Ultimate Imprint: Interesting News & Notes

[Troy Wall]

Ultimates 3: Jeph Loeb mentioned at CCI that Joe Mad will now only be illustrating the first five issues of the new volume, with Ed McGuiness coming on board with issue #6. Some of Loeb's comments gave the impression that even with the 18+ month lead time, Mad might be yet to finish his five issues. Loeb stated Ed's run to be four issues, which makes for a 9 issue volume, a departure from volumes 1 & 2 (both ran 13 issues).

Rich Johnston reports that Ultimates 4, also written by Loeb and illustrated by McGuiness, will probably not see publication due to a new Ultimate revamp/scale-back initiative at Marvel. McGuiness has already drawn the first issue.

Also reported by Rich, Ultimate X-Men is destined for the axe. In my opinion, it has become the weakest link in the Ultimate chain. Off with its head!

Loeb is working on the next major Ultimate universe event, titled 'Ultimatum'. He says that if it doesn't rock your face off, he'll fly to your house and sign all your comics for you. Loeb also stated that to enjoy the larger picture of the event, one should read the last three issues of Ultimate Power and Bendis' upcoming Ultimate Origins.

No news on Ultimate Spider-Man or Ultimate Fantastic Four, both of which enjoy a strong readership.

[Troy Wall]

Ultimates 3 #1, Covers A & B:

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7871/ultimates20070724055637zw6.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b259/kuja81/exclusive-ultimates-3-debut-part-tw.jpg

[Troy Wall]

I guess that's Hawkeye with the 90's-esque Backlash face mask.

Note Thor's hammer is completely different and now matches its 616 counterpart.

Ha. Ultimate Venom in the house. :rolleyes:

[marctheokay]

I read the same interview, and Ultimate Origins was described as the beginning of the ultimate universe, and ultimatum was the end.
He also said something along the lines of giving the line more depth than just ultimate-izing marvel characters.
I'm excited, but I don't know if this is going to top anything Millar and Hitch produced.

[HaphazardJoy]

Gotta love that Joe Mad, what a sweet cover. Who's the dame with the sword? I only follow Ultimates and then Ultimate Spider-Man via TPB, forgive me if it's a dumb question.

[fluxchild]

Valkryie maybe?

[pi0trov]

Valkryie maybe?
Probably, it certainly looks like her, except... Millar already introduced an Ultimate Valkrie as part of the loser Defenders. But I'm guessing that will be one of many things getting changed/ignored during the next arc. Oops, sorry, guess that's my fanboy showing... :)

And along those lines:
1. Is Venom supposed to be a mutant now?
2. Why does Hawkeye (probably my favorite Ultimate character) have what looks like the nu-Bullseye scar on his forehead?

[HaphazardJoy]

Ha, I didn't notice that, Venom is the only non-mutant on the badies side.

[Troy Wall]

Ultimate Venom has only appeared in the Ultimate line once, in his debut five-issue arc waaaay back in the 30's of USM. I thought him not being overly used in the Ultimate universe was badass, and was looking forward to a return penned by Bendis in USM.

Ah, well.

[JamieRoberts]

Couple of things. I'm sad that UXM is gonna be axed, not because of how it is now (could be much better), but becasue I re-read the World Tour issues this weekend and it reminded me how good the book can be. They gotta do what they gotta do, though.

Anyone else think the Ultimate universe is starting to lose its identity? With the whole "Ultimatum is the end" thing, are they gonna somehow amalgamate it with the MU proper? I mean, the Ultimate books no longer have the same prescence that they used to, nor are they needed like they were.

Oh, I think that's Bullseye, not Hawkeye. Look at the forehead.

[Biofungus]

Actually, it looks like an eye on his forehead (like an insignia eye). You know, a Hawk eye?

He's probably related to Ultimate Bullseye (in some way, like where they trained or whatnot) so they both have insignia's on their foreheads.

[HaphazardJoy]

I was never super-keen on the Ultimate idea to begin with. I like straight out alternate realities, and I like mostly non-canon back stories like DC's Allstars, but Ultimate lines never got me TOO interested on concept alone. The Ultimates has been great all along, so I was into it, and Ultimate Spider-Man has been pretty quality so that's fun. Ultimate X-Men and FF were mediocre imo, they changed a little about the characters, but not in any meaningful way.

[Troy Wall]

I'm sad that UXM is gonna be axed, not because of how it is now (could be much better), but becasue I re-read the World Tour issues this weekend and it reminded me how good the book can be.

UXM under Millar was fucking awesome.

[J. Alexopoulos]

Damn I've missed Joe Mad. That art Rocks. Too bad it appears as though he won't be around for long.

As for Axing some Ultimate titles, Ultimates and FF are definately two solid books. I find them so much more interesting than Avengers or Fantastic Four have ever been.

[Biofungus]

I was never super-keen on the Ultimate idea to begin with. I like straight out alternate realities, and I like mostly non-canon back stories like DC's Allstars, but Ultimate lines never got me TOO interested on concept alone. The Ultimates has been great all along, so I was into it, and Ultimate Spider-Man has been pretty quality so that's fun. Ultimate X-Men and FF were mediocre imo, they changed a little about the characters, but not in any meaningful way.
That's because they can't actually show the good stuff. Like the fact that Reed finally 'stretches' in the "right place" for Susie... :whistlin:

[Spacious Interior]

Bummer about Ult. X-Men.... I subscribe to 3 books. That's one of'em. I admit I haven't enjoyed it as much as I used to, but I don't think it's really worth canceling.

Any book can be great with the right combination of writer and artist and thins one's suffered line up changes since the early issues. Find someone that can do it right and let then stay on it.

[JamieRoberts]

In a perfect world, Marvel would run a contest for aspiring creators to come in and do what they will to UXM, kinda like the last issue of Amazing Fantasy, in that they have nothing to lose. Dumping an X-book? Wow.

[Spacious Interior]

Especially that one..... so many wide open avenues.

[Rob Norton]

the second they merge the two universes together (IF they ever do) is the instance it will lose any and all interest. i just cant see that happening. it wouldnt make sense at all.

but the Ultimate universe has gotten a bit ...complicated. what with all these mini series with all these different writers that have their own take on everything. it was all tight and simple at first, and easy to follow. now its just to big. as much as im digging the art, Ultimate Vison is the latest greatest example of a book thats 100% not needed in that universe. it means absolutley nothing .... and wastes time.

rob

[Troy Wall]

I think we can rest assured that if UXM does get the axe, it'll be back in some form or another with an A-list creative team in tow relatively soon.

[Moonrider]

That there cover look like a Marvel Vs. CAPCOM poster. So...what comes after UXM got axed? Wolvie joined the 'Avengers'? Heh.

[Hob Anagarak]

Ultimates 3: Jeph Loeb mentioned at CCI that Joe Mad will now only be illustrating the first five issues of the new volume, with Ed McGuiness coming on board with issue #6. Some of Loeb's comments gave the impression that even with the 18+ month lead time, Mad might be yet to finish his five issues. Loeb stated Ed's run to be four issues, which makes for a 9 issue volume, a departure from volumes 1 & 2 (both ran 13 issues).

Rich Johnston reports that Ultimates 4, also written by Loeb and illustrated by McGuiness, will probably not see publication due to a new Ultimate revamp/scale-back initiative at Marvel. McGuiness has already drawn the first issue.
....

I read Johnston's thing about no Ultimates 4, but now Ultimates 3 looks like it's only going to be 9 issues?! I started buying Ultimates 2 after I head about McGuiness. Yuck. :(

I dropped UXM two or three issues into Kirkman's run. Got an annual which wasn't so good, haven't looked back since. UFF sells better? That's ...odd.

[Moonrider]

Never picked up UXM since Kubert left. But the stuff I read in articles about Cable as future Wolverine etc. doesn't help me getting into it again.

[galmando]

Ultimate Spiderman and The Ultimates really were/are the two great Ultimate titles. both felt fresh and fun, USM and took things slow whereas now it feels a bit like UXM, trying to squeeze 40 yrs of continuity into 5 years, where are the new characters, whats happened to that new mutant villain thingy guy? Gendalf, Gandalf, i dunno, somat like that.

now the Ultimates, i loved that and hate the fact they wanna take it back to the 616 look and feel. huh? the whole poin was it wasnt anything to do with that. Hawkeye looked badass before and now looks ridiculous. Thors hammer was a great design. it felt real and gritty and i have a feeling that its gonna go down the drain. i just dont think Joe Mad is duited to this. but hey, i could be wrong. i just liked the real world slant on it. and Hitch, i think that had a lot to do with it.

shocked about Ultimate FF though. i didnt know it sold well at all. personally i think its garbage. the whole idea of the ultiamte line was to re-invigorate characters. Spidey needed it, the avengers benefited from it cuz i pick that up now and maybe others did the same. but the FF dont seem entirely different, the only good thing that came outta that was Marvel Zombies!!!!! Whoop!

[Justice41]

This is all about getting The Badass Ultimates version of Cap into the regular Marvel uni. That is all. Otherwise why have Ultimates 3 have a few of the regular Marvel characters mixed in with the Ultimates line, like Thor and Wanda and Sabretooth sans the four claws? Hell even Iron man in that pic is back to his Normal Marvel armor or something close to it.

[fluxchild]

This is all about getting The Badass Ultimates version of Cap into the regular Marvel uni. That is all. Otherwise why have Ultimates 3 have a few of the regular Marvel characters mixed in with the Ultimates line, like Thor and Wanda and Sabretooth sans the four claws? Hell even Iron man in that pic is back to his Normal Marvel armor or something close to it.

Ultimate Cap is the ish...I'd like that very much. I just can't help feeling that they(Marvel) are on the road to having to do a crisis type event.

[Spacious Interior]

So if UXM get cancelled, how long 'till they relaunch it? Or just relaunch it as something else?

Either way, it's another book that I really enjoyed (and I was apparently the only one) and I'm going to have the entire print run of.

As a collector, that's kind of gratifying. But at the same time, there are still tons of X-characters I would have liked to see handled in a cool new way.

[Troy Wall]

So if UXM get cancelled, how long 'till they relaunch it? Or just relaunch it as something else?

Either way, it's another book that I really enjoyed (and I was apparently the only one) and I'm going to have the entire print run of.

As a collector, that's kind of gratifying. But at the same time, there are still tons of X-characters I would have liked to see handled in a cool new way.

I'm sure it will be rebooted shortly after its cancellation. But man, you have to admit--that book is less than a shadow of what it was under Millar.

[Troy Wall]

This is all about getting The Badass Ultimates version of Cap into the regular Marvel uni. That is all. Otherwise why have Ultimates 3 have a few of the regular Marvel characters mixed in with the Ultimates line, like Thor and Wanda and Sabretooth sans the four claws? Hell even Iron man in that pic is back to his Normal Marvel armor or something close to it.

I don't see any of that going down, Roy. Those aren't 616 characters mixed in with Ultimates--they're redesigned Ultimates which satisfy Loeb's preferences. The reason that all the Ultimates characters are in spandex and are closer to their 616 counterparts is because Loeb demanded it. He's made no bones about saying he digs the old school superheroics/costumes and is not a fan of Millar's politically-based, more realistic take on the characters.

[JamieRoberts]

That would be fine, if he's done something fresh. Obviously, Millar's story was highly thought of amongst comics fans, but if it's not Loeb's cup of tea, then that's okay. But going back to spandex rather than doing something different again is just a great big shame. Might pan out okay, but I'm just disheartened by the obstacles thrown in front of Marvel's evolution.

[SIN 78]

The Ultimates is the best ultimate book out, or soon to be out. UXM has gone way down hill since the beginning, but I don't know about cancelling it. I really like the idea of having a contest with new writers pitching storylines for the title, that would fng rock. UFF has gone down too and USM is just okay. I don't know about anybody else, but I was VERY dissapointed with U Extinction. Personally I would love to see the Hulk get his own series, or at least a mini.

[galmando]

Jeph Loeb;

if you like the 616 marvel look and superheroics, go write the frickin' Avengers, the whole point of the Ultimates was that it was a realistic, politically themed take on the avengers.

not actually the avengers though, ffs. and it was funny!

I just dont see the bloody point. how is it any different from the 616? thats a shocking display of no originality IMO.

tit

[Nitecrawlah2]

I loved the Ultimate FF title for a bit. There were some nice touches of originality on that series early on.

[JamieRoberts]

tit
I just had to hold back a small wee after reading that. So beautifully understated.

[blackmask]

when J & J start ultimates 3, im dropping it.
if he wants spandex, then go write avengers

[doboy1]

Joe Mad is only doing 5 issues Im surprised wow.Actually Im not he is one of the kings of the slow pencil.Him Art Adams all time king Travis Charest Paul Smith Stephen Platt and soon to be added to the list Jim Lee.Slow pencil kings are GREAT artist.But they are notorious for not finishing projects not meeting deadlines and for having comic fans and editors by the balls.Because even though they are slow the artwork is so damn purty we cant just help but buy it.I would add Bryan Hitch to this list but at least he did finish his run on the ultimates so hes only a prince.

[jeffers]

I effin' hate joe mad. He's like that hot girl in high school that'd flirt with you, then tell you she only thinks of you as a friend.

(In case anyone was wondering, her name was Erica...)

I'M STILL WAITING FOR BATTLE CHASERS, YOU $%#$^#!

:man:

[doboy1]

I effin' hate joe mad. He's like that hot girl in high school that'd flirt with you, then tell you she only thinks of you as a friend.

(In case anyone was wondering, her name was Erica.
I'M STILL WAITING FOR BATTLE CHASERS, YOU $%#$^#!

:man:ME TO DAGNABIT AND METABARONS TRAVIS CHAREST GET OFF YOUR ASS AND DRAW!death to the slow kings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!