This issue of Millar's political protest by way of super-heroes offers up some of the most striking imagery of the two Ultimates series to date. Those with a bone to pick with the way the Bush administration has handled its foreign policy affairs will rejoice after reading this issue. This is a thoroughly relevant political story, but on top of that, it's full of energy and... fun. It's odd, given the grisly and chilling nature of some events and characters, there's still a palpable sense of fun, of
playfulness permeating the issue. Hitch's art instills a manic tone in the action that's both dizzying and dazzling all at once.
With two of the team's most powerful members -- Captain America and Thor -- locked up and neutralized, forces that have been conspiring against the Ultimates finally make their move against them, launching an all-out offensive. And that offensive begins with the team traitor taking direct action against another member. The world comes crashing down on Nick Fury's
superhuman weapons program, courtesy of the superhuman representatives of an international coalition.
There are a couple of instances in this issue in which the art is overwhelming. The panels are crowded with a multitude of generic superhuman weapons, making for hectic, busy visuals that take time to absorb. And I have no doubt it's by design. Hitch conveys the magnitude of the co-ordinated attack on the Ultimates and the United States with those busy, crowded panels, which are clearly meticulously crafted. In other scenes, the action unfolds almost as if in slow motion, driving home the shocking and cold nature of the violence. Most importantly, he executes the destruction of a noted American landmark perfectly, eliciting a picture-perfect visual comparison to an image of war that continues to resonate in the global consciousness.
The Marvel Universe of the Silver Age mined the Cold War extensively to create its villains, and it's nice to see Millar touch upon that capitalism/communism rivalry here in a thoroughly 21st century story. The revelation of the traitor is a natural one, and it honestly came as little surprise. The traitor's first overt action against a member of the Ultimates and an associate did take me off guard, and it set an important tone for the story. It makes it clear that this is war, and that there will be casualties.
The message throughout this issue is clear: America is the bad guy, and Nick Fury represents America. But this story isn't about corruption in political and military leadership. It's not about foreign policy and actions in oil-rich territory. It's about arrogance and how it blinds people to their own vulnerabilities. It's difficult to pick someone to cheer for in this book. The heroes have earned their downfall to a certain degree, but the antagonists are clearly callous and malevolent as well, so one can't exactly root for the bad guys in this case. 10/10
