Need some info on Ultimate Hardcovers

[Krypton-Man]

I have the first 3 Ult Spidey HCs and the first 2 Ult X-men HCs and I'm very happy with them. Do the following volumes continue to be as good as the ones I own or does the quality start falling off?

I've heard that Ult Spidey loses some steam but in all honesty if the characterization stays the same I'll be happy, same goes for Ult X-men.

Oh and if you guys can tell me a thing or two about the Ult FF HC I'd appreciate that too.


P.S: No need to suggest Ultimates, I own the those TPBs and absolutely love them.

[The Foreigner]

I have the first 3 Ult Spidey HCs and the first 2 Ult X-men HCs and I'm very happy with them. Do the following volumes continue to be as good as the ones I own or does the quality start falling off?

I've heard that Ult Spidey loses some steam but in all honesty if the characterization stays the same I'll be happy, same goes for Ult X-men.

Oh and if you guys can tell me a thing or two about the Ult FF HC I'd appreciate that too.


P.S: No need to suggest Ultimates, I own the those TPBs and absolutely love them.

The characterization stays strong for Ultimate Spider-Man; a lot people were just disapointed with the direction that the story went (The series goes very dark in "Carnage" and "Hobgoblin"), but I've personally loved everything so far. Bagley's artwork also fluxates from being fantastic to looking a little rushed, but 95% of the time it's really fantastic (You can't really blame the guy considering the schedule he runs on!). I would definately recommend all of the USM hardcovers; I have all of them so far (And Volume 7 comes out in August! Woo hoo!).

With Ultimate X-Men, you'll get the end of Millar's run with Volume 3, but I think the quality of the series becomes MUCH better as soon as Brian Michael Bendis takes over.

Volume 4 starts Brian Michael Bendis' run on Ultimate X-Men. It begins with a 4 or 5 part story that is really a team-up between Wolverine and Spidey. A lot of people were disapointed with it, but I think it's hilarious-- If you like USM, you'll enjoy this story. It's basically non-stop action with lots of hilarious dialogue; nothing deep, but man is it fun. Bendis then moves on to some plot threads about goverment officials and their stance on mutants, and anti-mutant terrorists-- Some interesting plot threads, but the biggest problem is he introduces a LOT of ideas and a LOT of characters, and leaves before he does anything with them. Fortunately, they are all used masterfully by Brian K. Vaughan, who is the next writer for UXM, and he uses all of Bendis' ideas brilliantly. Anyway, Volume 4 has a lot of great character moments, some good action here and there (His pacing feels a LOT smoother as a trade or hardcover, rather than month to month), and there's two pretty much self-contained issues (The introduction of Angel, and a solo story about a young mutant just discovering his powers) which are among the best single issues in all of the Ultimate Universe (in my opinion). I actually started collecting UXM with this hardcover volume, so I'd check it out.

Volume 5 (and Volume 6, which comes out later this year) of UXM are written by Brian K. Vaugah, and this is where the series really picks up. Great stories, great action, and best of all-- The X-Men feel like a real family. BKV is simply a great writer, and the dialogue and overall characterization for the X-Men just skyrockets to new heights as soon as he takes over. I can't say enough good things about BKV's UXM; it's just really, really good.

Finally, I personally have loved ALL of UFF so far, but a lot of people would completely disagree. I think the series has had great artwork, fantastic characters (No pun intended), hilarious writing, and some awesome action sequences. Overall, it's just a solid series (A lot of people feel the pacing is over-long, with the first 3 arcs at 6 issues, but they read a lot better as trades/hardcovers). I'd check out the trades at your local Borders or Barnes and Noble, and see what you think. If you like what you see, go for the hardcover. Basically, If you know ahead of time that Dr. Doom has super-powers, is made of metal, and has hooves, it's not nearly as bad as everyone makes it out to be (I think most people were just disapointed, because of his radical differences in the 616 universe). I'm collecting the hardcovers (Volume 2 comes out soon; and I'll be getting Volume 3 as soon as it's available) as well, so I'd definately reccomend it.

Oh, and even though you have the trades for Ultimates, I'd suggest getting the hardcover instead. The oversized artwork is just beautiful, plus Millar and Hitchy provide issue-by-issue commentary where they talk about the making-of the series, and provide behind the scenes stories, as well as pointing out little easter eggs and other details. It's really informative, and laugh out loud hilarious to boot-- I'd suggest picking this thing up; it's among the very best oversized hardcovers Marvel has released so far.

Whew... Any other questions? :D

[FieryBalrog]

I agree with the guy above me :D

I dont read USM but for UXM it really takes off with Vaughan, thats HC #5 and later 6. Great art, great writing, great all around.

And UFF has been really good too. The Doom arc is a little weak, and N-Zone is a little padded, but if you can find HC's for it I think they're worth picking up. The intro arc, Think Tank and the Zombie arc are all awesome.

[Krypton-Man]

Whew... Any other questions? :D

Want a beer? :D

One of the things I love about the Ultimate titles I've read are the great characterizations and dialouge and since you've told me these stay the same or get better then I'll definitely pick these books up. Thanks!

[jtg3885]

Yeah, I'd avoid any of the UFF by Millar, Ultimate Elektra, and Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra. The rest of it is very good.

[The Foreigner]

Yeah, I'd avoid any of the UFF by Millar, Ultimate Elektra, and Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra. The rest of it is very good.

I highly reccomend Millar's UFF.

[The Foreigner]

Want a beer? :D

One of the things I love about the Ultimate titles I've read are the great characterizations and dialouge and since you've told me these stay the same or get better then I'll definitely pick these books up. Thanks!

I don't drink, but thanks. :D

And yeah, I think if you're satisfied with what you've read so far, you'll definitely enjoy what's to come. Glad I could help!

[jtg3885]

I highly reccomend Millar's UFF.
Mehh. Millar doesn't seem to remember that the Ultimate Universe and 616 are different worlds. It was really obvious with the UFF annual last year, but his entire run is depends a lot on you knowing your 616 to avoid wondering what the heck Millar is snorting.

[The Foreigner]

Mehh. Millar doesn't seem to remember that the Ultimate Universe and 616 are different worlds. It was really obvious with the UFF annual last year, but his entire run is depends a lot on you knowing your 616 to avoid wondering what the heck Millar is snorting.

I've never read a single issue of 616 FF and I love Millar's run, so I don't find that to be the case.

[jtg3885]

I've never read a single issue of 616 FF and I love Millar's run, so I don't find that to be the case.It took my friend half an hour to explain enough 616 for me to get the annual without thinking Johnny was a retard for falling for Crystal and what the heck was going on with the Inhumans. And without knowledge of the whole Reed/Sue/Namor triangle, the Namor arc doesn't make quite as much sense either. And now, Millar can't even remember that Doctor Doom has never even been referred to as such in the UU.