Goosebumps formed on my arms as I reached page twelve of this book. Spider-Man, Iron Lad, America Chavez, and Doom finally made it to the Maker’s city, with just minutes to spare until it opened. Battles inspired by their rebellion rage in cities across the world as Iron Lad makes one final inspirational speech. Every issue of the Ultimate Universe has been teasing this exact moment, and anticipation was high. They soon cross the proverbial Rubicon, with writer Deniz Camp instantly revealing that they aren’t as ready as they thought.
Ultimate Endgame is the culmination of over two years of interconnected storytelling, with our heroes finally about to confront the Maker. It’s been building to this since Ultimate Invasion, including Peter Parker finally receiving the spider bite, Maystorm forming the X-Men, and Iron Lad’s frantic race to prepare the world. The stakes are clear. To quote the Maker, if his plan fails, then he’ll burn this universe down and start all over again. No matter what happens, the Ultimates and their allies will never be the same.
Multiple POVs and High Stakes
Camp wisely structures this book from multiple POVs, and we get a glimpse into our heroes as well as the impact they’ve had. These books have taken their time getting us invested in these characters, so it’s crucial they’re all included. It’s exciting seeing Spider-Man and the Ultimates finally exploring the Maker’s city while their comrades like Luke Cage, She-Hulk, Ant-Man, and the Wasp continue the fight outside. That being said, the pacing suffers from this, with multiple scenes shifting from quieter moments or slow exploration to high-octane fights over a few panels. It’s a common problem for the first issue of an event book and rears its head again here.
Jonas Scharf and Edgar Delgado’s Visual Style
The Ultimates’ battle against the Children of Tomorrow is a chaotic scene that serves as the action centerpiece. Our heroes are quickly outnumbered and overmatched. It’s shocking to see that after all the time they had to prepare; they still might not be able to stand up to the Maker. Artist Jonas Scharf is having a blast here, constructing each panel with dynamic activity. Doom is dual-wielding pistols, doing his best Max Payne impression as he dives across the battlefield, while Tony and America unleash their laser beams and cosmic energy. Scharf expertly uses crooked lines and static strokes to display the chaotic nature of these powers. Letterer Cory Petit shines here, using a diverse range of sound effects to reflect the different weapons. Iron Lad’s laser beams get a stylized ZKRAKA while explosions get their text wrapped in yellow with blue outlines to create a stunning BOOM.
The Immortus Twist: A New Era for the Ultimate Universe
We get our first big twist when mysterious soldiers bail out the Ultimates, and they’re introduced to Immortus, Lord of Time. It’s a shocking reunion that we’ve been waiting for, but it doesn’t play out quite like you’d expect. Immortus is poised to play a big role, and it’ll be interesting to see his dynamic develop with the Ultimates. Colorist Edgar Delgado nails the reality shift as soon as our heroes arrive. The Maker’s city drowns in dark blues and sinister purples, signaling the danger lurking within, while warm yellows and beige sands represent the calm of Immortus’ domain. It’s a much-needed moment of peace after the intense fight in the previous panels.
Final Verdict: Can Deniz Camp Stick the Landing?
This issue stumbles under the weight of all the narratives that have been building to this event. It already feels crowded, and we’re only at the beginning. It would be a non-factor if this were an extended run, but this miniseries is due to last a brisk five issues. With characters from only two of the five Ultimate lines represented here, the next four chapters face a daunting cram job. There’s even a surprise death here that, if it sticks, would be a disappointing end to a promising character. It comes off as a quick shock value instead of being earned.
Though not without its drawbacks, this issue firmly asserts why this story feels bigger than recent Marvel events like One World Under Doom and Blood Hunt. Those books have world-spanning consequences as well, but they exist within the 616 universe. Despite what happens, it’s going to revert back to the status quo before too long. The Ultimate Universe isn’t burdened with that baggage, though, and that’s its biggest strength. We have no idea how it’s going to end, just that it will, which makes it all the more compelling. If Camp nails the finish, then we could be in for one of Marvel’s greatest stories.
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‘Ultimate Endgame’ #1 Sees The Maker Free at Last
Ultimate Endgame #1 is a high-octane, visually stunning opening to the event we’ve been waiting two years for. While the pacing is a bit frantic and the cast list is getting crowded, the genuine sense of consequence makes this feel more vital than your average Marvel event.
