by Jonathan Hickman (writer), Esad Ribic (art), Dean White (colors), and Clayton Cowles (letters)
The Story: Nick Fury finds himself complete overwhelmed by disasters all around.
What’s Good: It’s not something I’d have expected out him in particular, but Jonathan Hickman fully nails the “blockbuster” feel of the Ultimates, and in doing so, hammers home just what makes it a distinctive read from the 616 Avengers books. This is a high-octane book with a high budget feel and one that feels bleeding edge slick and modern.
Despite this, however, Hickman still adds the little touches that keep the book smart and remind you just who is writing the book. We’ve got what looks to be an ultimate version of “the World” that is the sort of ominous, sleek science fiction that Hickman does so well.
That’s not to say that it’s all high-tech realism however, as one of the major storylines takes place in Asgard, as does possibly the book’s best scene. Hickman’s portrayal of Thor and the Asgardians as friendly partiers who take disrespect very seriously is one that makes them immediately likable.
That said, Nick Fury is the star of the show this month, and Hickman manages to convey his current circumstances very well. Hickman overwhelms the reader with disasters and narratives from every angle, which is exactly what Fury is going through. As a result, we get a real appreciation for the global juggling act that is Nick Fury’s high-risk life. It’s a taut, dynamic read.
As well as Hickman performs here, however, I’m not sure how far he’d go without the combined talents of Esad Ribic and Dean White. Together, they hammer home the high-budget, super polished tone of the Ultimates, giving us a book that feels very current with a science fiction flare that is at once believable and outlandish. It’s brilliant art, overall, and while I’ve enjoyed Ribic’s past work on interiors in Dark Reign: Wolverine and Uncanny X-Force, his work here outstrips both those previous outings. Best of all, Hickman seems aware of this, at times allowing Ribic to do the heavy-lifting.
What’s Not So Good: I confess: I’ve not actually read the Ultimates since Millar left the book. For me, as, I suspect, for many others, this is a starting point. Frankly, a book with “Fallout” in its title didn’t quite seem like a great place to get on-board.
Unfortunately, I do have a sneaking suspicion that reading this book may be a bit more satisfying for those acquainted with Ultimate Fallout. That’s not to say this is opaque for new readers, as I understood it just fine, but rather that some points that are meant to be mysterious end up being a bit too mysterious without prior acquaintance with the universe.
For instance, I had no idea that the characters on the first page were meant to be the ultimate version of the Future Foundation, nor that the helmeted man leading them was Reed Richards, evil in the Ultimate universe. I did say to myself “wow, those outfits look like the FF’s” but didn’t think it actually WAS them.
I also imagine that some Hickman fans may be disappointed as well in this issue’s more straightforward storytelling and dialogue. It’s a book that’s exciting, but doesn’t have the cryptic dialogue of SHIELD or the complex storytelling of Secret Warriors. Honestly, I found this a bit of a relief, but I’m sure there are others out there who’ll feel otherwise.
Conclusion: Ultimates fans can relax – your book is in good hands and there’s a very bright future ahead.
Grade: B+
-Alex Evans
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Conclusion