A little late posting this, but wanted to acknowledge something I predicted. Though Marvel is currently shutting down their latest Ultimate Universe, the revival plans are underway. Just not the way I expected.
The first Ultimate Universe ended in a grand cataclysm with two survivors. Miles Morales: Spider-Man was just too popular for Marvel to leave him behind. When his universe ended, he ended up on Earth-616 (the main Earth for Marvel continuity) with his memories intact. That’s crucial for those wishing to keep up with Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, because Miles was saved in part when Victor Von Doom merged many Earths into one Battleworld — sparking a Secret War, if you will.
Reed Richards aka The Maker was the other survivor. A younger twisted reflection of the Earth-616 Reed Richards, The Maker controlled the new Ultimate Universe, preventing most superheroes from existing at all. This new Earth’s Tony Stark found a way around it with “Origin Boxes,” aimed at setting things back on course for an age of heroes. And now Miles Morales brought some back.
While it’s great to have this event both end and have lasting impact, the description makes it sound like Marvel will create new “knock-offs” of the original heroes. As Captain America is to USAgent, as Thor is to Thunderstrike, new characters will have familiar powers.
The saving grace is the creative team. Chris Condon has batted a thousand so far, though I wish he’d return to That Texas Blood. Stefano Caselli has proven himself time and time again. So I’m in this event to the lees. Let’s go!
From Marvel:
Following the final issue of ULTIMATE ENDGAME in April, REBORN: ULTIMATE IMPACT will reveal the Ultimate Universe’s lasting effect on the main Marvel Universe. Written by Chris Condon (Ultimate Wolverine) and drawn by Stefano Caselli (Ultimate Black Panther), the five-issue limited series spins out of last year’s hit Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion series where the Ultimate Universe collided with the 616 and ended with Miles Morales returning home with mysterious “Origin Boxes,” special devices used to create the heroes of the Ultimate Universe. Originally weaponized by the Maker to rob characters of their heroic destinies, each Origin Box holds all that’s needed to grant specific power sets to whoever dares to open it—from the mighty abilities of legendary super heroes to the deadly capabilities of the world’s fiercest supervillains!
In today’s Miles Morales: Spider-Man #42, a special teaser story revealed that the race to obtain the Origin Boxes had already begun! When Miles is targeted by shadowy forces eager to use their power for themselves, the Origin Boxes will be scattered across the Marvel Universe, giving birth to new heroes and villains with familiar powers, but very different journeys! Origin Boxes will also play a key role in the upcoming Armageddon event, starting with next month’s prelude series, Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon by Chip Zdarsky and Luca Maresca.
FALLOUT FROM ULTIMATE ENDGAME!
Miles Morales returned from the Ultimate Universe with a plan: safeguard the Origin Boxes – catalysts for the creation of new super heroes – before they fall into the wrong hands! But the secret is out as Miles’ battle over the boxes engulfs the entire Marvel Universe! Witness the creation of stunning and unforgettable new characters on both sides of a conflict that will shape the future of the 616!
“I am so excited to be a part of this book and to be working with this fantastic team,” Condon shared. “To be able to play with the idea of these universes colliding in a truly unique and interesting way like this, and to have the opportunity to create new and lasting creations within them – both characters and settings – is a dream for any creator in this industry. I’m having so much fun working on this book with artist Stefano Caselli and Editor Tom Groneman. I hope that shines through when readers pick up their copies of what I think will be an exciting new piece of the Marvel Universe.”
