I don't think anybody involved is taking this seriously.
The Ultimate Avengers' current conflict with Anthony's mob of vampires draws two new possible members into their sights - - Blade the vampire hunter and Ray Connor, the new Daredevil.
The Good
There's something inherently exciting about a book that's basically a punk rock cover of the Avengers. That is, a title that isn't bound by a single restriction of continuity and is thus free to go in any brazen, wild direction it wants to. While I don't think his work was necessarily appropriate for this title, Dillon's art and storytelling continue to be crisp and refreshingly direct.
The Bad
Like the previous issue I read featuring Ghost Rider and the Punisher, this whole thing feels "off" and not just because these are supposed to be ultimate versions of the characters. Blade's characterization, for example, is so far from the brooding hunter he's defined as that I really think his appearance here's supposed to be a spoof. It stands out even more when considering how well the character was handled in X-Men #2 this week. That applies to the new Daredevil, too. I was following his mentorship with Stick up until the old guy gets killed by a vampire cloned Hulk, which is a plot twist that goes so far beyond being outlandish that it seems like self-parody. Further, the fact that the new DD's wearing the old DD's first costume makes me question what audience this is written for. That outfit was was considered too gaudy in the 60s - - it's inclusion here is basically a snarky homage. It's something only old readers would get it, which really defeats the purpose of this being an accessible title. Enough so that I wonder if anybody involved in this title is taking it seriously.
The Verdict - 2/5
I really don't get this series (or series of series.) Even post-Ultimatum, I thought the Ultimate line was about streamlining and revamping Marvel's mainstays for new times and new readers, but titles like this just seem like an excuse to haphazardly throw all of that into a blender for a result that ends up alienating new and old readers alike. This honestly feels like something Millar's just doing quickly while his mind's on Nemesis, Superior and the Kick-Ass sequels.
I'm pretty sure it was the same Hulk Clone, just infected by the vampire infection or whatever.
I enjoyed Ultimate Avengers 1 and 2, but I felt I would dislike 3 due to Dillon's art, but it was pretty solid [compared to what I'm used to]. While I'm not a gigantic fan of Dillon, it was the best work I've seen from him personally
This time around...it just seems random as hell. Vampires Vs. Ninjas? And I think he mentioned Werewolves and Voodoo Masters?
Overall it was just random, though, I am glad they've replaced Matt Murdock and brought Daredevil back. I'm not happy about Stick. Hopefully there'll be a...cure to the disease or whatever.
that's to bad to hear. His Red Skull story looked like he was gonna be getting back to what was sooooo damn good with the Ultimates. A reason why I even took liking to the Avengers at all because of how well he wrote it. I was utterly disappointed in the Ghost Rider story and I still have to read the last one. Still, Millar has written hands down classics enough times that I'll keep giving him chance after chance. When he's on he's dead on and every writer is gonna suck from time to time. Shit, Frank Miller wrote the issue for Spawn that was so bad it warranted a refund.
@longbowhunter: Jumped the track, or jumped the shark? It was bad wasn't it. The Red Skull story was good too. I'd like to see him go back to what he did with the Ultimates in the beginning and somehow make it a maxi-series cuz what a hell of a job he did with that.
can the ultimate universe just die like the 2099 universe already? not much of a fan of marvels ultimate line anymore. i've read quite a bit of it since the start. it just sucks now.
Yuck. Ultimate is terrible. Particularly Ultimate X-Men. Spider-Man is a flip of the coin, FF was ok and the first two Ultimates books were really good. But just...wow it seems like they've finally realized how screwed up this is and now they're just using it as a hole to bury the guys they don't want to screw up anything else.
I think it's pretty okay so far. I didn't read the "avengers" before Ultimatum but it's definitely more appealing now. I never knew much about Ghost Rider or Red Skull before the ultimate take on the characters but I think they're pretty damn good, especially Red Skull's origin.
I can't wait until we find out what's with that evil Spider-Man they keep locked up. I'll keep reading for that.
I'm going to put it out there and say that I have enjoyed the Ultimate Comics Avengers issues on the whole so far..... not as good as the first two Ultimates volumes, but still damn fun to read.
@goldenkey: Was the Frank Miller Spawn issue the one involving that war between the two gangs (each of whom had silly amounts of firepower) and Spawn getting them to kill each other? I can't find that issue but I seem to recall it being so bloody awful I felt ill afterward
I don't agree with those saying that the ultimate line is done. Granted, I have not been much of a fan of this series. I agree it just doesn't seem like Millar is even trying very hard. Especially in the last series with Ghost Rider basically none of the characters are likable. And I'm not keen on the whole Vampire thing. It just seems unnecessary. But I don't think that this series being bad makes the whole ultimate line a failure. Both of Loeb's books have been, surprisingly, good. USM is amazing. It's so good I want to punch a moose. And What they're doing in ultimate mystery is really great too. The Iron man mini was good and I'm excited to see the Thor mini that is coming out.
oh god, remember when the Ultimate imprint was AWESOME?? When it was first heading out the door, Ultimate Marvel WAS the gold standard. Though the X-Men books were hit and miss, the rest was pretty solid for the most part.
But then came Ultimates 3 and Ultimatum and the whole damn thing seems to be deflating and dying a slow death. I'm of the mindset that Millar never really intended to have to come back to the Ultimates so soon. His post-Ultimatum story was good, with the red skull and whatnot. but... now??
I just think that Ultimate comics Spider-man is just as good as it should be Millar did seem to put more effort into the 1st Ultimate Avengers But at least we can still relay on Ultimate X and UC Spider-man
So far, the Ultimate Avengers series has been on a steady decline. Starting out with Ultimate Avengers and the story between Cap and Red Skull was pretty cool. Then on to Ghost Rider, which I thought was going to be something interesting, but it just seemed like a larger story crammed into a very, very small package. An now for this round we start with Blade and vampires. The story seemed totally cheesy and not that great for the first in a series of a new story. I guess the story will have nowhere to go but up. My thoughts are that since these are crammed into six issues there wont be enough space to tell a complete story and we will be left with questions and caps.
I'm hoping for so much more from this round of Ultimate Avengers. Let's hope they don't disappoint.
I thought this and the last Ultimate Avengers was odd but the art in the last book was better. Dillion is very hit or miss for me, loved it in Punisher but here doesn't really work. Don't know what it is but it always seems like everyone looks the same except for hair or skin color. Also the fact that they are doing the same sort of Vampire book as X-Men is odd.
