There’s a betrayer amongst the Ultimates, but it could be anyone, given how most are strangers, and one is called Doom. In a rebalancing issue, Ultimates #12 forces the team to reconsider their approach with only six months until The Maker returns. Now that Iron Lad is back and fully healed, this motley crew can certainly pull off a plan to defy all the odds, right?
There’s good reason to believe the Ultimates are in a bad place based on how Ultimates #12 opens. First, we get a scene with Fury, who works for The Maker as was seen in a one-shot last year, and second, we see the entire team ripped to shreds. It’s a good way to remind folks of the stakes in play and the looming for this team. They may all be familiar to readers, but aren’t as seasoned as their 616 counterparts.
It probably doesn’t help that Iron Lad, aka Tony Stark, appears in his mid-20s. He’s the leader and drives the conversation concerning the nightmare deaths these characters endure in their nightmares. As it turns out, that nightmare may be more real than they think, with Doom knowing truths and revealing them to the team.
Doesn’t look good for our team.
Credit: Marvel
This issue is a refreshing take on the team meeting because Iron Lad and the team aren’t pointing fingers, but simply trying to find the best solution to their ongoing problem of not getting an edge. It’s refreshing, and will take you off guard as much as it does Doom.
There are also many gruesome deaths, rendered wonderfully by Juan Frigeri. Given this is a comic of heroes talking amongst themselves in a single room, Frigeri keeps you invested. That’s aided by nods to details that’ll matter later, or nods to characters of the past like Bucky. The level of detail is stunning, especially when you consider Frigeri has drawn most of this twelve-issue run.
Regarding where we go from here, this issue leaves off in a vague place. We know the threat looming, but as far as answers, the team doesn’t have much of one. I guess listen to each other and try stuff out? That’s exciting since we might see bigger swings in future issues. That said, the team is pumped and excited to move forward, but with nothing concrete even stated, it seems a little rash on their part.
Ultimates #12 is a thoughtful cooldown issue that re-centers the team amid rising tension and looming catastrophe. With strong character work, haunting visions of possible futures, and some truly gruesome visuals from Juan Frigeri, the issue successfully builds anticipation while keeping readers grounded in the emotional stakes. While it doesn’t offer concrete answers, it leans into vulnerability and team dynamics in a refreshing way for a superhero book.
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