The Ultimates (2002)

 Issue #1

Pretty solid first issue. The war stuff felt realistic, with this image of Cap and the reactions of soldiers around him probably being close to how things would go in the real world.

Issue #2

Enjoying this pretty thoroughly. I think the styles of playboy-hero Tony and insecure Bruce have been nailed perfectly. Fury seems super good here, I wonder when we'll see him make more cold-blooded decisions. I also really like how the buildup of this governmental super hero squad is going.

Issue #3

Loved that ending. The pop culture references are taking me out. Glad they're in here. They kinda make the book a product of its time funnily enough, but in a good way. Still so surprised at how affable Fury is. All the Cap stuff is wonderfully tragic. Another great issue. Seems like they're building up Pym to be an Icarus kind of character. Banner retreating in himself is never good because it leaves room for someone else to come out...

Issue #4

Who could have possibly seen that the constant needling of Banner would make him do something drastic??? I love the line, "But the honest-to-God truth of the matter is that I just missed being big." It really reinforces the relationship of jealousy he has with Giant-Man. This Thor seems like something Jason Aaron would have written, which I find interesting. Also Depp probably would have made a great Stark. 

Issue #5

What a first threat. Hulk being gray was a nice touch. Giant-Man calling Hulk a little man, smh. Can't teach common sense. I really don't like Cap lying then hitting a defenseless and incapacitated Bruce. Such a lame way to end the battle.

Issue #6

Cute Batman reference with Alfred there.

The Hank and Jan stuff took things tooo far. It's just an escalation problem mixed with how it felt so poorly handled. Up until this point, we never really saw glimpses of their relationship being toxic, if anything it was the opposite. I feel like this twisted two of our protagonists in a way that didn't make their flaws more compelling, it was just bad to see. Anyway, the Jan mutant reveal was interesting at least. 

I wonder if Tony is serious about the cancer. An interesting motivation for sure--possibly ties into the alcoholism?

Issue #7

I really hate how this Hank Pym stuff is going down. I think it's written pretty poorly (not completely, but I'd still call it bad overall), but I also feel like it's just so disrespectful and awful to have a whole new universe and decide that this was the absolute best direction to take the character. I mean, seriously? This is what you think maximizing the character looks like? I just hate it from a conceptual point of view.

Issue #8

Loved the Natasha and Clint introduction. The midair rifle grab was an awesome moment. Also the small banter between Pietro and Nat was fun. I'm guessing I'll have more to say about Hank next issue...

Issue #9

Millar did a good job with Cap's personality and showing how it can cause conflict/culture clash. I don't like how passive Thor has been these last few issues.

Issue #10

The spy aliens stuff and betrayal has always made for an interesting setting and plot in my opinion. Love Thor's ability to read people, makes him feel more mystic and otherworldly.

Issue #11

I liked how the alien stuff was going at first, but this has felt like a huge tonal shift, especially considered it was just a few issues ago where The Ultimates went on their first mission to stop a rampaging Hulk. Again, it's the problem of escalation and things moving too fast.

Issue #12

Out of character line for sure, but you have to admit: The A for France line was funny.

It's awesome how Tony is reasonably down-to-Earth. Despite being a genius billionaire, he feels like an everyman who's thrust into some unbelievable situations.

Issue #13

Felt like this was just pretty good when it should have been great. Good introduction and characterizations, but ending up just losing itself to a plot that ended up being middling. The newness was good and genuinely interesting, but I was disappointed in the lack of meaningful character arcs and answers to the deeper "why?"

Wasp ending up with Cap does feel kinda prizey, which is ironic because she mentioned that concept earlier in the run. 

Also Betty is so awful lol.