The end is near.
Marvel recently teased Ultimate Endgame. About a week ago, the following teaser was released with only the following information: “Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Universe Approaches its Endgame…”
Today at San Diego Comic-Con at the Marvel Comics: Ultimate Universe Panel, Jonathan Hickman, write of Ultimate Spider-Man, was present along with Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief C.B. Cebulski, Ultimate Editor Will Moss, and writers Desiz Camp (Ultimates) and Chris Condon (Ultimate Wolverine).
Ultimate Spider-Man #24 will mark the final issue of the series said to be packed with “dramatic and shocking developments for the entire Parker family along with Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy.” It was also said to create “promising roadmaps for future storytelling.”
Hickman said the following:
“This was everything that I pitched. Nothing has deviated. It’s been really nice to execute the plan well and everything culminates into this issue. Fans of the Ultimate Universe are going to love it. It’s been a real pleasure being the writer of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN.”
What about Ultimate Endgame?
Since this new “Ultimate Universe” began, readers have been waiting for the return of The Maker, the evil Reed Richards of the previous Ultimate Universe. He’s been imprisoned for the past two years in both real time and in comic book universe time. All the heroes of the current five Ultimate titles will be brought together. The Ultimate fate of this comic universe will be decided in the five-issue Ultimate Endgame even series by Deniz Camp, Jonas Scharf, and more, beginning in December.
Camp made the following statement about Ultimate Endgame”:
This is the craziest and most impactful crossover [I’ve worked on]. I’m really excited about it. It’s all the characters: everyone coming together in this big way, coming up against each other in a big way, and the resolution of some long plot threads we’ve all been seeing. It’s very big, very dramatic, and with the Ultimate Universe, we can change the world. We can actually do it as creators because we have this incredible playground that Marvel has not just allowed, but encouraged us, to use. It’s such an honor to do something like this. It’s been amazing, and this is the culmination of a lot of what we’ve been doing together.”
Hickman also said it’s been great doing “this tight continuity stuff” with a smaller line. He’s been pleased with the support from Marvel and feels they should keep trying to do stuff like this. He also expressed his gratitude towards the readers. “You guys supporting this book is the only reason we can [tell stories] this way. Hearing you like this gives us the opportunity to do more things like this.”
For me, the biggest bummer is the end of Ultimate Spider-Man. As I’ve stated on the Random Podcast From Heck, I figured Hickman would want or need to leave eventually. I’m not saying he is the only person who could write the title, but it would be hard to imagine this version of Spidey and the cast written by someone else. It is something that happens in most comics. The statement about promising roadmaps for future stories means we could see more. We’ll have to wait and see what happens during Ultimate Endgame.
Ultimate Spider-Man #24 by Hickman and Checchetto is on sale December 24. Ultimate Endgame #1 (of 5) by Denis Camp, Jonas Scharf, and regular cover by Mark Brooks is on sale December 31.
What the Heck is going on?!? 