The news we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. As part of Marvel’s Next Big Thing panel, fans received the first real look at what Jonathan Hickman’s new Ultimate Universe looks like – and it is immense!
As we know already, events have begun with the release of Ultimate Invasion, now wrapped, and will continue into Ultimate Universe #1 on sale in November 2023.
However, the initial slate of titles post-Universe has also been unveiled, along with a star-studded cast of creators bringing these new and exciting stories to life.
Ultimate Universe #1
From the brilliant minds of Jonathan Hickman (Ultimate Invasion, G.O.D.S.) and Stefano Caselli (X-Men Red, Hack/Slash) comes the opening salvo in the adventures of Earth-6160.
Following the (mis-)adventures of characters like Thor, Lady Sif, Reed Richards and more, you need to read this one-shot if you want to know what the wonderful minds at Marvel are cooking up in this new universe.
This title goes on sale November 1st, so get your pre-orders in!
Ultimate Spider-Man #1
Without exaggeration, the announcement that everyone was waiting for – we finally have new details on Ultimate Spider-Man.
We’ve known since the pre-announcement that Hickman and Marco Checchetto (Daredevil) will be taking over the reins of the title, but outside of that we were in the dark.
Now, we have a release date. Issue #1 drops January 10th 2024.
More than that though, Hickman gave some hints as to what to expect from the series. Inspired by the depiction of Peter B. Parker in Into the Spider-Verse, this universes Peter Parker will be learning how to be a friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man much later in life. In his mid-life, in fact.
Teases of the Symbiote-suited Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099 and even Ben Reilly were dropped as part of the announcement, so fans have lots to look forward to.
Ultimate Black Panther #1
Stefano Caselli won’t be stopping at drawing Ultimate Universe, as once he wraps on that it’s straight over to Ultimate Black Panther. There he will be joined by prior Black Panther writer Bryan Edward Hill (Blade, HBO Max’s Titans, Fallen Angels).
The series will debuted on February 7th, and will follow the Black Panther as a foreign adversary comes to Wakanda will designs to conquer. Marvel’s official description can be found below:
‘In the wake of ULTIMATE INVASION, Khonshu and Ra—the force known together as Moon Knight—are seeking to expand their brutal control of the continent of Africa. In response, the lone bulwark against them, the isolated nation of Wakanda, will send forth its champion…its king…the Black Panther!’
NYCC 2023: Marvel Comics Reveals a New Ultimate Universe, Marvel.com
Hickman also teased that an Ultimate Moon Knight series would be joining this new Ultimate Universe of titles later in the year. If that interests you, make sure you read this book as crucial building blocks will be laid down in this series.
Ultimate X-Men #1
As if the new Ultimate Universe couldn’t get more exciting, Marvel finished by unveiling the new Ultimate X-Men series. This time, it will be written and drawn by superstar artist Peach Momoko (Demon Days).
The series will release on March 6th where ‘Visionary creator Peach Momoko reinvents mutantkind for the Ultimate age’. The story will centre on Hiskao Ichiki, a.k.a. Armour, as she comes into her powers. The events of the series will follow her as she learns how to control these abilities, while also discovering an array of young, new mutants just like her.
What’s more, Momoko has already confirmed that she’s been developing entirely new characters as part of her series, so look out for this gorgeously illustrated, highly imaginative work next year.
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