Even though it hasn’t been that long since I read this, I had to re-read it again and go into more details about this series.
The first arc (1-3) lays down subplots of the big theme of this series, that is the Ultimates in foreign countries. But the big issue in this arc is Hulk’s trial. Somebody leaked information about Hulk’s real identity, which brings to the trial. But this is just a formality, he’s obviously going to be executed. I like the way Fury tricks Banner into thinking he got away, when it was clearly not possible. Hank helping Bruce was unexpected, but it was the perfect “ending” to Banner’s fate, hiding and on the run.
In the second arc (4-5) some relationships are spotlighted. Cap and Jan always hang out with Bucky, it’s clear they have a huge difference of opinion. Meanwhile Tony proposes to Natasha, even giving her an iron suit. But Thor is at the center of attention when he attacks the police in Italy. Everybody thinks he’s delusional after his brother Gunnar Golmen explains Thorlief real story. I liked the big fight to take Thor down, he’s is not to be messed with. Gunnar’s story is pretty believable, up until the last scene when Loki tells Thor that there is a traitor among the Ultimates. Obviously Thor wouldn’t know that, so Loki is not in his mind only.
Next there’s a fun issue about the Defenders, who make a pathetic debut despite Hank’s help. But Hank is pathetic himself, trying to sell his Ultron idea to Fury, while at the same time being bullied by Cap. The Defenders come back in the Annual 1, drawn by Steve Dillon. This is a one shot about a killer and how badass Nick Fury is.
Starting in issue 7 the big bad starts his strike against the Ultimates, finally revealing himself. Loki is real and he’s been manipulating reality against the Ultimates. First he leaked the information about Hulk (with the help of the traitor, Natasha!!), then he had Thor imprisoned, now he kills Hawkeye’s family and implicates Cap. All this without lifting a finger basically. He had his allies do everything for him. The Liberators are superheroes from European and Asian countries, all created in order to destroy the American superheroes who meddled in other countries affairs.
They basically take over the US in just a few hours, so this is a huge event on the scale of Secret Invasion. The Ultimates obviously get free and start a huge fight, even Hulk appears and helps, but it’s Thor who takes the fight against Loki to the next step, bringing his Asgardian army to fight Loki’s army of monsters.
This action is all fun, but what I like about this series is the premise of US people interfering with foreign countries, which is obviously very relevant to the real world. In fact, after this fight the Ultimates decide to be independent from the government, which is a nice and obvious conclusion to this series. We don’t get to see what happens to Hulk though, which I was very curious about. But the final pages are dedicated to Steve Rogers and Gail right before Steve goes to war and becomes Captain America, a nice ending for this 26 issues series.
The art by Bryan Hitch is stunning as always. I can’t give him enough praise for his work here. I think it was well worth the wait (not that I read this in monthly). I had a lot of fun reading this series, Millar and Hitch gave us a fun and enjoyable story with good characters.