Ultimates 2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ultimates 2 | |
 Cover to The Ultimates 2 #1. Art by Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary. |
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| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
|---|---|
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | December 2004 - May 2007 |
| Number of issues | 13 |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Mark Millar |
| Penciller(s) | Bryan Hitch |
| Inker(s) | Paul Neary |
Ultimates 2 is a 13-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics, the second installment in the Ultimates series. Though ostensibly a monthly series, it was beset by delays. The first issue of the new series was ranked second in comic sales for that month.[1] It is written by Mark Millar and illustrated by penciler Bryan Hitch and inker Paul Neary.
Contents |
[edit] Publication History
The series debuted in December 2004 and was completed in May 2007.
Millar stated in Pop Culture Shock that this arc reflected contemporary issues, ranging from hyper-powered countries like the USA, preemptive strikes, the rising world-wide anti-American sentiment in the wake of the Neo-Conservative Bush Doctrine, and the "rogue nation" classification and the fear of backlash in form of nuclear Armageddon. Millar said: "In the name of oil, this administration is stirring up a hornet's nest . . . . My own belief is that there'll be a couple of nuclear attacks in the States, the multinationals will move elsewhere, the American economy will completely collapse and make the 30s look like the 80s and the Middle East will be occupied by drafted teenagers from your home town. . . . I hope I'm completely and utterly wrong."[2]
Bryan Hitch has described completing the final issue of Ultimates 2 by saying, "The bane of my life for the last five years is gone from my day to day routine." He describes the job as difficult, but stated that no prior job in his then-twenty years in the business was "so creatively rewarding, so time-consuming and so fulfilling".[3]
[edit] Plot
[edit] "Gods and Monsters" (Ultimates 2 #1-6)
This volume's stories take place one year after the end of The Ultimates volume 1.
After Captain America rescues some American hostages in Iraq, there are widespread concerns that the Ultimates will be used to support American foreign policy, specifically in the Middle East. Thor resigns from the team and becomes one of their most vocal opponents, claiming that the United States is establishing an expansionist empire similar to the Roman Empire. Despite repeated denials from members of the team, the volume ends with news reports of them disarming a Middle Eastern nation.
Meanwhile, the public learns that the Hulk, who went on a rampage killing hundreds of people in the first miniseries, is Dr. Banner, a member of the Ultimates program, causing a massive PR disaster. Captain America suspects that Banner's identity was leaked to the media by Thor, but Thor denies this. A public trial results in a death sentence for Bruce Banner, who is sedated and left aboard an aircraft carrier with a nuclear bomb. Hank Pym, in charge of the sedation, later receives a call from Banner, far across the world, thanking him, much to Pym's surprise.
Days later, Thor is videotaped defending anti-war protesters from brutal Italian riot police. Following the incident, the Ultimates are contacted by Gunnar Golmen of the Norwegian branch of the European Defense Initiative, who reveals that Thor is an escaped mental patient whose incredible powers come from experimental weapons which he stole from a government lab. The Ultimates, faced with a rogue hero running free through the world, assemble an international team to apprehend him. Throughout the massive battle, Thor blames his half-brother Loki, whom he accuses of manufacturing evidence to deceive the Ultimates. The team ignores Thor's pleas and after a grueling battle apprehends and imprisons him in a Triskelion cell. "Gunnar Golmen" visits him, taunting him from the other side of his cell and revealing himself as Loki, but it is still unclear at this point whether Thor is in fact delusional.
Having attacked and severely injured his wife Janet in Ultimates 1 because he believed she was having an affair with Captain America, Hank Pym is no longer a member of the Ultimates. He now moonlights as a member of the hapless vigilante group, the Defenders, while developing prototype designs for his Ultron robots. He attempts to market them to Nick Fury, who is unwilling to associate with Pym. Fury's rebuff and Pym's disastrous career as a Defender prompt him to start seeking out alternate employment with the Ultimate traitor who shares his distaste for the Ultimates.
[edit] "Grand Theft America" (Ultimates 2 #7-13)
Thor remains imprisoned, despite a massive protest outside the Triskelion, proclaiming his innocence. Inside, Thor converses with Tony Stark, warning him that there is a traitor within the Ultimates. Bruce Banner is presumed dead following the successful detonation of the nuclear device.
One night Clint Barton and his wife Laura, following a dinner party with Jan, Steve, Pietro and Wanda, are ambushed by armed men in their home, who kill Laura and the children and capture Hawkeye. Based on video surveillance, Captain America is arrested and imprisoned in the Triskelion. Days later, following Captain America's arrest, the Triskelion is attacked by a massive invasion force. New York City and Washington D.C. are likewise invaded. Despite the Ultimates' best efforts, their ranks have been depleted, and the Reserves are outclassed by the invading forces. The invading force is named the Liberators, a supervillain alliance composed of recruits and funding from rival countries of the United States: Syria, North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran, reinforced with human infantry in specially augmented suits. The Ultimates traitor is revealed as Black Widow, who captured Hawkeye and extracted enough information from his mind to override the various security systems of the Ultimates. Hank Pym, previously approached by the Liberators to betray the Ultimates, is tasked with maintaining order, in the form of his Ultron robots.
The Liberators round up members of the United States government, S.H.I.E.L.D., the Ultimates and assorted American superhero teams. Captain America escapes from the Triskelion with Wasp, Hawkeye escapes from his interrogators, and the three converge onto the White House, where they free the other Ultimates and instigate an immediate counter-offensive against the occupying invaders. The Liberators, many of whom are engineered doppelgangers of existing Ultimates, are gradually dispatched. A super soldier task force from the European Union appears on American soil and frees Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four, all of whom resist the Liberator occupation in New York City. As the tide turns Hank Pym orders his Ultron robots to turn against the Liberators.
With the Ultimates and their allies on the verge of victory, Loki reveals his true self and threatens retaliation. The Scarlet Witch summons Thor, his injuries healed, and he attacks Loki. The two do battle across Washington D.C. before Loki summons a massive inter-dimensional army of trolls, giants and monsters from Norse mythology that forces the Ultimates into a retreat. Moments later, clenched together in battle, Thor reveals he brought backup as well. The skies light up with a rainbow bridge and an army of Asgardian warriors join the battle. With the combined might of the Ultimates and their Asgardian reinforcements, Loki's army is defeated and the Trickster himself is sent to Odin for judgment. Following this, the Ultimates break away from S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hank Pym is arrested for his involvement with the Liberators.
[edit] Reception
Ultimates 2 #1 was ranked second in comic sales for December 2004 period with pre-order sales of 146,271. New Avengers #1 with pre-order sales of 240,724 came first for that period.[4]
Lance Eaton from curledup.com reviewed the first story arc Gods and Monsters. He praises Millar's writing of the classic heroes and the "inclusion of current-day politics" improves the storyline.[5]
The final issue of the series #13 was ranked 13 in the Top 300 comics for May 2007 with pre-order sales of 105,745.[6]
Kevin Powers from comicsbulletion.com reviewed the final issue #13 but found it anti-climatic with the issue degenerating to a "slug fest". The artwork was praised with the reviewer stating that Bryan Hitch's "artwork has definitely been one of the main elements that will make this series memorable." [7] Similarly Robert Mclaughlin from denofgeek.com praised the artwork, with "Bryan Hitch doing some of the best work of his career". He was critical of the Millar's writing stating it had "no substance".[8]
[edit] Collections
The series has been collected in 2 trade paperbacks and 1 hardcover.
[edit] Trade paperbacks
| Ultimates 2 Vol. 1: Gods And Monsters | (ISBN 0-7851-1093-3) | collects Ultimates 2 #1-6 |
| Ultimates 2 Vol. 2: Grand Theft America | (ISBN 0-7851-1790-3) | collects Ultimates 2 #7-13 |
[edit] Hardcover
| Ultimates 2 | (ISBN 9780785121381 ) | collects Ultimates 2 #1-13 and Ultimates 2 #1 Variant Sketch Edition |
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ^ Top 300 Comics Actual--December 2004. icv2.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ Estrella, Ernie. Mark Millar Interview. popcultureshock.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ Ong Pang Kean, Benjamin (2006-11-12). HITCH: DONE WITH ULTIMATES 2 #13. Newsarama. Retrieved on 2008-04-08.
- ^ Top 300 Comics Actual--December 2004. icv2.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ Eaton, Lance. Ultimates 2, Volume 1: Gods & Monsters. curledup.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ Top 300 Comics Actual--May 2007. icv2.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ Powers, Kevin. Ultimates 2 #13. Comics Bulletin. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ Mclaughlin, Robert. Ultimates 13: Review. denofgeek.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
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