This is kind of like recommending The Matrix. Everyone's seen it. But this issue, this series, has been so fantastic that I can't help but tip my hat to the beginning of the latest storyline.
Mark and Bryan have created an amazing take on The Avengers. The pacing is the slower more character-oriented style of Marvel today, which I think is a big plus. Like Ultimate Spider-Man, I don't need to know how many parts a storyline is. The book delivers enough solid character, action and plot I'm willing to stick through it as long as it continues. It's just a fun ride.
With this issue, we get the beginning of an attack on a covert alien invasion, the same aliens responsible for the rise of the Third Reich and Hitler it seems. (This was actually telegraphed way back in #1 when it was shown that the Nazis had some strange Kirby-like weapon.) A good tie to Captain America I think.
They open the first 2/3rds of the book with a very Matrix-style fight through an office building full of shape-shifting aliens. This is our introduction to the two newest members of the Ultimates -- Hawkeye and Black Widow. Black Widow instantly stole the issue for me, with the trick she did to get Hawkeye out of his mess. Bryan was the star of this sequence...And Mark the star of the next.
Back at the Triskelon -- the interaction between these characters, leading up to the whereabouts of Captain America, it's just all spot-on perfect. I love Mark's take on Thor and Iron Man.
The Ultimates comes out on a bi-monthly schedule, or about eight issues year. Fine with me. I'll wait for these guys. They're worth it. Don't you agree?
