Ultimate Endgame #2 – Strife in & outside the Maker’s City

A family reunion in issue #2 by Deniz Camp, Jonas Scharf, Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Edgar Delgado & Cory Petit from Marvel Comics

ULTIMATE INVASION

Before Ultimate Endgame #1, the last time we saw Howard Stark was in the finale of Ultimate Invasion. Howard was horrified after learning the truth about this world. How The Maker ruled over everything and the conflicts of the world were staged. Instead of taking his rightful place in the Maker’s council, Howard conspired with Doom against them. Together, they dropped the temporal shields that protected the city from attacks from the future. Which led to an all-out brawl between The Maker and Kang the Conqueror from the 61st Century.

THE IRON MAN

Howard Stark, this world’s Iron Man, took the fight directly to Kang and The Maker. While everyone was occupied in battle, Doom managed to escape the city. But not before sealing everyone inside of it. Moreover, Doom and Iron Man had a plan that rivaled the likes of Prometheus from Greek Mythology. Together, they had duplicated The Maker’s Immortus Engine and Doom took their copy when he escaped the city. 

ULTIMATE ENDGAME

Finally, after 24 months of anticipation, speculations, fan theories and build up, the city’s dome has opened. No one could have predicted what they would encounter inside. Additionally, the heroes had no way of knowing who or what was waiting to come out. Or even how much time had passed inside the dome. Regardless, Iron Lad, Doom, Spider-Man and America Chavez stormed the city as soon as it opened. However, they didn’t find The Maker. Instead they found an aged Howard Stark with a potential case of dementia.

*SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #2*

FROM SOLICITATION

“THE END HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN! The heroes of the Ultimate Universe — including Spider-Man, America Chavez, Killmonger and Doom — desperately search for a way to stop the Maker. Plus, Iron Lad makes a stunning and heartbreaking discovery that could change the fate of the entire Ultimate Universe forever. Don’t miss this pivotal chapter that will leave you reeling!” – From Marvel Comics

WAR IN 4 DIMENSIONS

Finally, the story inside the city is revealed. For what seems like an eternity, The Maker and Iron Man have been fighting an endless war to a stalemate. Hence why Howard suffers from dementia. Unfortunately the best and only outcome so far has been containment. Howard managed to steal the Immortus Engine and used it to delay the Maker’s exit from the city. As a result of this, The Maker abandoned his humanity and merged himself with the city and everything else he got his hands on. Inevitably, the bad news deflated the hopes of the Ultimates. But more importantly, Howard’s condition affected Tony the most.

ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER

Of course, Ultimate endgame is supposed to be the funnel where all the stories from the ultimate Universe collide. However, I apologize in advance if I am unable to provide further details in this next bit. The second half of this issue focuses on Wakanda. Particularly on T’Challa the Black Panther and Eric Killmonger.  From what I’m able to infer, Wakanda as a nation revealed itself to the world just recently. The participation of a king from a monarchy that hid from the world until now would not be well received by the ultimates around the world. Probably because of the nature of leading a secret society does not inspire trust necessarily. 

THE SWORD OF WAKANDA

Also, T’Challa seems occupied with all sorts of affairs all over the continent of Africa. Instead T’Challa chose Killmonger to be the Sword of Wakanda. To go into the outside world and tear through The Maker’s armies, infrastructure and supply chains. While Killmonger and the Black Panther of Wakanda are not officially a part of the Ultimates, the actions by Killmonger do support their mission all the same. 

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

Once again, Ultimate Endgame is split into two tales. First, the story happening outside the city, illustrated by Terry and Rachel Dodson. Secondly, the story inside the city is illustrated by Jonas Scharf and Edgar Delgado. Without a doubt the styles from the creators contrast with each other. Because they had to. The events taking place around the world carry a sense of hope. The visuals provided by the Dodsons are clean, bright and colorful. Providing a ray of light. Meanwhile, the story inside the city is grim, dark and full of dread. The illustrations allow the reader to get a feel of the weight of this despair. 

OVERALL GRADE: 7/10

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ultimate endgame Feels heavy-handed. Whether that’s by design or unintentional. There is an entire world going up in flames. But a lot of it is happening in between panels, in between issues. All things come to an end, but not every ending is loved by everyone! After two installments, it feels like this is going to be a shaky landing at best. Hopefully, Deniz Camp and company prove me wrong, and Ultimate Endgame lives up to be an instant classic

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