Ultimatum #1
By Zak Edwards
November 5, 2008 - 20:07
Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Jeph Loeb
Penciller(s): David Finch
Inker(s): Danny Miki
Colourist(s): Steve Firchow
Letterer(s): RS & Comicraft
Cover Artist(s): David Finch. Variant by Ed McGuinness
$3.99 US, $4.50 Canada
Well, here it is. Finally, the series that is going to “change the Ultimate universe as you know it” shipped its first issue. And here’s the scary bit: it doesn’t suck. Yes, that’s right, a recent Jeph Loeb Marvel comic book that one can’t completely can. Not to say this book is incredible, but that things are on track so far to be good, and maybe even fulfill its promise. While I wouldn’t recommend this book for younger readers just because of the amount of reliance on previous stories, there is nothing in terms on content which could be considered highly offensive or sensitive. But before anything else, I would like to congratulate Marvel Comics on a terrible decision. The ruining of the conclusion to the current Ultimate Spider-Man arc by including a normal looking Gwen Stacey hanging out with Mary-Jane Watson, Peter Parker, and a couple of other supporting cast members. So, with this grievance aside, I want to look further into this surprisingly decent issue.
![]() |
Of course, David Finch’s pencils are fantastic. He can handle everything, from general, everyday interactions to something like the Thing keeping a whale out of the Baxter Building. Everything is top quality, that’s the best way to put it. Some of the better panels within the comic book are the extreme close-up of Professor X, which embodies both a weariness and desperation simultaneously, and the large panels of the New York cityscape, which are done with an intense amount of detail. There are no shortcuts in the art, every window is drawn, every line and crevice given attention and I think this took an already artistic work to another level. My only complaint may seem strange, but the characters are just too good looking. They all have a stunning beauty to them which is strange and creates a very shallow aspect to the art. Someone like Peter Parker is supposed to be an every man, but he is almost a rock star in this. Besides this, Finch is a very talented artist.
7.5/10 Surpassed expectations.
Related Articles:
The ultimate G.I. Joe Classified Army-Building Guide Part Three
The ultimate G.I. Joe Classified Army-Building Guide Part Two
The ultimate G.I. Joe Classified Army-Building Guide Part One
Review: Ultimate Chicken Horse
Bluefin Announces Ultimate Muhammad Ali Action Figure
Review: Gears of War Ultimate Edition
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #23 Review
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #16.1 Review
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #16
Ultimate Comics: Iron Man #1