There’s a lot of debate going on right now regarding the apparent end of the Ultimate Universe from Marvel in early 2026. What’s the story here?
ULTIMATE END?
Debuting on New Year’s Eve this year is the first part of the “Ultimate Endgame” event, which, according to the House of Ideas during the recent NYCC, will begin the wrapping up of the Ultimate Universe. This will all conclude in April of 2026.
However, no matter how definitive Marvel says this, some fans just don’t buy it. “The sales are too high,” some posters say. “As long as DC’s Absolute Universe is going, Marvel won’t let them have Marvel’s answer to that,” another posted.
It is interesting that, in contrast, DC seems to be expanding their line instead of ending it. I keep hearing that there are Absolute versions of more DC characters coming, including Green Arrow (whose regular title was recently cancelled) and Hawkman (who just might have appeared in the recent Absolute Evil one-shot).
Marvel, though, keeps pointing to Jonathan Hickman’s contract, which says that this universe has a time limit on it. Otherwise, Hickman wouldn’t have agreed to do it.
‘OTHER’ UNIVERSES!
It still entertains me that the “regular” titles don’t seem to be as popular as the “all-new, all-different” versions are these days.
Does this mean that the “regular” characters’ days are numbered? I have started reading some online articles that indicate that local comics shops are seeing an increase in younger (early to late teens and above) customers who feel comfortable diving into these “new” persons rather than trying to understand decades of continuity.
Also, these new versions seem to have more of an edge to them than the heroes who have been around so long that they have had to be acceptable to both readers and often their parents, who want more “acceptable” storytelling.
I see online readers who keep referring to the Absolute and Ultimate characters as “our” versions of the characters. I’m actually happy to see that happening, but I always have to question just how accurate these articles are. We’ll see just how true these reports prove to be. Also, will these fans stick with the characters over time, or will they leave them behind when a newer, shinier object comes along?
REMEMBER THE ORIGINAL ULTIMATE UNIVERSE!
The first time Marvel brought us the Ultimate Universe it was supposed to be the answer to reader complaints that the continuity was too complex and hard to follow. That Ultimate Universe was supposed to be set up like DC’s upcoming Next Level line. You could pick up any issue, and you would be able to understand what was going on right away.
Sadly, comic stories these days are more “sequential” in nature, meaning they build on what has come before. So, it wasn’t long before the Ultimate books were just as sequential as the previous versions.
So Marvel cancelled that line. Then they brought them back, but Hickman was apparently concerned that this Ultimate line would once again fall into the same trap.
Granted, some readers LOVE the sequential storytelling. But as time passes and other games and programs vie for our attention, it’s tougher and tougher to keep people spending their hard-earned quatloos on comics.
Not many of us remember that early comic books were supposed to be temporary distractions, not another part-time job. We have bills to pay, so comics are often the first thing to go when the belt starts to get tightened.
SO, NOW WHAT?
I think questioning the future of the Ultimate Universe is a good thing. I do agree that Marvel won’t let an obvious revenue stream lie unused, especially these days. After all, this crossover craze will only last so long! Marvel will need more books to sell sooner rather than later!
What I imagine will happen is that the UU will indeed end, all with appropriate fanfare. Then, after a few months, you will hear the usual “BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT!” will happen, and they will revive the Ultimate Universe yet again, this time with other creators at the helm. I’m sure they will seek out whoever will attract the most attention (“the team you longed for”) and maybe call it something like the “Next Ultimate Universe”, and we are once again off to the races!
At least, that’s my take on it! I’m counting on the House of Ideas to once again establish the “illusion of change” without making too much actually happen!
About Author
