REVIEW: ‘The Ultimates’ Issue #2

The Ultimates #2 is published by Marvel Comics through their new Ultimate Universe imprint. It was written by Deniz Camp, with art by Juan Frigeri, colors by Federico Blee, and letters by Travis Lanham. In the latest issue, the Ultimates lead an assault on the White House, hoping to take out the American president within this universe. But that will not be as easy as they thought.

The Ultimates #2 has a drastic plot that denotes the pressure the heroes are under. The Ultimates have just 16 months left to gather their forces and prepare for the Marker’s return, so urgency is key. So, whilst seeing an attack on the White House within the second issue is surprising, the direct approach is understandable. Camp manages to tell dozens of stories simultaneously, with varying degrees of specificity. There is the present-day assault, which is fast-paced and dramatic. What they find in the Oval Office is unexpected and unnerving.

As The Ultimates #2 is so early in the run, it manages to simultaneously confront such a colossal figure and obscure their identity. It is genius and playfully infuriating, never getting deep enough to reveal the truth. And beneath the White House is something else. It’s a profound scene that also features an intense brawl.

There is also a history of the new Ultimate Universe that briefly unfolds before our eyes. Captain America enters a chamber that gives him the history of the United States, starting from when he disappeared. There are dozens of possible stories presented through a montage. It shows the depth of the world and how much the writers have barely scratched the surface. Characters have appeared and disappeared, notable names that the Maker has either reasoned with or likely annihilated. Every event could be expanded into a whole series, let alone a page.

There is a slightly smaller team present within The Ultimates #2. With Thor still weakened, it falls to Captain America, Iron Lad, Wasp, and Giant Man to invade the White House. More specifically, The Ultimates #2 focuses on Tony and Steve as they face the villain in the heart of the building. They aren’t great at working with each other but are improving by the issue.

Iron Lad is immature and easy to get goaded into attacking or falling into a trap. However, Captain America’s inherent strategic mind is presenting itself, too. He can be considered slightly mentally unstable, constantly repeating, “Have to save America.” It is a mantra that drives him forward, but it is also concerning when it is said over and over. The villain is fascinating, and the monologues they deliver demonstrate their personalities even when so much of them remain obscure.

The art is sensational. There is an incredible amount of detail in every panel. All of the Ultimates largely resemble their Earth-616 counterparts but with differences that make them distinct. The villain is in a very familiar piece of tech, which hides their true identity entirely apart from their eyes. It’s a design that makes them bulky and imposing. The fight is physical and visceral, destroying the environment with every below.

The carnage causes the discovery of a character presented in such a beautiful fashion. The clues are subtle enough for the reveal to be a tremendous surprise. This issue is not as ruthless as Ultimates #1, but some brutal beatings still exist.

The art in the montage where Captain America is seen exemplifies remarkable storytelling. These moments do not contain words, instead relying solely on visuals to suggest what happened at those points in time. Whole cities and scenarios are crafted for a single panel, and Frigeri’s ability to quickly convey entire potential storylines is exceptional.

The colors draw out the chaos and prominence of the crazier moments. The heroes and villains are rightly covered in bright shades, with red visible on almost all of them. But around them, everywhere else, the world looks normal. During the fight scenes, the background is a splash of orange, creating the illusion of fire. It also centres the action, removing distractions behind the battle. The lettering is the same as found across the Ultimate Universe books, which is uniform and clear.

The Ultimates #2 expands the world without showing all of its cards. The comic reveals just enough to make the reader demand more. The action drives the story, making it fast-paced and exciting, with the montage giving glimpses into a history that we may never get more info on. The rebooting of the universe allows some of the newer characters within Marvel Comics to be represented in alternate realities, leading to further surprises. The villain is magnificent, and some of the reveals are phenomenal.

The Ultimates #2 knows when to say a lot and nothing at all.

The Ultimates #2 is available where comics are sold.