raise this to a Two Star, 4 out of 12, despite the waste of space that is Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol. 8: Devils with not only weak art and writing, but also featuring magic and time travel! Urgh! [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
This collection kicks off with Ultimate Fantastic Four, Volume 5: Crossover sees our young team crossover twice, once to a world of infectious Zombie This collection kicks off with Ultimate Fantastic Four, Volume 5: Crossover sees our young team crossover twice, once to a world of infectious Zombie superpowered beings and a Zombied Fantastic Four, and the second time via the return of a Storm family member, Atlantis and Namor! A thrilling double header when the our cast really seem in jeopardy dealing with what appears to be unbeatable force(s). 8 out of 12. [image] This was followed by Ultimate Fantastic Four, Volume 6: FrightfulUltimate : Crossover in which the team and the whole world gets a fright when Reed attempts to change history, featuring the Skrulls. This is followed by an even more lethal threat, the Frightful Four, and a certain Mr Van Doom! More perilous will they, won't they action with only Greg Land's art being the only real downer. 8 out of 12 for top-drawer Ultimate Fantastic Four writing by Mark Millar, and especially Warren Ellis. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
This collection kicks off with Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 15: Silver Sable in which Silver Sable and her Wildpack are hired to capture Spider-Man! InThis collection kicks off with Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 15: Silver Sable in which Silver Sable and her Wildpack are hired to capture Spider-Man! In yet another great episode of reality-based Ultimate-Spider-man-lore, we get to see how ROXXON, a corporate do-badder and mercenaries relate in this oh so cool reality, and as ever watch the 15-year-old pragmatic Spidey's reactions to their behaviour. Yet again Fury with SHIELD, and this time, Tony Stark guest star. :) [image] Hot on the heels of Silver Sable and co, we get Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 16: Deadpool, featuring, well, the clue is in its title :) ...a lackluster Ultimate character and story with Deadpool, followed by Mobius and 2 pretty good annuals. Overall I am loving the mounting stress of Parker's dual identity, it's gripping! 7 out of 12 overall. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
This Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection of two volumes, starts with Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 13: Hobgoblin, which was never going to match theThis Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection of two volumes, starts with Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 13: Hobgoblin, which was never going to match the sensational debut of Hobgoblin in the mainstream Marvel universe (The Amazing Spider-Man: Origin of the Hobgoblin), but has a very good go at, focusing much more on the human side of the Ultimate Hobgoblin and Peter Parker's continual real struggles being a 15 year old undergoing near-death and actual death experiences. Guests including Nick Fury and SHIELD. 8 out of 12. [image] Ne'er was a volume better named as Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 14: Warriors, as somehow Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley make a compelling story featuring Spidey, Kingpin, Hammerhead, Shang Chi, Iron Fist, Elektra, the Enforcers and Moon Knight; and all this to the background of Peter breaking up with the love of his love. So much real jeopardy in this series just makes it so superior overall to the mainstream series, that, and its consistency. 8 out of 12. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
The collection starts of with Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 12: Hard Lessons which is made up of three tales of hard lessons learned for an Xavier in danger ofThe collection starts of with Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 12: Hard Lessons which is made up of three tales of hard lessons learned for an Xavier in danger of losing his financing; Logan and Storm surviving hard lessons learned in their pasts; and the flagship story stars Rogue and Gambit, eternally living a hard lesson? Better stories, although it took creating standalone tales to turn it up for Vaughan. 7 out of 12. [image] Next up was Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 13: Magnetic North, in which the volume title might have given away the name of the primary antagonist. Featuring Emma Frost and her students, Longshot, Yuri, the Ultimates, Nick Fury and more; having such a big cast limited the character and plot development, but the story was big enough to stand on its own, and turned out to be a nice finish to Vaughan's short run on the series. 7 out of 12 [image] Image: Fresh Comic Stories on YouTube 2012 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
This second Ultimate FF collection kicks off with Ultimate Fantastic Four, Volume 3: N-Zone, in which we have yet another far superior origin and portThis second Ultimate FF collection kicks off with Ultimate Fantastic Four, Volume 3: N-Zone, in which we have yet another far superior origin and portrayal than the mainstream Marvel universe, this time it's an entire universe, the N(Negative)-Zone! Will humankind's first venture into intra space be a success? More sublime Reed character development by Ellis and co. :) The only downside is the rest of team sometimes feel like the supporting cast! 6 out of 12. [image] Next up was Ultimate Fantastic Four, Volume 4: Inhuman with art by the amazing Jae Lee! Mike Carey also joined the series to write this short story about the Baxter Building being compromised as the team take on the Ultimate version of The Mad Thinker! This is a pretty intense work; and the change of writer impacted on the previous ongoing character development. After this come the first annual pf this series, Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 which saw the debuts of the Ultimate Inhumans, beautifully and awesomely drawn by Jae Lee, and written by Mark Millar. 7 out of 12. [image] 2022 read; 2017 read; 2011 read...more
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