Solicitations[]
Issue #1 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #1
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“THE ULTIMATE DEFENSE” Part One – "SOS"
Carol Danvers has some questions for Jennifer Kale. Why did an imprisoned Hulk, in the midst of an unprompted breakdown, demand she be found? And what does he mean by “Nul has escaped”?
The answers will lead to the creation of a team that seems, quite frankly, excessive. Captain Marvel, cosmic powerhouse. Jennifer Kale, master of ancient Atlantean magic. Karma, telepathic cyborg mutant billionaire. Dark Angel, magi-tech special forces agent and manipulator of the Fabric of the Universe. Spectrum, pure living energy given form. Blue Marvel, anti-matter powered super genius. The Sentry, possibly the most powerful superhuman to have ever lived.
They might not be enough. For the Ultimates will soon find themselves stranded in deep space, trapped between Nul, Breaker of Worlds and the Hulk’s Hulk, enraged to madness; and Imogen, the iron-handed empress of the Black Galaxy!
PLUS: In the first a series of backup stories, see Jennifer Kale’s first quest against Nul, in the story of the SECRET DEFENDERS.
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
Issue #2 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #2
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“THE ULTIMATE DEFENSE” Part 2 – “SPEED UP”
The Ultimates arrived in the Black Galaxy too late to head off Nul’s rampage! The Breaker of Worlds has lived up to his name as planets fall in his wake.
They’ll have to pick up the pace if they’re going to prevent any further catastrophe. Its a lot of to ask of a team that’s mostly strangers to each other.
Captain Marvel is leading the mission, but Dark Angel isn’t used to taking orders. There’s no time to spare on disagreements, but they’ll waste some of it anyways.
Jennifer blames herself for the destruction Nul is causing on this rampage. Is she right to? And, are those sparks we see flying between her and Karma?
Benched after a mental breakdown, the Sentry has been off the field for years. His powers are undiminished, but can he handle the pressure?
He’s not the only one who’s been out of play. Spectrum had retired to avoid losing her humanity: the more she uses her powers, the more her cosmic awareness increases. Can she maintain the balance when the stakes are so high?
Blue Marvel has spent decades contented with lab work and scientific experiment. Does he still have the stomach for this?
The Ultimates put themselves right in the middles of Nul’s path. Unfortunately, that path leads straight in realm of Imogen, the Empress of the Black Galaxy! Her empire is powered by the Crucible, a celestial artifact that levels the playing field between her and the Ultimates. It also happens to be the thing that Nul is rampaging towards.
PLUS, Years ago, the Hulk was possessed by the Asgardian warrior known as Nul. While that time has largely been forgotten, witness this untold tale of what happened when Nul was separated from the Hulk! Half-formed and driven mad, Nul rampages towards Wundagore Mountain. Having been turned down by Doctor Strange, Hulk has asked Jennifer Kale for help. Last issue, Jennifer assembled the SECRET DEFENDERS. Now witness their battle with Nul!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Issue #3 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #3
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“THE ULTIMATE DEFENSE” Part 3 – “REVOLUTION”
The Ultimates: Locked in the Dungeon!
Empress Imogen has captured the Ultimates! She thinks she can stop Nul on her own. She’s wrong. Imogen sees the Ultimates as a bigger threat to her tyrannical rule than Nul. She might actually be right about that.
Carol and Shevaun are starting to think they might have fared better against Imogen if they’d been on the same page. Now, will they stop blaming each other for that?
Monica has gone from hardly using her powers to constantly using them. As the cosmic awareness floods back into her mind, will she lose herself in the universe?
Its a bad time for that, as Karma uses her power to foment a revolt from within the bars of the prison!
Jennifer comes with a plan to escape from Imogen’s clutches: let Nul through the palace’s barriers and give him what he wants. The Crucible, the source of Imogen’s imperial power. But, what happens when Nul gets his hands on the Crucible? I’m sure it’s fine and holds no grave implications for the future.
On the topic of grave implications, the Sentry has started hearing a voice in his head. That’s not at all concerning, is it? Of course, he’ll tell his teammates and they’ll get it sorted out. What’s that? He’s not going to tell anybody? Oh dear.
PLUS, years ago, in an effort to limit civilian casualties, Jennifer Kale has transported Nul, the Secret Defenders and herself to an isolated planet in the Black Galaxy. What price will the Defenders have to pay to imprison Nul? Why have they been forgotten? Find out as the first and only mission of the Secret Defenders comes to a pyrrhic end!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Issue #4 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #4
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
"THE SIX SIEGES” Part 1 – “DAMAGED LADY”
With Nul vanished, and Imogen’s empire at an end, the Ultimates return to Earth – with an imprisoned Imogen in tow.
No sooner than when Carol finishes processing the paperwork for Imogen’s imprisonment does Roma of Otherworld arrive to extradite the defeated warlord.
She reveals that Imogen is actually a denizen of Otherworld. The daughter of Cymbeline turned criminal, she fled through the Siege Perilous centuries ago. Turns out that galactic warlords don’t just have the names of characters from Shakespeare for no reason.
Carol definitely isn’t bitter about that wasted paperwork. (She is definitely bitter)
The Ultimates accompany Roma as she drags Imogen kicking and screaming back to Otherworld – but with the Nul situation diffused, will the team even stay together?
Karma begins to realize that this superteam business is going to really eat into the time she has to spend on her business business.
Shevaun is a bit miffed that it’s taken a team-up with a bunch of Americans to get an invite to the collective magical subconscious of her homeland. She’s also annoyed by the fact that Jennifer Kale has apparently been so many times.
After her adventures in space, Monica was hoping for time to ground herself again on Earth. Otherworld is not a great place for that.
Blue Marvel believes that magic is nothing but science he doesn’t understand yet – can that belief survive Otherworld intact?
When the Sentry notices Imogen becoming suspiciously calm, he dismisses his worries as paranoia – he is hearing voices, after all. But just because he’s paranoid doesn’t mean he isn’t right.
Imogen has lost everything – her power, her empire, her freedom. But a wounded animal is the most dangerous kind. What does she have planned?
PLUS, find out what happened to Nul after he got his hands on the Crucible. Turns out it was not at all fine and holds many grave consequences for the future. We’re very sorry for the mix-up.
Nul has used the Crucible to travel across dimensions and reclaim his Hammer, and thus his sanity. Now. he’s going to collect the Hammers of the rest of the Worthy. One down, seven to go…
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
Issue #5 Cover
Issue #5 Data Page
THE ULTIMATES #5
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“THE SIX SIEGES” Part 2 – “RUNAWAY”
The Ultimates get a hands-on demonstration of Otherworldly artifacts when, in the dark of night, Imogen breaks out of her cell and escapes – through the Siege Insidious!
Transformed by the Siege into a being powered for revenge, Imogen cut a path of destruction through Otherworld.
The Starlight Citadel, the Heron Dynasty, the Manchester Gods – Imogen has many enemies, and the Ultimates are at the top of the list!
There’s no time for Captain Marvel to feel vindicated in her objections to Imogen’s extradition as she and the rest of the team wake to find themselves under attack!
The Sentry just feels guilty, thinking it’s his fault for not saying anything about his suspicions. The voice in his head agrees.
Blue Marvel is starting to suspect magic is real – but now he wishes it wasn’t.
Jennifer and Roma do their best to counter magic with magic, but the Siege’s transformation goes beyond the realm of the mystic.
Luckily for them, so do Monica’s cosmic powers. She might be the key to winning the day, but what will it cost?
It’s a real bad time for Shevaun’s powers to start malfunctioning. Is something wrong with the Fabric of the Universe?
PLUS, Nul has gathered the Worthy, having freed them from their Hammers. He intends to lead them, with Angrir as his right hand. As you might imagine, Skadi, daughter of the Serpent, has thoughts about that. Will the rest fall in line, or hold loyal to the Serpent?
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
Variant by peach MoMoKo (桃桃子)
material from AOM Halloween Special (Vol. 1)
“BROKEN PROMISE”
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by PEACH MOMOKO
From the dark recesses of the past comes the tale of how Jennifer Kale earned the name Spellbinder!
Once upon a time, there were two young sorcerers, Jennifer Kale and Erica Fortune. Both Erica and Jennifer were orphaned at a young age, growing up in the care of their grandfathers, serving as the surrogate mothers to their younger brothers. Jennifer was the heir to Zhered-Na, Sorcerer Supreme of ancient Atlantis. Erica was the Spellbinder, gifted with a connection to a vast store of extraplanar magic.
Everything was perfect. And then the power went to Erica’s head, and she ended up having to be sealed away in a crystal prison by her brother Roy. We’ve all been there.
Roy went on to become the apprentice of one Jennifer Kale, and everything was perfect once more.
But when the stars align on one All Hallows Eve, Erica breaks out of her prison and exacts blood vengeance upon Roy. A grief-stricken Jennifer finds herself looking in a dark mirror.
What further horrors will she have to brave to avenge her apprentice and safeguard reality?
Issue #6 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #6
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
"Downtime” Interlude – “WHAT’S THIS”
With the Insidious Imogen defeated, the Ultimates return from Otherworld victorious – and with a reward from Roma!
Newly gifted with the Siege Courageous, the Ultimates have been problem solving like never before! (There may or may not be a montage sequence in this issue)
Karma offers up Hitachi Tower in Hanoi as a headquarters. Though, the city needs some convincing…
Jennifer Kale has a question for Karma… “Are you single?”
Jennifer Kale also has more serious questions, like “How did the Asgardian rage monster escape?” Meanwhile, Dark Angel attempts to discover why her powers have been malfunctioning. Soon enough, they’ll find out these questions have the same answer! (Not quite yet though)
Monica’s increasing cosmic awareness is putting a strain on her relationship with Blue Marvel. Can she be both a cosmic powerhouse, and human?
The Sentry has been wondering if the voice in his head is real. We gets the answer. But whose voice is it?
PLUS, having slain Skadi, Nul claims leadership of the Worthy. But Nul is not content just to lead. (He’s fundamentally incapable of feeling secure in his power, Nul. Rough childhood will do that.) No, he must become more. Angrir, Breaker of Souls, sets out to subjugate the exemplars of Raggadorr the Builder in his name. There is something Nul would have them build. A machine to complete his ascension. A God Machine.
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
material from AOM Holiday Special (Vol. 1)
The Ultimates in — ”WINTER MAGIC”!
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plotted by H-E-D
Art by MIRKA ANDOLFO
Jennifer Kale and Karma are off on their first date.
It’s bad news for the Ultimates as they find themselves facing a magical situation without their arcane specialist.
An ice spirit has accidentally engulfed Ho Chi Min City in ice.
Dark Angel doesn’t know how to handle a magical threat without prolific use of firearms, but when Blue Marvel learns that the spirit is just a lost child in search of its parents, he dedicates himself to finding a peaceful solution.
The Ultimates has toppled galactic empires and fought cosmic terrors — but can they help a wayward child find their way?
Issue #7 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #7
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“COSMIC FRACKING” Part 1 - “FOLLOW ME”
When the Ultimates look into just how Nul escaped, they discover a crack in the Superflow, the raw space between universes.
The Superflow has been fractured — and the damage is spreading.
Shevaun realizes that this is the source of her power malfunctions — she draws her power from the Fabric of the Universe, and that fabric has been torn.
In the Superflow, the Ultimates find an ally in Izanami Randall, a Nightmask – one gifted with the power to navigate the Superflow, and the responsibility to protect it.
As they split up to investigate, they find themselves on a collision course with Dario Agger, CEO of Roxxon!
Roxxon has spent generations plundering the Earth for profit, but under Agger’s leadership, they’ve set their sight much, much higher.
In the Superflow, the Sentry meets the one who’s been putting voices in his head. Who is Spellbreaker? And what’s her grudge against Jennifer Kale?
PLUS, Angrir makes for a cruel task master. As the Breaker of Souls, he has experience. But the first soul he broke was his own. And Nul wants it to stay that way. As his God Machine is built, Nul wants to make sure his right hand has his host body under control. (Fun fact: Angrir is actually just that gross parasite wrapped around him)
32 PGs./Rated T+...$3.99
Issue #8 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #8
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“COSMIC FRACKING” Part 2 - “RED LIGHT”
Roxxon has been fracking the multiverse!
By inject dark matter into the Superflow, they’ve managed to extract a reality-warping substance on par with a cosmic cube: Aether.
Dario Agger is most definitely not the sort who you’d want to have that.
If the tears in the fabric of the universe their fracking has created doesn’t destroy the universe first, he probably will.
Nightmask, caretaker of the Superflow, and Dark Angel, manipulator of the Fabric of Reality, find themselves a potent duo.
Monica pushes her powers to new limits to traverse the Superflow.
The Sentry reunites with the Ultimates and is… surprisingly even-keeled. What did Spellbreaker do? And will the Ultimates notice amongst the chaos?
Jennifer musters all the magic might she has as the Spellbinder to heal the tears in reality – but with Roxxon’s fracking still ongoing, there’s only so much she can do.
Carol and Adam work on taking out Roxxon’s operations – but a certain minotaur executive won’t be happy about that!
PLUS, Nul’s God Machine is progressing on schedule. But with every day that passes, Nul trusts the Worthy less. How is he to become the new God of Fear when he’s spent his entire life being afraid?
32 PGs./ Rated T+...$3.99
Issue #9 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #9
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“COSMIC FRACKING” Part 3 – “STARS FALLING FROM THE SKY”
As the Ultimates destroy Roxxon’s operations in the Superflow, Dario Agger tries to use the as-of-yet untested Aether to destroy them!
He might destroy all reality in the process, but his lawyers assure him he can’t be held liable.
Possessing the mad CEO with her mutant power, Karma is the only thing standing between the Ultimates and multiversal devastation! But dominating a mind as relentlessly egoistic as Agger’s is hard enough to subdue, let alone when a single thought can warp reality.
As multiversal fault lines slip, Carol rallies the rest of the Ultimates to contend with the madness unleashed by the reality tremors!
Can Shevaun and Nightmask safeguard the Fabric of Reality, or will the mad Minotaur year the Superflow to shreds?
Even if they stop him, can the damage be undone?
Jennifer set out of this journey looking for answers, but she’s left only with more questions.
PLUS, The Worthy receive a visit from the one who broke the seal on Nul’s prison: Spellbreaker. She has an offer to make them…
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
Cover
material from AOM Valentine's Day Special (Vol. 1)
THE ULTIMATES in “Same Heart!”
Written by Kieron Gillen
Plotted by H-E-D
Art by Dadachyo
Returned from their adventures in the Superflow, the Ultimates take a much needed rest.
For Jennifer Kale and Karma, that means one thing – date night!
And, as they say, while the adults are away, the kids will play. Karma’s siblings Nga and Leong join up with Andy, Jennifer’s little brother, to spy on the couple.
Can they manage to spy on two superheroes unnoticed – and without accidentally ruining the date?
Issue #10 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #10
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“APOTHEOSIS” Part 1 - “WHISPER”
At Carol’s request, Karma convinces Roma to imprison Dario Agger in Otherworld. Less paperwork.
Blue Marvel was going to get to work on containing the Aether, but Spectrum does it with ease. Her powers are at new heights, but her connection with her humanity is at an all-time low.
Jennifer Kale finally divines the source of the magick that crept through the cracks in the Superflow to free Nul.
It’s the distinctive magic of Erica Fortune, her old nemesis and predecessor as Spellbinder. The woman she forever bound from her dimension.
Jennifer realizes that Erica is plotting something. But what she doesn’t yet realize is that she’s too late to stop it.
The Sentry has fallen completely under the sway of SPELLBREAKER. Uh oh.
Using him as a puppet, Erica is about to perform a ritual that could take the Ultimates out of the action – permanently!
I’m sure that’s the only thing the Ultimates have to deal with.
It would just be terrible if this coincided with an attack on Earth by Nul.
What rotten luck. And by luck, we mean that coordinating the attacks was the deal Spellbreaker made with Nul in issue #9.
Shevaun’s powers have started repairing themselves as Nightmask mends the Superflow; but are they enough to deal with the most powerful superhuman there’s ever been?
THEN,
Before they were Breaker of Worlds and Breaker of Souls – they were Nul and Ond, half-brothers, sons of Mimir. Nul is son of Njörun, Mimir’s wife. Ond is the son of Sinmara, fire giantess, Surtur’s wife. As children, Nul was a weakling, the runt; Ond, the half-breed, was a pariah. The God of Nothing, and the God of Souls. As brothers, they were inseparable. But as their cousins, sons of Bor, compete for the title of All-Father, their loyalties will be tested.
32 PGs./Rated T+...$3.99
Issue #11 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #11
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“APOTHEOSIS” Part 2 – “BREAK IT”
A possessed Sentry has trapped the Ultimates in the Cascade, an extra-dimensional sinkhole!
How, you ask?
It’s simple; using the Golden Guardian of Good, the nefarious Erica Fortune – Spellbreaker – cast a ritual to spread a curse to the entire team!
It’s not just any curse – it’s the curse that Jennifer Kale placed upon Erica to banish her from the mortal realm. The only thing keeping the mad sorceress from wrecking havoc on their world.
Now the only way for the Ultimates to get home is to have Jennifer lift the curse – freeing Spellbreaker in the process!
She doesn’t have much choice in the matter, as Nul and the Worthy launch an assault on Hanoi!
Nul intends to harvest humanity’s fear to power his God Machine – and it’s working!
The timing is just as Nul and Spellbreaker planned. (Though latter neglected to tell the former that the Ultimates might get back in the game.)
This is an endgame that Spellbreaker has been working towards since the beginning – ever since the damage caused Roxxon’s cosmic fracking allowed her to free Nul from his prison! Are the Ultimates just trading one catastrophe for another?
This is a trip one Ultimate won’t be coming home from!
THEN,
Under the tutelage of the Serpent, Nul has harnessed the power of fear to go from undergrown runt to a mighty hulk. Ond had sworn to always stand by his brother’s side, but Nul’s directives from All-Father Cul grow increasingly cruel; and he seems all too willing to follow them. When the Serpent orders the extermination of an entire realm, Ond is determined to get his brother to see reason. But can he possible stop his brother from being consumed by the thrill of power, or has he already become the Breaker of Worlds?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Issue #12 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #12
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“APOTHEOSIS” Part 3 “IN THE GAME”
The Ultimates have returned to Earth – but the Sentry has stayed behind, going into self-imposed exile for falling victim to Spellbreaker’s manipulations.
All Jennifer Kale had to do to accomplish that was give a psychopathic sorceress free reign over the multiverse.
It’s a problem for another day, as Nul and the Worthy continue to occupy Hanoi!
With the element of surprise on their side — as well as their unmatched powers — the heroes begin to turn the tide
Betrayed by his allies and failed by his peers, Nul is apoplectic.
What desperate price is he willing to pay for ascension — and what will the God Machine manifest in him?
THEN,
As Odin goes to war against the All-Father, the Serpent puts together his honor guard, the Worthy. Nul, Breaker of Worlds, is given a place of pride among them; but the hulking warrior nurses a wound from the rejection of his brother, Ond, a rising general in Odin’s coalition. But in the deepest pits of Muspelheim, the Serpent shows Nul the mind-controlling parasite known as Angrir. The time has come for Ond to join the Worthy – whether he likes it or not!
32 PGs./Rated T+...$3.99
Issue #13 Cover
THE ULTIMATES #13
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (epilogue)
“APOTHEOSIS” Part 4 “ENDLESS NIGHT”
Nul has done it. Powering the God Machine with the life force of the Worthy, he has become a true god incarnate.
But, not a God of Fear as he planned. Before, he called himself the God of Nothing.
Now, he is the God of Nothingness – a Living Black Hole! If he isn’t stopped, and quickly, the entire world will be consumed.
Can the Ultimates protect the people of Hanoi from a singularity?
A solution presents itself, but the consequences may be dire.
The deaths of the Worthy has released Ond, god of souls, from his slavery.
He has the power to stop Nul, but after untold ages of torture by the parasite known as Angrir, he lacks the will to act.
Karma’s powers solve that problem – but at what cost?
32 PGs./ Rated T+...$3.99
THE ULTIMATES #14
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
14. “AFTERMATH” Part 1 – “MELANCHOLY 24/7”
Nul has been killed, and the crisis in Hanoi ended, but at a high price.
To strike the killing blow, Karma had to take Ond’s body past the event horizon.
Nothing was left of the God of Souls – or Karma’s mind. Her body lies comatose, completely unresponsive.
It would be a hard enough blow to Jennifer Kale already if she didn’t feel responsible for the machinations of Spellbreaker, who brought things to this point.
As Captain Marvel, Spectrum and Blue Marvel head back to America to join their homeland’s fight against Asgard (see CIVIL WAR: THE ULTIMATES), the ranks of the Ultimates stand depleted. Karma is in a coma, and the Sentry is in exile.
Is there a future for this once unbeatable team?
PLUS – Ond lives! Having passed through the collapsing singularity of Nul, he finds himself stranded in a strange realm called Demetria. But he isn’t alone – Karma’s mind remains inside his! How will they negotiate this strange arrangement?
32 PGs./Rated T+...$3.99
THE ULTIMATES #15
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“AFTERMATH” Part 2 – “PANDORA”
A mourning Jennifer Kale takes a trip home to Citrusville, Florida to mourn and reflect.
She won’t get much of a chance before Spellbreaker’s vengeance comes for her.
After being freed from her banishment curse (see ULTIMATES #11), Erica Fortune has returned to Earth.
Nothing good can come of this. Least of all for Jennifer Kale, her nemesis, the woman who left her banished for years.
What designs does she have for the vulnerable Spellbinder?
PLUS – For the first time in eons, the god called Ond has free will. It’s a difficult thing to navigate – especially considering he’s now sharing his body with the mind of Karma! She’s a much friendlier guest than Angrir was. but while Ond needs to relearn what it means to live, Karma just wants to go home! If that wasn’t difficult enough, they’re stranded in Demetria, a world replete with floating cities. Stowing away on an airship, they soon find themselves en route to the city of Cadador – a decision they’ll soon come to regret!
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
THE ULTIMATES #16
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“SUPERIOR SPELLBINDER” Part 1 – TWO OF US
Jennifer Kale has been banished to the depths of the Cascade!
To make matters worse, Erica Fortune has stolen her face and infiltrated the Ultimates.
What’s left of them, that is.
With the three Marvels embroiled in the Asgard-American War (see CIVIL WAR: THE ULTIMATES), the only member of the team around to fool is Dark Angel.
Can Erica fool Shevaun, or is her scheme to destroy Jennifer’s life doomed from the start?
That’s not even mentioning the fact that Dark Angel has come to Jennifer with a mission worthy of the Ultimates – just because she hasn’t been named in the solicits in almost half a year doesn’t mean she hasn’t been up to anything!
The Superflow faces an invasion by the mysterious AI legion known only as the the Sidera Maris. It’s up to Dark Angel, Nightmask, and “Spellbinder” to stop them from spreading into their own universe.
Unless Erica can think of a reason not to stop them, of course.
PLUS – Unfortunately for Ond and Karma, the floating city of Cadador turns out to be an oppressive slave state. As they flee the city guards who would enslave them, they have to find a way out of the city – without falling to their deaths!
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
THE ULTIMATES #17
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“SUPERIOR SPELLBINDER” Part 2 – "SECRET WORLD"
In the Superflow, the threat posed by the Sidera Maris has been solved. But then, why is Shevaun furious at “Jennifer Kale”?
Midway through the fight against the AI worldeaters, Spellbinder solved the problem with a single spell. Rather than bothering to destroy the Sidera Maris, she simply sent them all to another universe, full of life.
(A moment of silence for Earth-8101)
The casual sacrifice of billions of lives disgusts Dark Angel and Nightmask, as does “Jennifer”’s apparent indifference to the cost.
Meanwhile, the real Jennifer Kale explores Agartha, the world of the lost. The bottommost destination in the stack of dimensions known as the Cascade. Few have ever been rescued from it; fewer still have ever escaped. What strange sights and figures will she meet here? And what chance does she have to get out at all, let alone before Spellbreaker can destroy her life?
Meanwhile, with the Civil War at a close, the rest of the Ultimates need to figure out how to move forward. Carol and Adam seem willing to bury the hatchet, but Spectrum finds it harder to forgive Captain Marvel’s lapse in judgment! Can the Blue Marvel find a way to bring Monica Rambeau back out from the cosmic depths of Spectrum?
PLUS – Ond and Karma stowed away on a supply ship to escape Cadador. It’s out of the frying pan and into the fire, however, as the airship is attacked by a group identifying themselves as the Pirates of the Wind!
32 PGs./Rated T+...$3.99
THE ULTIMATES #18
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“SUPERIOR SPELLBINDER” Part 3 – "STARLIGHT"
Under the guise of Jennifer Kale, Erica Fortune continues the charade of playing superhero — but the ranks of the Ultimates are all but depleted.
Time for a recruitment drive.
Her first stop? Otherworld.
But the Tenebrous Cells of the Starlight Citadel won’t breach themselves. Even the Spellbreaker can’t do that singlehandedly. Unless she has an ace in the hole.
The Aether should do nicely.
Meanwhile, Blue Marvel and Captain Marvel find themselves somewhere they never expected to be — inside the mind of Spectrum!
As a being a living energy, Monica Rambeau has a mind like no other — one that Carol and Adam are uniquely capable of contact with.
Her mind scape has been expanded to boundless measures by her cosmic awareness — can her teammates find her within it, or are they doomed to wander the cosmos of her mind forever?
PLUS: Ond and Karma are pleased to discover that The Pirates of the Wind are actually quite friendly. And their leader thinks she might know a way to get them home. But they’ll have to make it through the heart of Meridian, Demetria’s greatest city!
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
THE ULTIMATES #19
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“DARK ULTIMATES” Part 1 – “BURN”
Erica Fortune, still wearing the face of Jennifer Kale, has used the Aether to tear the dungeons of the Starlight Citadel apart. One quick raid on a United States superprison and the team is complete.
Meet the new Ultimates: Spellbreaker, Imogen, Dario Agger, Skirn, and a dark figure Erica calls the Void.
Monica Rambeau, reunited with her humanity, awakes alongside Blue Marvel and Carol Danvers, just in time to witness this new team of Ultimates explain to the world the price of their protection moving forward.
As “Jennifer Kale” demands submission back on Earth, down in Agartha the true Jennifer Kale has an unexpected reunion with the Sentry!
PLUS: The conclusion of Ond and Karma’s journey in Demetria!
32 Pgs./ Rated T...$2.99
THE ULTIMATES #20
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)
“DARK ULTIMATES” Part 2 – "RESCUE ME"
When he exiled himself from the Earthly Plane, the Sentry thought he was at least free from machinations of Spellbreaker.
He was wrong.
Now she’s used her curses to tear his power out, away from any of his heroic impulses. Her new ally isn’t a person, but the absence of one. A Void.
Now the Void stands beside Spellbreaker, Skirn, Imogen and Dario Agger as the new Ultimates.
At the United Nations, they announce the new way of the world. The Ultimates get to do anything they want.
The first objection, surprisingly, comes from the proud island dictatorship of Myridia. Within an hour, the Ultimates have erected a moment to their power atop the bones of its people.
While the nations of the world are cowed into submission, its heroes fight on. Aghast and enraged by the atrocity committed under a banner they once called their own, the Three Marvels are outnumbered as they confront the Dark Ultimates in the ruins of Myridia. As Blue Marvel takes on the Minotaur and Skirn, Captain Marvel faces Imogen, still empowered by the Siege Insidious. it’s up to Spectrum to handle the Void and Spellbreaker herself!
But what twisted ritual is Spellbreaker casting amidst the ashes?
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
THE ULTIMATES #21
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO & ARIELA KRISTANTINA
"DARK ULTIMATES" Part 3 – "TAKE A BOW"
TWENTY-FIFTH ISSUE EXTRA-SIZED FINALE
In a graveyard that was once a nation, the last three members of the Ultimates fight tooth and nail to defend what remains of its civilian populace from the so-called Dark Ultimates!
Even with powerhouses like Blue Marvel and Spectrum, there’s only so long they can hold out against the villains’ superior numbers – and especially the threat of the Void, Spellbreaker’s pet nightmare.
Just when all hope seems lost, the tide of the battle turns as the Void dissolves before their very eyes.
At just that moment, the true Ultimates find their numbers doubled as Karma, Spellbinder and Ond suddenly join the fray!
The Sentry sacrificed his life to give the TRUE Jennifer Kale the energy to transport herself, Karma and Ond back to the mortal realm, destroying his shadow-self in the process.
There’s no time for celebration or explanation, however, as Spellbreaker threatens to use the Aether to unleash a ritual to suffocate the entire planet in the same crystalline prison that once held her!
PLUS: The Ultimates have saved the day! Shocking, I know.
Erica Fortune, her connection to magic sundered climatically by Jennifer, is in custody. The rest of the Dark Ultimates have vanished into the wind.
With that threat ended, the Ultimates come to an agreement – they’re going to disband!
They acted in time to save the world – but not Jennifer Kale’s reputation. Thanks to Spellbreaker’s disguise, Jennifer has the most hated face in the world!
Meanwhile, after being separated from her body for so long, what Karma needs is time on her own.
Ond, on the other hand, is off to Asgard, for the first time in eons. Will King Thor welcome him with open arms?
Blue Marvel’s heart is in the lab, but Monica’s is in the field. The world needs defenders – and Spectrum just might be Earth’s mightiest hero!
Captain Marvel sets off to space! Less paperwork out there.
And a final, big, thank you to everybody who’s been reading and buying the series over the past two years!
64 PGS./ Rated T...$2.99