The Ultimates is the kind of series I relish reading because you never know what you’ll get. That’s partly because every issue takes place a full month after the last, giving it a real-world feel. It’s also because writer Deniz Camp and artist Juan Frigeri take big swings in character reveals or revelations about the new Ultimate Universe. Case in point, the Ultimate Guardians of the Galaxy make their debut in The Ultimates #8!
The Ultimates #8 takes a very big swing when it comes to Marvel cosmic, and while it’s by way of a lot of exposition, there’s some showing as well. By the end of the issue, we get a ton of ideas, many of which are tied to Marvel’s 616 universe, which will have your imagination running wild.
The issue opens with the Ultimates waiting in a cornfield for what a Doombot knows is a temporal event. Very early on, this leads to the Guardians of the Galaxy showing up, demanding America come with them as she is one of their members. This naturally delves into a hero vs. hero situation, which the Doombot figuratively rolls its eyes at. A nice nod from Camp and Frigeri about how these things always seem to happen in comics.
A motley crew.
Credit: Marvel
This battle allows for each member of the Guardians of the Galaxy to show off their powers. Camp and Frigeri do an excellent job showing how advanced their power set is, along with some unfamiliar ideas at work. Once again, this series gives us fresh ideas on old superhero tropes.
Aside from dancing along the history of the Guardians of the Galaxy, this issue also teases the inevitable fate of the Ultimates. It’s not looking good, further raising the stakes as there are only 10 more months until The Maker returns.
There is also some interesting relationship stuff going on with America, although it’s a bit thin due to her memory loss. Camp dances around it nicely as America since there was a lover there, with a full reveal in the visuals as well, but any sense of lost love or romanticism isn’t quite reached. One other minor gripe is the cliffhanger, which is vague as far as its purpose. One can make guesses, but it’s unclear what Doom may be thinking.
The Ultimates #8 is a bold and imaginative issue that continues to expand the new Ultimate Universe with inventive storytelling, exciting character dynamics, and high-stakes developments. While it occasionally stumbles in its exposition and emotional depth, it remains a compelling read for fans of Marvel cosmic storytelling and anyone looking for a fresh twist on familiar superhero conventions.
You must be logged in to post a comment.