Marvel Unveils Plan for New Ultimate Universe
During a Ultimate Invasion Virtual Conference, Marvel, Jonathan Hickman, and Bryan Hitch unveiled plans for a brand-new Ultimate Universe, spinning out of Hickman and Hitch’s Ultimate Invasion miniseries launching later this month.
Ultimate Universe #1 Cover by Bryan Hitch | Marvel Comics
The new Ultimate Universe launches in November with the Ultimate Universe #1 one-shot also by Hickman. After this, Marvel Comics fans can expect to see reintroduced via new titles helmed by an array of creative teams. While more information will be revealed as we get closer to November, Hickman gave a glimpse into what readers can expect:
“What made the Ultimate Universe originally really interesting was that it was a reflection of the world outside your window, in the moment that you were living in. What does it look like in the world we’re living in now? It’s kind of shocking how much the world has changed in that period of time. The idea of what it would be like to see the genesis of Super Heroes in a brand new world is a really fascinating exercise."
The original Marvel Ultimate Universe (often referred to as the Ultimate Marvel or Ultimate Comics) was a separate comic book imprint published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2015. It was created with the intention of providing a fresh starting point for readers, offering modernized and reimagined versions of classic Marvel characters.
It introduced a new continuity and universe, separate from the main Marvel Universe (Earth-616), and aimed to modernize the origins, backstories, and character designs of iconic Marvel superheroes and villains while maintaining the core essence of their characters.
The Ultimate Universe launched with the publication of Ultimate Spider-Man #1 in 2000, followed by titles like Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four, and Ultimates (later renamed Ultimate Avengers). It became known for its bold storytelling, modern sensibilities, and occasional deviations from established Marvel continuity. It also allowed for new creative freedoms and provided an entry point for new readers who might have found the main Marvel Universe's extensive continuity daunting.
In 2015, Marvel Comics concluded the Ultimate Universe with the Secret Wars event, which resulted in the merging of the Ultimate Universe with the main Marvel Universe. Many elements and characters from the Ultimate Universe were integrated into the main continuity, while others underwent changes or were reintroduced in new forms.
