World Famous Comics: The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security
The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security
By: Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch Publisher: Marvel Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 200 Publication Date: June 01, 2004 Reading Level: Young Adult Studio: Marvel Comics
Product Description: After managing to take down the Hulk, the government sponsored superhero team called the Ultimates have run into some problems. A shape changing alien race, which are responsible for some of humanity's worst moments (Captain America fought them in World War II) are once again rearing their head to wipe out humanity...
You think this A on my forehead stands for France!? ^ I picked this up before Vol. 1 and still was blown away by the genius storytelling. These modern day "Avengers" are dysfunctional like the rest of us. Also they're far more realistic in their origins than their regular Marvel U counterparts. Miller's tale of a Skrull invasion is superbly told, if turned into a movie, I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't break records.
Miller manages to create a complex, yet satisfying, story of political entrigue and espionage. Detailed and human heroes, who's incredible powers don't negate their human flaws. Great stuff all around, pick this up immediately.
super hero soap opera ^ I love the realistic artwork and it has a storyline that is interesting, full of action, and geared towards adults. I'm anxious for the next volume.
Excellent continuation of the series ^ After getting off to a good start, the action continues here. The Ultimates have been formed so now that they're done setting up the team, we get to see them get put to use against an alien race the Chitauri. Vol.2 introduces some new team members into the fold. Black Widow and Hawkeye get one of the most action packed introductions (albeit, very Matrix inspired), intros in a comic I've ever witnessed. Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch also join the team but play a small role here. Hank Pym has been exiled from the team and humiliated after a bout with Cap, defending Jan's honor (all this carries over from Vol. 1). Banner also takes a time out in a holding cell underneath The Ultimates base of operations, while they keep a lid on the fact that he is in fact The Hulk who destroyed a portion of Manhatten along with over 300 civilians. It becomes quite apparent that Betty has a sick fetish with Banner as Hulk.
Once the alien invasion starts the action doesn't stop. They really pack a lot into these pages, so there's never a lack of excitement. There's a little bit of character development here, but it's mostly just planting the seeds for Ultimates 2, which just keeps getting better as the plot thickens and more relationships are formed and broken. A well rounded cast of characters to play with which means there's always multiple storylines to intercut between and it stays well balanced.
Can't say much more except it is a worthy conclusion to the first volume and I'm currently in the middle of Ultimates 2 now and I can't get enough. I never thought Marvel had a super team that would ever rival the X-men as far as having good group dynamic with a little mellow drama thrown in but The Ultimates are a worthy contender.
Graphic SF Reader ^ This is still pretty decent, but I'd still rather re-read The Authority. This of course is done from a different slant. The superhuman carnage here is orchestrated by a right wing military, and Captain America is all gung-ho about it to the point of parody. Thor, however, is a hippie greenie, and is not.
at least the art is good... ^ in the ultimate universe, ultimate spider-man and ultimate fantastic four are much much much better series than the ultimates (well not ultimates 2, it's great). 1. captain america is probably the only avenger you'll like out of this series. he does whatever he thinks is right, no matter what. and he skipped the decades of american brainwashing from vietnam on, so you know he's good to go. 2. nick fury and shield are pretty annoying, and i don't like how they virtually run the ultimate universe. they shouldn't have invisibility and stuff like that. takes away from the real superheroes. 3. thor is a hippie. i'm pretty sure the gods don't like hippies. 4. the hulk and banner are entirely unsympathetic. banner/hulk is the greatest character in the marvel universe, yet here banner becomes the hulk and kills almost a thousand people just to give the ultimates something to do. no way jose. banner should be a good, but conflicted guy. but as presented here he's almost as big of a scumbag as hank pym. 5. hank pym is a scumbag. ok he's irredeemable (ok i know that's o'grady but you know what i mean). 6. the pop references on almost every page are pretty bad. imagine how dated they will look over time. clever writers would have made up celebrities and pop references, that way they could have tied them into future stories or problems. then marvel would have new characters and plots voila. instead it's like reading a people magazine. yuck. 7. oooh tony stark can't be arsed to go battle evil, he's partying with z-lister shannon elizabeth. blech.
to be fair the ultimates 1 book 2 is 100x better than ultimates 1 book 1. but it still isn't great by any means.
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Trevor
Megaton Man
