The Ultimates 2

 Issue #1

Pretty fun start, flipping the outcomes from the last Ultimates on their head. 

Issue #2

Leftist hippie Thor is funny and it’s even funnier that it really works. This book is also interesting as a good critique so far but also snapshot of the time, with fear over governmental interference and dishonesty. That last Fury page is so funny for no reason. Just so realistic. In context though, pretty scary. 

Issue #3

I can’t believe they wouldn’t do any type of deep tracking/monitoring to make sure Bruce is dead. I’m loving the overarching theme about lies and the superhero being used as a private military force but there is some heavy handedness that just makes me roll my eyes like Bruce telling Betty he can’t say I love you because all the cameras. 

Issue #4

I like the back and forth over if Thor is crazy or not. Still being a comic book, the answer is obvious, but I can appreciate the attempt at making it uncertain. This Captain America characterization is so buns. I really dislike his whole boomer schtick of hating everything modern in such a grouchy way, and his complete lack of empathy. 

Issue #5

Yay more of Wanda and Pietro’s incestual relationship. We really needed that. Big ending drop with the superhero being used for military excursions buildup becoming realer.  

Issue #6

The Pym redemption arc is deaded. Sigh. Wanda flirting with one of the robots was a good joke. The political stuff is so much noticeably stronger than anything else. 

Issue #7

It’s such a weird direction to make every character the worst ever. Not flawed, but completely awful. People you wouldn’t root for. This doesn’t feel like the concept of turning the hero worship on its head. At least so far, the narrative isn’t confronting it in a meaningful way. We’re only really getting Tony having to question/acknowledge being involved with foreign affairs.

Issue #8

Good Cap moment with Bucky finally. Fury is looking like a pretty big clown this book. The mystery of who’s taking down the Ultimates is alright I guess. 

Issue #9

Loki having his own Ultimates is a decent idea. Pretty late full reveal/introduction for my liking though. 

Issue #10

Hawkeye’s pretty nothing here but he is cool still (Literally just Killer from Wanted.) Watchmen moment at the end but infinitely less mind blowing. This is the big climax I’m realizing, but I’m not getting that grand feeling.  

Issue #11

Hulk’s execution being such a big arc just for him to disappear and come back like it’s nothing is a baffling choice. I forgot about him and now that he’s back, I feel like that’s gonna make it even clearer how he was able to be so forgettable. Weird use of the character in this book.

Issue #12

Even the Ultrons not believing that Pym was a double agent was a very funny moment.

Issue #13

This last minute full scale invasion…ehhh. Pretty meh book in totality. The big political questions were deep enough and brought up enough that they really needed thorough answers and a better resolution. Unfortunately this was not found here, leaving me with the feeling that there is unfinished business, and not in the sequel needed type of way

Annual #1

Honestly really boring issue, good Fury paranoia moment I guess.

Annual #2

Pretty cool beans. Surprisingly thoughtful issue about race and the changes and similarities in issues.