Post by goldenfist on Feb 22, 2008 12:49:23 GMT -5
Ultimate Human is not the quick and dirty throwaway series you'd expect it to be. When the book was first announced I just assumed Marvel was trying to make us forget Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine ever existed by having Hulk rip someone else in half. As is often the case with Warren Ellis' stories, there is plenty more than meets the eye. Along with Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate Iron Man 2, it's nice to know some Ultimate books are still capable of living up to their potential.
Even the solicits haven't done a terrific job of selling this series. They leave one with the impression that this series is four issues of Hulk and Iron Man clobbering each other. That sort of decompressed "storytelling" is one of the main arguments naysayers have against superhero comics, and I'm glad Ellis didn't give them more ammunition. Last issue saw a tiny fight between the two Ultimates members, and this issue provides a more extensive rematch. Luckily, even the second battle only lasts about half the issue. I'm much more interested in seeing the human sides of Stark and Banner play off each other. Ellis has a good handle on what makes each super-genius tick. I also heavily applaud his Ultimate version of The Leader, who has actually been blended with another popular Marvel character you'll have to see to believe.
I guess I'm glad to see Cary Nord pencilling a mainstream superhero book like this. I'd be happier if his style fit the book a little better. It's a bit too loose for the frantic battle scenes, not to mention that I hate seeing his pencils inked over. Conan proved without a doubt his art looks best when the coloring is applied directly over the pencils. On the plus side, Nord still provides a much more realistic and fitting look than we're seeing in books like The Ultimates 3 and Ultimate Fantastic Four.
It's good to see Ellis doing his part to keep the Ultimate universe alive. If it weren't for the occasional flash of brilliance like Ultimate Human, I'd be tempted to give up on the line altogether.
Review Score:8.7 Great
Even the solicits haven't done a terrific job of selling this series. They leave one with the impression that this series is four issues of Hulk and Iron Man clobbering each other. That sort of decompressed "storytelling" is one of the main arguments naysayers have against superhero comics, and I'm glad Ellis didn't give them more ammunition. Last issue saw a tiny fight between the two Ultimates members, and this issue provides a more extensive rematch. Luckily, even the second battle only lasts about half the issue. I'm much more interested in seeing the human sides of Stark and Banner play off each other. Ellis has a good handle on what makes each super-genius tick. I also heavily applaud his Ultimate version of The Leader, who has actually been blended with another popular Marvel character you'll have to see to believe.
I guess I'm glad to see Cary Nord pencilling a mainstream superhero book like this. I'd be happier if his style fit the book a little better. It's a bit too loose for the frantic battle scenes, not to mention that I hate seeing his pencils inked over. Conan proved without a doubt his art looks best when the coloring is applied directly over the pencils. On the plus side, Nord still provides a much more realistic and fitting look than we're seeing in books like The Ultimates 3 and Ultimate Fantastic Four.
It's good to see Ellis doing his part to keep the Ultimate universe alive. If it weren't for the occasional flash of brilliance like Ultimate Human, I'd be tempted to give up on the line altogether.
Review Score:8.7 Great