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