Back in 2023, Marvel Comics' Ultimate Universe returned. However, it wasn’t like the original. Instead of it being a new thing, the Maker (Ultimate Reed Richards) went back in time and changed events in Universe-616. For example, he took the spider that was going to bite Peter Parker, thus stopping Spider-Man from existing. Maybe one of the worst elements of it came from Captain America staying frozen during World War II. Somehow, it seems to have turned Frank Castle into a Punisher without a code, leading to him starting a cult called the Red Skull.
Each of the issues added a new flavor to the multitude of classic Marvel characters. Peter Parker was married with two kids, Wolverine and Sabretooth were best friends, and Bruce Banner was a master martial artist (and also very evil). More importantly, fans seemed to love it.
Sadly, it was recently announced that Marvel Comics will be ending the Ultimate Universe in 2026. The news of the end of Ultimate Spider-Man was announced back at the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con and it looks as if the rest of the Ultimate titles will be doing the same. And while we’ve heard rumors of this alternate universe's end before, Marvel says they’re serious this time. While a lot of comic book fans will be sad, this good be a good idea.
Ending the Ultimate Universe now allows Marvel to avoid the mistakes of the previous iteration
One of the mistakes that the previous Ultimate Universe made may have been staying around too long. What started as a series of comic books with newer versions of classic characters turned into one extreme after another. At first, it was fun. Seeing the Hulk eat people and Black Widow being a Russian spy eventually resulted in Wanda and Quicksilver being creepier than they originally were.
Eventually, writer Jonathan Hickman started a series of incursions in comics like Ultimates, New Avengers, Fantastic Four, and Avengers. The end comes in 2015'sSecret Wars and the end of the Ultimate Universe. The only survivors were Miles Morales and the Maker.
Having this new Ultimate Universe end before it went on too long and things got bad is a smart idea. It’s a way to leave Marvel fans with good memories of the run and wanting more at the same time. Yes, it was short and had a lot of potential, but maybe going out on top was a good idea.
With the Ultimate Universe ending, it makes you wonder if DC Comics will do the same thing with the Absolute Universe. Every title in their alternate universe stories has been nearly flawless, and after events in DC KO, things are heating up even more. But no one stays on top forever. Just look at the original Ultimate Universe. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to see if DC Comics ends the Absolute Universe prematurely and what's next for Marvel.
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