Product Description

When the X-Men do the worst thing that they could do to humanity, the government orders the 'Ultimates' to bring them down. A small but lethal army were created to combat the rising threats to mankind. But the X-Men haven't been training for nothing - and the young mutants might just take out the Ultimates first. Ages 12+.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #149808 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

Customer Reviews

Reads great collectively but not as "stand alone"
This 4 part story from writer Mark Millar and artist Chris Bachalo was originally published as a crossover mini-series between the Ultimates and the Ultimate X-Men. As such, it is highly recommended that the readers is familiar with both teams, or their more familiar mainstream versions, when reading "Ultimate War", for a complete and rewarding reading experience. "Ultimate War" spins out of events occurring in the preceding Ultimate X-Men paperback, "Hellfire and Brimstone", but Millar provides the reader with all the information needed to follow the events clearly. Basically, Magneto has returned to wage war on humanity, and the Ultimate Avengers – the Ultimates –believe the X-Men have joined Magneto’s forces.

As with the other Ultimate titles, fast-paced black-ops action takes centre-stage, with an epic feel and high stakes involved. The detailed plots of past Ultimate volumes gives way here to widescreen action-adventure. Despite a huge cast of many characters, Millar’s individual characterisation shines through, particularly Captain America, Professor Xavier and Magneto (who is truly fearsome here). Several leaps in logic exist in the plot, but these can be overlooked, as an engaging and exciting tale unfolds. The story builds at the correct pace to a confrontation between the X-Men and Ultimates, and when it comes, it’s a tour-de-force in comic-book action. Each character utilises their powers and skills inventively for an exciting scene. However, this finale is also the biggest weakness of Ultimate War – a lack of solid conclusion. Rather, events are set up to be concluded in the next X-Men volume, "Return of the King." Whilst this is expected in the monthly comic market, trade paperbacks cater for different tastes and audiences. At four issues/chapters long, the book finishes sharply, leaving the reader feeling unsatisfied, yet – smart marketing here – hungry for more. Additionally, while Bachalo’s work is detailed and solid (impressive considering three inkers worked on this book), his jagged-edged, small-panelled approach often means it is slightly unclear what is happening in the many action sequences. Overall, an epic and exciting volume, recommended if the reader intends on purchasing both the preceding and following Ultimate paperbacks.

The Ultimate Battle
The Ultimate X-men Vs. The Ultimates

What Dreams are made of.

For those who don't know the Ultimate Marvel series are new versions of everyones favourite marvel superstars, not bogged down by continuity and kicked into the 21st Century.

This trade paperback follows a fight between the ultimate versions of the X-men and the Avengers and so includes some of the coolest characters in comics today (ultimate Wolverine and Captain America are personal favourites) in some great action sequences. Add to that some up to date storylines and you have a cool comic.

It is in a word Cool.

Story without an end.
From the opening scene on the Brooklyn Bridge you know you're about to experience a fast ride. Characters stay constant under the pen of Mark Millar and Chris Bachalo provides some of his best artwork of his career. Sometimes a little too dark this book is full of menace. Wolverine + motorcycle + helicopter makes for one of the best sequences I've seen for a while and Iceman cuts loose in the city. My only problem (and reason for only three stars) is that this book is left as a "..to be continued" and leaves too many loose threads. This means that I'm seriously fiending for the next volume of Ultimate X-Men.