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The only "Ultimate Universe" story I've read so far is the first collection from "The Ultimates." (i.e., The Avengers) The story is pretty good; Captain America is even more of a "boy scout" than in the original; Tony Stark is the same sort of "virtuous" industrialist that you mention from Ultimate Spidey.

Nick Fury is literally Samuel L. Jackson. One real cute bit is when our intrepid cast of characters decide to "cast" themselves in a "movie" about The Ultimates. With tongue-in-cheek irony, Fury says, "Of course, I'm played by Mr. Samuel L. Jackson himself."

Actually, the story is fairly well written; at least by Marvel standards.

There's plenty of mayhem and violence (up my alley), and a fair share of storyline twists. You're left at the end of the GN (and the end of issue #6) with a decent cliffhanger, which leaves you wanting to buy the second collection -- if for nothing else but the notion of Captain America going to literally kick someone's a$$.

The violence is pretty hefty in some places (the ~~Avengers~~ Ultimates vs. the Hulk among other things), but it's not quite on Scott McCloud-DESTROY!! level (and I'll give a fantastic No-Prize to anyone who knows about that reference, AND has read the book in question!).

Volume two shold be out this week, and it's on my "to buy" booklist for when enough money shakes loose.

I had given serious thought to picking up Ultimate X-Men, but behind your glowing review, I'm having second thoughts.

I'll probably still grab it, if nothing else, but for completists sake.

I was a little hesitant to grab the Ultimate Spidey, but I'm going to have to give that a second thought as well.

I've noticed that Ultimate FF is finally out, so I'm wondering about it; it can't be any worse than some of the more recent angst-driven FF issues that I've seen and heard about...

Yeah, I've read The Ultimates (Avengers), about as far as you have it seems. I agree that their version of Captain America was quite well done. Yes, I was also pretty interested in seeing just how Cap would kick the crap out of a certain someone rather... larger than himself ;) I didn't like their Hulk treatment at all, but that was probably my biggest complaint, and was just a matter of personal preference.

I'll agree, the Ultimates had pretty good writing for Marvel. And if there was any significant leftist bias in the first bunch of issues, it didn't jump out at me. Only problem is, it seems like they're only putting out an issue once every several months - the series is -crawling-.

I really do like their Nick Fury :) Hell of a lot of character. And you'll see a surprising amount of him in the Ultimate Spider Man series!

Speaking of which, I -do- recommend the Ultimate Spider Man series. I thought it was extremely enjoyable, -usually- very well written and definetly very well drawn. It has by far my favorite depiction of MJ of all the versions of Spidey. I very much enjoyed it even as I couldn't help but notice a serious leftist bias - I'd be interested if you'd read it and let me know if you saw it as much as I did.

As for X-Men... I dunno. The bias was more extreme and hit-you-over-the-head. I don't think I can ever forgive that bit with Storm "And that's for calling me an American!" bit. I read the first 3 or 4 graphic novels for the series, though (lent from a friend), so I suppose the writing was good enough to get me to read them and stomach the propaganda. They've got an interesting take on Prof. Xavier - a bit more Machiavellian than what we're used to, actually. But otherwise - no, I just -can't- see spending money, the writing wasn't -that- good, and the bias was -that- bad. If you can borrow them from someone, try 'em out, but don't plunk down your money, not worth it, and it doesn't belong in -their- pockets, that's for sure.

Qwinn

Oh, one last thing. I'm assuming you do like DC comics, as I do. Did you ever catch the -nauseating- Ressurection they did of Oliver Queen (Green Arrow)? Written by Kevin Smith of Silent Bob fame.

It was so godawful, both in writing and in the most egregious political slant I've -ever- seen in a comic. Every last panel -shrieked- leftist bias.

Queen's teamups with Green Lantern were among my favorite books as a kid (and I remember some awesome Superman/Batman/Green Arrow/Black Canary teamups pre-crisis too).

Yes, I recognize that Queen was always a bit liberal, but his newest version was so over the top he might as well have called himself "The Green Chomsky".

I don't think I can ever forgive Kevin Smith for that. He forever destroyed one of my favorite characters.

BTW - if you haven't caught the latest Justice League animated series, it -rocks-. Just as an interesting aside, I -love- their version of Aquaman the rare times he makes an appearance - the limp-wristed version we grew up with is -ancient- history, heheheh. The new Aquaman, who is not a member of the Justice League, has more in common with the Dark Knight than the old version. Pretty interesting.

Qwinn