With The Ultimates #1, Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic kick off the new Ultimate Comics line and mark the dawn of a new era in the Ultimate Universe. After the events that transpired prior to and in Ultimate Fallout, Earth-1610 is in a state of disarray. We lost Spider-Man, Captain America gave up, all of the mutants are in hiding to avoid being put in government-run concentration camps, the EUSS has re-initiated its super-soldiers program and many parts of the world were left on the brink of war. With all of this happening -- and with a recent drastically reduced budget -- how can both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Ultimates continue saving the world? Read Full Review

And frankly, the dark tone of this series isn't much encouragement. I trust writer Jonathan Hickman to turn in outstanding work - but at the moment, I'm on the fence with The Ultimates. Read Full Review

Do you love great starting points? Then this is the book for you! This book seems to be back on track. It's no longer "way out there" or "over-the-top." This issue is grounded and pretty serious. I'm impressed. I have a feeling Hickman is going to take this team to new levels, and while I'd love to give this a perfect score, I still feel a bit skeptical about the team, and while the issue was awesome, it just wasn't amazing. I highly recommend this book, especially for new readers. Read Full Review

Don't go into this new volume of the Ultimates expecting Hickman to tear everything down and reinvent the wheel. The formula is familiar, and it's merely the execution that is stronger than it has been lately. Hopefully as the series moves along and Hickman builds up the characters and their newest foe, some true surprises will be in store for readers. Read Full Review

It's a good start. I wasn't blown away, but I wasn't turned off either. One thing I always love about Hickman's writing is that there is thought going on under the surface. It's always saying something at a deeper level, or at least appears to be, so I'm thinking about it. It's meticulous. I genuinely believe that Hickman isn't interested in putting out a comic book that doesn't impress people, so the effort is on the page. If you liked The Ultimates previously, there's more here for you to like. If you've never read them, this is a fine place to start. Read Full Review

It would help to have read Hickman's contributions to "Ultimate Fallout" before "The Ultimates" #1, though not essential. The comic is still exciting and sets up a large story that, right now, seems like it could easily end with the destruction of the team. A first issue that starts with its foot on the gas is exactly what's called for. Read Full Review

In fact, there are signs, starting with the monologue on the first page, that Hickman's going to try and deal with the fundamental amorality and unpleasantness of Millar's vision. I don't think it's a coincidence that, as the story opens, Captain America has gone missing, and we then get a plot in which the Avenger's arrogance puts them in a tight spot. It seems like Hickman's going to take the hard road of redeeming these characters from the amoral dunderheads Millar made them out to be. This means that we have to start from the same place Millar (and Loeb, I'm assuming) left off, which makes for a less than appealing comic"but I'm expecting great things further down the road. With any luck, Hickman can put the "hero" back in "superhero". Read Full Review

By issues end, I really didn't care if I read the next installment of The Ultimates or not. The shine has worn off, and the new exciting stories of The Ultimates has given way to a story that has the potential of being extremely cool, but falls flat in continuing to want to draw me in. That, coupled with the art that appears to want to impress the reader with its explosion of Hollywood camera techniques, and The Ultimates #1 earns 2 out of 5 Stars. Read Full Review

Man alive I love Jonathan Hickman. Esad Ribic also killed it with the art, as per usual. A lot going on in this debut but everything was executed to perfection.

Cover-***
Writing-*****
Art-*****
Story-*****

Though there is definitely potential, this opening issue throws so much at you in so little time that it’s hard to process or care. Art was good but not Esad Ribic quality in my opinion

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• Ultimate Goblin

Ultimate Goblin - Sep 10, 2022

Yeah, Esad can draw even better.

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The art is cool, but the story is mostly messed up and not that interesting for me. It will definitely get better, but as an opening issue - this one is next to a failure.