| |
|
 |
|
|
The
Ultimates Vol.1 : Super Human
Trade Paperback
[Collecting Issues 1- 6]
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Mark Millar
Pencils: Bryan Hitch
Inks: Andrew Currie
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Price: $12.99/R199.00 SA |
After hearing and reading all the great recommendations this series
has been given I have finally gotten round to reading the first
collection of The Ultimates in the form of the trade paperback collection
of issues one through six entitled “Super Human”
This had been sitting on my shelf for about three months waiting
to be read. I had decided to catch up on my Ultimate universe reading
in order to enjoy the Ultimate War crossover limited series that’s
now on. I found myself finishing the third Ultimate X-Men trade
collection and jumping into this first edition of The Ultimates.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this series, as it has got
critical acclaim from many people, I didn’t want to just read
it already having made up my mind as to it’s worth before
having finished the first page. Not having a big Avengers history
helped me get into this book from a new readers perspective, which
greatly enhanced it for me. Having read both Ultimate Spiderman
and X-Men with previous incantations of both books in the back of
my mind kept me keen to see the new renditions of my favourite characters
but somehow spoilt the books for me, so here I start with a clean
slate for the Ultimates and ready and raring to go.
The first issue stood out as the best of the six, telling the origin
of Captain America and taking us back to the heated battles of World
War Two. The artwork by Bryan Hitch [ JLA ] is
at it’s best here, amazing work as he shows the rain soaked
battlefields of the past. This issue is a great set-up story and
really helps to get you hooked into the series. The jump from the
past to the present is great in the second issue and shows the high-tech
world of the new Ultimates versus that of the previous World War
Two setting. The next few stories focus on the assembly of the team
and the recruiting process led by Nick Fury.
The team finally goes into battle in the fifth issue where they
take on a maddened Hulk in the centre of Manhattan. A great fight
scene with a real slugfest ensuing in which both the Ultimates and
the Hulk don’t escape unscathed. The final issue of the six
focuses on some characterisation and helps to flesh out the story
some more, making me eager for the next chapter.
My favourite part so far has been the adaptation of Captain America
to the modern world and the changes he’s had to deal with.
Masterfully written by Millar[Ultimate X-Men],
a really interesting piece of the puzzle which makes The Ultimates
so good to read. The fact that the team is made up of vastly different
and conflicting personalities is what makes this book so great.
These personalities have been written superbly into an engaging
character based story.
Gone are the “Super Teams” of the past and the theory
of trying to put as many muscle-bound heroes as possible into a
double page spread fight scene. Hello the future and a story based
more on the troubles and tribulations of the characters personal
lives than their fighting the bad guys. The team dynamic drives
this story and not the team fight.
The artwork is top notch and Hitchs’ reality based artistic
style along with Mounts’ colour schemes help to base this
title firmly on God’s green earth and keep it from becoming
a ‘stupid hero’ series.
The team-up of reality based writing and artwork is the biggest
key to success this book has had. It’s definitely a super-hero
book, don’t get me wrong, but it’s one with a difference,
a personality all its own and a great looker to boot.
Due to my expectations I was a little let down by the first arc
of The Ultimates, but it was not bad by any means. A book that focuses
on a character based storyline with stunning life-like artwork,
a plethora of talent working together to produce a really special
book for the modern-day comic enthusiast.
Score 9/10
Reviewed By:Iain Duncan
|
|
|
|
Comic Reviews
