Ultimate Universe vs. DC alternate Universes

[The Master Meglomaniac]

I thought it would be fun to compare the Ultimate Universe to some of the DC alternate universes, like All Stars and Earth One. How do you think the Ultimate Universe compares to these DC alternate Universes?

I love Superman All Stars, but Batman All Stars was so bad that it sunk the whole line. Superman Earth One was pretty good, I have not read Batman Earth One yet, but I heard good things.

[white_wolf]

I think Ultimate Marvel is a much better line than any of DC's alternative universes. Earth One isn't bad, Batman Earth One was great, but the graphic novel approach doesn't work as well as ongoings for me, at least. I think ongoing monthlys allow you to tell more stories with more characters and experiment more.

[Mr. Holmes]

I think ironically, the closest thing DC has done to Marvel's Ultimate line is in their main universe with the New 52.

[sage6paths]

I think ironically, the closest thing DC has done to Marvel's Ultimate line is in their main universe with the New 52.

Haha yes I noticed that too. I think it would be epic if The Ultimate Universe fought against DCnU.

[Havok C.]

I actually just read the Batman: Earth One graphic novel recently and it was fucking dark at first. Bordering on depressing at some parts. But I liked that the writer went just to the edge of the cliff and then started turning things around at the end. The "Birthday Boy" serial killer was interesting, but I definitely wanna see their interpretation of The Joker if they continue these Earth One graphic novels. Riddler is up next so that should be interesting.

[The Master Meglomaniac]

I actually just read the Batman: Earth One graphic novel recently and it was fucking dark at first. Bordering on depressing at some parts. But I liked that the writer went just to the edge of the cliff and then started turning things around at the end. The "Birthday Boy" serial killer was interesting, but I definitely wanna see their interpretation of The Joker if they continue these Earth One graphic novels. Riddler is up next so that should be interesting.

From what I heard, Birthday Boy was a bit of throw away villain, but he does sound more interesting then a lot of the original villains the UU created at first, like Geldoff and the Magician. Traditionally most of the original UU villains were not interesting, but you can argue that has changed recently.

I think ironically, the closest thing DC has done to Marvel's Ultimate line is in their main universe with the New 52.

Well you can argue that DC had an Ultimate Universe when they rebooted their continuity back in 1986, where they tried to make things more stream lined and modern. The Post Crisis version of Lex Luthor seems to be the one that sticks out in people's minds nowadays. Also you can argue the DCUA was a sort of Ultimate Universe, they introduced new characters, most notably Harley Quiin and made a lot of changes to established characters like Mr. Freeze, Toyman, Mad Hatter, etc.

[Sinx]

I think DC's Earth Two is most like the UU. Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman are all dead so it's sort of like the post-Ultimatum UU.

So far, I think DC's Earths One and Two are just as good as early UU, but the UU might have a bit of an edge. The first few volumes of each UU book are pretty amazing.

[MarvelMaster616]

After reading Batman Earth One and Superman Earth One, I think those books are 10 times better than any Ultimate book that has come out in the last 10 years. Each book was so compelling and so well-written. They're among those rare books that you can read again and again and still get some enjoyment out of. The Ultimate books were good for a while, but even in their heydey there weren't too many books that I felt compelled to read multiple times. The Earth One books top Ultimate on every level. Heck, they top a good chunk of the 616 books on every level in my opinion. The only downside is that we have to wait so long between issues. But good books are worth waiting for.

[Sparrowsabre7]

I liked Earth One, it was very Ultimate in the feel with the hero not always doing what's right, or being particularly good in his early stages, the new Alfred was pretty interesting too, I sense they were going for more Michael Caine than Michael Gough in personality.

[Drz]

I love Superman All Stars, but Batman All Stars was so bad that it sunk the whole line. Superman Earth One was pretty good, I have not read Batman Earth One yet, but I heard good things.

All Star Superman was the tale of Superman's last days, which should rather be compared with Marvel's conclusions to their characters, like the upcoming Daredevil story. I understand the comparison with Ultimate Marvel, since All-Star line was marketed as continuity free + top creative teams. All Star Batman, at the end of the day was another chapter of Miller's Dark Knight universe, so that story alone had it's prequels and sequels, but yeah Earth One, now thats something we really should compare with Ultimate Marvel.

I'd say the Ultimate Marvel > Earth Ones, but thats because you have alot to choose from Ultimate Marvel. From the Mark Millar material to Brian Michael Bendis, to Hickman's awesomeness (that still was sadly nearly ruined by Humphries' treatment of Reed Richards + the Children of Tomorrow), but yeah if DC keeps duking out more stuff like Grant Morrison's Flash: Earth One, bring it on!

Anyhow if you're interested, this is what i thought of Batman: Earth One:

Earth One is a series of graphic novels set for their very own continuity and marketed for the hardcore & casuals alike with the premise of receiving one good story per volume, which also follows as an ongoing series. The page count is 144 of storytelling, no extras or anything, just one big story told.

For me, this is the story of Gotham City and its inhabitants, mainly Bruce Wayne & his relation with Alfred, James Gordon’s and Harvey Bullock’s partnership. It’s about family, loyalty and team work in a harsh corrupt city where no hope seems to exist at all. Batman’s a total novice, having spent his entire life in Gotham City, no international journeys for this bratty snob, while Alfred having taught him protection and keeping up the shape, as this Alfred is much more reflected by his marine past, than the mainstream Alfred ever has been. Likewise, James Gordon’s life is a train wreck and like I’ve mentioned Batman hasn’t done any international soul searching journey and trained with the ninjas, so we’re looking at a very novice Batman who is nothing more than about vengeance.

Gary Frank’s storytelling is top notch; the amount of facial expressions found in the book speaks for itself and shows the emotional struggles and joys these characters face over the course of the story, thus the ending with its happy and sad endings is all the more empowering. The action sequences are mostly good, but if feel the two page spreads are unnecessary in this book’s format of storytelling, not to mention people have seen much more stunning double page spreads than what this book has to offer for action sequences.

What I found most interesting are the changes to the Batman mythos that the book represents, because their totally new takes on some classic Batman tropes, some more familiar, some far more unique and interestingly thought out. Geoff Johns has found interesting potential with the Wayne family legacy, much like he did with Flashpoint’s Batman. However there are some blatant inspirations by Batman Begins, the most significant being Lucius Fox’s role as making the gadgets for Batman, however this Lucius seems to be either the same age or perhaps even younger than Bruce, so again, there are some twists to the mythos.

Overall, this is a book that builds up Batman’s and Gotham’s mythos while offering the story of Batman searching for the truth behind the Wayne family murders, we’re they murdered by the Mayor of Gotham or was it just a random mugging by Gotham’s very evil?

Rating: 93/100 - I’m recommending this to everyone from hardcore Bat-fanatics to the random trade pack purchasers. You get a solid world building setting of Gotham City, while craving for the next chapter after finishing this one.

I think DC's Earth Two is most like the UU. Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman are all dead so it's sort of like the post-Ultimatum UU.

I like this comparison as well, and i'm really loving how Earth Two is building up. It will however have a single narrative and theme, while Ultimate Marvel has 3 ongoings and 3 different writers, while Earth-2 is all about James Robinson.

After reading Batman Earth One and Superman Earth One, I think those books are 10 times better than any Ultimate book that has come out in the last 10 years. Each book was so compelling and so well-written. They're among those rare books that you can read again and again and still get some enjoyment out of. The Ultimate books were good for a while, but even in their heydey there weren't too many books that I felt compelled to read multiple times. The Earth One books top Ultimate on every level. Heck, they top a good chunk of the 616 books on every level in my opinion. The only downside is that we have to wait so long between issues. But good books are worth waiting for.

I just can't accept you think this way MarvelMaster. I know Ultimatum and alot of things have killed your interest in this universe, but surely the Millar/Hitch era of Ultimates is still solid goldness? After all, Bryan Hitch's art alone should be deemed superior to that of Shane Davis' Superman or Gary Frank's Batman, thats how i feel atleast. Earth One is off to an amazing start with Batman, i am personally worried about some aspects of Superman, because of my "this aint MY Superman!" views of the character, but Volume 2 will be the deal breaker for me, lets see JMS make me embrace his Superman fully.

[MarvelMaster616]

I just can't accept you think this way MarvelMaster. I know Ultimatum and alot of things have killed your interest in this universe, but surely the Millar/Hitch era of Ultimates is still solid goldness? After all, Bryan Hitch's art alone should be deemed superior to that of Shane Davis' Superman or Gary Frank's Batman, thats how i feel atleast. Earth One is off to an amazing start with Batman, i am personally worried about some aspects of Superman, because of my "this aint MY Superman!" views of the character, but Volume 2 will be the deal breaker for me, lets see JMS make me embrace his Superman fully.

The Millar/Hitch era was good, but I think Earth One is still better. I may be in the minority when I say that the Millar/Hitch run was overrated in certain areas. I know it was heavily acclaimed, but I think the Earth One books as a whole were better. Don't get me wrong. I still have a soft spot for certain Ultimate stories. But they just don't measure up on a larger scale. Maybe Earth One will crash and burn, but for the moment it is light-years ahead of anything Ultimate has done in the past decade in my opinion.

[Robbie_Jee]

I actually just read the Batman: Earth One graphic novel recently and it was fucking dark at first. Bordering on depressing at some parts. But I liked that the writer went just to the edge of the cliff and then started turning things around at the end. The "Birthday Boy" serial killer was interesting, but I definitely wanna see their interpretation of The Joker if they continue these Earth One graphic novels. Riddler is up next so that should be interesting.

So did I.

I love the DC graphic novels.

I think the dark, gritty setting of Gotham is the most important feature of any Batman book. Some of the descriptions I've read about Gotham city in various Batman books have been excellent literature; even borderline poetic. I'd say that the most important aspect of any Batman book SHOULD be Gotham above all else. It is that environment which shapes the characters and the course of the story. Gotham city actually pre-dates Batman. And it's Gotham City itself that has been the driving inspiration behind Batman's character.

The Millar/Hitch era was good, but I think Earth One is still better. I may be in the minority when I say that the Millar/Hitch run was overrated in certain areas. I know it was heavily acclaimed, but I think the Earth One books as a whole were better. Don't get me wrong. I still have a soft spot for certain Ultimate stories. But they just don't measure up on a larger scale. Maybe Earth One will crash and burn, but for the moment it is light-years ahead of anything Ultimate has done in the past decade in my opinion.

The Ultimate Galactus Trilogy would suggest otherwise.