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Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates: Death of Spider-Man by Mark Millar, Leinil Francis Yu
gpv's review
4.0
In my previous post, I had mentioned how Mark Millar's Millarworld comprises some of the most sickening comics you'll ever read (there might be worse, Millar's are certainly the worst that I've ever read). However, the work that he's done for Marvel and DC is more toned down compared to his own comics.That doesn't mean that he doesn't push the envelope when it comes to superheroes. His take on Superman in Red Son remains one of the best Superman adaptations, despite the fact that the 'Boy Scout' is projected in a more authoritarian role. Wolverine's depiction in Old Man Logan casts Wolverine in a more subdued role till the very end when 'The Animal' within takes over. And his 'Civil War' run marked a tumultuous period in the Marvel universe, with its impact being felt for quite a few years.
With 'The Ultimates', he set out to do something similar with the Avengers this time. In fact, Marvel has used a few storylines and general setup of the Ultimates run to establish its cinematic universe (for example, the Avengers being formed by the S.H.I.E.L.D and the government). Of course, Marvel's arrangement with Sony means that Spiderman was excluded from the cinematic universe (though for how long remains to be seen). However, I have wanted to get into the Ultimates universe for some time now. And, I was finally able to do so when I got my hands on the 'Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates: Death of Spider-Man' run by Millar.
Of course, as the title suggests, there is one major setback that we get to read in here. Funnily enough, the only appearance that Peter Parker's Spiderman makes in this issue is to get shot. Apart from that, most of the storyline revolves around the Avengers and the new Ultimates that Nick Fury has surrounded himself with.
The story deals with the creation of new superheroes using the super soldier serum. Only the new superheroes don't work for America. They are born from the serum being illegally sold to various interested buyers in Middle-East, and the sole purpose of this is to take down the dictatorship in these countries and replace it with democracy. All this was achieved by Gregory Stark - Tony's older brother in the Ultimates universe - by creating a misunderstanding between the Avengers and Nick Fury's Ultimates.
Gregory Stark, like his more illustrious younger brother, is shown to be a visionary, albeit with more technological prowess who is hell bent on making the world a 'better' place. And, being the greater of the Stark brothers. Of course, like Tony Stark in the 'Civil War' arc, he has to make a few adjustments for the same. Like taking over as the S.H.I.E.L.D Director first. Along the way he frames Nick Fury for treason and hoodwinks the Avengers into thinking that he is one of the good guys. While there are a few aspects of the character which are not clear in this arc (like how he got the powers that enable him to take down all of the Avengers, including Thor, and wield Thor's hammer), ComicVine assures me that I'll get to know him more if I read the rest of the Ultimates.
Another great aspect of the Ultimates is Nick Fury. Instead of the usual grizzled, war hero veteran, we see a slightly younger, ruthless, ambitious, conniving, and the-man-with-many-backup-plans Nick Fury. Or Samuel L Jackson if you will. Unfortunately, what the movies failed to capture convincingly was the far-seeing genius of Nick Fury. While there were glimpses shown of it in the Avengers movie, what we get to see in these short six issues is a man who will convince the Pope to become an atheist and then become the Pope himself all the while branding the ex-Pope a satanist. This is the Nick Fury that I would love to see in the movies, and maybe some day he will have a larger part to play.
Overall, the series is a great read. The art work is good. The writing, as usual, is very good. And while the death of Spiderman isn't adequately covered in these issues, it was a sad event nevertheless. For anyone wanting to read this though, I would suggest reading the Ultimates #1 first.
With 'The Ultimates', he set out to do something similar with the Avengers this time. In fact, Marvel has used a few storylines and general setup of the Ultimates run to establish its cinematic universe (for example, the Avengers being formed by the S.H.I.E.L.D and the government). Of course, Marvel's arrangement with Sony means that Spiderman was excluded from the cinematic universe (though for how long remains to be seen). However, I have wanted to get into the Ultimates universe for some time now. And, I was finally able to do so when I got my hands on the 'Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates: Death of Spider-Man' run by Millar.
Of course, as the title suggests, there is one major setback that we get to read in here. Funnily enough, the only appearance that Peter Parker's Spiderman makes in this issue is to get shot. Apart from that, most of the storyline revolves around the Avengers and the new Ultimates that Nick Fury has surrounded himself with.
The story deals with the creation of new superheroes using the super soldier serum. Only the new superheroes don't work for America. They are born from the serum being illegally sold to various interested buyers in Middle-East, and the sole purpose of this is to take down the dictatorship in these countries and replace it with democracy. All this was achieved by Gregory Stark - Tony's older brother in the Ultimates universe - by creating a misunderstanding between the Avengers and Nick Fury's Ultimates.
Gregory Stark, like his more illustrious younger brother, is shown to be a visionary, albeit with more technological prowess who is hell bent on making the world a 'better' place. And, being the greater of the Stark brothers. Of course, like Tony Stark in the 'Civil War' arc, he has to make a few adjustments for the same. Like taking over as the S.H.I.E.L.D Director first. Along the way he frames Nick Fury for treason and hoodwinks the Avengers into thinking that he is one of the good guys. While there are a few aspects of the character which are not clear in this arc (like how he got the powers that enable him to take down all of the Avengers, including Thor, and wield Thor's hammer), ComicVine assures me that I'll get to know him more if I read the rest of the Ultimates.
Another great aspect of the Ultimates is Nick Fury. Instead of the usual grizzled, war hero veteran, we see a slightly younger, ruthless, ambitious, conniving, and the-man-with-many-backup-plans Nick Fury. Or Samuel L Jackson if you will. Unfortunately, what the movies failed to capture convincingly was the far-seeing genius of Nick Fury. While there were glimpses shown of it in the Avengers movie, what we get to see in these short six issues is a man who will convince the Pope to become an atheist and then become the Pope himself all the while branding the ex-Pope a satanist. This is the Nick Fury that I would love to see in the movies, and maybe some day he will have a larger part to play.
Overall, the series is a great read. The art work is good. The writing, as usual, is very good. And while the death of Spiderman isn't adequately covered in these issues, it was a sad event nevertheless. For anyone wanting to read this though, I would suggest reading the Ultimates #1 first.
pennwing's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
booknooknoggin's review
3.0
I expected a more dramatic ending for Spiderman. I liked the behind the scenes corruption with Stark's brother. But some parts were filled with boring dialogue.
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