Catching up in the Ultimate Universe

[Phfylburt]

So I am borderline new to the universe. I say borderline because I know what is going on and how it went down. I have however read very little of the actual universe itself. Just to name a few of the thing I have read:
Ultimates 1 & 2
Ultimate Gah Lak Tus Trilogy
UFF Vol 1 - 7
Ultimate Human
UXM Vol 1-3
and finally USM vol 1-4

Obviously I haven't read much X-Men and Spider-Man but I can't really afford it all. I've read up to 7 in FF because I am a huge Ellis and Millar fan.
So, anyway, I am trying to find the key arcs, and I'm not to sure of which ones to get. I know that there are a couple Must read ones in each of the series, but that is as far as I know. So maybe a little help? Maybe?:biggrin:

[Chaos_Alfa]

I recommend reading all of Ultimate Spider-Man. It is constantly one of the best Ultimate books.

[wyokid]

Ultimates 3
Ultimatum
All of Ultimate Spider-man
Ultimate Origins

[Plawsky]

It really depends on what you're looking for. If you just want to get caught up, and since you're on a budget, I would just recommend buying the post-Ultimatum books and getting caught up with the recent UU history. That would be:

Ultimate Armor Wars 1-4
Ultimate Spider-man 1-16, 150-157 (so far)
Ultimate Enemy, Mystery, and Doom; Each 1-4
New Ultimates 1-5
Ultimate Avengers 1, 2, and 3; Each 1-6
Avengers vs New Ultimates 1-3 (so far)
Ultimate Thor 1-4
Ultimate Captain America 1-4

If you're just looking to get trades, I think that most of the arcs are in hardcover, with a few in paperback so far. As for which old arcs are "must read," that's all up to what you want from the book. My recommendations:

UXM volumes 8-13
USM volumes 5-13, 17-22 (seriously, the whole book is awesome)

Maybe you could be more detailed, though, on what you're looking for. What characters do you like? Do you like high action or a lot of character work? Etc.

Hope that helps.

[Balfro]

Yeah I'd say for key events anything with the Ultimates in it. To name a few:

- Ultimates 1
- Ultimate War
- Ultimates 2
- Ultimate Gah Lak Tus
- Ultimates 3
- Ultimate Power
- Ultimatum
- New Ultimates
- Ultimate Avengers
- Ultimate Avengers 2
- Ultimate Avengers 3
- Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates

Also all of Ultimate Spider-Man simply because it's the center of the UU and every single issue easily has at least a 7/10 rating if not higher.

If you are not so where to turn try reading this thread for reviews and synopses: http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=344006

[HolySock]

I'd get all of USM (if you enjoyed the first 4 volumes)

Ultimate Wolverine v Hulk is great, however the two main developments (Hulk's intelligence & She-Hulk) haven't popped up since, so it's not really important

I'd skip Ultimates 3 and Ultimatum. Just read the sypnoses on wikipedia or something. They are important but, imo, they're very poor.

Then I'd read New Ultimates and pick up Avengers vs New Ultimates when it comes out. You could pick up the 3 volumes of Ultimate Avengers but it's not incredibly necessary, especially if you're trying to save money.

[HolySock]

Ultimate Armor Wars 1-4
Ultimate Spider-man 1-16, 150-157 (so far)
Ultimate Enemy, Mystery, and Doom; Each 1-4
New Ultimates 1-5
Ultimate Avengers 1, 2, and 3; Each 1-6
Avengers vs New Ultimates 1-3 (so far)
Ultimate Thor 1-4
Ultimate Captain America 1-4


Armor Wars, Thor & Cap miniseries aren't necessary reads. I wouldn't spend money on these.

And USM has no issue 16 btw. It goes from 15 to 150.

[Phfylburt]

I really appreciate all of the input thus far. As for what I am looking for in particular. I would like to read Ultimate before going into Ultimate Comics. I do plan on getting the Thor mini (one of my all time favorite characters), Cap mini Enemy Trilogy, New Ultimates and all of the Avengers and Spider-Man at one point in the future.

I really enjoyed the first few volumes of Spider-man, but there was just WAY too much talking, which is why I would like the bare minimum to get up. I will eventually get all of them. I would (just for now) just like to know what major events happened to shape Peter.

As far as X-men goes I don't really think I am going to follow much of it. I don't know why but it just kind of seems like an "unnecessary" title. It seems very self contained and doesn't really interact with the world at large, beyond a few arcs here and there.

As far as specifics I enjoy in books, action is definitely a high priority. I love seeing what artists can do "in battle". I do enjoy character development but not nearly as much.

Once again thanks for the directions.

[John Zaleski]

only ultimate stories i strongly suggest are

usm
ultimates 1/2

now that i think about it i haven't really been enjoying ultimate