| The Ultimates | |
|---|---|
 Cover for The Ultimates #13. Art by Bryan Hitch. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Genre | Superhero |
| Publication date | March 2002 - April 2004 |
| Number of issues | 13 |
| Main character(s) | Ultimates Ultimate Nick Fury Chitauri |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Mark Millar |
| Artist(s) | Bryan Hitch |
| Inker(s) | Andrew Currie |
| Letterer(s) | Chris Eliopoulos |
| Collected editions | |
| The Ultimates Vol. 1: Super-Human | ISBN 0-7851-0960-9 |
| The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security | ISBN 0-7851-1078-X |
| The Ultimates | ISBN 0-7851-1082-8 |
The Ultimates is a thirteen-issue comic book limited series written by Mark Millar with art by Bryan Hitch. The series introduces the superhero team the Ultimates and was published by the Ultimate Marvel imprint of Marvel Comics.
Contents |
Publication history
Ultimates #1 debuted in February 2002 (cover date March 2002), and running for thirteen issues.
Bryan Hitch describes his Ultimates work as "widescreen, cinematic compositions" and has expressed his interest of translating his work for movies. This miniseries was affected by delays and the artist admits to having to work hard to recover from reputation as a slow artist after his work on the first Ultimates series stating "‘Cause I think people still now see me as an unreliable artist." [1]
Plot synopsis
General Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. establishes a strike force of government-sponsored metahumans which includes Captain America; scientist couple Henry and Janet Pym (Giant-Man and the Wasp); Bruce Banner (the Hulk) and Tony Stark (Iron Man). Together they are based at the S.H.I.E.L.D facility, the Triskelion. When Banner injects himself with the super-soldier serum and goes on a bloody rampage as the Hulk, he is eventually stopped by the other metahumans with the aid of Thor. The team then join forces with the mutants Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch and agents Hawkeye and Black Widow against the alien shape-shifters the Chitauri, who are defeated.
Awards and nominations
Mark Millar was nominated for the 2002 and 2004 Wizard Fan Award for "Favorite Writer" for his work on The Ultimates.
Bryan Hitch was nominated for the 2003 Harvey Award for "Best Artist"[2] and 2002 and 2003 Wizard Fan Award for "Favorite Artist." Bryan Hitch and Andrew Currie were nominated for the 2003 Eisner Award for "Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team."[3]
Letterer Chris Eliopoulos won the 2002 and 2003 Wizard Fan Award for "Favorite Letterer."
Collected editions
| The Ultimates Vol. 1: Super-Human | (ISBN 0-7851-0960-9) | collects Ultimates #1-6 |
| The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security | (ISBN 0-7851-1078-X) | collects Ultimates #7-13 |
| The Ultimates (Hardcover) | (ISBN 0-7851-1082-8) | collects Ultimates #1-13 |
Sequels
The series was followed by two sequels The Ultimates 2 and The Ultimates 3. These are now followed by Ultimate Comics: Avengers and New Ultimates.
Adaptations
The Ultimates was loosely adapted into two animated films, Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers 2.
Reception
Keith Dallas from comicsbulletin.com in the review of the "Homeland Security" story arc states the artwork is "visual magnificence" however is concerned about the dark writing of the characters stripped of their "super-heroic nobility" and was "disheartened by the book’s tone and cynicism". [4] Kevin Forest Moreau gave this story arc 4.2 out of 5.0 stating it is an "engaging read, filled with intriguing and amusing modern takes on classic Marvel characters" whilst praising Bryan Hitch's artwork by saying it is "amazing, gorgeous artwork, which continues to set the standard for cinematic photo-realism." [5]
See also
- Ultimates
- The Ultimates 2
- Tomorrow Men
- Triskelion Headquarters(UltimateS(Marvel Comics)
References
- ^ Encarnacion, Jonathan. "The Concepts Behind Bryan Hitch". silverbulletcomics.com. http://silverbulletcomics.com/news/story.php?a=569. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ^ 2003 Harvey Award Nominees
- ^ 2003 Eisner Comic Industry Awards announced
- ^ Dallas, Keith. "The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security TPB". comisbulletin.com. http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/108445861133829.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ Moreau, Kevin Forest. "The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security TPB". comisbulletin.com. http://www.shakingthrough.net/comics/reviews/2004/ultimates_volume_2_2004.html. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
External links
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Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Ultimates |
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