Every storyteller worth their salt knows about the principle of Chekov’s gun, where an element that’s introduced in the first or second act must play into the final moments of the story. In the case of Deniz Camp, he has a whole Chekov’s armory as Ultimate Endgame #3 not only plays into elements from his run on The Ultimates, but the rest of the Ultimate Universe as well. In the process, it also fulfills some of the tropes you’ve come to expect from an event while also subverting others.
The first is seeing all the different characters team up. Via the Vision, we get a glimpse of how the Ultimates and their allies are starting to turn the tide. There’s also nods to Ultimate Wolverine, where Logan is continuing to make his way to the Maker’s city; Ultimate X-Men, which follows the young mutants as they search for their missing friend Hisako Ichiki, aka Armor; and Ultimate Black Panther, as Erik Killmonger continues his one-man mission. Seeing Maystorm gush over Killmonger, or J. Jonah Jameson deliver one of his trademark fiery speeches to the Vision, is a reminder of what makes this version of the Marvel Universe worth reading.
It’s The Ultimates and Ultimate Spider-Man, however, that get the most focus. In Iron Lad’s case, his use of the Immortus Engine leads to an even greater threat and underscores the dangers of time travel. With Peter Parker, his role as a father and husband has him giving Iron Lad the push he needs, while also continuing to fight despite increasing odds. In fact, I have to commend Camp for emphasizing Peter’s bond with his family, which at times could have used a stronger focus in the main Ultimate Spider-Man title.
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Jonas Scharf continues to deliver some of the strongest work of his career, opening with a page that feels like the epitome of despair as Iron Lad falls to his knees while the rest of his team is overwhelmed by the Maker’s forces. The body horror is also on point, with the Maker’s massive form twisting and stretching until it resembles a monstrous form of his signature helmet. Even Spidey gets in on the action, as his picotech suit goes full Venom – but that isn’t the only symbiote shout-out that happens throughout the issue.
Terry and Rachel Dodson’s art, on the other hand, is a mixed bag. While the Dodsons manage to capture the likeness of certain characters, particularly Mary Jane Watson, there are other moments that could have used some stronger definition. Terry Dodson and Edgar Delgado deliver some great color work though, with the heroes’ brighter moments standing out in a miasma of green and black that reflects the Maker’s machinations. The same goes for Cory Petit, whose letters range from the twisted black and white of Venom speech to the digital purple hue of the Vision to the literally twisted words of the Maker.
Ultimate Endgame #3 ends with a major shock that no one will see coming. It works because the team hits you when you least expect it, and the finality of it is sold by the approaching end of the Ultimate Universe. So many times, a comic event has promised that nothing will ever be the same. Ultimate Endgame #3 more than lives up to this promise, and hints at darker days to come for our heroes.
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