The Ultimate Universe is ending, and many fans are shocked to learn it wasn't the architect's plan all along! Did Marvel pull the plug prematurely?
Marvel Comics is officially sunsetting the Ultimate Universe with the "Ultimate Endgame" event next year. While many assumed this grand finale was the brainchild of Jonathan Hickman, the writer behind the acclaimed Ultimate Spider-Man and the architect of this new Ultimate Universe, it seems the decision came as quite a surprise to him.
At New York Comic Con, Marvel confirmed the Ultimate Universe's impending demise, framing it as a meticulously planned two-year story arc with a defined beginning, middle, and end. But here's where it gets controversial... despite this narrative framing, it appears Jonathan Hickman, the very person shaping this universe, learned about its end quite late in the game.
Hickman has been instrumental in revitalizing the Ultimate Universe, spearheading titles like Ultimate Invasion and the current Ultimate Spider-Man. In this new Ultimate Spider-Man, we're introduced to a Peter Parker who is not just a hero, but also a loving husband and father – a refreshing take on the character that many fans have embraced, eager to see Spidey experience genuine growth and maturity. The end of this universe, however, puts a definitive clock on this evolved version of the character.
Marvel Comics' Head of Franchise, Dan Buckley, revealed Hickman's reaction to the news, providing some intriguing insights into the decision-making process. "We were at one of those creative retreats, and I was sitting next to him, we’re just talking, and he’s like, 'Well, we’re finishing our stories, then you could do that,'" Buckley recounted. "I said, 'No, you’re done.'"
The conversation continued: "I was by myself with Jon, Jonathan’s looking at me, he goes, 'What do you mean we’re done?' I said, 'We’re shutting it down.' He goes, 'Why are we shutting it down?' I said, 'It’s the end, right?'"
This exchange raises a key question: Was this a calculated move, or a creative difference? And this is the part most people miss... Was Hickman given enough creative freedom to truly shape the universe before its abrupt conclusion?
Now, Marvel might be playfully stirring the pot, but there's a valid argument to be made for ending the Ultimate Universe on a high note. It's perhaps better to conclude the story while it's still compelling and fresh, rather than allowing it to devolve into a convoluted mess, as some might argue happened with the original Ultimate Universe (whose final years were, for many, marred by overly dramatic events and gratuitous character deaths).
Buckley further elaborated, "There’s a lot of story being told here. You’ll be able to take this journey—take the beginning, the middle, and the end—and digest it for years to come and be able to pass it on to people and say, 'This is the experiment, this type of storytelling, we’re allowed to do this.'" He emphasized the unique nature of this initiative: "We’re not going to do this with the Marvel Universe. This is more about a group of creators getting together and saying, 'This is what I see as a story, we want to have a beginning, a middle, and an end.'"
Marvel's new Ultimate Universe was launched in June 2023 with Ultimate Invasion, penned by Jonathan Hickman and illustrated by Bryan Hitch. The premise revolves around the Maker, a corrupted version of Reed Richards from the original Ultimate Universe, creating a world devoid of heroes. However, despite the Maker's meticulous planning, heroes like Spider-Man and the Ultimates inevitably emerged to fulfill their destinies – albeit along drastically altered paths.
It's been suggested that the Ultimate Universe was conceived with a predetermined endpoint: the Maker's return from captivity. The Maker's release serves as the catalyst for Ultimate Endgame, a five-issue event series launching in December, which brings this interconnected universe together for a climactic showdown. But here's where it gets controversial... some fans argue that prematurely ending the universe stifles the potential for long-term storytelling and character development.
The ending of the Ultimate Universe begs the question: Is Marvel making the right call by ending it now, or are they cutting short a promising experiment in superhero storytelling? Do you think this was a creative decision, or a business one? Share your thoughts and predictions below – we'd love to hear your take on this bold move!
