Ultimatum #1 (of 5)

In the past, a comic book was important because of the events included - they might be big (the destruction of the Earth), they might be small (a story that focuses on emotion or a key event), or anywhere in between.

But a new definition for a big story has arrived - it has to include death. Preferably lots and lots of dead people.

If that's the yardstick, then Ultimatum is indeed a big story. Set in the Ultimate universe, it starts out as a nice "day in the life" of the Fantastic Four, the Ultimates, Spider-Man, the Hulk and the X-Men.

But things quickly go south, as a natural disaster of unnatural proportions hits New York City, and it's one that leaves most of the city's heroes helpless. It also leaves behind - according to the script - millions of people dead.

Yes, it's all for dramatic effect, and yes, it's all setup for the final battle between the good guys and the ultimate evildoer.

It's tough to write about the book without giving anything away, but it's good to see the focus on the main characters. They are shaken by the disaster, too, and that makes them much more human.

I don't care for the widespread death and destruction - those are the kinds of things that heroes are supposed to prevent. Of course, this comic is all setup - future issues will pit the heroes again the super-villain behind the death and destruction. But death has become such a cheap commodity in comics today - it's just an easy way to generate interest.

There's nothing wrong with the art - penciller David Finch and inker Danny Miki do a great job bringing these assorted heroes to life, and they give an interesting look to the Ultimate universe - it's dark and moody, but filled with action and heroism. The drawing of Spider-Man on page 11 should be a poster somewhere.

It's difficult to judge this comic, given that it's cut short just as the story gets rolling, but it promises to be an unpredictable series, and the final shot certainly prompts several questions. But the answers will have to wait for future issues.

Grade: B+