Ultimate New Ultimates #2

The Ultimates comic has had what we can charitably call a sporadic publishing schedule, as issues often miss their regular publication dates and show up months (and months and months) late.

The problem has been at the other extreme lately. Two weeks ago, issue #6 of Ultimate Avengers was published, followed a week later by issue #1, Volume #2 of the Ultimate Avengers. Now, a week later, we have the second issue in the Ultimate New Ultimates series (which I must admit, I had forgotten completely about).

This is the series written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Frank Cho. So you know the art is going to be great (and it is), but the story is much more difficult to predict. The first issue's story was surprisingly good - but here, it all starts to unravel.

We start with Ultimate Captain America being his usual self - a colossal jerk. The Ultimate Enchantress shows up and starts recruiting new members of the Lady Liberators (a '70s group of heroines that appeared in a single issue of The Avengers to fight for Women's Liberation). (Really!)

In the meantime, Loki is attacking New York with an army of trolls and dragons, and the Ultimates are fighting a holding action. Meanwhile, Ultimate Thor is gettin' busy (if you get my drift) with Ultimate Hela. Yeah, I know.

The purpose of the story is obviously to give Frank Cho as much opportunity as possible to do what he does best - draw beautiful women and dinosaurs. This he does spectacularly, but the story doesn't really hold up its end of the bargain - it's a mess, as impossible events pile on top of improbable actions, and all the characters have to act like lunkheads to keep the story moving.

It's almost worth it for Cho's art - but that's the only reason to buy this issue.

By the way, I can't help but note that in the indicia, this comic is to be published monthly. On the same page, the ad for the next issue lists its publication date: July 7, 2010. Sheesh!

Grade: B

Ultimate Avengers #6

It would be easy to get the impression that writer Mark Millar, when trying to think of a story, simply considers what might be the craziest, most outrageous thing that will get a response from fans, and then creates his story from there.

That's certainly where this version of the Ultimate Avengers seems to come from.

The story centers around Captain America being confronted with the new Red Skull, who is actually his illegitimate child (from a fling he had during World War II).

This Skull is a murderous fiend who is able to face down the latest version of the Avengers thanks to his newest weapon - a Cosmic Cube, which converts thoughts into reality.

With it, he seems unbeatable - but Cap has a solution to every problem, and the one he offers here will leave you, the reader, saying aloud, "Good grief!" (Or perhaps, "Oh, brother," depending on your preference.)

The art is certainly good, as Carlos Pacheco (with Dexter Vines inking) turns in some outstanding work here.

The Ultimates series has been both interesting and, aside from great artwork, largely disappointing. Perhaps it's because the comic takes a great team - the Avengers - and turns them all into murderous jerks.

Or maybe it's just me.

Grade: B

New Avengers #59 / Ultimate Avengers #4

For our second "double review" this week (catching up for the holiday), the Avengers are up to bat.

In the New Avengers, the team faces a major problem. Needing advanced medical treatment, Luke Cage surrendered to the Dark Avengers - and now the New Avengers have to figure out a way to rescue him.

What follows is a fun, Oceans 11-style story, with several twists and turns and loads of guest stars.

It's the usual strong writing from Brian Bendis and outstanding art from Stuart Immonen, with a terrific double splash page (though you have to wonder what Spider-Man is actually swinging from).

Add on a neat twist at the end and you have a darn good comic.

Grade: A-

Over in the Ultimate Avengers universe, it's all about wall-to-wall action, as the "new" Avengers, assembled by Nick Fury and Tony Stark's smarter brother, go after Captain America.

Cap's off on a mission of his own - to discover the true story behind the new Red Skull - and War Machine, the newly cloned Nerd Hulk (I am not making this up) and the Red Wasp are out to stop him.

It makes for a fun, action-packed issue (although Cap uses an especially despicable trick that, thankfully, works) - just what you'd expect from writer Mark Millar.

The art by Carlos Pacheco is quite good, of course, and he has a lot of fun with the fight scenes here.

Of course, it's the same old complaint about the "Ultimates" - no one is particularly heroic or sympathetic here - but it is good mindless fun.

Grade: B