In the Marvel Universe, the Ultimate Universe is making a comeback, thanks to the efforts of The Maker (Reed Richards from Earth-1610). The alternate Marvel world is being meticulously resurrected, promising significant changes for the Marvel Universe as we know it.

In “Ultimate Invasion” #1, written by Jonathan Hickman and illustrated by Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, and Alex Sinclair, The Maker takes the upper hand against the heroes of the Marvel Universe. With a cunning plan in motion, he begins acquiring the necessary technology to reconstruct the Ultimate Universe. However, his intentions extend far beyond mere restoration. The Maker aims to reshape this resurrected world into his own dominion, where he can reign supreme. To achieve this, he ventures into the past, disrupting the origins of various heroes to ensure they never acquire their powers and become threats to his malevolent agenda.

The question of whether the Ultimate Universe will make a comeback in the Marvel Universe as a result of the Maker’s actions is far from straightforward. It delves into a complex web of possibilities and outcomes.

What happened to the original Ultimate Universe?

During the 2000s, the Ultimate Universe emerged as an alternate timeline within Marvel Comics, providing a fresh take on familiar heroes and villains. This distinct reality allowed writers and artists to explore iconic characters and introduce substantial alterations to their histories, present situations, and potential futures, unburdened by the constraints of established continuity. For readers, it was an opportunity to dive into a comic series without the need to navigate through decades of interconnected storylines that shaped the main Marvel Universe.

Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley introduced “Ultimate Spider-Man ” in the Ultimate Universe,” providing a fresh take on Peter Parker and his superhero alter ego. The Avengers were reimagined as the Ultimates, featuring bold new designs and revised origins for its iconic members. Notably, the Hulk underwent a transformation, becoming an even more savage and uncontrollable creature with cannibalistic tendencies. The impact of the Ultimate Universe extended beyond the comics. It influenced the Marvel Cinematic Universe, such as incorporating Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Nick Fury into the character’s appearance and highlighting the significance of S.H.I.E.L.D. in assembling the Avengers.

After enjoying initial success, the Ultimate Universe eventually suffered a decline. The characters deviated from their original essence, turning into exaggerated versions of themselves, and the “Ultimatum” crossover marked the ultimate downfall of the original universe. Marvel responded by relaunching the Ultimate Universe, introducing the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and transforming Reed Richards into the villainous figure known as The Maker. However, the Ultimate Universe met its ultimate demise during the “Secret Wars” events due to incursions, leaving only two survivors: Morales and a twisted iteration of Mister Fantastic.

In the aftermath of the Ultimate Universe’s destruction, The Maker seeks revenge and sets his sights on resurrecting his world, but not without adding a dark twist to the equation.

The Maker is creating a new Ultimate Universe

The journey to reconstruct the Ultimate Universe unfolds in the pages of “Ultimate Invasion” #1, released this week. In this opening installment of the four-issue miniseries, The Maker breaks free from his stasis and confinement, embarking on a relentless quest to obtain advanced technology from various factions such as Wakanda, the Atlanteans, the X-Men, and the Inhumans. With these stolen resources, he constructs a powerful device capable of transporting him to a new world. Despite the efforts of the Illuminati to thwart his plans, they are unable to stop The Maker in time, and he successfully acquires everything he needs to traverse universes. Tempting Miles Morales with the opportunity to join him in reality reminiscent of their home, The Maker sets off on a solitary journey through time, ultimately arriving on Earth-6160.

As the Illuminati pledges to confront The Maker, his arrival in a fresh realm leads to his meddling in the pivotal moment when a young Peter Parker is about to be bitten by a radioactive spider. However, Reed Richards intervenes this time, preventing Parker from gaining his heroic abilities by safely capturing the spider in a test tube before it can make contact. This significant scene alludes to The Maker’s scheme of constructing a new incarnation of the Ultimate Universe.

The malevolent Reed Richards, known as The Maker, harbors a different intention than merely resurrecting the heroes of the original Ultimate Universe. His sinister plan involves erasing their very existence and constructing a new world where they never emerged. Determined to achieve this goal, The Maker embarks on a relentless journey across Earth-6160 and throughout the annals of time, disrupting the origins of even more heroes. His ultimate aim is to be the sole wielder of power in a reality that he can dominate with an iron fist.

What will Ultimate Invasion lead to?

The Maker’s ambitious endeavor to construct a new Ultimate Universe sets in motion a cataclysmic chain of events that reverberates throughout the Multiverse. Marvel Comics recently announced the upcoming “Ultimate Universe” series by Johnathan Hickman and Stefano Caselli, which directly follows the aftermath of “Ultimate Invasion.” The Maker’s actions unleash a torrent of complications across various timelines, resulting in the collision of universes and paving the way for the resurgence of the Ultimate Universe. In an interview with Marvel.com, Hickman shared that the new “Ultimate Universe” will pay homage to its past while reflecting the contemporary world, offering updated characters and settings that mirror our reality.

“What made the original Ultimate Universe so captivating was its ability to mirror the real world, capturing the essence of the era in which it existed,” remarked Hickman. He continued, “Now, considering the significant changes our world has undergone, it’s truly astonishing. Imagining the birth of superheroes in a fresh, uncharted world is an incredibly intriguing endeavor.”

The Maker’s mission seems to achieve its initial goal, heralding the return of the Ultimate Universe. However, his relentless pursuit of altering timelines and robbing heroes of their abilities will leave a trail of destruction across the Multiverse. From the wreckage that ensues in the upcoming installments of “Ultimate Invasion,” a new iteration of the Ultimate Universe will emerge, reborn from the remnants of devastation.

Marvel Comics’ “Ultimate Invasion” #1 is now available in both comic book stores and online retailers. Fans can anticipate the release of “Ultimate Universe” #1 after the gripping finale of the four-issue miniseries, with the arrival of the new Ultimate Universe slated for November.