Post by goldenfist on Mar 27, 2008 8:04:19 GMT -5
Here's what ign.com reviewed on Ultimate Human #3.
I can honestly say that I wasn't expecting much from this series. Fresh off the heels of World War Hulk, I was definitely at my Hulk saturation-point. I was even more afraid the entire series would consist entirely of Hulk punching (or ripping in half, can't forget that) everything that was in his path. Luckily, Marvel decided to go in a different direction by handing the reins to Warren Ellis, who has taken things in a much more cerebral direction.
If you haven't learned by now, cover art lies. Shocking, I know, but it's true. The only time you'll see the Hulk or Iron Man suit will be on the cover – nowhere else. You actually get something much better instead. Shrouded on the periphery for much of the first two issues, we finally learn the horrible horrible truth behind the true villain of the series. Aside from the fact that he's an Ultimatized amalgam of the Leader and Pete Wisdom, little else was known about the character's motivation, but all is made clear during this issue. If you were one of those enticed by the cover, you'll be extremely disappointed. For everyone else, a subtle and engrossing tale of political maneuvering within the halls of MI6 awaits them.
It's almost astonishing that the creative power behind the madcap zaniness that was Nextwave could also handle international intrigue in such a compelling fashion. You can't find this level of nuanced/complex power-wrangling in the original Marvel Universe, which seems odd given the recent paradigm shift towards the Initiative after Civil War. The closest you probably get would be on Thunderbolts, which is of course also written by Ellis.
I'm starting to have a love/hate relationship with Cary Nord's art. His close-ups are highly detailed and full of emotion. Unfortunately, that effect lessens greatly as figures move further into the background. At times, more distant shots make it seem like the page was smeared with Vaseline, with only rough splotches of color making it through. Luckily, those are kept to a minimum. As we all know, there's a predetermined quota of fight scenes for all series involving the Hulk. We haven't nearly come close to meeting that figure yet, so expect it to commence early and often next issue, but don't let that deter you from reading one of the more surprisingly satisfying Marvel limited series since the original Annihilation.
Review Score: 9.2 Outstanding
I can honestly say that I wasn't expecting much from this series. Fresh off the heels of World War Hulk, I was definitely at my Hulk saturation-point. I was even more afraid the entire series would consist entirely of Hulk punching (or ripping in half, can't forget that) everything that was in his path. Luckily, Marvel decided to go in a different direction by handing the reins to Warren Ellis, who has taken things in a much more cerebral direction.
If you haven't learned by now, cover art lies. Shocking, I know, but it's true. The only time you'll see the Hulk or Iron Man suit will be on the cover – nowhere else. You actually get something much better instead. Shrouded on the periphery for much of the first two issues, we finally learn the horrible horrible truth behind the true villain of the series. Aside from the fact that he's an Ultimatized amalgam of the Leader and Pete Wisdom, little else was known about the character's motivation, but all is made clear during this issue. If you were one of those enticed by the cover, you'll be extremely disappointed. For everyone else, a subtle and engrossing tale of political maneuvering within the halls of MI6 awaits them.
It's almost astonishing that the creative power behind the madcap zaniness that was Nextwave could also handle international intrigue in such a compelling fashion. You can't find this level of nuanced/complex power-wrangling in the original Marvel Universe, which seems odd given the recent paradigm shift towards the Initiative after Civil War. The closest you probably get would be on Thunderbolts, which is of course also written by Ellis.
I'm starting to have a love/hate relationship with Cary Nord's art. His close-ups are highly detailed and full of emotion. Unfortunately, that effect lessens greatly as figures move further into the background. At times, more distant shots make it seem like the page was smeared with Vaseline, with only rough splotches of color making it through. Luckily, those are kept to a minimum. As we all know, there's a predetermined quota of fight scenes for all series involving the Hulk. We haven't nearly come close to meeting that figure yet, so expect it to commence early and often next issue, but don't let that deter you from reading one of the more surprisingly satisfying Marvel limited series since the original Annihilation.
Review Score: 9.2 Outstanding
