In a first look at the upcoming Ultimate Universe #1, Marvel fans have been introduced to this new timeline’s version of the Avengers, with some surprising faces on this history-making roster. The upcoming comic will continue the rollout of Marvel’s newest alternate reality, which will launch with a range of tie-in comics exploring its differences to Marvel’s main timeline.
In a preview of the comic shared by Marvel, fans see Tony Stark’s Iron Lad taking on the sword-wielding villain Henri Dugarry, as well as exploring a structure alongside Thor, Sif, and Doctor Doom (this reality’s Reed Richards.) Captain America, recently rescued by Reed and Tony, rounds out what appears to be this world’s debut Avengers.
In Marvel’s previous generation of Ultimate Universe comics, the central team went by both the Ultimates and the Avengers at different points, however their founding incarnation used the same heroes as in Marvel’s original timeline. Now, however, Marvel is using Ultimate Universe #1 to put some different heroes front and center. Ultimate Universe #1 is coming from Jonathan Hickman, Stefano Caselli, and David Curiel.
Tony Stark Gathers the Ultimate Universe’s Avengers
Introduced in the recently concluded Ultimate Invasion, the new Ultimate Universe is Earth-6160. This reality became the new home of the Maker, who used time travel to alter its timeline and crown himself the secret king of the world, surrounded by a dark cabal of familiar superhero and supervillain world leaders. The Maker was defeated by Howard Stark, giving the world a chance to fight back against the mechanisms of his control. That effort will be led by a teenage Tony Stark, who is assembling a team of heroes wronged by the Maker.
Sif Becomes a Founding Avenger
First, there’s Captain America – still frozen in ice – and Reed Richards’ Doctor Doom. In this world, the Maker prevented the Fantastic Four from gaining their powers and enslaved Reed Richards as his personal engineer, only for Howard Stark to help free him. The team is rounded out by Thor and Sif: the two Asgardian gods were exiled from Earth by the Maker, who placed Loki in charge of Asgard in order to keep Earth isolated from the Ten Realms. Usually a supporting player in Thor stories – and familiar to MCU fans from Jaimie Alexander’s portrayal – Sif will apparently be at the forefront of this new team.
These debut Avengers are an exciting team. After decades of imprisonment, Doctor Doom doubts his capabilities as a hero, while fans know that Tony’s Iron Lad has the potential to grow up into Kang the Conqueror. Thor is a version of the god who has been living under Loki’s corrupt rule, likely making him a more rage-filled warrior, and Captain America is a major question mark, given the character’s jingoistic portrayal in Marvel’s former, 2000s-era Ultimate Comics. However, Sif is the biggest surprise – she’s a character who rarely gets a chance to shine. While it’s a shame that Marvel’s Ultimate Universe is starting out with a team so heavily tilted towards male heroes (indeed, a single woman on the team is no better than Marvel did back in 1963’s Avengers #1), Sif is a character with a huge amount of potential in this context.
The Ultimate Universe’s Avengers Already Have Worthy Villains
With the Maker’s former cabal planning to carve up America after Howard’s disappearance, it seems these Ultimate Avengers will be facing off against some familiar faces – beginning with the evil Captain Britain Henri Dugarry. It’s Tony Stark’s rebellion versus the world, with the specter of the Maker’s eventual return hanging over everyone. What’s for sure is that a whole new era is about to begin with the Ultimate Universe‘s founding Avengers.
Ultimate Universe #1 is coming from Marvel Comics November 1.
