If the cover is any indication, The Ultimates #6 is the team’s first real showdown. They’re up against one of The Maker’s council members, otherwise known as the Hulk. So far, the Ultimate Universe has been lacking in direct conflicts, save for the first issue of Ultimates, but now it’s time to see if this eleven-person team can handle a real supervillain fight.
As revealed at the start of The Ultimates #6, this is an 11-person team because Doom (Reed Richards) isn’t going on the rescue mission. We learn early on that Iron Lad has intel that bonafide heroes are locked up and need saving. The mission sees Iron Lad, Captain America, Hawkeye, Thor, Sif, She-Hulk, The Human Torch, Giant-Man, Wasp, and American Chavez expecting H.A.N.D. agents and maybe a super-powered villain or two. What they actually face off against is far, far worse.
To say The Ultimates #6 is brutal is an understatement. Writer Deniz Camp and artist Juan Frigeri put this team through the paces, complete with caption boxes that detail fight moves and the number of Hiroshima’s each pack. The Hiroshima reference is apt, seeing as they face the radiated Hulk and a band of radiated henchmen nearly as powerful as he is. Oh, and Hulk is the Iron Fist.
Time to fight, or die.
Credit: Marvel
That latter detail is revealed early on and only adds to the stakes. The stakes are so high you’ll likely be tense reading the entire issue. Considering the Ultimates are a band of heroes who haven’t faced off against a team like this and some very new to being heroes, you’ll wonder if any of them will make it out alive.
Along the way, She-Hulk adds some personal vendetta to the battle, as she truly hates Hulk and what he did to her island. Meanwhile, Iron Lad is trying to hold it together, as he inadvertently gets this team into a situation that could get them all killed.
Battle damage and even deaths aside, this issue also sets up Doom to get his priorities straight. So far, Doom has been on the sidelines aiding Iron Lad but has not been directly involved. That’ll likely change after the events of this issue, which is a tantalizing thought. Although it’s largely a fight comic, the result will lead to major shifts in how this team operates and where it goes from here.
Regarding the art, Frigeri does a great job with energy effects and scale. Giant-Man goes big while Wasp is super tiny; both captured well. Once again, Frigeri shows strength in drawing many characters in a single panel, and it’s never confusing or overly cluttered. There are also a few cringy gore moments that might just send you screeching. Frigeri reminds us this universe does not play around.
I keep bringing this up, but the month-to-month issues leave out a lot. There isn’t much context to go on as far as whether this team was ready to fight Hulk. So far, we’ve seen them go on missions, but are they training? Are they getting to know each other? There are a lot of questions that could help add to their battle.
The Ultimates #6 delivers a gripping and intense showdown that raises the stakes for this team of heroes in ways that will redefine the Ultimate Universe. Deniz Camp’s writing and Juan Frigeri’s art combine to create a high-octane, brutal, and visually stunning issue that leaves readers on edge. The underlying personal motivations and evolving team dynamics add depth to the relentless action, setting the stage for significant transformations ahead. This issue isn’t just about the fight; it’s about what comes next, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the consequences and future direction of The Ultimates.
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