Ultimate Endgame #4 – The Piece I Was Missing

The battle rages on. In Ultimate Endgame #4 two groups struggle to defeat the maker. Inside of the city Iron Lad, Doom, Spider-Man, and America Chavez all battle against the Maker. The problem? The Maker isn’t just a person but the city itself. With the Immortus Engine no more, the Maker is free. After manipulating Doom to find the group, the Maker has taken the life of Spider-Man. On the outside, Captain America, Storm, and Black Panther all fight to turn the tide.

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Creative Team

Writer: Deniz Camp
Artists: Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Jonas Scharf
Color Artists: Terry Dodson and Edgard Delgado
Letterer: Cory Petit
Cover Artist: Mark Brooks

Writing

Okay, time to stop and breathe. That was a lot to take in. Deniz Camp is crafting a really cool narrative with Ultimate Endgame that even I don’t fully grasp. This is deep. The Maker is undeniably evil. In this issue, bigger events are set up but Camp really gives us action on every page. The bread crumbs that have been left across the Ultimate universe are finally starting to lead down a path from Camp.

This issue feels like easily the heaviest so far, and that’s saying a lot since the last issue ended in the death of Spider-Man. This issue makes it feel like Camp really wants readers to feel the depth of helplessness that our heroes feel. Even where there is a brief respite from what feels like almost certain defeat, it still feels like you’re waiting on the other shoe to drop. That might not be for everyone, but I love that Camp is crafting a narrative where you truly begin to wonder if maybe victory just isn’t in the cards for these heroes.

Art

Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Jonas Scharf
and Edgard Delgado did a really good job with the characters showcased in this issue. It’s been a joy to watch these artists bring various characters from different writers and artists throughout the Ultimate universe to the page together. The characters are definitely the same characters you fell in love with during the other Ultimate storylines but each feels imbued with a little of the artists on this series.

The colors in this issue are so good. Dodson and Delgado, at times, craft color combinations that help reinforce the overwhelming sense of hopelessness. As new characters join the fight, the colors really pop. While the lines craft the Maker, it’s the color work that truly makes him terrifying

Final Thoughts

This was a heavy issue. It continues to build up some key conflicts. I’m so intrigued by how this story will end. I can honestly say Deniz Camp is doing a great job keeping me on my toes and thinking. At times, I truly feel like the Maker will reign but there’s enough in the narrative to help me hold out hope. That shows Camp’s ability to weave an intriguing tale that hooks you and has you waiting for the next issue.

Overall Grade: 9/10

What did you think of this issue? Let me know in the comments