REVIEW: ‘Ultimates’ Issue 14

Ultimates Issue 14 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Deniz Camp, art by Juan Frigeri, colors by Federico Blee, and letters by Travis Lanham.

This is part of the new Ultimate Universe. Captain America and Hawkeye face new, powerful weapons: Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.

Ultimates Issue 14 highlights two new features that have recently emerged in this world. The criminal organizations are beginning to come together, working alongside each other against the power of the Ultimates. Roxxon, Alchemax, A.I.M., even the Hellfire Club. It makes each battle harder because there are so many surprises around the corner. The structure of the series means that every chapter is an entirely different adventure, with a specific mission that introduces new characters more than it explores the personalities of the existing ones.

Every part of Ultimates Issue 14 feels like a trap. This is not the most powerful duo in the squad, and Hawkeye is a hothead who leaps before thinking. There are two halves to this issue: Hawkeye and Captain America against regular Roxxon goons, and then a two-on-two fight against Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and gets surprisingly brutal and violent. Finding ways to survive in this universe often requires resorting to harsh and ruthless tactics.

Ultimates Issue 14 is a clear homage to Avengers Issue 16. The classic comic marked the first time the Avengers lineup changed, playfully known as “Cap’s Kooky Quartet,” which took over. Those four were Captain America, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver. This issue, therefore, relives those characters but on a whole new Earth.

Despite new origins, especially in the case of Hawkeye, there are similarities with their counterparts on Earth-616. Cap is a terrific strategist, but perhaps more eager to resort to brutal methods to achieve victory. It pains him terribly to do so, but he sees the way out and takes it.

Hawkeye is cocky and brash, but is an entirely different person from Clint Barton, a descendant of the Lakota community. The Maximoffs, Pietro and Wanda, are reflective of how they appear in the early stages of the MCU. They’re scientific experiments, weapons to be used by evil masters. Pietro already has a fierce protectiveness over his sister.

Wanda is the most silent character in Ultimates Issue 14, but it’s fascinating that her powers are reflective of their classic iteration. Her hexes are based on random events and bad luck for their target, instead of immense reality warping. Regarding the villains, there’s a large selection of nefarious figures sitting in a boardroom. The most notable of these faces is Emma Frost, whom Camp writes as her most manipulative and dangerous.

The art is fantastic, recreating all of the characters in intriguing ways. Apart from Cap, the other three metahumans in Ultimates Issue 14 show their youthfulness. Frigeri illustrates them as very young, not much older than teenagers. This makes the battle more dramatic as it becomes increasingly dangerous and lethal. Quicksilver, in particular, looks like a scared little boy, as Scarlet Witch has wild hair.

But it makes Cap and Hawkeye look tremendously outmatched, with Quicksilver tapping them in a circle or speed and Scarlet Witch causing chaos. It’s terrific to see two figures who once fought now fighting back-to-back, and the action looks incredible. Emma Frost and many of the other characters in the boardroom resemble their original designs. Emma is bright, beautiful, and powerful, instantly taking charge of the room when she walks in.

The colors are also superb in Ultimates Issue 14. There is a realism to the world around the characters, characterized by beige and gray tones. The life and energy come from the heroes and villains. Their costumes are rich, but not too vibrant as to become overpowering in a world that is stretching how grounded it is. Scarlet Witch has the brightest radiance of all the characters. The intense red and the stark white of Emma Frost’s outfit are among the most captivating and striking aspects of the whole comic. The lettering is the standard font for the entire Ultimate line of comics, which is formal and easy to read.

Ultimates Issue 14 is a terrific example of the strengths of this world. It allows for new versions of old characters to tell refreshing stories. They utilize existing notions of these figures to reshape the plot completely. It’s been a long time since Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver were kids in the mainstream universe. Here they are, volatile, new, and uncontrollable. This issue isn’t revolutionary in propelling the whole plot forward. Still, it’s always fascinating to see how every chapter presents a new, intelligent idea and introduces new players to this game of survival.

Ultimates Issue 14 is available now wherever comics are sold.