Ultimate Impact: Reborn #2 – Solving a Mystery Without Any Clues

Miles Morales is in charge of protecting the origin boxes. However, there are a lot of people who crave the power of the origin boxes. What new heroes or villains may be unleashed? What is the ultimate impact of these origin boxes on the Marvel Universe as we know it?

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn!

Creative Team

Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Stefano Caselli
Color Artists: Marte Gracia and David Curiel
Letterer: Joe Sabino
Cover Artist: Leinil Francis Yu
Cover Color Artist: Dean White

Writing

I really love what Chris Condon is building here with Ultimate Impact: Reborn. Not only is the story really well done, but the dialogue is interesting and thought-provoking. I never expected to see the day when a monologue on monsters from the Punisher, of all characters, would be so accurate. What Condon is feeling in the story is not simply reskinning familiar characters, but crafting whole new identities that are both distinct and familiar.

Using Frank Castle as a way to move this story forward was not something I expected from Condon, but it was not only enjoyable but felt natural. The story progressed organically, never feeling like The Punisher existed solely to move the story forward but as a key part. In doing so, Condon introduces us to the powerful and terrifying Hostulicus. As with any part of an alternate universe, you don’t know what is going to stick behind once the story resolves, but Condon is laying the groundwork for some really impactful new characters if Marvel will give them room to breathe.

Art

Stefano Caselli, Marte Gracia, and David Curiel really got a fun playground here. One of the neat things about art and stories like this is the chance to introduce new characters in new and exciting ways. Caselli crafts a character in Hostilicus that is truly terrifying. He looks like a character forged in the fires of war. Even without seeing him in action, Caselli makes sure that you know just from the look that Hostilicus is not one you want to tangle with. This terrifying look comes in part because of the great color work from Marte Gracia and David Curiel. They give the character a color palette that makes him feel not dead but also not truly living either. As the story covers threads of several characters, we are treated to a variety of color patterns, with each being distinct to help the story not only move forward but feel lived in. Joe Sabino adeptly moves readers through the world. With various wheels spinning all at once, as well as the element of the Punisher being added in with his internal monologues, it would be very easy for a less skilled letterer to get lost in the weeds. Sabino moves readers smoothly through the story with no problems.

Final Thoughts

This was another outstanding issue. Condon is crafting a story that feels like I’m going to get to the end and be disappointed that it was a limited series. This issue is creative, intriguing, and visually stunning.

Overall Grade: 10 / 10

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