When Marvel Comics launched the Ultimate Universe in 2000, the idea was to make characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men more accessible to newer fans. It worked, and while those comics were eventually bogged down in continuity, last year's Ultimate relaunch seemingly set out to start again.
Titles like Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate Black Panther have received rave reviews, but with Jonathan Hickman in charge of this new Ultimate Universe, it's not overly easy to follow at times (particularly when he clearly has a bigger story in mind revolving around The Maker and a new Kang).
Only time will tell where this journey is taking us, but today, we have a glimpse ahead at what's to come for both those and Ultimate X-Men.
Carefully crafted and controlled by the Maker as a world without superheroes, the new Ultimate Universe is now free from its shadowy origins and its future is thrillingly unpredictable!
Across multiple titles set in this new landscape, iconic heroes will emerge, new conflicts erupt, and surprising relationships will be forged. This fresh, albeit complicated, new start for the Marvel mythos is well underway and, according to Marvel Comics, the biggest and boldest storytelling swings still lie ahead.
In Ultimate Spider-Man #5, Jonathan Hickman digs into the secret history of Harry Osborn. How does the heir apparent of Oscorp become a masked vigilante? And what does Green Goblin know of the true status of the world he lives in?
In Ultimate Spider-Man #4-5, Hickman will be joined by acclaimed artist David Messina (Star Wars: The High Republic) with regular series artist Marco Checchetto returning in June's Ultimate Spider-Man #6.
In Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli's Ultimate Black Panther #4, Shuri seizes the throne! With T’Challa missing and presumed dead, Wakanda needs a new leader. Shuri wants war against Ra and Khonshu more than T’Challa ever did, but at what cost? Meanwhile, Black Panther must learn from his new allies, the freedom fighters Killmonger and Storm.
Finally, we'll discover the mysterious Maystorm's origin in Peach Momoko's Ultimate X-Men #3. Mei Igarashi was a regular girl until she discovered her unusual abilities and her hair changed from brown to white. Now, it's time to learn how and why she came to idolize a mysterious freedom fighter in Africa who also harnesses the power of the storm.
Check out the covers for each of these upcoming Ultimate Universe titles below.
ULTIMATE X-MEN #3
Written by PEACH MOMOKO
Art and Cover by PEACH MOMOKO
On Sale 5/15
ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #4
Written by BRYAN HILL
Art and Cover by STEFANO CASELLI
On Sale 5/22
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #5
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by DAVID MESSINA
Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO
On Sale 5/29