It’s a safe bet The Ultimates will be on many short lists for best comics series of the year. Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri have infused the book with social and political elements while revitalizing the notion of Avengers functioning in a world that sees them as terrorists. It’s certainly not all politics, though, as with The Ultimates #6, which was heavy on action and shocking twists. Given the last issue, many are contemplating where the series goes with a major character dead.
Given the chaotic state we were left in with the last issue, The Ultimates #7 opens in a very calm place. Captain America and the Human Torch are taking a stroll through New York on the anniversary of the attack on Stark Tower. Matt Murdock, a priest in this universe, gives a speech to people over the news, although it’s unclear if he’s Daredevil. It gives the entire issue a harrowing feel and acts as a reminder the Ultimates are the bad guys in public perception.
Scenes with various Ultimates characters are intercut with his speech, making this issue a somewhat quieter check-in before the big “Year One” one-shot out next week.
Camp utilizes this in-between-action issue to establish the state of mind of most of these characters. That includes Captain America and Human Torch, who are aware that death and loss are going to ramp up as the war gets more serious. Meanwhile, Wasp and Giant-Man’s delicate situation as newfound heroes is weighing on them. It’s a good check-in that helps establish the emotional and psychological stakes these characters are going through.
Just two dudes chilling.
Credit: Marvel
The most striking scene is in America, which has mostly been untapped since being rescued. Given the public perception of the Ultimates, America’s scene helps give the reader hope that the public could maybe be swayed. It’s a bit of hope at a time in real life when we need it more than ever.
Frigeri does excellent work with mostly dialogue-heavy issues, with standout moments throughout. A double-page splash that forces you to turn the comic, for instance, helps convey the vast magical nature of Thor and Sif’s world. A quick moment for Hawkeye is given some additional excitement thanks to a fun way six panels follow an explosive arrow. Frigeri is also great at busy scenes with many characters, which we get through during protest scenes.
As an ensemble, Ultimates #7 continues to draw out the humanity of these larger-than-life characters. It delivers a reflective and emotionally charged issue, skillfully bridging the gap between action-packed arcs while deepening the psychological stakes of its ensemble. It’s a solid entry in a series that continues to balance spectacle with substance.
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