The Ultimates 3 #3 – Review

By Jeph Loeb (writer), Joe Mauereira (art), Christian Lichtner (colors)

Okay, if you can get past the first four pages of this issue – wow, you’re actually in for something pretty decent! In Ultimates 3 #3, Jeph Loeb finally decides to tell a story! And honestly, what happens here could have been told in issue #2, but better late than never, I suppose.

We finally get to the meat of the story: Scarlet Witch is dead, killed a by bullet specifically coded to her DNA. The story then shifts into a tale of how Wolverine is actually her father. Taking up half of the issue, this retelling of Scarlet Witch’s origin is a bit weird, and purists will most likely hate it, but I actually found it to be somewhat compelling. It just worked for me. From there we’re back in the present as the team mobilizes to hunt down Magneto. Loeb throws in a twist near the end of the issue that most people won’t see coming.

I wasn’t too impressed with Joe Madureira’s art the first two issues, but he has completely won me over this time around. With Christian Lichtner, who seems to have finally gotten a grasp on not making the coloring too dark, this is easily the duo’s best work to date. Before ever turning a page, I’d actually read through it and then look over the art for a few minutes before turning. It’s stunning. And while I still firmly believe that this book is still not worthy of being called “The Ultimates”, it’s finally getting better. Maybe these guys can turn this ship around. (Grade: B)

– J. Montes

The Ultimates 3 #1 – Review

By: Jeph Loeb (writer), Joe Madureira (art)

*Slight Spoiler Alert*

I was talking to the Chief (J.Montes) about this book today. He said something to the effect of “It’s like watching a car crash”. He really hated this book so I had to check it out for myself.

I opened the book and there in the first panel, Tony Stark is plowing the Black Widow on the Ultimates big screen TV with all the other members watching it. The only thing I could think was… Awesome! But wait, there’s more. By page two there is an all out slobberknocker with Venom, who appears to be looking for someone. Just when I thought there couldn’t be any more craziness, Scarlet Witch and her brother Quicksilver end up being lovers, (whhhhhhhat!) and Hank Pym O.D.’s on some pills but really who cares about Hank Pym. I won’t wreck the ending (yes, there is more) but it is highly entertaining and quite confusing.

Joe Mad was my guy in the 90’s. I grew up on Mad and Turner art, so when I heard Mad was coming back to Marvel I just about peed myself. His art in this book is fantastic; he really makes this book worth reading. If it was anyone else I would consider this the strangest piece of crap ever but he sells it with his art. The writing is really out there (sometimes hard to follow) and the dialogue is rough in certain areas but the shock value more than makes up for it.

If your mind is in the gutter and you enjoy snuff films, this is the book for you. I will likely lose all credibility with any future review because of this review, but I got the book and had a smile on my face from start to finish purely for the sake of the shock value. I’m going against the boss here… (Grade:B)

-Chris Williamson

A Second Opinion

Sorry, Chris, but this book is a steaming load of turd. Gone are the excellent and realisticly designed Bryan Hitch outfits, replaced by manga inspired “Age of Apocalypse” garb. Jeph Loeb stirs up all sorts of controvesy for the sake of nothing more than to get a reaction out of people. He makes this book trashy and tabloid-ish. We don’t need this crap.

This book belongs under the Marvel Knights brand. To sully the “Ultimates” name is unforgivable. (Grade: F)

– J.Montes

The Ultimates 3 #2 – Review

By: Jeph Loeb (Writer), Joe Madureira (Pencils)

God, Ultimates 3 is just horrible. It completely destroys the “The Ultimates” lineage with its flamboyant story and art. I like Jeph Loeb as a writer and I like Joe Madureira as an artist, but book should be called something else, because compared to previous two Ultimates series, this is just crap. There’s the awful dialogue like Spider-Man yelling, “You shot me, screwball!” at Hawkeye (huh?!). But the biggest offender is Sabertooth’s, “Suck it!” Give me a break, Loeb. You’ve complete turned this series into a mockery of itself.

Nearly all the characters from the original Ultimates story lose their original outfits. Instead of a more realistic looking team, these guys are a bunch of cartoons again. There’s also inconsistencies in the art, like when Sabertooth slashes Captain America in the back. Clearly his uniform is torn in the back, but if you look at the corresponding panel below, Cap’s uniform is perfectly intact. What the hell?!

Loeb and Madureira are not only the wrong team for the Ultimates, but for the Ultimate Universe as well. This story may have played well to the comic book audience of the 1990s, but in 2008 it’s way behind in the times. (Grade: F)

-J. Montes