ULTIMATE ENDGAME #1 (Marvel Comics)

Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 1st issue of Ultimate Endgame from Marvel Comics!

Everything in the new Ultimate universe has been building to this point! For months it’s been teased that The Maker is returning and that moment is finally here! So have our heroes of Earth 6160 done enough to get ready? Let’s jump into it! NOTE: While not required, you should read this issue BEFORE you read Ultimates #19 this week.

Credit: Marvel Comics // Ultimate Endgame #1 by Deniz Camp (Writer), Terry & Rachel Dodson (Outside the Dome, Artists), Jonas Scharf (Prologue, Inside the Dome, Artist), Federico Blee (Outside the Dome, Color Artist), Edgar Delgado (Prologue,Inside the Dome, Color Artist), VC’s Cory Petit (Letterer) & Mark Brooks (Cover) is a tremendous start to what’s sure to be an incredible event

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The Story

The build up to this moment has been such a well crafted path, and the anticipation has been so high that the expectations for it could not be higher. Deniz Camp has been an absolute master storyteller and has been on a legendary run with the Ultimate universe. That run continues with this series, and I really cannot wait to see how this plays out.

We get things started with a glimpse into some of the earliest moments of The Maker’s involvement with this Universe. For long time readers, and especially those familiar with The Maker BEFORE this run it’s not at all a surprising scene. However it does do a great job reiterating just how ruthless he can be.

The issue really picks up when Iron Lad, Doctor Doom, America Chavez, Spider-Man travel to Latveria just 10 minutes before The Maker is set to return. Things are already in full swing around the globe with citizens rising up and overthrowing their Maker-controlled governments and declared allegiance to The Ultimates.

Once the proverbial clock hits zero, it all kicks off. Deniz wastes no time really setting the tone for how the rest of the series is going to go, and showing that even the best laid plans often go awry. Deniz really shines through in this moment, right to the end of the issue. A twist that I didn’t expect, but wasn’t totally caught off guard by, gives readers a nice moment. That is before the real twist of the issue that left me floored.

I genuinely have NO IDEA where Deniz Camp is going to be taking this series, and the universe overall. But if there’s anyone I have complete faith in guiding the story it’s him. He’s honestly the best writer Marvel has going right now. It’s generational run he’s putting on that I don’t know if we’ll see replicated anytime soon.

The Artwork

There are A LOT folks who worked on the art for this issue, and the all did a tremendous job. The artwork during the prologue was so crazy and unsettling, but it worked so perfectly for who The Maker is. He’s diabolical, unconventional and ruthless. He’s supposed to make you feel unsettled when you see him, and the art in the prologue does just that.

The art for Outside the Dome has what’s become a classic feel for this iteration of the Ultimate Universe and really does a good job of conveying just how chaotic things get. The action sequences particularly stood out to me in their scope and just how messy the battle is going to be.

Once you get Inside the Dome, the art work gets really different and in a way slightly bizarre. I don’t mean that as a bad thing or some sort of negative, because it’s not at all. It works SO WELL because you still retain some of that familiar look you’re used to, but the color choice is so incredible that it really helps paint the picture that our heroes really aren’t in Kansas anymore (metaphorically speaking).

FINAL POINT: Just when you think you’ve got things figured out, Deniz Camp changes the script. An incredible issue that is sure to have readers buzzing from the very start of the issue. Together with artwork that keeps the familiar feeling you’re used to but with some great personal touches put on it by the artists. This is an issue that should be at the top of you’re reading list.

Overall Grade: 10/10

Thank you for taking the time to check out my review. Be sure to reach out to me on Twitter, and let me know what you thought of the issue!