The events of “Cataclysm” might be the end of the world in Marvel’s Ultimate universe but it’s also a new beginning. The Ultimate universe is a more modern and darker take on Marvel’s heroes and villains. It’s also unique in that it is one of the few universes where the dead remain dead.
With a huge event like “Cataclysm” having heroes die to save the world is kind of a big deal simply because a majority of the time they don’t come back. Writer Brian Micheal Bendis isn’t saying much about the ending but he did give us a little teaser.
“They’re able to win the day, but at great sacrifice, a sacrifice that is so huge that it changes the entire landscape. It creates a place that demands a fresh start from everyone who surveys it.”
A fresh start seems to apply to Marvel Entertainment as well. In April the Ultimate universe will be redone complete with a new title for the comics, Ultimate Marvel NOW!
Editor-in-chief Axel Alonso also weighed in saying, “We created the line to take chances,” he said. “Dead is dead so don’t expect any miraculous resurrections.”
I’ll admit the fact when a character dies they stay dead is what made me want to start reading the Ultimate comics. It is a different twist then the main stream but the differences don’t stop there. If you are thinking that this fresh start from Marvel Entertainment is a good time to jump into the comics but you want to read “Cataclysm” so you can be see the event that hits the reset button I would agree with you.
However trying to jump into a comic universe for huge final event will leave you with questions so here is a quick list of some of the main differences from the traditional Marvel and Ultimates.
Nick Fury has always looked like Samuel L. Jackson. Back in 2002 artist Bryan Hitch drew Nick Fury and although now because of the movies this is the way the mass public thinks of Nick Fury at the time the comics were first coming out Ultimate titles took a traditionally Caucasian character and made him African-American showing the fans that this was not your father’s Marvel.
Image from comicvine.com
Hulk eats people. That’s right Hulk is a cannibal, in the first few issues Ultimate Hulk was mentioned to have eaten people. This turned into a thing that the hero did. In Marvel’s classic version of the Hulk we learn in “World War Hulk” that despite all his rampages Hulk has never purposely killed anyone. Eating people is a far cry from that version.
Image from comicvine.com
The Red Skull is Captain America’s Son. Not much explanation needed here expect that Cap slept with a woman before he was frozen. That woman had a son who became the Red Skull when he grew up. He went so far that he went on a killing spree before cutting off his own face so he didn’t look like his father.
Reed Richards is evil and I mean really evil. He fakes his own death, murdered his family and helped with several alien attacks on Earth. He is also responsible for trying to kill Iron Man. He also looks kinda like Doom complete with a scared face and metal helmet. Reed will play a big role in “Cataclysm” so its important to know as you start reading it that the heroes don’t trust him.
Image from unwinnable.com
The government created mutants, not evolution. It was a government experiment attempting to recreate Captain America’s super-soldier powers. Wolverine was actually one of the first experiments.
Last but not least is that lots of people are dead. Here are just some of the main ones. Wolverine, Cyclops, Professor X, Magneto, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Hank Pym, Wasp, Doctor Doom, Juggernaut, Beast and Spider-Man (Peter Parker). The new Spider-Man is Miles Morales and you need to do yourself and favor and pick up his comics from issue 1 to present because it’s amazing! (Pun intended).
Image from wordpress.com
These are the ones that stick out to me as the big differences. I know there are more and feel free to list yours in the comments below. If you’re new to the comic now is a great time to pick up the Ultimate titles. If the past comics are any hint to what is coming in April you will not be disappointed.