Comic Review - Ultimate Doom 1-4

Title/Storyline

Ultimate Doom 1-4

Publish Date/Year

2010

Creative Team

Story: Brian Michael Bendis

Art: Rafa Sandoval

Publisher

Marvel

Story

Continuing directly from Ultimate Enemy, Ultimate Mystery takes us to Ultimate Doom where the heroes bring the fight to evil Reed, who has now become the new Dr Doom!

Sue, being the remaining resident genius after Reed, has pieced together a way for the heroes & SHIELD to reach Reed who was now operating from the Negative Zone! Despite having the heroes together with added fire-power from Rick Jones' Nova & Capt Marvel, they had their behinds handed to them and just barely managed to escape the Negative Zone back to Earth.

Not long after, Reed launches his 2nd wave of attacks. This series shows us the ruthlessness of Reed turned evil. He destroys the Baxter Building (Fantastic Four's HQ), Stark Industries, the Triskelion (the Ultimates' HQ), Castle Doomstadt among others.

Meanwhile, Spider-Girl was infiltrating Roxxon and was caught by Dr Octopus. Spider-Man shows up just in time to save her before all the insanity from Reed's attacks on the nation come crashing in on them.

With all the devastation all around them, Dr Octopus sees to need to help the heroes stop Reed and the bring everyone (this means the Ultimates) to the Negative Zone to stop Reed.

Art

Rafa Sandoval

At times, his art reminds me of Stuart Immonen & carlos Pacheco, at times a little of Ryan Sook (BTW, what has happened to him? I really miss his work!) and a bit of Olivier Coipel & Steve McNiven thrown in for good measure!

Not bad but a little unpolished but you can see his talent. However, having said that, there are some panels that appear to be rushed (not sure if that's his fault or the inker's)

Overall

Having read Fantastic Four since the John Byrne days, I personally found it difficult to read a story where Reed had seriously lost the plot and had become a villain. What I didn't like so much also was that Ben and Sue end up being together.

Well, as this IS the Ultimagte Universe, it needs its different elements to make it separate from the Marvel Universe proper. It's just that I don't quite like this version. How about you? Did you like it?

My verdict is that this is not among my favourite Bendis or Ultimate Universe stories.

Comic Review - Ultimate Thor 1-4

Title/Storyline

Ultimate Thor 1-4

Publish Date/Year
2010/2011

Creative Team
Story: Jonathan Hickman

Art: Carlos Pacheco

Publisher

Marvel

Story
Just catching up on my dose of Thor stories before hitting the big screen for his vey first movie (with the Destroyer and a black Heimdall, no less{...what the...!? 'Tis the age of politically correct inclusiveness, even in Asgard!})!

I loved how this mini series was done - 3 separate stories from 3 different times in Thor's life but to totally connected in the way it was told that it seemed just perfect!

Ancient Asgard
We learn that before Mjolnir was created, Odin's 3 sons - Balder, Thor & Loki, were the greatest defenders of the eternal realm against their enemies such as the Frost Giants. They also referred to themselves as the Warriors Three. The Frost Giants attack Asgard again and again until Odin finally decided that they needed to achieve a final and total victory over their enemies and hence the creation of Mjolnir, which along with a box of Norn Stones, embody all of Asgard's power!

Long time fans know that Loki is only a half-brother to Thor & Balder as his mother is married to a Frost Giant. After Asgard's victory over all their enemies, Loki's mother had also become a captive of Asgard. As God of Chaos, Loki stole the Norn stones from Odin's chambers but was discovered by Balder. In an unexpected act of defiance, Loki killed Balder in Odin's chambers!

When Odin finally discovers all that had happened, Loki was banished to the Room with No Doors for all eternity - a fate, purportedly worse than death!

1939
Baron Zemo had somehow managed to acquire the box of Norn Stones that could ensure victory for the Nazis in WWII. These Norn Stones, when placed in the correct Access Points, would enable the wielder to gain access to the 9 Realms - including Asgard!

Now
The Europeanm Union is also developing their own version of the Super Soldier with James Braddock (Brian & Betsy's, or better known as Capt Britain & Psylocke's dad) heading thr programme. Their top candidate is none other than Thorlief Golmen - teh reincarnation of Thor on Earth! This segment ties-in with the 2 other segments and brings leads right into the classic Ultimates Volume 1 series where we see Nick Fury putting together the right members for their 1st mission where the team tackles the Hulk!

Art

What more can I say about carlos Pacheco's Art besides that it's absolutely beautiful! Dexter Vine's inking complements his style very well - delivering very fine and detailed renditions in almost every panel. 

Overall

BEAUTIFUL! 

Great story with even more fantastic artwork that sheds light on so much Ultimate Universe lore that brings about much awe and wonder to the Ultimate Universe. Altho' I still maintain that a cover price of USD3.99 per issue is steep, for this series, I'd let it slide! 

Recommended! A MUST for all Ultimate Universe fans!

Comic Review - Ultimates III

Title/Storyline
Ultimates III
Publish Date/Year
2008
Creative Team
Jeph Loeb, Joe Madureira
Issue (s)
1-5
Publisher
Marvel

Story
Things are not looking good for the Ultimates as they deal with one crisis after another. First, racy videos of Tony & Natasha’s bedroom romps have surfaced and have circulated to the public, driving Tony back to the bottle. Then, they are attacked by Venom at their Mansion, followed by an assassination of Wanda. All of these happen in the 1st issue.

Jeph Loeb is a master at creating cliff hangers at the end of each issue. He keeps you hooked and makes you want to grab the very next issue immediately.

Many of the Marvel Universe characters such as Unus (Yeah, I can hear someone saying “who?...”), Madrox, Wolvie, Kazar & Shanna (and when you see these 2, you know you’re in the Savage Land), Spiderman, Valkyrie, Lorelei, Mystique, Magneto and his Brotherhood, Dr Doom, & Ultron have been thrown in to make this 5-issue series a true visual treat for newbies and veterans alike.

Anyway, the story basically revolves around how Ultron was manipulating events in the Ultimate Universe by using the Ultimates and Mutants to accomplish his goal of obliterating non-machine life on Earth. Question is, where does Dr Doom fit into all of this?

Art
Super sexy art from Joe Mad! If you like Joe’s art, you know what to expect. I have always loved his work since his early Uncanny X-Men days. He has pioneered the unique & un-mistakable pseudo-manga style that makes him 1 of my all time favorite artists. The only problem is that he doesn’t produce many books these days. Hence, this series is a real treat for fans of his work.

Additional Comments
This 3rd series doesn’t quite measure up to the earlier series by Millar & Hitch. Altho’ there are lots of things happening in the 5 issue series, the pacing is too quick and doesn’t allow the reader to really sink their teeth into it.

Perhaps this is caused by Joe’s speed in delivering his artwork (anybody remember Battle Chasers?) Hence, I would have likes the series to have been made into 8 – 10 issues where we get to savor Joe’s art and the development of the characters more.

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