Creating a new universe is tiresome work, but the Maker doesn’t seem to mind. After he abandoned Earth-616 at the end of Ultimate Invasion #1, the Maker serves as the architect of an entirely new reality. Some heroes are gone, others forever changed, and some are — somehow — the same as they’ve always been.
In Ultimate Invasion #2, Jonathan Hickman, Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair, Joe Caramagna, and Donny Cates introduce a world without superheroes. The Illuminati can’t do anything to stop the Maker’s sinister plans. But what does he expect to do with them?
SPOILERS AHEAD for Ultimate Invasion #2!
Earth-6160 is alive and well, but there are a few key changes. Instead of Tony Stark leading the Iron Man project, Howard has an Iron Man suit of his own. Tony, meanwhile is relegated to the background. The Fantastic Four are mostly dead, the Bifrost has been shattered, and Marvel’s earliest heroes have been relegated to the grave.
Despite seeking to reinvent the Ultimate universe for the modern age, the first half of Ultimate Invasion #2 feels like a gentle reflection on the first years of Earth-616. The issue begins with a reflection on the status of Invaders like Jim Hammond, Bucky Barnes, and Steve Rogers — dead, dead, and inactive. It’s an interesting callback, considering that the presence of Marvel Boy, Nomad, and other heroes on the list were fairly understated in the original Ultimate universe. The same appears to be the case here.
Much of the rest of the issue is dedicated to setting up Howard, Obadiah Stane, and the new Earth-6160. It’s only in the second half that Howard first gets the chance to meet his Maker, who has taken up residence in Latveria. A few modern heroes, like Hulk, Magik, and Sunfire, make their introduction, but their presences are fairly understated. The focus is on the Maker and Howard. Science is at the heart of this new Ultimate universe.
Marvel Comics
The Maker prepares to greet the dignitaries, but his eyes turn to the sky. Good timing. A horde of Avengers fall upon him. Despite the high stakes, it’s hard to tell what’s really happening in this fight. There seems to be a good amount of chaos all around, but there’s little order to it, besides a two-sentence command from one of many Thors.
The first semblance of sense to the fight comes when Obadiah charges at the Avengers. He puts on an impressive fight, but there are too many Avengers. A white Vision phases through his suit, and the suit explodes with Obadiah in it. After the first half of the issue established him so well, it’s almost tragic to see Obadiah fall so soon. He had a lot of potential, and he clearly knew more than what he was letting on. Without him, Howard is left to navigate Ultimate Invasion #2 alone.
While his victory is never shown, the Maker survives the confrontation and recruits Howard to his cause. The Maker is severely injured and healing, but his memory stores have been damaged. He needs Howard to solve the Immortus Engine. After all, Howard is the one who built it.
Marvel Comics
Much as Ultimate Invasion #1 was all about building tension and crafting a mystery, the second issue is set up for the same goals. It’s clear that Hickman has a lot of love for the characters, which is why even the long dialogue-heavy sections feel somehow more compelling than action-packed fighting in the streets of Latveria. This version of Howard is compelling from the start, and his similarity with Tony bleeds through the page. Even the short-lived Obadiah manages to tug at the heartstrings when he finally goes.
Ultimate Invasion #2 is buoyed by excellent coloring that adds dramatic weight to every scene. Dull yellow colors seem to dominate this world, giving a dry palette for a universe that always feels right on the edge of wrong. A touch of light and blue appears only when the heroes strike or when the Immortus Engine offers a tantalizing means to cure a broken world. It blends nicely with Bryan Hitch’s dramatic pencils. There’s nothing more welcome in comics than when art perfectly complements the themes of a story, and that’s exactly the case throughout this issue.
Marvel Comics
The mystery of the Maker’s schemes continues. Even now that his plans have wrought an entire universe, his overall purpose seems to be hidden in intrigue. He has chosen a few superheroes to remain active, and he has even gone out of the way to save Earth-6160’s Reed Richards. Every word of Ultimate Invasion #2 begs to be picked apart and promises a world of secrets between every line. It rewards surface-level reading as well as deep dives, which is a nice touch that offers something for every single reader.
If there is any flaw to Ultimate Invasion as a whole, it’s that the series isn’t progressing particularly quickly. There are only two issues left before Ultimate Invasion is over, and Marvel reintroduces the Ultimate universe. It could very well lead to some rushed or incomplete groundwork in the future if the pace doesn’t pick up slightly to fully establish this new universe.
Ultimate Invasion #2 offers a fresh look at a world built by a supervillain’s hand. Anyone not already immersed in the Maker’s story may find it difficult to keep up, but the excellent art and characterization should be enough to keep all viewers entertained. As the rebirth of the Ultimate universe charges on, Ultimate Invasion continues to thrill.
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