Forget cosmic battles and heroes with impossibly perfect hair. Ultimates #16 pulls back from the superheroics to focus on the terrifying reality of what it means to be a regular person living under a tyrannical regime. In doing so, it delivers a powerful and deeply personal story that proves the most compelling heroes aren’t always the ones with superpowers.
In Ultimates #16, writers Deniz Camp, along with artist Juan Frigeri, introduce us to Wren Montgomery, a character unlike any other. She isn’t a hero, an Avenger, or a mutant. She’s simply a young girl who has spent her entire life in a world where all hope has been systematically crushed by the diabolical genius, the Maker. Through Wren’s eyes, we see a world controlled by a secret council of villains and a regime of “no-faced men” that has stifled dissent and erased history.
The comic is a gut-wrenching look at what it’s like to live under a totalitarian regime, where fear is so thick you can practically touch it. Despite a populace terrified of speaking out, Wren is determined to seek the truth. Through a series of powerful flashbacks, we witness the tragic events that shaped her, from her civics teacher being dragged away for talking about human rights to the horrific disappearance of her best friend, Mia. Wren learns the true, dark history of the Ultimates, a movement the government has tried to erase, and finds a new generation of freedom fighters who are younger, angrier, and hungry for action.
Fueled by a desire to do something meaningful for the first time in her life, Wren joins the resistance and commits to small acts of defiance that culminate in her blowing up a government building. The victory was short-lived, however. The issue’s brutal climax sees the regime’s sinister “no-faced men” break into her home and kill her parents right in front of her. Wren escapes, but not without losing a hand in the process. Yet, even in this horrifying moment, a flicker of hope remains as she’s told, “There’s more to the movement than you can imagine.”
Camp continues to expertly build tension in this series for The Makers’ return, while also giving focus to the small, personal moments that make the grand political conflict feel real. Frigeri’s sharp art perfectly captures the terror and urgency, and Blee’s color palette effectively uses muted tones to reflect the mundane and vibrant flashes for moments of action.
Ultimates #16 is a fantastic issue that proves the most compelling stories aren’t always about the people with cosmic powers, but about the ordinary people who refuse to be silenced. It’s a crucial issue that shows the impact of The Maker on the average person and beautifully sets the stage for the coming war.
‘Ultimates’ #16 Review: The Human Cost of Resistance
Ultimates #16 is a fantastic issue that proves the most compelling stories aren’t always about the people with cosmic powers, but about the ordinary people who refuse to be silenced. It’s a crucial issue that shows the impact of The Maker on the average person and beautifully sets the stage for the coming war.
