It really seemed like the first Ultimates story arc ended with the last issue, and that this issue would be mostly a postscript to the story. It is, to some extent, but it also serves up some pretty significant status quo changes and shocks, and reveals things about most of the characters in the book. This has been called the heir apparent to The Authority in many ways, and it's definitely one of those super-hero titles for people who don't generally like super-heroes, but it is also a new take on Marvel favorites that is among the strongest of the Ultimate titles.
As always, The Ultimates has artwork to die for. Hitch does not skimp on the backgrounds, putting the reader right into the enormous headquarters of the Ultimates, or the posh Park Avenue digs of Tony Stark, or the home of Hank and Janet Pym, and each of these locales says something about the people who live there. In addition, the detail on these characters' faces is incredible, as Hitch and Currie have made them come to life, making them seem more real and human. If they made an Ultimates movie, I suspect that the look couldn't get much more realistic than what Hitch, Currie and colorist Paul Mounts have provided.
Millar's super-heroes are like real people, which is also interesting. Actually, scratch that, they're like real celebrities, which means they can sometimes be absolutely awful and dysfunctional. The interaction between Hank and Janet Pym in this issue is a big reverse from the way they've been acting, but it's also remarkably consistent with the personalities that have been established for them so far. Millar has almost gone too dark with these characters, as I felt he did with the Hulk, but if you look at the book less as the "Ultimate Avengers" and more as a different take on a military super-team, it feels right.
I also like the feeling that the Ultimate universe is more free to tamper with characters and make changes, and I hope that this continues to be the case. For instance, it seems that Millar has done away with the Hulk and another of the Ultimates in this issue, and there are hints that maybe another long-time Avenger may not be a fixture in the Ultimate universe. This unpredictability and willingness to make changes, realizing that there are always plenty of new characters, is one of the most attractive aspects of the Ultimate universe in general and The Ultimates especially.
Basically, The Ultimates is taking chances and doing new things in the super-hero genre, and it seems appropriate that the writer and penciller of the creative team came over from The Authority, which started this sort of freedom of exploration in the genre. The first arc of The Ultimates has been filled with great characterization, solid action and beautiful artwork, and I expect the next storyline to have more of the same.
