REVIEW: ‘Ultimates’ Issue #5

Ultimates #5 is published by Marvel Comics as part of the new Ultimate Universe. It was written by Deniz Camp, with art by Juan Frigeri, colors by Federico Blee, and letters by Travis Lanham. A lost set of arrows causes Iron Lad to send Captain America to deal with one of the new potential recruits for the Ultimates.

Camp continues to implement profound plots into this series. Like Ultimates #3, a real-world issue has been translated and adapted into the new Ultimate Universe. This time, it is the mistreatment of American Indigenous communities (Cowboys vs Indians) and the destruction of their land by oil corporations. In Marvel terms, that is transformed into Roxxon. These themes laced within the book are powerful to read, developing hatred towards the whole world order within the new planet. And because there is that historical link, it also generates a contempt for the real world.

Ultimates #5 features history repeating itself while also modernising it. This is also an action-led, energetic comic. The pace is rapid. After the setting of the mission, Ultimates #5 becomes a near-constant fight scene with a rapid pace. The structure of the issues is perfect and excellent at both exposition and action. There is a surprising new potential addition to the team that could not be predicted again before reading. It’s allowing the universe to carve its own new history.

The cast is small and brilliantly written. Iron Lad is present initially, but only to set the tone and give Captain America his assignment. It isn’t just information; regret and desperation are also laced into the dialogue. After that, the comic provides space for Captain America and the new Hawkeye. The Ultimates squad may be big, but these small, character-based issues are excellent not just for development, but the monologues from the characters expand the scale of societal matters massively.

The new Hawkeye may have a different name and backstory, but they still have the air and personality that befits that legendary cowl. Hawkeyes are anti-authority and snarky little bastards with a chip on their shoulder and a rebellious point to prove.  This is also a fantastic issue from Captain America’s point of view. It shows that war and peace exist in tandem within him. He can and will fight, but he is excellent at calming down someone scared and angry.

The art is terrific. The fight scene is unbelievable. There is a concept to the standoff that is stuck with for most of the book. It provides an extensive rundown of Hawkeye’s trick arrows, with countless possibilities and visuals. The new Hawkeye has their own design while carrying the same iconography as other characters that have gone by that name. This is an intense, physical issue that celebrates the best parts of each hero. The location perfectly represents the theme and the target of Hawkeye’s anger.

The colors are also fantastic. Captain America and Hawkeye’s vibrant, famous color scheme are key elements. Red, white, blue, and purple have clashed numerous times over the years and are synonymous with those names. Around them, the landscape is sickly, burning in an orange haze that makes the location more hostile and unhealthy. The lettering is excellent, using a font that can be seen across the Ultimate books. Every trick arrow is named with a caption, succinctly summarising what it is about to do.

Ultimates #5 reignites an age-old conflict. This issue has a theme that runs through every part. This theme has been important since the foundations of America and has been present in media and society. The modernisation of that theme can be seen on multiple levels in this issue through sensational writing by Camp.

The concept of using those injustices against Indigenous communities as a form of fighting back through this new universe is exciting and deeply investing. The old Ultimate Universe was known for its connection to realism, and Camp is doing that with even more grittiness than the previous one. However, within remains an exciting sci-fi and superhero story, with a fight scene that excites from start to finish.

Ultimates #5 is available where comics are sold.