Structurally, this is a rather typical team-up story featuring two super-hero teams. Each one gets its own distinct call to action concerning the same threat, and each one is approaching the problem from a different perspective (which will no doubt lead to the standard conflict among the heroes). What sets this story apart, though, is the nature of the threat. There's a larger-than-life cataclysm at play, yes, but it's the personal, psychological aspect of the menace that really has an impact on the reader. Hairsine's efforts to capture the "widescreen" approach of previous Ellis collaborators succeeds, but it's not nearly as effective as the work of those he attempts to emulate.
At the turn of the previous century, a power of great immensity and bizarre origin made its mark on the Russian countryside, and it gave way to superstitions and fears about the cursed land. Something horrific lurked within that scarred landscape, and that horror is beginning to rise again. All across the globe, alien broadcasts of despair and death bombard the unsuspecting populace, and their effects are unexpected and unbelievably shocking and sad. That promts Nick Fury to lead a select group of Ultimates into Russia to investigate. Professor X, likewise, sends a few of his X-Men as well to check out the psychic energies eminating from within.
Hairsine's work here is highly reminiscent of the style of Bryan (Ultimates) Hitch, whose work with Warren Ellis on StormWatch and The Authority popularized the term and practice of "widescreen comics." Hairsine's work here, though, seems as though it's Hitch's style filtered through a somewhat dirty lens. There's a haziness at play that interferes a bit with the sense of realism the artist is striving for, but at the same time, it reinforces the darker atmosphere of the story. Hairsine's work in the closing scene is reminiscent of David (Avengers) Finch's style, though I wish he'd offered the reader a clearly look at the new addition to the Ultimate Universe. To the artist's credit, he does bring a remarkable level of humanity to the inhuman, alien figures depicted in the mysterious broadcasts.
Ellis introduces a new member of the Ultimates in this comic book, and I love that this incarnation of the chaarcter differs greatly from the "regular" continuity version. It's not that there's anything wrong with the original character; it's just that I like when the writers take greater liberties with these familiar figures. What's the point of having a new continuity if it's just going to follow what we've already seen before?
Ellis emphasizes the devastating effects that the threat has on humankind, and he does so with shocking but disturbingly familiar and realistic scenes focusing on individuals that could be the reader's friends or loved ones. The scenes are heart-wrenching, and they bring credibility to the otherwise fantastic and alien catalyst. Those everyday people scenes are what sets this story apart from more typical, derivative super-hero fare.
