Marvel Comics Reveals the New Ultimate Universe

At the company's "Next Big Thing" panel at NYCC, we got our first look at the new books that will launch the fan-favorite Ultimate Universe imprint at the end of 2023.

In his most recent limited series Ultimate Invasion, author Jonathan Hickman already laid the groundwork for the new Ultimate line. In that book, Earth-6160 is introduced, a place where The Maker—himself a fugitive from the first Ultimate Universe—tried to stifle the rise of Earth's heroes. Due to the Maker's interference, a new generation of heroes, including Spider-Man, Black Panther, and the X-Men, will make an unexpected debut. The objective is to offer new, modern interpretations of well-known characters without the burden of decades of continuity, just like with the original Ultimate Universe. Ultimate Universe #1, a one-shot special by Hickman and artist Stefano Caselli, marks the official launch of the new Ultimate line. After that, Hickman will write a new volume of Ultimate Spider-Man, the flagship monthly series of the Ultimate line. The series' illustrator will be Marco Checchetto of Daredevil.

During the panel, Hickman acknowledged that Jake Johnson's Peter B. Parker from the Spider-Verse animated films served as an inspiration for his Spider-Man. This suggests that the book will center on an older Peter trying to organize his life, as opposed to the teenage Peter who appeared in the first Ultimate Spider-Man comics. Peter's origin story will apparently be very different in this universe because Ultimate Invasion depicted The Maker "saving" a young Peter from being bitten by the radioactive spider.

For Ultimate Black Panther, Caselli will collaborate with Blade author Bryan Edward Hill. In this universe, Black Panther is the only character standing in the way of Khonshu and Ra's plans to unite and take over all of Africa.

"I was invigorated by this opportunity because in addition to my immense respect for Johnathan Hickman's detailed storytelling, the idea of shepherding this bold new take on Black Panther in this event gives me a platform to do the kind of broad, epic, storytelling I've always wanted to do in comics,” Hill said in a statement. “My influences range from the history of Black Panther comics, to Ryan Coogler's incredible work with the recent films, to Frank Herbert's world-building capacity of Dune. This is something people won't expect, in the best of ways, and full credit to Marvel and editors Wil Moss and Michelle Marchese for bringing this creative possibility to me."

Finally, the new Ultimate X-Men will be written and illustrated by Peach Momoko (Demon Days: X-Men). Armor, who is the main protagonist of the book, will be joined by a cast of both new and recognizable characters in the series. By demonstrating how mutants are related to folklore and magic, the new series will differ from classic X-books.

“I am very honored to be a part of the new Ultimate Universe,” Momoko said. “I am very careful in delivering the unique X-Men mutant elements while still being true to my vision and voice. I am also very proud (and surprised) that I was given enough freedom from C.B. Cebulski and Jonathan Hickman to create a brand new X-Men character. It might not be the normal portrayal of a super hero… but, just like with my Momoko-verse stories, I am excited to introduce everyone to this new world.”