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{{short description|Marvel Comics series}}
{{redirect|The Ultimates||The Ultimate (disambiguation)#The Ultimates{{!}}The Ultimate § The Ultimates}}
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image      = Ultimates 01 promo.jpg
| imagesize  = 250px
| caption    = Promotional art for ''[[The Ultimates 2]]'' #1 (February 2005).<br>Art by [[Bryan Hitch]] & [[Paul Neary]].
| name       = The Ultimates
| publisher  = [[Marvel Comics]]<br>([[Ultimate Marvel]])
| debut      = ''[[The Ultimates (comic book)|The Ultimates]]'' #1
| debutmo    = March
| debutyr    = 2002
| creators   = [[Mark Millar]]<br>[[Bryan Hitch]]<br>(based upon [[Avengers (comics)|The Avengers]] by [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]])
| base       = Triskelion<br>Ultimates Mansion
| owners     = [[Captain America (Ultimate Marvel character)|Captain America]]
| members    = [[Nick Fury (Ultimate Marvel character)|Nick Fury]] (founder)<br>[[Captain America (Ultimate Marvel character)|Captain America]]<br>[[Iron Man (Ultimate Marvel character)|Iron Man]]<br>[[Thor (Ultimate Marvel character)|Thor]]<br>[[Wasp (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Wasp]]<br>[[Hank Pym#Ultimate Marvel|Giant-Man]]
| fullroster = [[List of Ultimates members]]
| subcat     = Marvel Comics
| team       = y
| hero       = y
| villain    =
}}
The '''Ultimates''' is a [[fiction]]al [[superhero]] team appearing in [[American comic books]] published by [[Marvel Comics]] and created by writer [[Mark Millar]] and artist [[Bryan Hitch]], which first started publication from ''[[The Ultimates (comic book)|The Ultimates]]'' #1 (cover date March 2002), as part of the company's [[Ultimate Marvel]] imprint.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brevoort|first1=Tom|last2=DeFalco|first2=Tom|last3=Manning|first3=Matthew K.|last4=Sanderson|first4=Peter|last5=Wiacek|first5=Win|title=Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History|date=2017|publisher=DK Publishing|isbn=978-1465455505|page=311}}</ref> The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] comic-book franchise, centering around a task-force of super-humans and special agents organized by the U.S. government to combat growing threats to the world. The tale chronicles their progress as they bond and slowly learn to work together, despite their differing natures and personalities.<ref name="MillarPopCulture">{{cite web|last=Estrella|first=Ernie|url=http://www.popcultureshock.com/features.php?id=874|title=Mark Millar Interview|publisher=popcultureshock.com|access-date=2008-03-20|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111214237/http://www.popcultureshock.com/features.php?id=874 <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=2008-01-11}}</ref>

==Publication history==
[[File:4.25.13MarkMillarByLuigiNovi46.jpg|thumb|left|Writer [[Mark Millar]] signing a copy of the collected edition of the first miniseries during an appearance at [[Midtown Comics]] in Manhattan.]]
The first volume of the ''Ultimates'', written by Millar and illustrated by Hitch, was published in limited series format and ran for thirteen issues with production delays from January 30, 2002<ref>{{Cite web|last=Voiles|first=Mike|title=Ultimates #1|url=http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/main/features/comic.php?comicid=126248|access-date=2023-11-29|website=Mike's Amazing World of Comics}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Allstetter|first=Rob|date=|title=Saturday, January 26, 2002|url=https://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0201/26/index.htm|access-date=2023-11-29|website=Comics Continuum}}</ref> until March 31, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Voiles|first=Mike|title=Ultimates #13|url=http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/main/features/comic.php?comicid=126260|access-date=2023-11-29|website=Mike's Amazing World of Comics}}</ref> Hitch described the alternative-reality reimagining as one where, "You have to approach it as though nothing has happened before and tell the story fresh from the start.... We had to get to the core of who these people were and build outwards, so [[Captain America (Ultimate Marvel character)|Cap]] [Captain America] was a soldier, [[Thor (Ultimate Marvel character)|Thor]] is either a [[insanity|nut case]] or a [[messiah]] ... [[Hulk (Ultimate Marvel character)|Banner]] [the Hulk] an insecure genius, and [superspy Nick] [[Nick Fury (Ultimate Marvel character)|Fury]] the king of cool".<ref name="ComicsbulletHitch">{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Sam|url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/103008397674473.htm|title=Bryan Hitch: The Ultimates Visionary|publisher=ComicsBulletin.com|access-date=2008-06-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523083159/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/103008397674473.htm|archive-date=2011-05-23}}</ref>

A second series, also by Millar and Hitch, was released as ''[[#The Ultimates 2|Ultimates 2]]'' and ran 13 issues from Dec. 2004 to May 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Voiles|first=Mike|title=Ultimates 2|url=http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/main/features/series.php?seriesid=9915|access-date=2023-12-15|website=Mike's Amazing World of Comics}}</ref> The series had originally been slated for April 2004, but was resolicited to stockpile enough issues for a monthly release.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brady|first=Matt|date=2004-04-02|title=NEWSARAMA - ULTIMATES DELAYED - VOL #2 TO BEGIN LATER IN YEAR|url=http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10815|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040402121823/http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10815|archive-date=2004-04-02|access-date=2023-12-15|website=Newsarama}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Marvel Announces Postponement for ''Ultimates'' Volume 2|url=http://www.diamondcomics.com/Article/9893-Marvel-Announces-Postponement-for-Ultimates-Volume-2|access-date=2023-12-15|website=Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.|language=en}}</ref> It ran into similar production delays, however, due to Millar's struggles with Crohn's Disease and involvement writing ''Civil [[Civil War (comics)|War]]'', as well as the artists' need to keep busy with other work in the meantime.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-01-10|title=So why is Ultimates 2 #13 delayed *exactly*? Let Hitch explain!|url=https://www.thecomicboard.com/threads/so-why-is-ultimates-2-13-delayed-exactly-let-hitch-explain.8427/|access-date=2023-12-15|website=The Comic Board|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=ULTIMATES 2 #13's 8 PAGE SPREAD|url=http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Ultimate/13/Ult28pager.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070414131851/http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Ultimate/13/Ult28pager.html|archive-date=2007-04-14|access-date=2023-12-15|website=Newsarama}}</ref>

In a 2004 interview, Millar outlined the difference between the ''Ultimates'' and the Avengers: "The idea behind The Avengers is that the Marvel Universe's biggest players all get together and fight all the biggest supervillains they can't defeat individually, whereas ''Ultimates 2'' is an exploration of what happens when a bunch of ordinary people are turned into super-soldiers and being groomed to fight the real-life [[War on Terrorism|war on terror]]."<ref name="MillarPopCulture"/>

This was followed by the [[one-shot (comics)|one-shot]] ''Ultimate Saga'' (Nov. 2007), a condensed retelling, by writers [[C. B. Cebulski]] and Mindy Owens and artist [[Travis Charest]], of the events of ''Ultimates'' and ''Ultimates 2''. A third series, ''[[#The Ultimates 3|Ultimates 3]]'' (Dec 2007 – Sept 2008) was written by [[Jeph Loeb]] and illustrated by [[Joe Madureira]].<ref>McMillan, Graeme. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121015020837/http://blog.newsarama.com/2006/06/26/ultimate-planning/ "Ultimate planning."], [[Newsarama]], June 26, 2006</ref>

Mark Millar returned to the Ultimates with a series of shorter miniseries, beginning in 2009 with ''[[Ultimate Comics: Avengers]]'', which ran from August 2009 until July 2011.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kiel Phegley|url=http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.4841.Millar_Launches_Ultimate_Avengers|title="Millar Launches Ultimate Avengers" marvel.com. September 9, 2008|publisher=[[Marvel.com]]|date=2008-09-09|access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref>

The [[Ultimate Universe|Earth-6160]] version of the Ultimates began its own comic series on June 5, 2024.
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/ultimates-2024-deniz-camp-juan-frigeri|title=The Ultimate Universe's Mightiest Heroes Assemble in 'Ultimates' #1|website=Marvel Comics|date=February 22, 2024|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref>

==Plot==
===''The Ultimates''===
{{main|The Ultimates (comic book)}}
[[Ultimate Nick Fury|General Nick Fury]] of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] establishes a strike force of government-sponsored superhumans which includes Steve Rogers ([[Captain America (Ultimate Marvel character)|Captain America]]); scientist couple Henry and Janet Pym ([[Hank Pym#Ultimate Marvel|Giant-Man]] and the [[Wasp (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Wasp]]); Bruce Banner (the [[Hulk (Ultimate Marvel character)|Hulk]]) and Tony Stark ([[Iron Man (Ultimate Marvel character)|Iron Man]]). Together, they are based at the S.H.I.E.L.D facility the Triskelion. When Banner injects himself with the super-soldier serum and goes on a bloody rampage as the Hulk, he is eventually stopped by the other superhumans with the aid of [[Thor (Ultimate Marvel character)|Thor]]. The team then join forces with the mutants [[Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Quicksilver]] and [[Scarlet Witch#Ultimate Marvel|Scarlet Witch]] and agents [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)#Ultimate Marvel|Hawkeye]] and [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)#Ultimate Marvel|Black Widow]] against the alien shape-shifters the [[Chitauri]], who are defeated.<ref>''The Ultimates'' #1–13 (March 2002 – April 2004)</ref>

===''The Ultimates 2''===
{{main|The Ultimates 2}}
A year later public opinion has turned against the team when it is discovered that Bruce Banner is in fact the Hulk and was responsible for hundreds of deaths. The team is undermined further when Thor is accused of being an escaped mental patient and is incarcerated. This is the doing of his brother [[Loki (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Loki]], who also facilitates the creation of a new team of anti-American multi-nationals called the "[[Masters of Evil#Ultimate Marvel|Liberators]]". With the aid of the Black Widow – who betrays the team to the Liberators – the Ultimates are captured, but eventually escape and battle the Liberators to the death. With the aid of [[Asgard (comics)|Asgardian]] warriors, the Ultimates defeat both Loki and the Liberators. Seeing how having the Ultimates working with the United States government "policing" the world would produce similar results to their battle against the Liberators, the team decided to leave S.H.I.E.L.D. and to continue to work as an independent team instead.<ref>{{Cite comic|Writer=[[Mark Millar]]|Artist=Bryan Hitch|Colorist=Laura Martin|Title=Ultimates 2 #13|Date=May 2007|Publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref>

===''The Ultimates 3''===
{{main|The Ultimates 3}}
[[Image:Ultimates-3.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Promotional art for cover of ''The Ultimates 3'' #1 (February 2008), by [[Joe Madureira]] and Christian Lichtner.]]
Hank Pym is under house arrest at Ultimates Mansion. One of Pym's [[Ultron#Ultimate Marvel|Ultron]] robots drugs him and leaks a sex tape of Stark and the Black Widow to the internet. These distract from the robot's fatal shooting of the Scarlet Witch. [[Alternative versions of Magneto#Ultimate Marvel|Magneto]] abducts Wanda's corpse and retreats to the [[Savage Land]], where he is confronted by the Ultimates. Pym and Wasp discover the truth about the Ultron robot, which has adopted the identity of [[Hank Pym#Ultimate Marvel|Yellowjacket]] and uses the Ultimates' [[DNA]] to create a series of android duplicates. Although the true Ultimates destroy their android counterparts and Yellowjacket, Quicksilver is apparently killed by Hawkeye. The Wasp then invites Pym to return to the Ultimates, and he accepts. The mastermind behind the robot's plot is revealed to be Doctor Doom.

===''New Ultimates''===
{{main|Ultimate Comics: New Ultimates}}
The [[Defenders (comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Ultimate Defenders]], suddenly with superpowers, steal Thor's hammer from [[Valkyrie (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Valkyrie]]. [[Hela (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Hela]] agrees to release Thor in exchange for a son. Loki arrives in [[Central Park]] with an army of monsters.

===''Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates''===
{{main|Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates}}
Writer [[Jonathan Hickman]] and artist [[Esad Ribić]] relaunched the Ultimates with a different lineup consisting of Nick Fury, Iron Man, Thor, [[Spider-Woman (Ultimate Marvel character)|Spider-Woman]] and others.<ref>Manning, Shaun. [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32136 "Marvel Announces "Ultimate Comics: Ultimates"], [[Comic Book Resources]], May 2, 2011</ref><ref>Kaye, Edward. [http://www.hypergeek.ca/2011/05/marvel-announces-jonathan-hickman-on-ultimate-comics-ultimates-in-august.html "Marvel Announces Jonathan Hickman on Ultimate Comics: Ultimates in August!"], Hypergeek, May 3, 2011</ref>

===''All-New Ultimates''===
Following the conclusion of the miniseries ''Cataclysm'' and under the [[Ultimate Marvel NOW!]] banner, coinciding with the [[Marvel Universe]] [[All-New Marvel NOW!]] launch, writer [[Michel Fiffe]] and artist Amilcar Pinna brought together a new team, including [[Miles Morales|Spider-Man]], the new [[Spider-Woman (Ultimate Marvel character)|Black Widow]] who was formerly Spider-Woman, [[Alternative versions of Kitty Pryde#Ultimate Marvel|Kitty Pryde]], [[Bombshell (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Bombshell]], and [[Cloak and Dagger (characters)#Ultimate Marvel|Cloak and Dagger]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268764/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=gPxzbSry|title=In Marvel's Ultimate universe, fate looms large|last=Moore|first=Matt|date=10 January 2014|website=AP News|publisher=The Associated Press|access-date=10 January 2014}}</ref> The book ran for 12 issues.

''All-New Ultimates'' has been collected in two trade paperbacks; Volume One is titled ''Power for Power'', collecting issues #1–6; while Volume Two is titled ''No Gods, No Masters'', collecting issues #7-#12.

===Return===
When the [[Maker (character)|Maker]] collaborated with the [[High Evolutionary]] to destroy the Superflow that kept the different universes separate in order to merge them into one reality, the Ultimates members Captain America, Iron Man, Giant-Man, Wasp, and Hulk were revived where they were to help [[Eternity (Marvel Comics)|Eternity]] fight the First Firmament.<ref>''Ultimates 2'' Vol. #9</ref> When Earth-616's version of the Ultimates arrived on [[Counter-Earth (comics)|Counter-Earth]] to confront Maker about his actions, he ordered the Earth-1610 Ultimates to attack. As both versions of Ultimates concluded that there is no reason to fight each other, Maker killed the Earth-1610 Captain America for disobeying his orders. Upon Maker being defeated, both Ultimates helped Eternity to defeat the First Firmament. Afterwards, the Earth-1610 Ultimates left to pursue Maker.<ref>''Ultimates 2'' #100. Marvel Comics.</ref>

The Ultimates are later seen on Earth-1610 when it is recreated.<ref>''Spider-Men II'' #5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Other versions==
===Earth-616===
As part of the ''[[All-New, All-Different Marvel]]'' branding, the Prime earth version of the [[Ultimates (2015 team)|Ultimates]] make their debut where they deal with cosmic threats before they can affect Earth.

===Ultimate Universe===
{{main|The Ultimates (2024)|Ultimates (2024 team)}} 
When [[Maker (character)|Maker]] traveled to [[Ultimate Universe|Earth-6160]] and remade it into his own image during the "[[Ultimate Invasion]]" storyline, the Ultimates were later formed to take the world back from him and his [[Illuminati (comics)|council]].<ref>''Ultimate Invasion'' #1-4. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Ultimate Universe'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Sales and reception==
Overall, the ''Ultimates'' series has been generally well received by critics and readers, with the first two volumes being praised for the surprisingly mature themes and concepts, the more humanly flawed and layered characterizations of the original ''Avengers'' members, Millar's storytelling and writing, Hitch's photo-realistic and cinematic-styled artwork, the modernized, grittier and realistic, yet simultaneously engaging and intriguing re-imagining of the classic ''Avengers'' mythos and the political relevance of the first two volumes, while criticism was leveled at the unnecessarily adult-oriented, shallow attempt at maturity and the overly cynical tone and direction of the series, with the third volume: ''The Ultimates 3'' being met with a mostly negative reception, compared to the positive response received by the first two volumes, for the aforementioned reasons. The first volume of ''Ultimates'' #1 ranked fourth among the top 300 comics sold for February 2002, based on Diamond Publisher's indexes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/987.html|title=Top 300 Comics for January 2002|publisher=Icv2.com|access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref> with the next three issues ranked second,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/1080.html|title=Top 300 Comics for February 2002|publisher=Icv2.com|access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref> second,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/1174.html|title=Top 300 Comics for March 2002|publisher=Icv2.com|access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref> and third,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/1260.html|title=Top 300 Comics for April 2002|publisher=Icv2.com|access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref> respectively.

Popmatters.com praised [[Mark Millar]]'s writing in the opening eight issues, stating the writer "is able to walk a very fine line of keeping the story measured yet entertaining".<ref>{{cite web|last=Konczal|first=Michael|url=http://www.popmatters.com/comics/ultimates-1-8.shtml|title=THE ULTIMATES #1–8|work=PopMatters|publisher=popmatters.com|access-date=2008-03-20}}</ref> [[Comics Bulletin]], in a review of the "Homeland Security" story arc, states the artwork is "visual magnificence" yet is concerned about the dark writing of the characters stripped of their "super-heroic nobility" and was "disheartened by the book’s tone and cynicism".<ref>{{cite web|last=Dallas|first=Keith|url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/108445861133829.htm|title=The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security TPB|publisher=Comics Bulletin|access-date=2008-03-20|archive-date=2008-11-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121232144/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/108445861133829.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shakingthrough.net gave "Homeland Security" a 4.2 out of 5.0 stating it is an "engaging read, filled with intriguing and amusing modern takes on classic Marvel characters" whilst praising Bryan Hitch's artwork by saying it is "amazing, gorgeous artwork, which continues to set the standard for cinematic photo-realism."<ref>{{cite web|last=Moreau|first=Kevin Forest|url=http://www.shakingthrough.net/comics/reviews/2004/ultimates_volume_2_2004.html|title=The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security TPB|publisher=Comics Bulletin|access-date=2008-03-20}}</ref>

''Ultimates 2'' #1 ranked second among the top 300 comics sold for December 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6291.html|title=Top 300 Comics Actual—December 2004|publisher=Icv2.com|date=2005-01-18|access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref> with the next three issues ranked second,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6483.html|title=Top 300 Comics for January 2005|publisher=Icv2.com|access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref> fourth<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6620.html|title=Top 300 Comics for February 2005|publisher=Icv2.com|access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref> and sixth,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6751.html|title=Top 300 Comics for March 2005|publisher=Icv2.com|access-date=2010-12-28}}</ref> respectively.

Reviewing ''Ultimates 2'', Curledup.com praised Millar's writing of the classic heroes and the "inclusion of current-day politics" improves the storyline.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eaton|first=Lance|url=http://www.curledup.com/ulti2vo1.htm|title=Ultimates 2, Volume 1: Gods & Monsters|publisher=curledup.com|access-date=2008-03-20}}</ref> Comics Bulletin reviewed the final issue #13 but found it anticlimactic with the issue degenerating to a "slug fest". The artwork was praised with the reviewer stating that Bryan Hitch's "artwork has definitely been one of the main elements that will make this series memorable."<ref>{{cite web|last=Powers|first=Kevin|url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/117952616766620.htm|title=Ultimates 2 #13|publisher=Comics Bulletin|access-date=2008-03-20|archive-date=2009-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725232319/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/117952616766620.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Den of Geek]] praised the artwork, with "Bryan Hitch doing some of the best work of his career", but was critical of Millar's writing stating it had "no substance".<ref>{{cite web|last=Mclaughlin|first=Robert|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/comics/2060/ultimates_13_review.html|title=Ultimates 13: Review|publisher=[[Den of Geek]]|access-date=2008-03-20}}</ref>

''Ultimates 3'' #1 ranked first in December 2007's Top 300 comics with preorder sales of 131,401,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/11939.html|title=Top 300 Comics Actual—December 2007| publisher=icv2.com|access-date=2008-03-07}}</ref> Issue #2 ranked number seven with 105,070 preorders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/12096.html|title=Top 300 Comics Actual—January 2008|publisher=icv2.com|access-date=2008-03-20}}</ref> Issue three ranked better than its predecessor, falling at number five, but had a smaller number of preorders, totaling at 97,210.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/12242.html|title=Top 300 Comics Actual—February 2008|publisher=icv2.com|access-date=2008-03-20}}</ref>

Reviewing ''Ultimates 3'', [[IGN]] called the book a "reasonably decent experience" although the issue "falters on its own merits",<ref>{{cite web|last=George|first=Richard|url=http://au.comics.ign.com/articles/839/839841p1.html|title=Ultimates Vol. 3 #1 Review|date=5 December 2007|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=2008-03-20}}</ref> only to later state while reviewing the third issue that "Behind the theatrics and swagger, there's just nothing there to draw me in. These are the characters that I used to enjoy in name only, hollow shells of what they used to be."<ref>{{cite web|last=Fuller|first=Kevin|url=http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/853/853747p1.html|title=Ultimates Vol. 3 #3 Review|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=2008-06-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216030004/http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/853/853747p1.html|archive-date=2012-02-16}}</ref> Alvaro's Comic Boards' review was even harsher, remarking that ''Ultimates 3'' "has somehow managed to entirely miss what made the Ultimates something other than alternative universe Avengers" and adding "this was the worst comic I've read all year".<ref>{{cite web|last=Shyminsky|first=Neil|url=http://www.comicboards.com/reviews.php?ReviewID=144|title=Ultimates Vol. 3 #1 Review|publisher=Alvaro's Comic Boards|access-date=2009-09-02}}</ref>

2011's ''Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates'' received highly positive reactions upon its debut. Chad Nevett from [[Comic Book Resources]] wrote that "the comic is exciting and sets up a large story that, right now, seems like it could easily end with the destruction of the team. A first issue that starts with its foot on the gas is exactly what’s called for",<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3830 The Ultimates #1]. Comic Book Resources. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.</ref> while [[IGN]] gave the first issue 8/10.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120719170933/http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/118/1189684p1.html Ultimate Comics: Ultimates #1 Review]. IGN. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.</ref>

==Collected editions==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Title
! Material collected
! Published date
! ISBN
|-
| ''The Ultimates'' Vol. 1: ''Super-Human''
| ''Ultimates'' #1–6
| April 2006
| {{ISBNT|978-0785109600}}
|-
| ''The Ultimates'' Vol. 2: ''Homeland Security''
| ''Ultimates'' #7-13
| April 2006
| {{ISBNT|978-0785110781}}
|-
| ''The Ultimates: Ultimate Collection''
| ''Ultimates'' #1–13
| October 2004
| {{ISBNT|978-0785110828}}
|-
| ''The Ultimates 2'' Vol. 1: ''Gods and Monsters''
| ''Ultimates 2'' #1–6
| September 2006
| {{ISBNT|978-0785110934}}
|-
| ''The Ultimates 2'' Vol. 2: ''Grand Theft America''
| ''Ultimates 2'' #7–13
| January 2007
| {{ISBNT|978-0785117902}}
|-
| ''The Ultimate Annuals'' Vol. 1
| ''The Ultimates Annual'' #1, ''Ultimate Fantastic Four'' ''Annual'' #1, ''Ultimate X-Men'' ''Annual'' #1, ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' ''Annual'' #1
| February 2006
| {{ISBNT|978-0785120353}}
|-
| ''The Ultimate Annuals'' Vol. 2
| ''The Ultimates Annual'' #2, ''Ultimate Fantastic Four'' ''Annual'' #2, ''Ultimate X-Men'' ''Annual'' #2, ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' ''Annual'' #2
| February 2007
| {{ISBNT|978-0785123712}}
|-
| ''The Ultimates 2: Ultimate Collection''
| ''Ultimates 2'' #1–13, ''Ultimates Annual'' #1
| December 2007
| {{ISBNT|978-0785121381}}
|-
| ''The Ultimates Omnibus''
| ''Ultimates'' #1–13, ''Ultimates 2'' #1–13, ''Ultimates Annual'' #1
| June 2009
| {{ISBNT|978-0785137801}}
|-
| ''The Ultimates 3: Who Killed the Scarlet Witch?''
| ''Ultimates 3'' #1–5
| May 2009
| {{ISBNT|978-0785122692}}
|}

==In other media==
===Marvel Cinematic Universe===
* Numerous aspects and elements of the Ultimates were utilized for the look and storyline of ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://io9.com/5595293/will-joss-whedons-avengers-movie-include-marvels-civil-war-we-asked-him|title=Joss Whedon says Captain America and Iron Man won't be pals in his "Avengers|first=Meredith|last=Woerner|work=io9|publisher=[[io9]]|date=2010-07-24|access-date=2011-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725202143/http://io9.com/5595293/will-joss-whedons-avengers-movie-include-marvels-civil-war-we-asked-him|archive-date=2010-07-25|url-status=live}}</ref>
* It has been indicated that aspects of ''[[Avengers: Age of Ultron]]'' were also inspired by the Ultimate Marvel Comics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/videos/2014/05/13/avengers-2-inspired-by-ultimate-comics|title=Avengers 2 Inspired by Ultimate Comics|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|work=IGN|date=May 13, 2014|access-date=May 13, 2014}}</ref>

===Animation===
* The Ultimates have been the basis for ''[[Ultimate Avengers]]'' and ''[[Ultimate Avengers 2]]''.
* The Ultimates appear in a self-titled episode of ''[[Avengers Assemble (TV series)|Avengers Assemble]]'' as [[Super-Adaptoid|Adaptoid]]-esque duplicates of the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]].

=== Video games ===
* The Ultimates are alluded in ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (video game)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]''. A number of posters depicting The Triskelion are seen announcing a movie called ''The Ultimates''.
* Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury have their Ultimate universe costumes in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]''.
* The Ultimates appears at the end of ''[[Spider-Man: Battle for New York]]'' after [[Spider-Man (Ultimate Marvel character)|Spider-Man]] battling the [[Green Goblin (Ultimate Marvel character)|Green Goblin]] in the final level.
* Iron Man and Thor have unlockable skins based on their Ultimate universe costumes in the videogame ''[[Marvel's Avengers (video game)|Marvel's Avengers]]''.

===Novels===
Two novels based on the Ultimates have been released:
{|
|-
| ''[[Tomorrow Men]]''
| ({{ISBN|1-4165-1065-6}})
| [[Michael Jan Friedman]]
|-
| ''The Ultimates: Against All Enemies''
| ({{ISBN|1-4165-1071-0}})
| [[Alexander C. Irvine]]
|}

==See also==
* [[The Ultimates (comic book)|''The Ultimates'' (comic book)]]
* ''[[The Ultimates 2]]''
* [[List of Ultimates members]]
* [[Ultimate Nick Fury]]
* [[Tomorrow Men]]
* [[Avengers (comics)]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://marvel.com/universe/Ultimates_(Ultimate) Ultimates at ''Marvel.com'']

{{wikiquote|Ultimates}}

{{Avengers}}
{{Ultimate Marvel}}
{{Mark Millar}}
{{Jeph Loeb}}

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