REVIEW: ‘Ultimates’ Issue #3

Ultimates #3 is published by Marvel Comics through its new Ultimate Universe imprint, written by Deniz Camp, art by Juan Frigeri, colours by Federico Blee and letters by Travis Lanham. The Ultimates head to an island that has been transformed by gamma radiation, horrific consequences of Bruce Banner’s bomb.

This story may be set within an alternate reality of a fictional world, but it is absolutely rooted in the real one. On the surface level, the comic continues to try and build an army that can side with the Ultimates and depose the Maker. There’s a fantastic fight against gamma-irradiated monsters and some humorous moments too. But beneath all that is a story about how indigenous populations have their lives and landscapes ruined by colonisers. How they are lied to and abused and are left to deal with the ruthless ramifications.

The pace slows down within Ultimates #3 to accentuate the horror of what happened. The comic’s opening is inquisitive but quickly becomes disturbing and uncomfortable. Camp takes this corner of the Ultimates universe and tells an expanded story that couldn’t exist in the 616 continuity.

The characters are fascinating, both those that have been seen before and newcomers that come to tell a heartbreaking story. Due to the intense radiation on the island, only Iron Lad, Thor and Sif are capable of stepping foot there, and a contrast of ideals is created between the trio. Thor and Sif are bloodthirsty and willing to slaughter the creatures in a changed landscape. Iron Lad recognises the unique species and wants to study and preserve it. In a series with such a fast pace, it is necessary to slow down and allow the characters to develop themselves further.

Ultimates #3 introduces a whole community of new characters, with some incredibly surprising possible recruits to the Ultimates. Camp takes the name of a superhero and completely overhauls the origin, separating it entirely from the 616 timeline. There are figures that only appear for a panel but are given agonizing and devastating backstories. Each piece of dialogue used to describe what happened to the island after the gamma bombs is a tragedy, drawing out decades of pain and devastation.

The art is as ruthless as the dialogue, slowly revealing the truth. At first, it is easy to believe that the monsters the Ultimates are cutting through are just evolved animals. But the revelations made by Frigeri are a punch to the gut. It instantly creates an unease about every being that exists there. There are injuries and genetic changes that are revoltingly stomach-churning. One in particular is a terrifying twist, the most extreme possibility of what’s on display. There are a couple that are presented as ready for war. And they also look formidable. It’s a distinctive design that has never been attempted before, applying representation that would never have been expected within this series.

The colors are crucial to the story. Green is a prominent shade within this chapter, but the variety in just that color is phenomenal. The initial green that splashes on a young girl’s face early in the comic is almost fluorescent — violent and radioactive. After that, it is much lighter and less intense, as if a more vibrant shade would brighten the mood. The lettering is uniform and consistent, rarely straying from the standard font and size.

Ultimates #3 shows a generation of consequences. The world of the Ultimates has  tried to be slightly closer to reality, which makes the scenes in this issue more horrifying. Although names of real places are censored and hidden, it isn’t hard to tell where Camp gains their inspiration from. It isn’t comfortable to read, with unpleasant character designs and details in the dialogue that make the imagination go to terrifying places. Witnessing these horrors has its ramifications. It makes the reader angry, stirring the emotions more than any fight would ever be able to accomplish. It generates a hatred for the villains of the comic and drives them to want the Ultimates to win their war.

Ultimates #3 is available where comics are sold.