Tag Archives: ultimate universe finale

Mini Reviews: Ultimate Universe Finale #1, Swamp Thing 1989 #3, Summer of Supergirl Special #1, Exploit #4

Summer of Supergirl Special #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Ultimate Universe Finale #1 (Marvel) – I wasn’t a fan of the timey wimey BS that was Ultimate Endgame #5, but Ultimate Universe Finale #1 is a better conclusion to Earth-6160 as well as bittersweet glance of what could have been. Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto give Peter Parker a taste of his own medicine when May starts becoming a superhero capturing the domestic dynamic that made Ultimate Spider-Man refreshing. Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli turn in a powerful coda to T’challa’s heroic journey and widely focus on his relationship with Storm. The Peach Momoko Ultimate X-Men and Deniz Camp Ultimates stories are the most tantalizing offering an exciting new status quo and a new Big Bad for Earth-6160. Finally, Chris Condon and Alessandro Capuccio’s is just a simple birthday hangout between Logan and Victor after issues and issues of violence. It feels like the conclusion this series deserved instead of chasing Magik through mazes. All in all, this comic reminded me of the good ol’ days of the Ultimate Universe, and maybe editorial will catch a hint and bring it back in a more comprehensive way than Ultimate Impact Reborn. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Swamp Thing 1989 #3 (DC/Black Label) – The DC Universe-spanning tapestry that Rick Veitch and Tom Mandrake are weaving comes into clearer view in Swamp Thing 1989 #3. It’s a truly a cosmic gumbo featuring cameos from John Constantine, Nergal, Darkseid, Anthro, and more all invested in Swamp Thing’s narrative of birth and rebirth, life and death. And then you’ve got Arcane doing the opposite number, and giving Mandrake and colorist Tristh Mulvihill an opportunity to indulge in their grisly child. But the heart of the story continues to be Swamp Thing’s battle to be with Abby and their unborn child, and that’s what keeps me coming back to each installment. Even after he’s factory reset by the Source, this is his first and last thought, and he’ll try to make it back to his loved ones. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy

Summer of Supergirl Special #1 (DC) – Just in time for her new movie, the Summer of Supergirl Special #1 is a delightful entry into the world of the Last Daughter of Krypton for fans old and new. The lead story from Sophie Campbell and Belen Ortega pits Supergirl against Lobo with a side of Krypto and the fittingly named Dawg. Opening with a court case, this story is freaking hilarious and also heartwarming as Lobo and his daughter Crush adjust to life in Midvale. (The mac n cheese sandwiches help a lot.) The modern Supergirl feels like a mix of rebel and wholesome, and Campbell gets that which is why she is the current writer and sometimes artist on the ongoing title. This story made me want to catch up on the Supergirl and Lobo comics while acting as a full meal in its own right. Next up is a Mary Marvel/Supergirl backup from Gail Simone and Emma Kubert where they fight a power-negating robot, but mostly bond as fellow adoptees and young female superheroes who are often in the shadow of their male counterparts. Kubert’s art fuses old school superhero art with contemporary techniques and brings some big feelings. The final story is for all the continuity cops out there courtesy of who else but Mark Waid and the chameleon-like Cian Tormey, who does a Supergirl Eras tour slicker than the billionaire with the big record sales and even bigger carbon footprint. The story is a recontextualizing of 60+ years of sometimes insane stories into a sales pitch for why Supergirl is awesome and should have her own movie and comic. And the Crisis on Infinite Earths and Woman of Tomorrow callbacks are pure beauty. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Exploit #4 (Mad Cave) – The ripped from the headlines/anti-billionaire/agitprop thriller series wraps up with a stylish, trollish extended heist issue from Tim Leong, Laura Hudson, and Emiliana Pinna. Pinna and colorist Rebecca Good make everything smooth and sleek thanks to the foundation of characterization laid in previous issues. It’s cathartic watching tech bros get their comeuppance, and the ending is pretty sweet/full circle with just a touch of bitterness to set up a potential sequel. Exploit is both a love letter to good tech journalism and a suspenseful story with badass queer leads. It’s the perfect way to wrap up Pride Month. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Ultimate Universe: Finale teases what’s next for the Ultimate Universe… it’s NOT Ending

THE ULTIMATE GOODBYE…Following the events of Ultimate Endgame #5, the creative teams of all the Ultimate books come together one last time to say farewell…

Story: Jonathan Hickman, Bryan Hill, Chris Condon, Deniz Camp, Peach Momoko
Art: Marco Checchetto, Stefano Caselli, Alessandro Cappuccio, Juan Frigeri, Peach Momoko
Color: Marico Menyz, David Curiel, Bryan Valenza, Federico Blee
Letterer: Travis Lanham

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics
Kindle


This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

The Door Closes on the Ultimate Universe Forever in Ultimate Universe Finale #1 this April

Ultimate Endgame #1 marked the beginning of the end of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. The five-part event series by Deniz Camp, Jonas Scharf, and Terry Dodson closes out the groundbreaking line of comics that ignited the industry the last two years with its bold storytelling and captivating reinventions of the Marvel mythos. Following Ultimate Endgame’s conclusion in April, Ultimate Universe Finale #1, a special one-shot, brings together all of the Ultimate series’ creators for a final goodbye. April also sees the final issues of Chris Condon and Alessandro Cappuccio’s Ultimate Wolverine and Camp and Juan Frigeri’s Ultimates, with the final issues of Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate Black Panther, and Ultimate X-Men concluding in the preceding months. Fans can see the reveals of all of April’s Ultimate releases as the countdown to the end of the Ultimate Universe truly begins!

A two-year project told in real time, the Ultimate Universe was a first-of-its-kind line of storytelling that quickly became history in the making! With an epic can’t-miss conclusion this April, it’ll be able to be enjoyed from beginning to end as a complete, interconnected, and deeply rewarding saga. Read on to learn about its final four chapters! 

ULTIMATE WOLVERINE #16

Written by CHRIS CONDON
Art and Cover by ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO
On Sale 4/15

YEAR TWO OF THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSE NEARS ITS END IN THE FINAL ISSUE OF ULTIMATE WOLVERINE!

Wolverine and Phoenix track Magik right into the demonic dimension of Limbo for an epic, devastating showdown! To escape Illyana’s realm of dark magic, a final sacrifice must be made, one that will lead directly into ULTIMATE ENDGAME #5!

ULTIMATE WOLVERINE #16

ULTIMATES #24

Written by DENIZ CAMP
Art by JUAN FRIGERI
Cover by DIKE RUAN
On Sale 4/1

YEAR TWO OF THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSE NEARS ITS END IN THE FINAL ISSUE OF ULTIMATES!

She-Hulk and her remaining teammates confront the villainous Hulk in a brutal, all-or-nothing battle on Gamma Island!

ULTIMATES #24

ULTIMATE ENDGAME #5

Written by DENIZ CAMP
Art by TERRY DODSON & JONAS SCHARF
Cover by MARK BROOKS
On Sale 4/22

THE END OF THE LINE!

The universe hangs by a thread as our weary heroes face their final, crushing challenge: the ultimate, cataclysmic showdown with The Maker! Everything they have fought for, everything they believe in, will be tested in this pulse-pounding, oversized final issue. There are no more retreats, no more second chances.

ULTIMATE ENDGAME #5

ULTIMATE UNIVERSE FINALE #1

Written by DENIZ CAMP, CHRIS CONDON, JONATHAN HICKMAN, BRYAN HILL & PEACH MOMOKO
Art by ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO, STEFANO CASELLI, MARCO CHECCHETTO, JUAN FRIGERI & PEACH MOMOKO
Cover by PHIL NOTO
On Sale 4/29

THE ULTIMATE GOODBYE…

Following the events of ULTIMATE ENDGAME #5, the creative teams of all the Ultimate books come together one last time to say farewell…

ULTIMATE UNIVERSE FINALE #1