Millar Poll

[wyokid]

Do you enjoy Millar's work before Ultimatum more or do enjoy his recent Ultimate work more?

[Drz]

Is it fair to compare them considering Mark Millar promised with Ultimate Avengers the 300 Million Dollar action movie package in 4 trades and thats exactly what he has given us? I know alot of people miss the Ultimates volume 1 and 2 magic with alot of character moments and pretty much tailoring and weaving the Ultimate universe with super soldier arm race, Thor's liberal activism and other political aspects and so forth, but Millar did promise that the Ultimate Avengers are going to be the biggest action books and love letters to characters such as Blade, Captain America and Ghost Rider.

Thats just my thoughts on the 1st sight of this poll, but i've enjoyed them equally. Ultimates had a bigger impact on me since it got me as a fan to Steve Rogers and Thor, especially made me a Captain America fan where i consider him my 2nd favourite only behind the god damn Batman. Ultimate Avengers 2 got me to check out Jason Aaron's Ghost Rider Omnibus which was also fantastic stuff with a good exploitasion and Morrison-influenced madness with sexy battle nuns, and obviously Ultimates got me to check Milar's otherwork which i've already had some early taste on from Superman: Red Son to inevitebly his creator owned work and Wolverine books.

TLDR: I enjoy them equally right now, but Avengers vs. New Ultimates #6 can change that, we need a grand conclusion to this story, something awesome like 1985 which has one of my all time favourite endings out there.

[Earth2Invincible]

Ultimate 1 and 2 was far better than the three volumes of Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers vs New Ultimates. But, to be fair, the Marvel Zombie arc in UFF was the only arc I thought was good. The rest of the arcs was meh and the second Zombie arc was alright I guess.

[Wolverine12]

Pre-Ultimatum, it's not even a question for me. Millar's Ult X-Men and Ultimates are the best comics I have ever read.

[Sinx]

Ultimate 1, 2, and his run on UXM do not even compare to his post-Ultimatum work. Really the only post-Ultimatum work of his that I liked was Ultimate Avengers 1. The second part was just mediocre, and the third truly abysmal.

[Plawsky]

Honestly, it's not even close. I feel like the only way you could choose Avengers over Ultimates 1 and 2 is to read neither and flip a coin.

Ultimates 1 and 2 is as close to perfect as I've seen from Marvel. The characters within are real people, not just costumes. Millar took a dozen classic characters and updated them for today's audience. The pacing, dialogue, and characterization were all on the ball throughout the entire series.

The first Fantastic Four arc is one of the best arcs in Ultimate history. Not only was it a cool story, but he gave the Four some of the best Ultimizations the UU has seen. His second run was great as well, setting Reed aside and focusing on Ben, who is arguably a more interesting character. He dealt with real issues with the characters while also taking the team on some of their most action packed adventures, leading to the creation of Marvel Zombies.

While his X-Men run isn't my favorite, it was still perfectly Ultimate. He revisited classic X-Men themes and delivered a great story of the Ultimate Mutants.

His run on Avengers has done nothing near his work on any book from before Ultimatum. Avengers 1 was a great story with a mediocre ending and Avengers 2 was a lot of fun, but neither really had the excitement of his Ultimates run. Avengers 3 was a mess. Avengers vs New Ultimates is very hit and miss. And as a whole run, the series does nothing but fall short. None of the several new characters have been developed half as much as each member of the Ultimates was. The plots aren't nearly as engaging or intense as they were 5 years ago. Plot points that were teased up to nearly two years ago fail to deliver on their potential. The decompression has led to poor pacing and a lack of dialogue. The little dialogue present has been little more than filler.

Don't get me wrong, Avengers isn't a bad book. It's certainly better than Ultimates 3 and Ultimatum. But it's nowhere near as good as Ultimates 1 and 2. It had a lot of potential from the beginning but it hasn't delivered. I still liked most of the stories overall, and it's a pretty good run. It's just not what it could - and should - have been.

Millar clearly has more heart for his creator owned series than Marvel properties. I really like Superior so far. Kick-Ass was great, and the second series is good so far as well. The upcoming Hit Girl and Supercrooks have me excited. But I think a break from Marvel is exactly what Millar needs right now. If he decides to come back to the UU sometime, I would be hesitant in my confidence. I would much rather him write what he wants to write than to feel a need to write more Ultimate books.

[Scott M Davis]

Glad I read this, I was thinking of picking up Millar's Post-U but it sounds like they weren't very good.

[Earth2Invincible]

Seems like I forgot to mention Ultimate X-Men, which I thought was the best run on the title for obvious reasons. :wink:

[Balfro]

I enjoyed Avengers, but I didn't love it. His writing style changed and he seemed bitter towards other writers an poke at them through his in-comic dialogue. Not professional.

[TheEcstatic]

Glad I read this, I was thinking of picking up Millar's Post-U but it sounds like they weren't very good.

I wouldn't say you should dismiss Millar's Post-Ultimatum run; Read Ultimate Avengers 1 & 2 and then skip to Avengers Vs. Ultimates.

[Scott M Davis]

I have the first 2 volumes, I liked Vol 1, it was excellent, vol 2 was decent but Hitch's artwork was really muddy and took away some enjoyment of reading it.

[ASR]

I enjoyed Avengers, but I didn't love it. His writing style changed and he seemed bitter towards other writers an poke at them through his in-comic dialogue. Not professional.

A Men 78910

[Balfro]

A Men 78910

I assume at least part of this is english...

[Samorai_black]

I didnt care for X-men so I did not count it in my choice. I like them both.

I will say that Ultimates 1 and 2 blow the later work out of the water but I found that I enjoyed reading the Avengers stuff just as much when I read Ultimates 1 and 2.

I enjoyed both series as a whole more or less equally but in their own way. Ultimates because it was about the characters themselves and the big story involved and it introduced me to a few of my favourite comic superheroes(Ultimate versions only) gave me a reason to find Cap, Giantman and Wasp interesting. The stories were massive like a great action movie that had a mix of everything to make it into a superhero comic that I would have never thought a comic could be.

On the otherside I got Avengers. It is pretty much what I thought a superhero comic was but with a little twist the bad guys didnt win. There was very little in the way of character growth but I got to read about some cool new characters with cool designs, Black Hulk being my favoutie and Monica Chang right behind. He man not be iconic to me but bring in a character like the Red Skull and killing him shortly after his first apperance is something I didnt think superhero comics did. A bad ass black-ops team was so cool get mission, then get in get out and thank you that was pretty much it and I loved it.

And right now we have something I feel is a mix between the past and the present and I can say by itself that I like it way more then Ultimates or the Avengers but thats just me.

[Spidey Sense]

The Ultimates and Ultimate Avengers are such great runs. Crass but creative.
As much as I liked the tight plotting and dedicated art from the pre-U, Leinil Yu's style and several of the new characters were damn cool. (War Machine's armor for one, and yes that man can draw Ghost Rider; even Tyrone Cash was enjoyable.)
Only Steve Dillon's art didn't suit the extremity of the material, though I still highly enjoy his work on other titles. Voted Both.

[zenbullet]

I really felt like he phoned in a lot of the Avengers stuff, and I think I would have liked it a lot more if every six issues story arc was compressed into three issues honestly. You can do big action, but it's way better if the pacing is a lot faster, you aren't really doing a lot of character work so you might as well just go as fast as you can.

I would have hated those stories if I read them monthly instead of in trade form.

[John Zaleski]

I like his Ultimates work much more than his Ultimate Avengers work. It just had a much more epic feel to it for some reason.

[Balfro]

Avengers 1 I thought was great, but had an unfulfilling ending. I would have liked to see Rogers actually go toe-to-toe with his son.

Avengers 2 had a great plot, but kind of ruined it with the inclusion of religion. I can accept that Mephisto is the devil and he's making his undead flame-skull warriors, but when they are defeated because they enter a church or see a crusifix? I wasn't sold on that. It should have been metaphorical. Like, Castle felt he had the upper hand because God was on his side and that fueled his strength against the Ghost Rider and Vengeance. I mean, what are these guys, vampires?

Which brings me to Avengers 3. Vampires in the UU shouldn't be vulnerable to crusifix' and stakes. Vampirism is a disease in the UU, making religion the furthest thing from their weakness. The only way it's believable is if their condition makes them allergic to wood and certain types of metal. In which case they could be defeated by merely sitting on a park bench. I didn't mind the story of Nerd Hulk rising up and going against his former team, especially with him dying while still evil. That's pretty sweet. But it seemed the whole arc's only purpose was to have the Triskelion teleported to Iran.

Which brings me to Avengers vs. New Ultimates. Millar redeemed himself for the first 4 issues then lost me on the 5th one. It was a classic Ultimates-esque story and the writing and plot seemed to be back to the way it was during Ultimates and Ultimates 2. Then came the Hulk Pills and Korean Spider-Man. I don't mind a comic relief moment/issue in the middle of a serious, action-packed, drama-based series... But issue #5 was not intended to be funny or silly. Millar was being serious. But it rubs off as Avengers 3 silliness...

[The Mean Bean]

Why even make this poll? Obviously people are going to say pre-Ultimatum.

[Drz]

Avengers 2 had a great plot, but kind of ruined it with the inclusion of religion. I can accept that Mephisto is the devil and he's making his undead flame-skull warriors, but when they are defeated because they enter a church or see a crusifix? I wasn't sold on that. It should have been metaphorical. Like, Castle felt he had the upper hand because God was on his side and that fueled his strength against the Ghost Rider and Vengeance. I mean, what are these guys, vampires?

Basicly the symbol of god and that which represents christianity is their kryptonite more or less, i'd love this stuff to get expanded, but yeah its the magic that the power of church symbolism provides the holyism which effects Mephisto's Ghost Riders.


Which brings me to Avengers 3. Vampires in the UU shouldn't be vulnerable to crusifix' and stakes. Vampirism is a disease in the UU, making religion the furthest thing from their weakness.

Same response as the Ghost Rider. The virus is a curse, thus it's a magic kinda thing, i mean the universe has aliens, gods and whatnot other supernatural things from the shadows.



Which brings me to Avengers vs. New Ultimates. Millar redeemed himself for the first 4 issues then lost me on the 5th one. It was a classic Ultimates-esque story and the writing and plot seemed to be back to the way it was during Ultimates and Ultimates 2. Then came the Hulk Pills and Korean Spider-Man. I don't mind a comic relief moment/issue in the middle of a serious, action-packed, drama-based series... But issue #5 was not intended to be funny or silly. Millar was being serious. But it rubs off as Avengers 3 silliness...

So you we're okay with Ultimates 2 having super powered beings and exo-suits and whatnot, but Hulk pill is too much? <_>

[Balfro]

Basicly the symbol of god and that which represents christianity is their kryptonite more or less, i'd love this stuff to get expanded, but yeah its the magic that the power of church symbolism provides the holyism which effects Mephisto's Ghost Riders.

Same response as the Ghost Rider. The virus is a curse, thus it's a magic kinda thing, i mean the universe has aliens, gods and whatnot other supernatural things from the shadows.

I get what Millar was going for. But it just didn't fir with the already established "realness" of the UU. We know that Magic is a form of technology we don't understand, so I get that Mephisto could easily fall into that category. He may not be the actual devil, so-to-speak. But crucifix' and stakes aren't "magical" objects. Vampires aren't cursed magical beings. They are humans who contracted a disease.



So you we're okay with Ultimates 2 having super powered beings and exo-suits and whatnot, but Hulk pill is too much? <_>

Let me rephrase. I don't care about Hulk-Pills. What bugs me is the silliness of having the Avengers turn into Hulks. The Punisher as a Hulk is almost as dumb as the Punisher as a Frankenstein Monster... oh wait...

[Drz]

I get what Millar was going for. But it just didn't fir with the already established "realness" of the UU. We know that Magic is a form of technology we don't understand, so I get that Mephisto could easily fall into that category. He may not be the actual devil, so-to-speak. But crucifix' and stakes aren't "magical" objects. Vampires aren't cursed magical beings. They are humans who contracted a disease.

And the disease itself has to have a magical source like Vampire myths have since they are clearly effected by crucifixes and stakes on heart. It would have been nice if Blade could have, i dunno explained the vamprie mythology starting with Dracula (the origina antagonist of Avengers 3) and so forth.


The Punisher as a Hulk is almost as dumb as the Punisher as a Frankenstein Monster... oh wait...

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae216/Drazlol/Randomness/Batman-Nacho-Gif.gif

Never judge a book by it's cover buddy-boy.

[Balfro]

And the disease itself has to have a magical source like Vampire myths have since they are clearly effected by crucifixes and stakes on heart. It would have been nice if Blade could have, i dunno explained the vamprie mythology starting with Dracula (the origina antagonist of Avengers 3) and so forth.

But it was already established that vampires were just people with a disease in the UU in the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man. Then Millar changed it so that they could be warded off with crucifix' and stakes to the heart. And so that they have no reflection in mirrors. All of this screams magic/curses yet that's not what vampires were already established as in the UU. If that's what they were from the beginning I would fine with it I guess, but Millar took it upon himself to even ignore something Bendis established. And the funny part is that it was even in the pages of Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 that Millar mentions that the Vampire condition is just a disease, yet right away goes on to say that crosses and stakes can kill them.

Actually wait a minute... Maybe I'm remembering wrong. I seem to recall Blade pulling out a crusifix and the vampire laughed at him so then Blade stabbed him through the heart with it...

Maybe I'm arguing over something that never even happened, lol :S

[Drz]

But it was already established that vampires were just people with a disease in the UU in the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man.

Well crap on me then, all i can answer is 1 with an assumption then: Maybe the said issue didn't also expand on the virus/disease? :tongue: Because it's either that or Millar's ignorance.


Millar mentions that the Vampire condition is just a disease, yet right away goes on to say that crosses and stakes can kill them.

Yeah Blade calls it a disease, but since crosses and stakes effect it, it's as much as a magical curse as it is a disease, really theres hardly any difference between the two.


Actually wait a minute... Maybe I'm remembering wrong. I seem to recall Blade pulling out a crusifix and the vampire laughed at him so then Blade stabbed him through the heart with it...

He was a Jewish vampire so it didn't effect him. :p I thought it was a funny scene, i loved Blade's quote: "You can't outrun me fatboy, i'm half vampire half carl-lewis!" But that raises a question, what happens to Atheist vampires? <_> The curse disease thing needs to be expanded.

[Vidocq]

I like his post Ultimatum work but there was something magical about his earlier work. He had a whole brand new world to play with and run wild and it showed. Ten years later his work doesn't show the same energy the first ones did.

[Wolverine12]

Avengers 1 I thought was great, but had an unfulfilling ending. I would have liked to see Rogers actually go toe-to-toe with his son.

Avengers 2 had a great plot, but kind of ruined it with the inclusion of religion. I can accept that Mephisto is the devil and he's making his undead flame-skull warriors, but when they are defeated because they enter a church or see a crusifix? I wasn't sold on that. It should have been metaphorical. Like, Castle felt he had the upper hand because God was on his side and that fueled his strength against the Ghost Rider and Vengeance. I mean, what are these guys, vampires?

Which brings me to Avengers 3. Vampires in the UU shouldn't be vulnerable to crusifix' and stakes. Vampirism is a disease in the UU, making religion the furthest thing from their weakness. The only way it's believable is if their condition makes them allergic to wood and certain types of metal. In which case they could be defeated by merely sitting on a park bench. I didn't mind the story of Nerd Hulk rising up and going against his former team, especially with him dying while still evil. That's pretty sweet. But it seemed the whole arc's only purpose was to have the Triskelion teleported to Iran.

Which brings me to Avengers vs. New Ultimates. Millar redeemed himself for the first 4 issues then lost me on the 5th one. It was a classic Ultimates-esque story and the writing and plot seemed to be back to the way it was during Ultimates and Ultimates 2. Then came the Hulk Pills and Korean Spider-Man. I don't mind a comic relief moment/issue in the middle of a serious, action-packed, drama-based series... But issue #5 was not intended to be funny or silly. Millar was being serious. But it rubs off as Avengers 3 silliness...

GTFO of my head. Pretty much exactly how I feel about each arc of UA.

[Sinx]

So Wyokid, are you happy with yourself now knowing that you're the only living human to like post-Ultimatum Millar better?

[wyokid]

So Wyokid, are you happy with yourself now knowing that you're the only living human to like post-Ultimatum Millar better?

1. I'm not the only living human. I'm the only one thus far on the forum.
2. Most people don't agree with my opinions to begin with.

[Heroid]

I have never, ever, never read anything by Millar that I liked. He's like all of Grant Morrison's bad ideas without any good ones.

[Balfro]

2. Most people do't agree with my opinions to begin with.

I disagree.

[Vidocq]

I have never, ever, never read anything by Millar that I liked. He's like all of Grant Morrison's bad ideas without any good ones.

... Ever read Ultimates or Ultimate X Men?

[Karl O'Neill]

WHere's the option for all his stuff is shite?

[Sinx]

I disagree.

Lmao.

This sentence is for the 10 char limit.

[wyokid]

WHere's the option for all his stuff is shite?

Enjoyed both equally.

[Heroid]

... Ever read Ultimates or Ultimate X Men?

Yes. Did not like either.

[Broseidon]

Millar is an excellent writer overall. The Ultimates and The Ultimates 2 are among my favorite series, and Kick-Ass was pretty awesome as well. His run on Ultimate X-Men was pretty fantastic, and Ultimate Fantastic Four turned me on to the FF as a whole (I began reading their past 616 adventures because of it!). Outside of Marvel, I really enjoyed reading Superman: Red Son, being a bit of a Cold War history enthusiast.

In terms of his work in the UU, I'd say I definitely enjoyed his Pre-Ultimatum stuff. Ultimate Avengers never really sat well with me, especially Avengers 3. Terrible, terrible stuff. Fuck vampires.

[Wolverine12]

Yes. Did not like either.

That is shocking and upseting. :confused:

[Heroid]

That is shocking and upseting. :confused:

Whyso? I don't like his darker take on the Avengers and superheroes in general. I don't think he does good dialogue. I don't think he likes the characters he writes as they all tend to be self-serving jerks. He has no gift for pathos or poignancy. He tends to be over-the-top cynical.

What's to like?

[Wolverine12]

Whyso? I don't like his darker take on the Avengers and superheroes in general. I don't think he does good dialogue. I don't think he likes the characters he writes as they all tend to be self-serving jerks. He has no gift for pathos or poignancy. He tends to be over-the-top cynical.

What's to like?

It's shocking to me because those stories include my personal favorite comics ever written. I'm not here to tell you what you should like though.

[Plawsky]

What's to like?

Not an effort to change your opinion, but I'll gladly field that question. (Incoming long post)

Off the bat, the obvious answer is that the Ultimates are a reimagining of some of Marvel's oldest characters. It's always cool to see familiar characters put into a new setting. Sure, alternate universe stories had been done before, but never in this way. This was the first time that Marvel was telling a long-lasting non-616 story that was in no way related to the main universe. Not only that, I'm not sure the characters had ever been so different while remaining completely recognizable. It was the perfect blend of new and old.

But that's just the surface. For me, the biggest part about the Ultimates was how real the characters were. Aside from Watchmen, I haven't read a superhero comic that so well addresses the question: "What would REAL people do if they got super powers?" Bendis started this with Ultimate Spider-man, making Peter a perfect high schooler, and Millar continued in a similar fashion. Not only did these characters have problems, they had REAL problems. Cap had an identity crisis from being in the wrong time period; the Pyms suffered from a serious case of dysfunctional relationship; Banner was a brilliant man ruined by jealousy; Tony Stark was an alcoholic dealing with cancer; Thor was potentially insane; Hawkeye (later on) had to deal with the loss of his family.

Again, though, it wasn't that simple. The characters arcs were still deeper than that. Cap may have been the perfect American, but he was often too hot-tempered and could move on with the fact that it wasn't 1944 anymore. Even though Hank was a complete asshole in his relationship with Jan, I really wanted him to redeem himself. Despite the fact that the destruction Banner caused as Hulk was entirely his fault, you couldn't help but feel bad for him; he just wanted to be liked - by Betsy, by the Ultimates, by ANYONE. Thor went from being the bad ass hero to the psychopath, and his fate wasn't certain until the end of the story.

With the modern reimagining came a modern setting. Even 10 years later, these book still have social relevance. While the pages show super heros, there's clear parallels to the current war on terror that exist in today's world. The presence of George W Bush and these themes may eventually make the comics dated, but for now - and even more so when they came out - they serve as a commentary on post-9/11 politics without being too heavy handed or overly opinionated. The social commentary is there, but it doesn't get in the way of the super hero story.

And it's one hell of a super hero blockbuster. The Hulk, aliens, Asgardian invasion, foreign super heros, betrayal - it's got all the makings of a great action story. While Millar was able to cram in more character development than I've seen in any other recent team book, he didn't neglect the action one bit - it's all over the place. And the final battle in Ultimates 2 is by far one of the best fight scenes I've ever read.

Of course, the brilliance of the fight scenes - and the rest of the book - is in no small part thanks to Bryan Hitch. While most of this is a commentary on Millar's contribution to the books, I would be remiss if I left out Hitch. His art is amazing. I've never read a 26 issue run with more perfect art for the story. The only thing I've seen come close is the Ellis/Deodato 12 issue run on Thunderbolts, which was comic book perfection. Hitch's character redesigns were incredible; the costumes are almost all better than their 616 counterparts. His attention to detail may have caused the book to run late, but the extra work shows. The backgrounds are all spectacular. The fight scenes are extremely engaging, and the slow character scenes are equally well done.

In short, as if I ever keep anything short, this comic book had almost no flaws. I could read it every week and not get tired of it. Every time I see a panel from Millar's Ultimates run, I get excited and want to read it again. I know that no book can appeal to everyone, but I haven't seen any book be more universally liked, and I can see why.

[Wolverine12]

Funny story Plawsky I actually re-read some Ultimate X-Men after I responded to Heroid.

[Plawsky]

Funny story Plawsky I actually re-read some Ultimate X-Men after I responded to Heroid.

BKV's run?! I know, that stuff is awesome! :biggrin:

But seriously, I just realized how long that post was. Apologies and thanks to everyone who actually spent all that time reading it. It's been a while since I've had a nice long-winded review of something, and I think I needed that.

[Fizicks]

Of course, the brilliance of the fight scenes - and the rest of the book - is in no small part thanks to Bryan Hitch. While most of this is a commentary on Millar's contribution to the books, I would be remiss if I left out Hitch. His art is amazing. I've never read a 26 issue run with more perfect art for the story. The only thing I've seen come close is the Ellis/Deodato 12 issue run on Thunderbolts, which was comic book perfection. Hitch's character redesigns were incredible; the costumes are almost all better than their 616 counterparts. His attention to detail may have caused the book to run late, but the extra work shows. The backgrounds are all spectacular. The fight scenes are extremely engaging, and the slow character scenes are equally well done.


Absolutely. I think a very large part of the appeal and success of the first 26 issues of Ultimates was due to Hitch's art, and I feel he doesn't get nearly enough credit for it. Millar's story was fantastic, but Hitch brought in the (for lack of a better word) epic-ness to the series, especially to the final scenes in Ultimates 2. I dare say that the series wouldn't have been as critically successful as it is now if any other artist was in Hitch's place.

[wyokid]

Hey look at that! I'm not alone anymore! :biggrin:

[Filip]

I love his ultimatization of X-Men and post-humanism playfulness. Avoiding more 'edgy' to the wall, teenage wisecracking quips and smackdowns, the whole run was embroiled in Xavier/Magneto dialectic, with some extremes given to both characters and emotional detachments. For new times and situations, there must be new solutions and resolutions and quest for those mutant answers has never been this high-octane and bursting at the seams.

I've read nothing Millar-penned post this, for he wasn't writing characters I've interest in.

[ryuluddy]

Millar works best in compressed story writing. I really like his hit and go approach. Old Man Logan, the first 2 Ultimates, UFF.

He is so good, fans always want more. That's how it is best left. Millar has shown difficulty writing within continuity, as all writers do. Millar is a big name and I can see why fans want him on books, but as the UU aged, his writing got worse.

He's an excellent writer, I feel it's best if he writes a 6-12 issue arc and the lets a project go. I can't blame him for this, as fans want him. But his best stuff is always stick and go.

So, his pre-Ultimatum stuff will always win out for me.

[JeanGrey]

I answered equally.
Mainly because I still have a sour taste from Ultimates 3 (yes I know that this is a Loeb fiasco,but he ruined Millar's characters) and because I think Millar was somehow forced to write Avengers and not Ultimates when the line relaunched.

[wyokid]

I read Ultimate Avengers I and Ultimate Avengers II again...Can I change my vote?

[Scott M Davis]

Millar reads best when collected. On a month to month basis, he is horrible.

[wyokid]

Millar reads best when collected. On a month to month basis, he is horrible.

I don't know about Ultimates and Ultimates 2 but Ultimate Avengers I read better monthly IMO. Ultimate Avengers II is fine both ways, but a tad better monthly IMO. I'll get back to you on Ultimate Avengers III. About to read it again soon. So far Ultimate Avengers vs New Ultimates has been great monthly.

[Plawsky]

Millar reads best when collected. On a month to month basis, he is horrible.

Definitely. Especially his current work, which is extremely decompressed, just doesn't flow well in 22-page, monthly installments.

[Scott M Davis]

If his books were 48 pgs a month, it would be prefect.

[Heroid]

Then he should write novels and graphic novels and leave monthly comics alone. To say he's a great comic book writer who can't write monthly comics is a contradiction of terms. But I still don't see him as anything more than mediocre in any of his works. His style of superhero storytelling was tired 15 years ago. I don't find his characterization that compelling. I think that his characters are somewhat one-dimensional and all speak with the same voice. I've read better fan-fic.

[Frisky Dingo]

Pre-Ultimatum for me. And I even think that's a bit overrated at times but still much better then everything that's come since.

[wyokid]

Why do people like Millar's work so much? I would like this explained before I read the whole universe again. I've read all of them and can honestly say I've only enjoyed Ultimate Fantastic Four.

[horsehead]

Why do people like Millar's work so much? I would like this explained before I read the whole universe again.

Ultimates 1&2 and his run on UXM are brilliant, gritty and with a sense of realism and are fantastic for re-imagining classic characters in a modern setting.

UFF I found very hit and miss, some of it I just don't like at all but that might be a reflection on my opinion on the FF genre rather than Millar's writing.

Avengers was extremely disappointing in my opinion, a shadow of former glories. The bit that annoyed me most of all is when the Spider suddenly was able to tell them everything about Ghost Rider in exchange for wanting to know about Monica & Fury. If he was that powerful a psychic he would have known about them anyway and they would have used him more in every story. It just seemed a very lazy and contrived way of getting Ghost Riders back story. It almost felt to me on the whole run the Millar wasn't that commited to the characters or stories and was just going through the motions

[Wolverine12]

Because it's good. At his best in the UU he was crafting stories that had parallels to current political climates but also featured super-hero's. He had/has an amazing ability to deliver just the right amount of character development and action in a story. He made the Avengers relevant again in the form of the Ultimates, and he made the X-Men a number one seller again at a time when most of the 616 X-titles could be called stale at best.

Himself and Bendis are the main reason the the vast majority of people post in this section. The two of them have made stories that imo will go on to become classics with the likes of Miller (Frank), Clairemont, Lee and all the other big names from Marvels past. The biggest difference is that their legacy will be in the UU not 616.

[HolySock]

Well, Ultimates 1 & 2 are fantastic, and his UXM run was pretty good too. That's why.

[carabas]

Ultimates 1&2 and his run on UXM are brilliant, gritty and with a sense of realism and are fantastic for re-imagining classic characters in a modern setting.

UFF I found very hit and miss, some of it I just don't like at all but that might be a reflection on my opinion on the FF genre rather than Millar's writing.I find the difference between UFF and Ultimates 1/2 mostly to be in the art.

Greg Land can't do stuff like body language, facial expressions, subtlety, or anything else for that matter except produce glossy, pretty looking pin-up "art".

[wyokid]

Edited OP.


Avengers was extremely disappointing in my opinion, a shadow of former glories. The bit that annoyed me most of all is when the Spider suddenly was able to tell them everything about Ghost Rider in exchange for wanting to know about Monica & Fury. If he was that powerful a psychic he would have known about them anyway and they would have used him more in every story. It just seemed a very lazy and contrived way of getting Ghost Riders back story. It almost felt to me on the whole run the Millar wasn't that commited to the characters or stories and was just going through the motions

I actually really enjoyed that part. It was a perfect Silence of the Lambs homage and it showed that even though The Spider probably knew about the pain Monica went through, he wanted her to have to relive it again. Very twisted and Hannibal like.

[Wolverine12]

Avengers was extremely disappointing in my opinion, a shadow of former glories. The bit that annoyed me most of all is when the Spider suddenly was able to tell them everything about Ghost Rider in exchange for wanting to know about Monica & Fury. If he was that powerful a psychic he would have known about them anyway and they would have used him more in every story. It just seemed a very lazy and contrived way of getting Ghost Riders back story. It almost felt to me on the whole run the Millar wasn't that commited to the characters or stories and was just going through the motions

That's probably why he killed a bunch of them off.