Basically, instead of allowing the Ultimate Universe to grow to the point where it becomes as complex as the regular universe and creates a kind of Earth-1 / Earth-2 situation, you could use the Ultimate imprint as a vehicle for literally any re-imagining of classic characters that a writer and artist can come up with, completely free of the constraints of continuity (unlike even the What If?s which usually followed continuity up until a point). These could last an issue, months, or even years depending upon how long it takes to tell a story and how long someone is willing to commit.
It's exactly like what DC does with Elseworlds, except on a monthly schedule.
Why mess up a proven success? Nothing stops Marvel doing this, but why would they do it with Ultimates when it is already successful as is?
What you want is multiple issue What Ifs. What if... Superman landed in Russia? If Marvel do more of that I'd be thrilled, but there is room for both that AND the Ultimate line, they aren't mutually exclusive.
Ultimate Universe = ongoing, rebooted versions of classic characters for a new audience. Elseworlds = What If style miniseries. Same basic concept, entirely different purposes.
If it were going to end, I'd rather each of the titles get happy endings with epilogues showing what happens to Peter/the mutants/the Ultimates in the years to come than watch everything go off in a universe-wide bang.
Also, I liked this a bit.
If this is the case, then maybe my theory is correct- revamp the Ultimate Universe so therefore every time a new writer comes on board, they can create their own versions of certain characters. Spider-Man would be exempt, at least until Bendis leaves (on the day of the 12th of Never)
It's only a matter of time before the Ultimate Universe becomes mired in its own continuity just like the 616 universe, thereby defeating part of its own reason for existing.
This idea, however, is perfectly sustainable and will never be subject to that fault.
The thing is, do you think serious readers (the ones who read for a long enough time to be able to deal with more than a year of continuity) are going to bother getting into the 2nd or 3rd Ultimate universes if it's all going to get wiped out and repeated every couple of years? Are we going to have to have origin stories for Spider-Man and all his villains every 5 years? Or will they skips origins and we'll just be getting wildly different versions of characters every now and then for no particular reason?
I don't think they can successfully run the Ultimate line on the basis of tons of new readers with a one-writer attention span.
All of this ground has more or less been covered by DC's Elseworlds line.
All the Elseworlds I've seen are basically one-shots, like Marvel's What Ifs. I don't really see a comparison to Ultimate, unless maybe the All Star books are taking place in the same universe.
You've never seen Kingdom Come or Red Son?
Or Justice?
Yea, those are all short stories. They're not large universes spanning half a dozen different books, and going on for years at a time.
I think I'd read an ongoing title that takes place in the Kingdom Come universe. In fact, I'd be really interested if DC did an Ultimate universe type thing. Being a newcomer to DC comics, it would be perfect for me, and it wouldn't be bogged down in the sometimes convoluted continuity of the main DC universe.
Comic Book Resources sat down with J. Michael Straczynski for a talk on The Twelve, Marvel's Golden-Age mini-series alternative to Avengers/Invaders. Had preview pages from the first three issues, a few along with the expanded first issue's cover posted below the link.
Incidentally, if you bought the Marvel Previews book this month, there was a two page, fully lettered preview of The Twelve. That last colored page was one of them. Dude in the purple mask was narrating, and apparently he has no powers.
This looks awesome. I'm always up for a look at forgotten characters.
And those costumes are outrageous.
Yep, I think it'll be pretty good in an Annihilation-kind of way. As for who's who on the expanded cover..
The Black Widow - Spirit medium killed after cursing a family only to be brought back to life by the Devil to hook him up with the souls of evildoers. Sports mystical powers including a death-touch. Her secret identity was Claire Voyant. The Blue Blade - Horse-riding, blade-slinging musketeer who apparently enjoys a good breeze considering he only wears a musketeer cape, hat, gloves, boots and shorts. Captain Wonder - College professor turned patriotic anti-Axis hero with the strength of a dozen men thanks to a drug-spill. Had a sidekick called simply Tim. Dynamic Man - Android who's the closest thing to a Marvel-version of Superman when it comes to powers. After his creator died from the excitement of his birth, he decided to join the FBI under the guise of a human, fighting crime as an agent and a superhero. Electro - Super-robot capable of being summoned by either his creator or 11 other men his creator hired to help fight crime and evil. Called into action with special wireless phones given out to the operatives. Fiery Mask - Doctor turned pyro-based superhero thanks to a villain named the Zombie Master overloading a zombification ray on him. Called the closest thing to Green Lantern for Marvel. Laughing Mask - Tweaked-off District Attorney who decided to take the law into his own hands as well as a pair of .45s. Uses a glowing version of the smiling theatrical mask to hide his face though his eagerness to plug any criminal he goes after helps keeps the witness-count low too. Mastermind Excello - Spybuster/trenchcoat-type hero who's strong in mind and body thanks to his telepathy and super-strength. Uses an array of gadgets to keep things interesting such as a triple-propeller pistol and wall-scaling vacu-pads. Mister E - Rich (yet balding) sportsman who decides to fight crime with a typical caped-businessman suit, mask and fedora included. Could be seen as the elder-statesman of the twelve missing heroes due to how old he looks according to artwork for the mini-series. The Phantom Reporter - Hero with the same fashion sense as Mister E but with two separate civilian identities, a cub-reporter being one of them. Could be the Golden Age version of the Manhattan Guardian in that he probably uses his exploits as stories for the paper he works on. Rockman - Hulk/Namor-like hero who's civilian identity is being the leader of an underground civilization below the US. Has super-strength, super-endurance, and super-lack of air from not needing to breath. The Witness - Unusual hero with a sixth sense that alerts him to where and when crimes will take place before they happen but can only watch them occur and not act in any way to prevent them, no matter how bad it may b
Comic Book Resources sat down with J. Michael Straczynski for a talk on The Twelve, Marvel's Golden-Age mini-series alternative to Avengers/Invaders. Had preview pages from the first three issues, a few along with the expanded first issue's cover posted below the link.
Is that supposed to mean Stark couldn't have exhumed the body, or what? You keep pointing that out as though it meant something beyond "they both know where the body is buried".
Is that supposed to mean Stark couldn't have exhumed the body, or what? You keep pointing that out as though it meant something beyond "they both know where the body is buried".
Because he was buried AT SEA with Namor IN THE FUCKING WATER, and NAMOR HIMSELF was like "As long as I'm alive, no one will disturb his rest" or whatever.
If Namor seriously thought that Stark had taken Cap's body out of the Arctic Ocean, he wouldn't be looking like that. He'd be already punching Tony's head off screaming "YOU TOOK CAPTAIN AMERICA'S BODY YOU FUCK".
Is that supposed to mean Stark couldn't have exhumed the body, or what? You keep pointing that out as though it meant something beyond "they both know where the body is buried".
Because he was buried AT SEA with Namor IN THE FUCKING WATER, and NAMOR HIMSELF was like "As long as I'm alive, no one will disturb his rest" or whatever.
If Namor seriously thought that Stark had taken Cap's body out of the Arctic Ocean, he wouldn't be looking like that. He'd be already punching Tony's head off screaming "YOU TOOK CAPTAIN AMERICA'S BODY YOU FUCK".
You guys are awesome.
Rey Del Aguila on
Because you know who SAID you know what with you know who, let's keep that between me and you.
I love the Aftersmash preview because the New Avengers are winning.
"Hey wait, we're the fucking Avengers. Why is Thing 2, Red Bitch, Broody McNineties, and Mini Grey-Hulk winning?"
Then Ben raises his hand to make a point that he's not a New Avenger.
He is promptly told to stop ruining Spidey's banter.
The only problem with the art, off-center nipples aside, is that it's so far removed from the established Ultimates aesthetic. I myself don't have a problem with it so long as it suits the story.
As long as it keeps a regular schedule and gets released as a trade in a decent amount of time I'm willing to forgive it a fair bit. That, and that the treatment of the characters fits the established ultimate versions more than the costume design does.
As long as it keeps a regular schedule and gets released as a trade in a decent amount of time I'm willing to forgive it a fair bit. That, and that the treatment of the characters fits the established ultimate versions more than the costume design does.
Well it looks like they aren't.
Thor is returning to his "Thee and Thou" speech although he never did it in the Ultimate Universe. There's a few more but I'm too lazy to look up the interview.
As long as it keeps a regular schedule and gets released as a trade in a decent amount of time I'm willing to forgive it a fair bit. That, and that the treatment of the characters fits the established ultimate versions more than the costume design does.
Well it looks like they aren't.
Thor is returning to his "Thee and Thou" speech although he never did it in the Ultimate Universe. There's a few more but I'm too lazy to look up the interview.
Actually, I remember reading a while back that the big focus of Ultimates 3 is all about action. Joe Mad is really good at drawing kinetic scenes and that's one of the big reasons he was chosen.
Regardless, I'm going to enjoy it a lot because Joe Mad is probably one of my favorite artists.
Posts
It's exactly like what DC does with Elseworlds, except on a monthly schedule.
What you want is multiple issue What Ifs. What if... Superman landed in Russia? If Marvel do more of that I'd be thrilled, but there is room for both that AND the Ultimate line, they aren't mutually exclusive.
Ultimate Universe = ongoing, rebooted versions of classic characters for a new audience. Elseworlds = What If style miniseries. Same basic concept, entirely different purposes.
Yea, those are all short stories. They're not large universes spanning half a dozen different books, and going on for years at a time.
Unless I've somehow overlooked a Red Son series.
Of course, I could also continue reading DC books and just wiki something/ask Animal/post here if I feel like I'm missing a reference.
Anally.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=12252
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
And those costumes are outrageous.
Yep, I think it'll be pretty good in an Annihilation-kind of way. As for who's who on the expanded cover..
The Black Widow - Spirit medium killed after cursing a family only to be brought back to life by the Devil to hook him up with the souls of evildoers. Sports mystical powers including a death-touch. Her secret identity was Claire Voyant.
The Blue Blade - Horse-riding, blade-slinging musketeer who apparently enjoys a good breeze considering he only wears a musketeer cape, hat, gloves, boots and shorts.
Captain Wonder - College professor turned patriotic anti-Axis hero with the strength of a dozen men thanks to a drug-spill. Had a sidekick called simply Tim.
Dynamic Man - Android who's the closest thing to a Marvel-version of Superman when it comes to powers. After his creator died from the excitement of his birth, he decided to join the FBI under the guise of a human, fighting crime as an agent and a superhero.
Electro - Super-robot capable of being summoned by either his creator or 11 other men his creator hired to help fight crime and evil. Called into action with special wireless phones given out to the operatives.
Fiery Mask - Doctor turned pyro-based superhero thanks to a villain named the Zombie Master overloading a zombification ray on him. Called the closest thing to Green Lantern for Marvel.
Laughing Mask - Tweaked-off District Attorney who decided to take the law into his own hands as well as a pair of .45s. Uses a glowing version of the smiling theatrical mask to hide his face though his eagerness to plug any criminal he goes after helps keeps the witness-count low too.
Mastermind Excello - Spybuster/trenchcoat-type hero who's strong in mind and body thanks to his telepathy and super-strength. Uses an array of gadgets to keep things interesting such as a triple-propeller pistol and wall-scaling vacu-pads.
Mister E - Rich (yet balding) sportsman who decides to fight crime with a typical caped-businessman suit, mask and fedora included. Could be seen as the elder-statesman of the twelve missing heroes due to how old he looks according to artwork for the mini-series.
The Phantom Reporter - Hero with the same fashion sense as Mister E but with two separate civilian identities, a cub-reporter being one of them. Could be the Golden Age version of the Manhattan Guardian in that he probably uses his exploits as stories for the paper he works on.
Rockman - Hulk/Namor-like hero who's civilian identity is being the leader of an underground civilization below the US. Has super-strength, super-endurance, and super-lack of air from not needing to breath.
The Witness - Unusual hero with a sixth sense that alerts him to where and when crimes will take place before they happen but can only watch them occur and not act in any way to prevent them, no matter how bad it may b
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
How about he just gets Thor #4 out this year?
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/006249372.cfm
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
After all the shit Tony has pulled, I'd pretty much be asking "Did you dig up your best friend?"
Except that Namor was the one to help bury him at sea.
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
Because he was buried AT SEA with Namor IN THE FUCKING WATER, and NAMOR HIMSELF was like "As long as I'm alive, no one will disturb his rest" or whatever.
If Namor seriously thought that Stark had taken Cap's body out of the Arctic Ocean, he wouldn't be looking like that. He'd be already punching Tony's head off screaming "YOU TOOK CAPTAIN AMERICA'S BODY YOU FUCK".
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
You guys are awesome.
Ultimates 3 #1
WWH Aftersmash
Marvel Zombies 2 #2
Avengers: The Initiative" #7, "Captain Marvel" #1, "Ghost Rider" #17, "Nova" #8, "Thor" #4 and "Wolverine" #59
Amazing Spider-Girl" #14, "House of M: Avengers" #1, "Iron Man and Power Pack" #1, "Marvel Comics Presents" #3, "Spider-Man/Red-Sonja" #4, "Ultimate Fantastic Four" #48 and "X-Men: Die by the Sword" #3
So yeah, it looks like the Marvel Universe isn't going to be long without a Goliath, and the new one is Bill Foster's nephew.
Okay... mainstream comics.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
"Hey wait, we're the fucking Avengers. Why is Thing 2, Red Bitch, Broody McNineties, and Mini Grey-Hulk winning?"
Then Ben raises his hand to make a point that he's not a New Avenger.
He is promptly told to stop ruining Spidey's banter.
Also I'm not sure on Ultimates
Anally.
Thor is returning to his "Thee and Thou" speech although he never did it in the Ultimate Universe. There's a few more but I'm too lazy to look up the interview.
Actually, I remember reading a while back that the big focus of Ultimates 3 is all about action. Joe Mad is really good at drawing kinetic scenes and that's one of the big reasons he was chosen.
Regardless, I'm going to enjoy it a lot because Joe Mad is probably one of my favorite artists.