Yikes that’s some low hanging fruit here. I do not need kid Thanos. Skipping this series now.

Wtfffff

Wt actual f

Ew

It's unfair to compare this to what came before, but having just read all of the "Ultimate" line on the Marvel Unlimited app, it's really hard not to. It's too bad they didn't try and just re-use the Defenders name instead, because while I know they're trying to something "new" here this just does not feel like an Ultimates book whatsoever and I don't think the title does it any favors. Frankly there's too many characters (both new and otherwise) and I really didn't care for any of them. I feel like what is trying to be done here has been done so much better in Ultimate Spider-Man

More characters and teams from a long-ago era in Marvel's 616 continuity (aka, all the stuff writer Mark Gruenwald did, which I happen to like btw) does not a good Ultimate book make. I get what they were going for here with this new, street-level approach but I had a really hard time caring about any of them. I feel like everything was crammed and rushed because the literal end of the universe was coming. At least the early Ultimates stuff was really good... the latter... not so much.

I do not like Batman’s characterization in this.

Hey I wasn't the only one disappointed! Cool! Anyway, neat premise, and I recall liking the twist in the Ultimate F4, but man the writing is lacking here. It's like Kirkman was purposefully trying to be half-assed.

I read these all at once and I don't remember them individually, but I'm reviewing them with as much effort as went into writing them.

I hope the sequels are better.

Historic issue, but pretty bland.

Least the art's good

Weak all around.

Some cool ideas overall in this run but really sloppy and rushed overall. Some of the dialogues and overall pacing is just yikes

I don't get it

Mumbo Flippin jumbo

I’m skipping crossovers next time. I read for Morrison and this aint it.

Better than the last part at least

This story arc literally drove me away from Spidey 616 comics for 15 years. Reread it and it’s still one of the worst things I’ve read, full stop.

Zion lives|

Piss off, ghost

All over the place

Not as in-continuity as I hoped. Weird changes that make me cold.

Wtfigo

I have no idea what is happening but I like it

Was I supposed to read other stuff in between issues?

Dummmmmmmb

Eh

I’m too dumb for this

Callahan is way off. This is Shakespeare compared to the rest.

Release the Sny— … jk

Usually am a big fan of Simone’s and I am (probably sacrilegiously so) not a fan of John Byrnes art thanks mostly to really not digging his early 2000s Spider-Man stuff and it tainting me, and over all this issue fell flat for me.

Holy antiquity, Peter Palmer!

I really gotta read more.

I swear if they use the word "metal" in dialogue one more time, I'm gonna drink some metal.

What. Is. Happening.

Metal mumbo jumbo dark energy rabble rabble portal

Pretty, but sloppy af overall.

Much better than the first ish in 2021.

Clunky and weird pace

I wanna be the minority. I don’t need your authority. Also Wild West Spiders.

Ok now I kinda get the hate

The nostalgia is strong with this one and also David Finch draws some great panels.

Be did really doesn't like personal identities does he?

Will squeel for donut

I haven't made a good decision in 17 years

I'm weird cuz I'm digging this. Really cool concept and the art is amazing.

I don't get the hate and Kevin Green sounds like a huge toolbag.

Solid af. Ronin begins in Japan, just like Endgame. Cool!

Jeez "critics" back then were just plain ol trolls, holy wah

Not a lot of plot development

Can’t have shit in Detroit

Ho freaking hum

A solid yarn and some sneaky set up for Red Hood. I thought he’d be older though.

I believe the term is “meh.” I really don’t care about the ancillary characters here and I should.

Weak art and clunky dialogue/exposition.

What a waste of a storyline

Pure popcorn

After the disappointment that was Azzarello's run (and after a Loeb run that I personally really enjoyed and was in fact my first Batman comic that I purchased), this issue is a breath of fresh air. Granted I'm a sucker for some Scarecrow, but I really dug the the tone that Winick is going for, and I really like Nguyen's style.

Second issue in this arc, and I like it just as much as much as the first.

Still really digging Winick's arc.

Fear hallucinations are so cool.

Slightly underwhelming finale but still solid.

Not a fan of the first appearance of RH here; would’ve preferred a build up or beginning of fight. Also I hate typos. Batman has “a the toxin”

You’re * Mr. Editors.

This was... not worth it. Oh well, on to Morrison!

Meta af

Patience is a virtue

Fast paced almost to a detriment.

A throwback run after Morrison’s plunge into the future.

I'm all for experimenting and shaking things up, but damn I was not feeling this. This read like a well-written fan fic, and the art wasn't helping things. Was this good computer-based art in 2007? This was a big slog to get through and probably could've been skipped.

An amazing throwback issue to an Adam West-style Batman

I don’t know who any of these characters are but I love this story arc. And the artwork is great. Love the throwback styles.

Better than the previous part at least

So much better already than that bloated crossover prior

Different and I like it!

Frustratingly paced

I’m too dumb for this

Good but not great

Not sure if this run was a good idea as a relative new and latecomer to this new DC. But art's good!

Horrible pacing

Much better

We're all blue

Oh they banging

No

Like it, but the shift from IMMORTAL is jarring. Feels like Banner is too quickly Ultimate Reed Richards-ish.

A bit done there, been that… wait…

Clunky af

Oooohhhh so that’s how it starts

Finally!

Best issue of this run so far.

Love the Easter Eggs.

Meta af and I love it

Interesting premise and curious to see how it unfolds. Didn't grip me as much as I was hoping, but definitely giving #2 a shot.

Not enjoying this tie in as much as the lead ins.

I honestly preferred this tie-in over the main series.

The Ultimatum thing really sucked and truly messed up characters (even going beyond death) but at least Spidey got through only singed.

I stand with Grifter.

I stand with Grifter. And good golly, why do they have to advert "Death of Spider-Man Prelude" so f'n early? There was no need for that and nothing tied in with Spidey's eventual demise. Keep it in your pants, Marvel.

Per usual, great stuff from B&B. But good lord, keeping it a quasi-secret or at least not plastering every comic for over a year with "DEATH OF SPIDER-MAN" or "ROAD TO DEATH OF SPIDER-MAN" or "HEY WE THINK MAYBE WE MIGHT KILL OFF SPIDER-MAN" would've helped a whole lot. Marvel milked this for all it was worth.

Hickman doesn't disappoint, and the artwork is stellar.

I felt this ish was a little anticlimactic but still fine overall. The art's great and I want to know more about this Cap Universe.

I Felt like the previous issue was rushed, but we don't have that problem here.. Curious to see where this thing goes!

Smashing.

Not as smashing as the prior issue but solid regardless.

A great run continues.

A little flat, like a soda pop two days opened.

Yawn

Still not a convert to cosmicness I guess

Finger licking good

Now we're cookin

Aw hell yea Boi

A bit too slow this month

Pacing seemed off and oddly structured.

Rowland is… dumb?

If they say IT’S TIME or an equivalent one more time…

Little rushed and sloppy imo, esp compared to New Super-Man

Holy dialogue, flashbacks and exposition, Batman.

I get it. Ennis likes writing about WWII. He's good at it. But this is dragging a bit. What's great about two characters having a conversation and using a lot of flashbacks? Not that much, really. I'm being particularly harsh on this issue probably, but a lot of the exposition done in this series is really blase.

What's the saying, show, don't tell? This series should be "Everyone Tells Hughie Way Cooler Stuff That Happened Long Ago."

Finalllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Now this is more like it. Wish they would've hid the "surprise" of this issue a bit (or just made it a surprise, I guess? I don't know; I can't remember the precise foreshadowing, but I wish there'd been maybe a misdirect).

Meta, bub.

Sending in Frenchy and the Female just as a duo is dumb, but everything else is great. Gum?

WTF

Ah yes.

We are Shitfeet

Holy exposition, Batman. And then big things. But the clunky ass explaining of things is way too much tell, not enough show.

Why am I such a buzz kill? Why are some of the characters actions kindve dumb? Why do they split up in horror movies? Is it easier?

Already better than the first two series

Why didn’t Kirkman write this well?

Mmm bourbon

I love the art. Am I broken?

Another tie-in that I prefer to the main/core series.

Not a usual GL reader but this was a fine continuation of the Metal series.

What Gobby said

I abandoned my Comic habit not too long after this issue’s original publication due to poorness and school so I am rectifying that years later thanks to DC universe and I am so far enjoying this as much as I recall!

Feel like the series waned but overall I enjoyed it.

Wtf is that ending

So much better than what was going on in the main titles at this time.

Yet again I'm enjoying the tie-ins over the main title.

I remember when the Ultimate line was launched and I had so little hope for it. Was this another Spider-Man: Chapter One? I didn't need a rebooted Spidey, dagnabit! Turns out, nah, it's just really flippin' good comics. The whole initial line was strong, but perhaps the strongest (and absolutely the most consistent) was Bendis' and Bagley's Ultimate Spider-Man. This is still one of the books I'd recommend to anyone who's interested in reading superhero comics, whether you're more into the 616 stuff or not.

I really like what Bendis and Bagley did with this version of the Kingpin. And you should too!

I'm giving this a number grade almost a year after re-reading it (after originally reading it over 10 years ago). I feel like USM was the most consistent and arguably best line in the Ultimate world and handled the Ultimatum the best, which is probably when I might knock down the score to 7.5. Regardless, really good stuff; I enjoyed this take on Doc Ock (and really like what they did with him later which I won't spoil).

Really cool spin on the Venom story. Like a lot of things, I prefer the 616 version, but this take was really well done, and I'm a sucker for some Bagley Venom.

Missing Bagley's artwork, and while certainly different spin on the Sinister Six over, I think it falls flat. It was underwhelming for me and I didn't like Peter's characterization.

Just good, dumb, meta fun.

Who doesn't enjoy a good ol' body swap.

While I still prefer the 616, I really like this Ultimate spin on the Hobgoblin.

I'm a sucker for some street-level, gang war activities, and this delivers and then some. Sometimes I wish they'd allow some Ultimate characters to breathe a bit and develop instead of just cramming a whole bunch at us, but at least this time, I don't mind.

I stand with Grifter.

Bendis gets his clone saga and it's a lot of fun, and like the 616 version, doesn't last too long!

Man, I wish Ultimate DD had a better opportunity to shine in this Ultimate-verse. I imagine Bendis writing him so well in 616 didn't help.

I stand with Grifter.

The only run during Ultimatum that didn't really suck.

So that's where 'Dark Phoenix's "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!" came from 😂

I want to live in an alternate reality toooo

Hawkguy!

Layyyyylaaa

Who flung that sentinel to Kickstart the festivities?

DC history is crazy. And I like it!

I was mildly disappointed. I think it would’ve benefited another issue.

Super-fun

Really confused as to how to speedsters let Batman get captured by the new Green lantern core and then the new Aquaman guy gets away lickety-split at the very end with no follow up by either speedster. I just don’t understand the pacing and it doesn’t really make sense story wise. If superman had been distracted in either of those scenarios for them otherwise occupied I get it but he totally just went super Saiyan and then let the corp get away. Also this ipad keyboard sucks Wtf

Overall great series

These apes DO have PhDs thank you very much

Fuckin boomers

Surprisingly good

Great creative team for this. I remember digging it as a kid and it holds up.

Slow, but I don’t mind so far.

Shawn Hill sleeps with dogs.

Good run albeit somewhat anti climactic

Mindwiping the characters and having them relearn everything we already know over several issues is a weird choice.

Socrcerer

Big fan of Finch's art, and it's fun to read some early 616 Bendis.

Solid. Stark's a little quick to the "I pay for stuff, so I can be a brat" (but I suppose that's the character--though I wish another character would've called him out on it before flying away). Still (re)enjoying this run from its initial publication.

Man critics in 2004 were harsh. I blame marketing.

Good lord what comics actually got good reviews from the majority of those Comic Bulletin writers? JMS’ Gwen Stacy kid storyline? Sheesh. I loved this run. Great retro throwback too.

Good for new readers too cuz I didn't know this was the third series!

This series has had some of the best fight choreography I've seen in a while

Cowabunga

Man critics of the day were harsh!

Freight car

I remember thinking reviving Bucky was stupid. Oops!

DANNY!

Neat! Overtly way hella extreme. Really excellent!

Miles Morales is a beacon of light in a dark and broken Ultimate line. Bendis is great (which is fairly normal for him) and Sara Pichelli is one of my favorite artists now (and I'm a sucker for and was spoiled by Bagley).

I really wish characters would stay dead, y'know? But alas, still a solid read.

Miles vs. Venom. 'Nuff said!

I really dig Miles, but again, feel like other stories keep infringing on him and not allowing his stories the time they need. Everything still feels rushed to get us to Secret Wars, and while I like Doom, I feel like he was just shoehorned in. It could've (and maybe should've) been someone else. It didn't jive with what we'd seen in Ultimate FF.

I really like the Miles Morales character, and a big reason I decided to read the whole Ultimate line was for his character. I wish big, multi-book events didn't keep cropping up in his stories (it certainly happened more often to him than Peter Parker, who was allowed to breathe a bit more), but overall I really, really enjoyed this run. This line was definitely the best post-Ultimatum as compared to the other Ultimate books (Wolverine Jr., the same but blonde? C'mon man).

I read this having taken a long sabbatical from reading/keeping up with the main Marvel 616-continuity. I stopped keeping up shortly before the first Civil War, but have read a few trades in-between and have randomly kept up with some happenings. I returned to this title because to get back in the swing of things, I read the entirety of Marvel's "Ultimate" line with their Marvel Unlimited app. That brings me here, in an effort to read the Secret Wars of the 2010's. Or whatever it's called. All that to say, I really enjoyed this first issue. I don't have a firm grasp of what's been going on in the 616, but I enjoyed the characterizations and the Black Panther perspective. I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to know about this Black Swan and that works just fine. Apropos of nothing, BP's "I'll do more than try" line was frankly really bad ass and I want to hear that in the MCU sometime. Hickman's work was a lone bright spot near the latter end of the Ultimate line, and I'm looking forward to reading more of his 616 stuff before and after this.

I struggle to compare if I enjoyed this more or less than the first issue, but it's rather pointless anyway as I enjoyed them both a great deal. I'm coming in at a weird angle having just wrapped all of the "Ultimate" line with Ultimate Spider-Man #12, and it's cool to see that incursion happening years after what we just saw in New Avenger's #1. Anyway, enough rambling--Hickman still delivers the goods.

Some serious Identity Crisis vibes here and I'm OK with it! Another great ish

A great run continues.

Another great ish

Still digging this run.

As seen on Netflix

Sequencing was kinda off but still great overall

Knew it was coming but still... gotdamn....

Choreography is a bit wonky but still good

Rare misstep