Here’s an essay I wrote about The Ultimates when it was still new.

I enjoy Ultimates 2. We’re only two issues into the new run, but I am hooked. The Ultimates takes the Avengers and gives it a sharp twist. The result is an edgy tale in an alternate reality, so anything can happen. The characters can be taken in different directions than the standard Marvel continuity.

The Ultimates has all the standards: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Wasp, Hawkeye, and Giant Man. The Ultimates report to Nick Fury of SHIELD.

Captain America is sent into Iraq to rescue a kidnap victim. He kicks butt, then threatens to rip those left standing limb-from-limb. His bluff works and Cap saves the day.

At Ultimate HQ, Bruce Banner is a government captive. The Hulk went on a rampage in Manhattan. The Ultimates stopped him, but not before he killed 800+ people.

Thor has left the team. He is angered by Captain America’s mission to Iraq, because he thinks the government is leading the team towards invasive missions in sovereign nations around the globe. Iron Man is on Larry King, trying to state the government’s case in the Hulk fiasco. And Cap is out with Janet Pym, who he is dating. Everything comes to a halt in the first issue when the media learns the Hulk was not a rampaging monsters, but a government scientist.

In the second installment, the team deals with the fallout of the Hulk leak. The president wants Banner tried publicly, ensuring that Banner will be executed. The crew of the Ultimates all believe Thor is behind the leak. Captain America tracks down Thor, who is hanging out in a dance club.

Thor tells Captain America off, almost convincing him he had nothing to do with the leak. But when Thor theorizes that Loki may be behind the leak, Cap tells his former teammate to take a leap. Everyone believes Thor is hallucinating or lying about the Asgard business.

The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are in Venice. They’reinterrupted by a phone call from New York, summoning them to a meeting of the Ultimates. The interlude portrays the two as elitist Euros.

At HQ, Banner has been drugged by his keepers. He is deep in a dream fantasy, speaking with Professor X. X is helping him calm the beast within, though Banner seems to be taking the news of his impending execution calmly. One panel shows the Hulk, simply waiting to get out.

The issue ends with Banner and Pym talking. Pym mentions he’s leaving the project, and claims he will not be the last to go.

This comic is top notch. The art by Bryan Hitch is excellent, giving the various characters distinct looks and personality. Banner looks like a bookworm. Thor and Tony Stark are right on. Wanda and Pietro look European. All the women look great. The only one I don’t quite like is Hawkeye, but he hasn’t received a whole lot of characterization yet.

If this were a movie, it would be considered one of those Cult Classics.