While it was initially met with some trepidation from long-term comics fans, the Ultimate Universe was quickly met with acclaim. Designed to draw new readers who’d just seen Bryan Singer’s new millennium X-Men film or were still anticipating the 2002 release of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, the Ultimate Universe launched with those two characters in largely self-contained titles. Ultimate Spider-Man made his debut in 2000 with the X-Men joining the cast of Earth-1610 characters four months later.
Despite the growing buzz, Marvel cautiously added the Ultimates – featuring the Ulimate Universe version of the Avengers – in 2002, which proved to be a huge hit. The Fantastic Four’s Ultimate title came in 2004, though wasn’t as well received. But the core of the universe was there in just those four books, with big crossover events few and far between. This was how to relaunch a mainstream comics universe the right way, though it’s rarely been emulated since. Perhaps the 2024 relaunch will rekindle that magic.
For now, here’s he first of a three-part guide to the original Ultimate Universe, with our recommended reading order for this fan-favourite alternate reality!
SCROLL DOWN to the bottom for the KEY COLLECTED EDITIONS for this event!
Must Reads: Story arcs marked with a ✔ are must-read stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
Chronology: Every appearance of the characters from the Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610) from this period is included in chronological order, mapping out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
Anthology Issues: When an issue contains multiple stories, the relevant story is denoted with square brackets. For example, [2/5] refers to the second story of the five stories in that issue, so you don’t need to read the other four.
Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the core reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns – just the stories:
- Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra #1-4
- Ultimate Elektra #1-5
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #1-7
- Ultimate Captain America Annual #1 [1/2]
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #1
- ✔ Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #1
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #2-6
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #8
- ✔ Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #2-3
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #9-13
- ✔ Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #4-8, 10
- Ultimate Spider-Man #14-16
- Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #11-13
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #17-21
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #7-12
- ✔ Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #14-16
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #13-14
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #½
- ✔ Ultimates #1-3
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #15-20
- Ultimate Marvel Team-Up Special #1
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #22-32
- Ultimate Thor #1-3
- ✔ Ultimates #4
- Ultimate Thor #4
- ✔ Ultimates #5
- Ultimate Adventures #1-6
- Ultimate Spider-Man #½
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #33-40
- ✔ Ultimates #6-13
- X-Men Unlimited #37
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #21-26
- ✔ Ultimate War #1-2
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #27
- ✔ Ultimate War #3-4
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #28-33
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #41-46
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #34-39
- ✔ Ultimate Six #1-7
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #40-45
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #47-53
- ✔ Ultimate Fantastic Four #1-12
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #54-65
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #46-49
- Ultimate Spider-Man #66-67
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #68-71
- ✔ Ultimate Fantastic Four #13-18
- Ultimate X-Men #50-53
- Ultimate Fantastic Four #19-20
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #54-57
- Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #72-78
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #58
- ✔ Ultimate Fantastic Four #21-23
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #59-60
- Ultimate Fantastic Four #24-26
- ✔ Ultimate Fantastic Four #27-32
- ✔ Ultimate Nightmare #1-5
- ✔ Ultimate Secret #1-4
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #86 [2/2]
- ✔ Ultimate X-Men #65 [2/2]
- ✔ Ultimate Fantastic Four #25 [2/2]
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #87 [2/2]
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #88 [2/2]
- ✔ Ultimate Fantastic Four #26 [2/2]
- ✔ Ultimate Extinction #1-5
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man #79-85
- Ultimate Vision #1-5
- ✔ Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1
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Chronology: Every appearance of Ultimate Universe from this period is included in chronological order, mapping out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
| Must Reads | Title, Synopsis & First Appearances | Event / Crossover |
| Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra #1-4 (2003) Matt Murdock falls in love with Elektra Natchios at college, but soon finds her attempting to dispense a very final kind of justice in order to apprehend a student from a rich family whose accused of serious assault; Murdock becomes a vigilante himself in an effort to stop Elektra from making a mistake. 1st appearance: Dimitris Natchios, Elektra Natchios (if you consider all of Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special to be out of continuity), Frankin ‘Foggy Nelson, Stone | ||
| Ultimate Elektra #1-5 (2004-2005) Elektra’s investigation into her family’s criminal activities bring her into a confrontation with the Kingpin; Matt Mudock continues to come into conflict with the women he loved, while she faces off against the Kingpin’s assassin, Bullseye. 1st appearance: Bullseye/Benjamin Poindexter | ||
| Ultimate Thor #1-3 (2010-2011) Ultimate Thor #4 (pp.1-8) (2011) Thor’s history is recounted as the EDI attempt to turn his abilities to their advantage. 1st appearance: Fandral, Hogun, Balder Odinson, Note: AVOID reading this now and wait until you reach 2010’s ‘Ultimate New Ultimates’. | THOR REBORN | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #1-7 (2000-2001) Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider on a school trip to Osborn Industries; Peter develops powers and becomes Spider-Man, searching for fame and fortune until his uncle Ben Parker is murdered by a burglar; Norman Osborn tries to emulate Peter’s accident, transforming himself into the monstrous Green Goblin and clashing with Spider-Man. 1st appearance: Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Liz Allan, Betty Brant, J Jonah Jameson, Kenneth ‘Kong’ McFarlane, Otto Octavius, Harry Osborn, Norman Osborn/Green Goblin, Ben Parker, May Parker, Joseph ‘Robbie’ Robertson, Captain John Stacy, Frederick ‘Flash’ Thompson, Ben Urich, Mary Watson, Mary Jane Watson, the Daily Bugle, Midtown High School, Oscorp/Osborn Industrial, Earth-1610 | |
| Ultimate Captain America Annual #1 [1/2] (2008) King T’Chaka of Wakanda turns to Nick Fury for help to save the life of his son, T’Challa, when he’s aeriously injured attempting the Trial of the Panther. Note: It’s best to read this story later, with the rest of the Ultimate Captain America Annual in the build up to Ultimatum. | MARCH ON ULTIMATUM | |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #1 (2001) Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #1 (2001) Ultimate X-Men #2-6 (2001) A number of young mutants are recruited into the X-Men by Professor X and Marvel Girl to oppose the robotic Sentinels and Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy; Spider-Man comes to Wolverine‘s aid when agents from the Weapon X Project attempt to kidnap him; Wolverine carries out a mission to infiltrate the X-Men for Magneto; Wolverine gets his shot at redemption when he’s given the chance to turn against Magneto. 1st appearance: X-Men (Beast/Hank McCoy, Colossus/Piotr Rasputin, Cyclops/Scott Summers, Iceman/Bobby Drake, Marvel Girl/Jean Grey, Professor X/Charles Xavier, Storm/Ororo Munroe), Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy (Magneto/Eric Lensherr, Blob/Frank Dukes, Mastermind/Jason Wyngarde, Quicksilver/Pietro Lehnsherr), Scarlet Witch/Wanda Lehnsherr, Toad/Mortimer Toynbee), Mystique (cat), Sentinels, Bolivar Trask, Weapon X Project (Sabretooth/Victor Creed, John Wraith), Wolverine/Logan, the Blackbird, Savage Land, Xavier School for Gifted Children | THE TOMORROW PEOPLE |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #8 (2001) Spider-Man begins his mission to fight crime and discovers the identity of the Kingpin. 1st appearance: Enforcers (Fancy Dan, Montana, Ox), the Shocker, Patsy Walker (cameo) | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #2-3 (2001) Spider-Man tries to stop the rampage of a giant green monster called the Hulk, learning of a possible conspiracy that connects them both. 1st appearance: Hulk/Bruce Banner, General Thaddeus Ross |
| Must Reads | Title, Synopsis & First Appearances | Event / Crossover |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #9-13 (2001) Spider-Man’s clashes with Electro before his fateful confrontation with the Kingpin; Peter Parker decides to share his secret identity with someone. 1st appearance: Electro, Wilson Fisk/Kingpin, Patsy Walker (full) and Fisk Tower | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #4-8, 10 (2001-2002) Spider-Man aids Iron Man against a band of SHIELD agents trying to obtain his IronTech; Spider-Man meets Daredevil when they both try to apprehend the Punisher; Spider-Man gets unexpected help from the Man-Thing when he pursues mutated geneticist Curt Conners. 1st appearance: Daredevil/Matt Murdock, Nick Fury, Tony Stark/Iron Man, Lizard/Curt Conners, Man-Thing/Ted Sallis, Punisher/Frank Castle, James Rhodes, Stark Industries | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #14-17(pp.1-4) (2001-2002) Having bonded to his mechanical tentacles, Doctor Octopus goes after Spider-Man; the rebellious Gwen Stacy joins Midtown High School; TV personality Kraven the Hunter decides to hunt Spider-Man himself. 1stappearance: Sharon Carter, Justin Hammer, Kraven the Hunter, Hank Pym, Gwen Stacy, Jimmy Woo, Hammer Industries New identity: Otto Octavius as Doctor Octopus | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #11-13 (2002) Spider-Man meets the X-Men; Xandu takes control of Spider-Man, employing him to attack new age guru Doctor Strange. 1st appearance: Stephen Strange Jr/Doctor Strange, Wong | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #17(pp.5-22)-21 (2002) Spider-Man finds himself the target of both Doctor Octopus and Kraven the Hunter. 1st appearance: Eddie Brock (cameo), Flint Marko/Sandman | |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #7-12 (2001-2002) The X-Men and the Brotherhood are captured by the Weapon X Project and must rally the other captive mutants in order to escape; Wolverine has another sowdown with Sabretooth; Nick Fury comes to the X-Men’s assistance. 1st appearance: Dr Abraham Cornelius, Juggernaut/Cain Marko, Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner, Rogue/Marian Carlysle, SHIELD (mentioned) | |
| ✔ | Marvel Team-Up #14-16 (2002) Spider-Man meets SHIELD agent Black Widow and helps Shang-Chi take on local gangs. 1st appearance: Natasha Romanov/Black Widow, Shang-Chi | |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #13-14 (2002) In New York City, the mutant Gambit comes to the aid of a young girl when the mobster Hammerhead murders her parents and hunts her down. 1st appearance: Gambit/Remy LeBeau, Hammerhead/Joseph, Silvermane/Alan Silvermane | |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #½ (2002) Cyclops, Iceman and Colossus are sent to recruit the wayward Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. |
| Must Reads | Title, Synopsis & First Appearances | Event / Crossover |
| ✔ | Ultimates #1-3 (2002) Nick Fury takes over as Director of the (SHIELD) and forms the post-human super-team, the Ultimates, with Iron Man, Giant-Man, the Wasp and the recently-recovered Captain America in the starting line-up; the imprisoned Bruce Banner is tasked with creating a super-soldier forumula. 1st appearance: Ultimates (Captain America/Steve Rogers, Wasp/Janet van Dyne), James ‘Bucky’ Barnes, Harold ‘Happy’ Hogan, Edwin Jarvis, Pepper Potts, Gail Richards, Betty Ross Iron Tech Armour, Stark Industries, Triskelion, SHIELD/Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate New identity: Henry ‘Hank’ Pym as Giant-Man | |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #15-20 (2002) One of the X-Men’s deadliest foes is revealed to be alive; the X-Men tour the world to promote the release of Professor X’s new book; the team visit London, meet the UK’s superhuman security division STRIKE and clash with Professor X’s son, Proteus; Beast goes through some changes. 1st appearance: Acolytes, Brian Braddock, Dr James Braddock, Moira MacTaggert, Proteus/David Xavier, STRIKE/Special Tactical Reserve for Internaitonal Key Emergencies (Agent Elizabeth Braddock, Agent Dai Thomas) | |
| Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special #1(pp.1-30, 40-49, 52-64) (2002) In a story that is hard to reconcile in terms of continuity, Peter Parker reads his essay on heroes to the class while recalling his first encounters with other superhumans; if you choose to consider this a part of continuity, then this features the first appearance of Blade and Elektra; the Fantastic Four‘s appearance here is definitely out of continuity, so I’ve omitted those pages from this guide. 1stappearance: Elektra/Elektra Natchios, Blade/Eric Brooks | ||
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #22-32 (2002-2003) The Green Goblin returns, looking to have his revenge on Spider-Man and those he blames for his condition; another ‘Spider-Man’ sullies the true Spider-Man’s name by committing crimes while wearing his costume; the imposter’s activities impact a close friend of Peter Parker. 1st appearance: Jean DeWolff,Clay Quartermain, Rhino, Dr Miles Warren | |
| ✔ | Ultimates #4 (pp.1-9) (2002) The public react to the existence of the Ultimates; Steve Rogers tries to acclimitise to life in the 21st century. | |
| Ultimate Thor #4 (pp.9-14) (2011) Thor’s activities in Tunisia attract Nick Fury’s attention. Note: AVOID reading this now and wait until you reach 2010’s ‘Ultimate New Ultimates’. | THOR REBORN | |
| ✔ | Ultimates #4 (pp.9-12) (2002) Nick Fury makes Thor an offer. 1st appearance: Thor | |
| Ultimate Thor #4 (pp.15-17) (2011) Baron Zemo manipulates events around Thor. Note: AVOID reading this now and wait until you reach 2010’s ‘Ultimate New Ultimates’. | THOR REBORN | |
| ✔ | Ultimates #4 (pp.13-23) (2002) Ultimates #5 (pp.1-10) (2002) Ultimates #5 (pp.11-18) (2002) / Ultimate Thor #4 (pp.18-24) (2011) Ultimates #5 (pp.19-25) (2002) Bruce Banner resumes his monstrous Hulk form; the Ultimates are despatched to take the Hulk down, but struggle to contain him until Thor arrives; Thor agrees to join the Ultimates. | |
| Ultimate Adventures #1-5 (2002-2003) Orphan Hank Kipple is adopted by millionaire Jack Danner and discovers Danner is secretly the costumes vigilante Hawk-Owl; Hank becomes Hawk-Owl’s sidekick Woody; the Ultimates investigate Hawk-Owl and Woody’s activities. | ||
| Ultimate Spider-Man #½ (2002) Members of the public talk about how Spider-Man has impacted their lives. 1st appearance: Danny Rand | ||
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #33-40 (2003) Peter Parker learns more about his father and his work on a bio-suit for Trask Industries; Eddie Brock tries to claim the suit, resulting in the birth of Venom; Nick Fury approaches Peter Parker with an offer. 1st appearance: Eddie Brock (full), Richard & Mary Parker (in flashback), the Suit/Venom Symbiote New identity: Eddie Brock as Venom | |
| ✔ | Ultimates #6 (pp.6-24) (2002) Ultimates #7-13 (2002-2004) Captain America personally deals with Giant-Man’s mistreatment of the Wasp; Hawkeye, Black Widow, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch join the Ultimates; the team get to prove their worth against a massive Chitauri alien invasion fleet. 1st appearance: Hawke/Clint Barton, Chitauri | |
| X-Men Unlimited #37 (2002) Wolverine cameo; Illyana Raputin of Earth-2937 uses an army of alternate universe Wolverines (including Wolverine of Earth-1610) as pawns in a bid to save her disembodied son who was born between realties. |
| Must Reads | Title, Synopsis & First Appearances | Event / Crossover |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #21-25 (2002-2003) Kitty Pryde joins Xavier’s School for Gifted Children as Shadowcat; Marvel Girl experiences visions of a Phoenix; the Scarlet Witch get a chance to steer the Brotherhood in a positive direction; Iceman’s parents take Professor X to court; Wolverine shows his true colours; Sebastian Shaw and his Hellfire Club try to subvert Marvel Girl. 1st appearance: Hellfire Club, Theresa Pryde, Shadowcat/Kitty Pryde | |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #26 (2003) Ultimate War #1-2 (2003) Ultimate X-Men #27 (2003) Ultimate War #3-4 (2003) Ultimate War #28-33 (2003) Magneto rises again, leading the US Government to believe the X-Men are in league with him; the Ultimates are assigned to apprehending the X-Men; Wolverine has to prove his allegiance when the X-Men rush to stop Magneto from causing environmental calamity; Nightcrawler and Rogue join the team. 1st appearance: Camp X-Factor, Detonator/Ricky Gibson, Forge, Kwannon (mention), Multiple Man/Jamie Madrox, SHIELD Sentinels, Magneto’s Citadel | RETURN OF THE KING |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #41-45 (2003) Spider-Man and the X-Men deal with an out-of-control mutant at Midtown High; Spider-Man first meets Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde) of the X-Men; Peter’s aunt May Parker starts goes to therapy because of Spider-Man. 1st appearance: Geldoff, Trask Industries | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #46 (2003) SHIELD agent Sharon Carter recalls an incident with Spider-Man in which he helped her apprehend the Sandman (taking place before the Green Goblin’s return). | ULTIMATE SIX |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #34-39 (2003-2004) Weapon X’s agent Tara pursues Wolverine who leads her right to Peter Parker’s front door; Spider-Man and Daredevil join Wolverine’s fight against Tara. 1st appearance: Timothy ‘Dum Dum’ Dugan | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Six #1-7 (2003-2004) Norman Osborn breaks out of the Triskelion, along with Doctor Octopus, Electro, Kraven the Hunter and Sandman; Norman Osborn blackmails Spider-Man into joining the Six and the group go up against the Ultimates. 1st appearance: The Six | ULTIMATE SIX |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #40-45 (2004) The X-Men resume rescuing and offering training to new mutants, though there are some who are beyind saving; Angel joins the X-Men; Professor X’s rival Emma Frost begins gathering New Mutants of her own; a member of the X-Men falls. 1st appearance: Angel/Warren Worthington, Dazzler/Alison Blaire, Havok/Alexander Summers (cameo), Karma/ Xuân Cao Mạnh, New Mutants, Polaris/Lorna Dane (cameo), Wolfsbane/Rahne Sinclair (cameo) | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #47-53 (2003-2004) Spider-Man clashes with the Kingpin and promises to take him down; Spidey finds an ally in the seductive Black Cat and the duo face the Kingpin’s bodyguard, Elektra. 1st appearance: Black Cat/Felicia Hardy, Walter Dini | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Fantastic Four #1-12 (2004) Reed Richards joins the Mainland Technology Development consortium to help develop their experimental teleportation tech; exposure to the effects of the N-Zone alters the genetic make-up of Reed, fellow scientists Sue Storm and Victor Van Damme, along with Sue’s brother Johnny Storm and Reed’s best friend Ben Grimm; the super-powered teens clash with the Mole Man’s Ani-Men and the rogue van Damme who they dub ‘Doom’. 1st appearance: Ani-Men, Doom/Victor Van Damme, Ben Grimm, Lt William Lumpkin, Mole Man/Arthur Molekevic, Enid Richards, Gary Richards, Mary Richards, Reed Richards, Franklin Storm, Johnny Storm, Susan Storm, Baxter Building |
| Must Reads | Title, Synopsis & First Appearances | Event / Crossover |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #54-65 (2003-2004) Spider-Man clashes with the Kingpin and promises to take him down; Spidey finds an ally in the seductive Black Cat and the duo face the Kingpin’s bodyguard, Elektra; Doctor Octopus crashes the filming of ‘Arachno-Man‘ in Hollywood; the truth about Doctor Octopus’ powers are revealed; after battling the Gladiator, Spider-Man encounters the creature called Carnage who forces Peter Parker to suffer terrible loss. 1st appearance: Carnage, Gladiator, Sam Raimi, Ben Reilly, Tobey Maguire | |
| Ultimate X-Men #46-49 (2004) A former Osborn Industries employee uses his own super-soldier serum on himself and hunts mutants as Mister Sinister; Dazzler joins the X-Men. 1st appearance: Apocalypse, Mister Sinister/Nathaniel Essex, Northstar/Jean-Paul Beaubier, Sunspot/Roberto DaCosta | ||
| Ultimate Spider-Man #66-67 (2004) Wolverine and Spider-Man wake up in each other’s bodies (as in ‘mind-swapped’). | ||
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #68-71 (2005) Johnny Storm starts attending Midtown High; Spider-Man goes to Doctor Strange for help against Nightmare. 1st appearance: Nightmare, Mark Raxton | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Fantastic Four #13-20 (2005) Reed Richards and his three superhuman friends head into the N-Zone and encounter its tyrannical ruler Nihil; as their battle spills back to Earth, the existence of the four super-teens becomes public knowledge; Rhona Burchill tries to kidnap the team using her Awesome Android. 1st appearance: Awesome Android/Robert Burchill, Mad Thinker/Rhona Burchill, Nihil, the Awesome | |
| Ultimate X-Men #50-53 (2004-2005) Gambit is hired to ‘steal’ Rogue from the X-Men on behalf of Fenris International; Rogue, Storm and Wolverine leave the X-Men. 1st appearance: Fenris International (Andrea von Strucker, Andrea von Strucker) | ||
| Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 (2005) The four teens discover a genetic offshoot of humanity called the Inhumans when Crystal flees her people to avoid an arrange marriage to Maximus. 1st appearance: Inhuman Royal Family/House of Agon (Black Bolt/Blackagar Boltagon, Crystal/ Crystalia Amaquelin, Gorgon, Karnak, Lockjaw, Maxius, Medusa/ Medusalith Amaquelin, Triton), Attilan | ||
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #54-57 (2005) The mutant Longshot is hunted for sport by humans on the island Genosha, with events being televised to the island’s residents by producer Mojo Adams; the X-Men investigate ‘Hunt for Justice’ in an effort to free Longshot. 1st appearance: Mojo Adams, Arcade, Longshot/Arthur Centino, Spiral, Genosha, Krakoa | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #72-78 (2005) Harry Osborn follows in his father’s footsteps, becoming the Hobgoblin; the issues between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson come to a head. 1st appearance: Killer Shrike, Mark Raxton New identities: Harry Osborn as the Hobgoblin | |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #58 (2005) Professor X witness a bank robbery, first-hand; the X-Men attempt to contain an unusual creature called Warlock. 1st appearance: Syndicate/Luke & Matthew |
| Must Reads | Title, Synopsis & First Appearances | Event / Crossover |
| ✔ | Ultimate Fantastic Four #21-23 (2005) The team, now calling themselves the Fantastic Four, are contacted by another Fantastic Four from Earth-2149; the inhabitants of the alternate FF are revealed to be harbouring a dark and deadly secret. 1st appearance: Magneto of Earth-2149, Marvel Zombies (Angel, Beast, Black Bolt, Colonel America, Crystal, Cyclops, Daredevil, Dazzler, Doctor Strange, Falcon, Fantastic Four (Human Torch, Invisible Woman, Mister Fantastic, Thing), Ghost Rider, Giant-Man, Gorgon, Hercules, Iron Fist, Iron Man, Moondragon, Nighthawk, Nova, Phoenix, Quicksilver, Shang-Chi, Storm, Sub-Mariner, Thor, Vision, Wasp, Wolverine), Mary Storm, Sentry of Earth-91126, Hunger Virus, Earth-2149/Zombiverse New identities: Fantastic Four (Ben Grimm as the Thing, Reed Richards as Mister Fantastic, Johnny Storm as the Human Torch, Sue Storm as the Invisible Woman). | MARVEL ZOMBIES |
| ✔ | Ultimate X-Men #59-60 (2005) Dr Cornelius upgrades Storm’s former-mentor and sends her to retrieve both Storm and Wolverine as Deathstrike; the two mutants return to the X-Men. 1st appearance: Deathstrike/Yuriko Oyama | |
| Ultimate Fantastic Four #24 (2005) Ultimate Fantastic Four #25 [1/2] (2006) Ultimate Fantastic Four #26 [1/2] (2006) Under the direction of Mary Storm, the Fantastic Four uncover the lost city of Atlantis and unleash its apparent ruler Namor from stasis. 1st appearance: HERBIE/Humanoid Experimental Robot B-type Integrated Electronics, Namor, Atlantis, Earth-20604 | ||
| ✔ | Ultimate Fantastic Four #27-32 (2006) Reed Richards’ attempt to undo the experiment that gave the Fantastic Four their powers results in the creation of a divergent timeline in which Thor is President of America; the zombie Fantastic Four escape and ally with Doctor Doom. 1st appearance: HERBIE/Humanoid Experimental Robot B-type Integrated Electronics, Namor, Skrulls, Atlantis, Earth-20604 New identity: Doom/Victor van Damme as Doctor Doom | |
| ✔ | Ultimate Nightmare #1-5 (2004-2005) Ultimate Secret #1-4 (2005) Ultimate Spider-Man #86 [2/2] (2006) Ultimate X-Men #65 [2/2] (2006) Ultimate Fantastic Four #25 [2/2] (2006) Ultimate Spider-Man #87 [2/2] (2006) Ultimate Spider-Man #88 [2/2] (2006) Ultimate Fantastic Four #26 [2/2] (2006) Ultimate Extinction #1-5 (2006) The X-Men and the Ultimates investigate strange signals coming from Tunguska; the Ultimates and the Fantastic Four discover alien Kree living among the human race and meet rebel Kree Captain Marvel; the robot Vision warms of the coming of an unstoppable, all-consuming cosmic collective; the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and the Ultimates stand against Gah Lak Tus. 1st appearance: Captain Marvel/Mahr Vehl, Carol Danvers, Falcon/Sam Wilson, Gah Lak Tus, Misty Knight, the Kree, Vision | THE COMING OF GAH LAK TUS |
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man #79-85 (2005-2006) Hammerhead declares war on the Kingpin, forcing an alliance between Spider-Man, Black Cat, Shang-Chi, Moon Knight & Iron Fist. 1st appearance: Moon Knight/Steven Grant New identities: Danny Rand as Iron Fist | |
| Ultimate Vision #1-5 (2007-2008) The Vision is tricked into returning to Earth by AIM head researcher George Tarleton who tries to utilise a recovered Gah Lak Tus module for AIM’s own ends; Tarleton is opposed by the Falcon and the Vision. 1st appearance: Advanced Idea Mechanics/AIM, George Tarleton | ||
| ✔ | Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 (2005) Spider-Man and Shadowcat team ups against the Rhino and the Shocker and make a decision about their lives. |
Other related reading orders:
Alternate versions of characters from the Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610) from around the multiverse:
| Universe | Title, Issue Number & Synopsis |
| Alternate Earth | Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #9 (2001) Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special #1(pp.31-39, 50-51) (2002) An alternate version of Spider-Man teams up with the Fantastic Four; I’ve included the pages from the Super Special that don’t marry up, either; these stories were written before changes were made to how the FF and others were introduced to the Ultimate Universe. |
| Earth-20604 | Ultimate Fantastic Four #27-32 (2006) Reed Richards of Earth-1610 attempts to undo the experiment that gave the Fantastic Four their powers results in the creation of a divergent timeline in which Thor is President of America. |
| Collected Edition Title | Collects… |
| Ultimate Fantastic Four vol.1-3 OHC | Ultimate Fantastic Four #1-32 Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 |
| Ultimate Fantastic Four vol.1-6 tpb | Ultimate Fantastic Four #1-32 Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 |
| Ultimates Omnibus | Ultimates #1-13 Ultimates Annual #1 Ultimates 2 #1-13 |
| Ultimates OHC | Ultimates #1-13 |
| Ultimates: The Ultimate Collection vol.1 | Ultimates #1-13 |
| Ultimates vol.1-2 | Ultimates #1-13 |
| Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus vol.1-3 OHC | Ultimate Six #1-7 Ultimate Spider-Man #1/2, 1-111 Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1-2 |
| Ultimate Spider-Man vol.1-7 OHC | Ultimate Six #1-7 Ultimate Spider-Man #½, 1-85 |
| Ultimate Spider-Man vol.1-14 tpb | Ultimate Six #1-7 Ultimate Spider-Man #½, 1-85 |
| Ultimate X-Men Omnibus vol.1-2 | Ultimate War #1-4 Ultimate X4 #1-2 Ultimate X-Men #½, 1-74 Ultimate X-Men Annual #1-2 |
| Ultimate X-Men vol. OHC | Ultimate X-Men #½, 1-60 Ultimate X-Men Annual #1 |
| Ultimate X-Men vol.1-13 | Ultimate X-Men #½, 1-60 Ultimate X-Men Annual #1 |
| Ultimate Marvel Team-Up OHC | Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #1-16 Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special #1 |
| Ultimate Marvel Team-Up vol.1-3 tpb | Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #1-16 Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special #1 |
| Ultimate Marvel Team-Up: Ultimate Collection tpb | Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #1-16 Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special #1 |
| Ultimate Six | Ultimate Six #1-7 |
| Ultimate Galactus Trilogy | Ultimate Extinction #1-5 Ultimate Fantastic Four #25-26 Ultimate Nightmare #1-5 Ultimate Secret #1-4 Ultimate Spider-Man #86-88 Ultimate X-Men #65 |
| Ultimate Nightmare | Ultimate Nightmare #1-5 |
| Ultimate Secret | Ultimate Secret #1-4 |
| Ultimate Extinction | Ultimate Extinction #1-5 |
| Ultimate Vision | Ultimate Fantastic Four #25-26 Ultimate Spider-Man #86-88 Ultimate Vision #1-5 Ultimate X-Men #65 |
| Ultimate War | Ultimate War #1-4 |
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Marvel Zombies: Dead Days | Ultimate Fantastic Four #21-23, 30-32 |
| Marvel Zombies: The Complete Collection vol.1 | Ultimate Fantastic Four #21-23, 30-32 |
| Marvel Zomnibus | Ultimate Fantastic Four #21-23, 30-32 |
Reading Order ©OmniverseComicsGuide 2023
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