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You are here: Home / The Complete Marvel Reading Order Guide / Ultimate Marvel Universe Reading Order

Ultimate Marvel Universe Reading Order

I used to write off Marvel’s Ultimate universe as a cheap imitation of the real Earth-616 Marvel continuity that began with Fantastic Four #1 in 1961.

Now? It’s possibly my preferred recommendation for new Marvel comic readers.

Before we get rolling, if you want to read through the entire Marvel Ultimate Universe – literally every issue! – with Comic Book Herald’s My Ultimate Year reading club, check out the podcast and club!

My Ultimate Year podcast and reading club

The Ultimate Marvel Universe is thrilling, a fantastic entry-point, and rarely wastes time on slow plodding storylines. For the uninitiated, Marvel’s Ultimate line of comics takes all the existing and known characters – Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers – and recasts them in a similar, yet different Ultimate Universe set in the 2000s. It’s the sort of concept that could have fallen flat on its head, but actually works for some of the best Marvel stories of the decade.

Below you’ll find a reading order for the Ultimate Universe. Although I split up all the issues, I would mention that you can actually read a lot of these series without too much concern for the others. For example, I read over 100 issues of Ultimate Spider-Man before I ever even thought about the outside Ultimate Universe, and the reading experience was highly enjoyable. So roll with the approach that feels right to you.

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Any size contribution will help keep CBH alive and full of new comics guides and content. Support CBH on Patreon for exclusive rewards, or Donate here! Thank you for reading!

The All New Marvel Ultimate Ultimates




Best of the Ultimate Universe – Essential Fast Track

The Ultimate Universe is an enjoyable and completely palatable read in its entirety. Nonetheless, if you still want all killer no filler – and if Sum 41 taught us anything, it’s that you most certainly do – here are my picks for the best 10 Ultimate Universe comics of all time!

1) Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley

2) Ultimate X-Men by Mark Millar and Adam Kubert

3) The Ultimates by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch

4) Gah Lak Tus Trilogy

5) Ultimate Enemy Trilogy

6) Death of Spider-Man

7) Ultimate Comics Ultimates by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic

8) Ultimate Comics Spider-Man: Miles Morales by Brian Michael Bendis, Sara Pichello, and David Marquez

9) Divided We Fall / United We Stand 

10) CataclysmThe Green Goblin captures Mary Jane in Marvel's Ultimate Universe

Ultimate Universe Trade Reading Order

Ultimate Spider-Man #1 – #13

Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra #1 – #4

Ultimate Elektra #1 – #5

Ultimate Iron Man #1 – #5 + Ultimate Iron Man II #1 – #5

Ultimate Marvel Team Up #1-#16

Ultimate X-Men #1-#12

Ultimate Spider-Man #14-27

Ultimate X-Men #13-#25

The Ultimates #1-#13

Ultimate Spider-Man #28-#39

Ultimate Fantastic Four #1 – #6

Ultimate War

Ultimate War + Ultimate X-Men 26 to 33

Ultimate Spider-Man 40 to 45, 47 to 53

Ultimate X-Men 34 to 45

Please note that the issue by issue reading order can be found below, and that the rest of these collections can be found in the Ultimate Universe trade collector’s guide.

Mark Bagley draws the Ultimate Spider-Man fighting Doctor Octopus

The Ultimate Marvel Reading Order

Intro to the Ultimate U

Ultimate Spider-Man #1 – #13

Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra #1 – #4

This story is all flashback so you could choose to read it after Daredevil makes an appearance in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, but I prefer it as origin here.

Ultimate Elektra #1 – #5

Another flashback that is actually published well after a number of the issues below. Daredevil and Elektra are not hugely essential to many of the following Spider-Man, X-Men, and Ultimates stories (although they do pop up) so you could always come back to these stories if you like.

Ultimate Iron Man #1 – #5 + Ultimate Iron Man II #1 – #5

Flashback Iron Man origins from series released in 2005 and 2007-2008 respectively. I consider these pretty inessential and prefer Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch’s fully formed Tony Stark in The Ultimates. That said, Iron Man’s origins in the Ultimate universe are very different than those of Earth-616 (the main Marvel Universe), so it’s some semi-interesting background.

Worth noting as well that several in the comments have declared these issues out of continuity, and I’m hard pressed to argue otherwise.

Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #1 – #8
Ultimate X-Men #1 – #6

Ultimate Spider-Man #14 – #21

Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #10 – #16

Ultimate X-Men #7 – #14

Ultimate Spider-Man #22 – #27

Ultimates #1 – #3

Ultimate X-Men #15 – #20

Ultimate Spider-Man #28 – #32

Ultimates #4 – #13

Ultimate Fantastic Four #1 – #6

Ultimate Fantastic Four didn’t actually launch until 2003 – well after The Ultimates. The team is referenced off-handedly in Ultimates #2, but I prefer their origin here.

Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #9

Alright, after some notes in the comments let’s go ahead and call this one: Out of continuity! It’s a weird Fantastic Four story that never really aligns with the Ultimate Fantastic Four that would come.

Ultimate Spider-Man #33 – #39

Ultimate X-Men #21 – #25

Ultimate War #1 – #4

After the Ultimate War

Ultimate X-Men #26 – #33

Ultimate Spider-Man #40 – #45

Ultimate X-Men #34 – #39

Ultimate Spider-Man #46 + Ultimate Six #1 – #7

Ultimate Spider-Man #47 – #49

Ultimate X-Men #40 – #53

Ultimate Spider-Man #50 – #59

Ultimate Fantastic Four #7 – #18

Ultimate Spider-Man #60 – #69

The Gah Lak Tus Trilogy Begins

Ultimate Nightmare #1 – #5

Ultimate X-Men #54 – #60

Ultimate X-Men Annual #1

Ultimate Spider-Man #70 – #77

Ultimates Annual #1

Ultimate Secret #1 – #4

Ultimate Vision #0

Technically the Ultimate Vision saga was collected in short stories across the Ultimate line of comics. So, for example, Ultimate Spider-Man #86 included a piece of the Vision story. In Marvel Unlimited, though, you can just read Ultimate Vision #0 altogether, and frankly it’s a lot more cohesive.

Ultimates (v2) #1 – #5

Ultimate X-Men #61 – #65

Ultimate Fantastic Four #19 – #26

Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1

Ultimate Extinction #1 – #5

Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk #1 – #6

Most of this showdown is published well after Ultimates v2 but I think it makes more sense before the conclusion of the Ultimates second wave.

Ultimates (v2) #6 – #13

Ultimate Spider-Man #78 – #85

Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1

Ultimate Spider-Man #86 – #90

Countdown to Ultimate Power

Ultimate X-Men #66 – #74

Ultimate X-Men Annual #2

Ultimate X-Men / Fantastic Four #1 – #2

In Marvel Unlimited, the first issue is “Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four” and the second is “Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men”

Ultimate Fantastic Four #27 – #32

Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #2

Ultimate Spider-Man #91 – #96

Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2

Ultimates Annual #2

Ultimate Spider-Man #97 – #105

Ultimate Power #1 – #9

Ultimate X-Men #75 – #80

Countdown to Ultimate Human

Ultimate Fantastic Four #33 – #46

Ultimate Vision #1 – #5

Ultimate Spider-Man #106 – #117

Ultimate X-Men #81 – #89

Ultimate Fantastic Four #47 – #53

Ultimate Spider-Man #118 – #122

Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3

Ultimate Fantastic Four #54 – #57

Ultimate Human #1 – #4

March to Ultimatum

Ultimate Spider-Man #123 – #128

The Ultimates (v3) #1 – #5

Squadron Supreme #1 – #6

Ultimate X-Men #90 – #97

Ultimate Origins #1 – #5

Ultimate Hulk Annual #1

Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four Annual #1

Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men Annual #1

 Ultimatum Reading Order

Ultimate Spider-Man #129

Ultimatum #1

Ultimate Spider-Man #130

Ultimate X-Men #98

Ultimatum #2

Ultimate Fantastic Four #58

Ultimate Spider-Man #131

Ultimate Fantastic Four #59

Ultimate X-Men #99

Ultimatum #3

Ultimate Spider-Man #132

Ultimate Fantastic Four #60

Ultimate X-Men #100

Ultimatum #4

Ultimate Spider-Man #133

Ultimatum #5

Ultimatum: Fantastic Four Requiem One-Shot #1

Ultimatum: X-Men Requiem One-Shot #1

Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem #1

Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem #2

After Ultimatum

Ultimate Comics X #1 – #5

Ultimate Comics Armor Wars #1 – #4

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 – #6

Ultimate Comics Avengers #1 – #6

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #7 – #15

Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #1 – #6

Ultimate Enemy Begins

Ultimate Enemy #1 – #4

Ultimate Mystery #1 – #4

Ultimate Doom #1 – #4

Ultimate Comics Captain America #1 – #4

Ultimate Comics New Ultimates #1 – #5

Ultimate Comics Thor #1 – #4

Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #1 – #6

Death of Spider-Man Reading Order

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #150 – #156

The Ultimate Spider-Man numbering returns to the original counting for the 150th issue.

Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates #1 – #2

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #157

Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates #3 – #4

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #158 – #160

Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates #5 – #6

Ultimate Fallout #1 – #6

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011 – Present) #1 – #5

Countdown to Divided We Fall

Ultimate Comics Hawkeye #1 – #4

Ultimate Comics Ultimates #1 – #6

Ultimate Comics X-Men #1 – #13

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #7 – #12

Ultimate Comics Ultimates #7 – #12

Spider-Men #1 – #5

Divided We Fall / United We Stand Reading Order

Ultimate Comics X-Men #14
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #13 – #14
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #13 – #14
Ultimate Comics X-Men #15
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #15
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #15 – #16
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #16
Ultimate Comics X-Men #16 – #17
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #17
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #17 – #18
Ultimate Comics X-Men #18 – #18.1
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #18
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #18.1

Countdown to Cataclysm

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #16.1 & #19 – #22
Ultimate Comics X-Men #19 – #22
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #19 – #24
Ultimate Comics Wolverine #1 – #4
Ultimate Comics X-Men #23 – #33
Ultimate Comics Iron Man #1 – #4
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #25 – #30
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #23 – #28

Cataclysm Reading Order

Hunger #1 – #4

Cataclysm Point One #0.1
Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1
Cataclysm: Ultimate X-Men #1 – #3
Cataclysm: The Ultimate’s Last Stand #1
Cataclysm: Ultimates #1
Cataclysm: The Ultimate’s Last Stand #2
Cataclysm: Ultimates #2 – #3
Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #2 – #3
Cataclysm: The Ultimate’s Last Stand #3 – #5
Survive #1

After Cataclysm

Ultimate FF #1 – #6
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1 – #12
All-New Ultimates #1 – #12

The Ultimate Universe Concludes in Secret Wars!

Or Does It?! Check out the CBH guide to the Ultimate Universe after Secret Wars!

Heroically Support Comic Book Herald!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. psykil says

    June 18, 2016 at 10:59 pm

    Ultimates Annual #1 takes place after Ultimates v2 #4. In the former they’re at Tony’s bachelor party but he doesn’t propose until the latter.

    Reply
  2. ThatGuy says

    May 28, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    The placement for Team-Up #10-16 doesn’t make sense, since Parker’s grounded at the end of Ult Spider-Man #21.

    Reply
  3. Sairis Cedano says

    April 30, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    Hi, thank you for this post, it will be a great help for me! Because I’m just starting at this world called Marvel comics. This is the most complete guide I’ve seen by now and I wish I could know:

    1. Is this list complete or you miss some?
    2. Do you have any advice for me as a newbie in this world? I’d appreciate it!

    Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Dave says

      May 3, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      Welcome! This guide is very complete. My advice for any newbie would be to stick with what you enjoy, and don’t worry about trying to read every single thing. Comics should be fun and not feel like homework.

      Enjoy the comics!

      Reply
      • Sairis Cedano says

        May 3, 2016 at 5:49 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
  4. JK says

    April 24, 2016 at 3:45 am

    Yo Dave. I think Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1 – #12 comes after New Ultimates. Because it’s when the other Earth was shown right?

    Reply
    • Dave says

      April 25, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      I remember thinking I had some rationale, but for the life of me I can’t remember what it is. You’re right that Miles leads pretty directly into the clash with the other earth… worth another look!

      Reply
  5. macahill says

    April 13, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    Thanks for the excellent reading order, Dave!

    I’ve been plowing through the Ultimate U since December and am up to Divided We Fall, United We Stand. I have the DWF, UWS trade paperback that contains Ultimates #13-18, X-Men #13-18, and Spider-Man #13-18. The trade has them collected in that order, which is different from your reading order above. Any harm in reading straight through the trade or should I jump around to stick to your reading order?

    Reply
  6. Atom says

    April 1, 2016 at 2:04 am

    Another Marvel Unlimited link fix: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011 – Present) #1 – #5 should link to:

    http://marvel.com/comics/series/13831/ultimate_comics_spider-man_2011_-_present

    Thanks for this guide btw!

    Reply
    • Atom says

      April 1, 2016 at 10:39 am

      In fact, there are a couple of links below that one that have the same issue of pointing to the wrong spider-man series.

      I tallied 687 comics total in the Marvel Unlimited section. Really excited to go through it!

      Reply
      • Dave says

        April 4, 2016 at 4:40 pm

        Thanks for the linking updates. It’s a fun ride, enjoy the comics!

        Reply
  7. Atom says

    April 1, 2016 at 1:17 am

    I have a correction for the Marvel Unlimited links: Ultimate Vision 1-5 should be this link: http://marvel.com/comics/series/3255/ultimate_vision_2006_-_2007

    Cheers!

    Reply
  8. Jaykzula says

    January 11, 2016 at 10:31 pm

    Absolutely living this reading order! Great work! I did want to point out that I think ultimate power should go before ultimate x-men #75-80 based on the events at the end of issue #80. I won’t post spoilers. If I’m wrong please let me know.

    Reply
    • Dave says

      January 12, 2016 at 5:37 pm

      Updated, thanks for the rec!

      Reply
  9. Ken says

    December 29, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    Hey thanks for the Guide you are the kindest person is all the land. Just a quick question as i am collecting all of these comics and was wondering why the publishing chronology contradicts your reading order so often. One such example is in the “After Ultimatum” guide where you list Ultimate X 1 – 4 (which was published between April 2010 – August 2011) before Ultimate Armor Wars 1 (which was published in November 2009). I’m not criticizing, I just want to understand if you put them in this order because the story made more sense this way or if I am reading this list wrong. Please let me know as I am reading through this list right now and have not yet gotten to the ultimatum arc but want to know that you have it listed correctly or if i am reading them in the wrong order. Again thanks so much for this list, I can’t begin to tell you how much of a champ you are for doing this.

    Reply
    • Dave says

      December 30, 2015 at 11:45 am

      Generally speaking any placement is based on the story making more sense that way. Publication date doesn’t always align with a chronological story.

      That said, I also make mistakes 🙂 If you see a placement that doesn’t make sense when you read it, let me know and I’ll update!

      Reply
  10. Gareth says

    December 12, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Where does All New X-Men #31-36 and Spider-Verse fit in? I don’t believe Spider-Verse was important but knowledge of what happened in ANXM helps with the end of Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man.

    Reply
  11. Ben says

    November 20, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    What’s the difference between Trade Reading Order and the one in the main list?

    Reply
  12. JK says

    November 20, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    I know Ultimate Adventures is not really important but I think you can put it before the fight of Janet and Hank Pym happened in Ultimates Volume 1.

    Reply
    • JK says

      November 20, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      Rather, before Hank Pym was decommissioned.

      Reply
  13. Ryan says

    November 9, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    I’ve been using your list to start my way though the Ultimate Universe. So far it’s as good as can be expected. I like that stories seem to be left intact (Doc Ock/Kraven finish before the Team Up stories).

    I’m wondering about the second block of UXM (7-14). Why stop on World Tour 2/8. Why not at the end of Weapon X or the end of World Tour?

    Reply
  14. Royce says

    September 12, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Hi, quick question. Just finished ultimate fallout, where does ultimate comics spider-man #6 come in, it’s not listed on your guide? Goes from #1-5 then #7-12.

    Reply
  15. Gordon says

    August 21, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    You rock!

    Reply
  16. Gordon says

    August 20, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    Ok so Ultimate guide and 616 guide are separate, and can both be enjoyed as you wish…

    what about the guide that is 17 (or 18?) parts, starting with “Part 1 Marvel Knight Era”.

    Where does that guide fit in? Would that be a “3rd reading option” if you will?

    Ultimate Universe, 616 Universe, 17 part universe.

    Do you also happen to have a Hulk guide? I know you have tie ins with World War Hulk and etc. But something to refer to planet hulk etc. Or just the individual Hulk series.

    As always, much, much appreciated!

    Reply
    • Dave says

      August 21, 2015 at 3:52 pm

      Part 1 is the start of Earth-616. Hopefully a bit clearer on the main Complete Marvel Order page, but shoot me a note if it’s not.

      No Hulk guide, but Fall of the Hulks and World War Hulks are on the way! Planet Hulk is included in the ‘Getting from House of M to Civil War’ section, I believe.

      Reply
  17. Jack says

    August 15, 2015 at 10:54 am

    Is it better to read the earth 616 or the ultimate universe first before secret Wars?

    Reply
    • Dave says

      August 16, 2015 at 7:36 pm

      Some specific Earth-616 titles – Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers and New Avengers – will best prepare you for the Secret Wars event. If you aim to read the whole universe, than definitely Ultimate Universe, as that’s reasonably achievable with my Ultimate U guide. Enjoy the comics!

      Reply
  18. Paul says

    August 14, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    Where does Ultimate Spider-man 200 fit in?

    Reply
    • Dave says

      August 16, 2015 at 7:27 pm

      It’s actually published after Cataclysm. So can be read before you start Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man

      Reply
      • Paul says

        August 23, 2015 at 1:06 pm

        Thank you 🙂

        Reply
  19. Bradford says

    August 10, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    I am new to comic book reading and thought I’d start with the Ultimate Universe. Now I find out there will be the All New All Different Marvel lineup starting in October.

    Will you be building a guide to this new lineup as it happens? I want to finish Ultimate Marvel first, then the Secret Wars guide you have to get prepared for the new universe. I guess an article about how the characters move into the new universe would be helpful. Is it being rebooted or are their pasts still moving into this new universe? Sorry, lots of questions since I’m new to this world.

    Reply
  20. lick says

    August 10, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    hey there is some weirdness going on in the spider man issues up to 90 they should be before the end of ultimates v2 because fury has his arm in one of them

    Reply
  21. Gordon says

    August 6, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    Hey Dave, awesome guide as always! Thanks!

    How does the Ultimate Universe guide and the Marvel Earth-616 (Main Universe Continuity) guide tie in with the guide you have set up, that starts with “Part 1 Marvel Knight Era”.

    When or how should they be read?

    I am reading the ultimate universe at the moment, but once I am done, is there a guide I should follow for the “logical next step”?

    Also, you have a section called “when should I read secret war”, but what about the original secret wars? Should that be read, or is it now considered “too old” and the new one should be read?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Dave says

      August 7, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      Glad you enjoy the guide!

      You really don’t need to worry about merging the Ultimate U guide w/ Earth-616. They run on parallel tracks, with crossovers few and far between. So once you start Ultimate, you can read as much as you like, jumping on over to Earth-616 only as you want.

      As far as next steps, you’ll want to look to Secret Wars (2015 event). As a Marvel fan, I recommend reading the original Secret Wars, but it’s definitely not a requirement for the current event. It’ll never be too old for me 🙂 Enjoy the comics!

      Reply
      • Gordon says

        August 7, 2015 at 10:42 pm

        Much appreciated!

        Then where does that “Guide part 1: marvel Knights era” fit in? I assume it’s not part of the ultimate universe.

        Is it part of 616?

        Reply
  22. Keg says

    July 31, 2015 at 7:40 am

    Great guide !
    SO helpful !!!
    THANK YOU

    Some suggestions :
    – Ultimate Team-up 9 (with FF) and therefore Ultimate Spider-man Super Special (which is not included in the reading order) are off continuity, along with Ultimate Iron-Man I and II
    – You should put Clone Saga (Spidey 97 – 105 or something) before the UXM 75-80 (or something) because we see Charles Xavier in Spidey while he is trapped in the future in UXM
    – Since Ultimate Power is a crossover with the Squadron Supreme universe, maybe the order should include Supreme Power, the other Squadron Supreme (except v1), Doctor Spectrum, Hyperion, Nighthawk ?
    – As it was already reported, there is some issues missing (Captain America Annual, Spidey #1/2…)
    – Could you complete the guide, as I heard that all the series were fully published ?

    Reply
    • Dave says

      August 7, 2015 at 7:01 pm

      Thanks for this feedback!

      A few updates have been made. The guide has also been updated to reflect the latest issues of the Universe leading into Secret Wars, although I expect some fine tuning in the near future.

      Reply
      • Keg says

        August 7, 2015 at 7:33 pm

        Thanks for the reply !
        Some help for your fine tuning : Fury appears in Ultimate Vision #1-#5 but he is in the Squadron Supreme universe after Ultimate Power. I didn’t read much after this but I guess Ultimate Vision would make more sense before Ultimate Power, and why not just after Ultimate Extinction ? It looks like the events in Vision are just after Extinction.

        Some personnal comments on the Squadron Supreme series I mentioned in my other comment : I read most of them and I didn’t enjoy it, the plots are slow and one of the series is left unfinished, I guess you can just forget it and catch up on Ultimate Power pretty much

        Reply
        • Keg says

          August 9, 2015 at 4:37 pm

          Some more fine tuning : Fury does also appear in some FF and X-men issues after Ultimate Power but it’s not a big deal.
          Something I didn’t understand is what does Pyro do in the Brotherhood in The Ultimates 3 #4 ? I still didn’t read any explanation for this.

          Reply
  23. Allan says

    July 30, 2015 at 11:48 pm

    How often does this get updated? Noticed that the 3 series after cataclysm aren’t all there and I don’t know what order to read them in… does it matter or can I just wing it?

    Reply
    • Dave says

      August 7, 2015 at 4:57 pm

      Now updated through the most recent Marvel Unlimited release!

      I’d start with All-New Ultimates #1 before Miles Morales, but otherwise you can pretty much read through each series individually until Secret Wars hits.

      Reply
  24. Xocotli says

    July 22, 2015 at 9:28 am

    Totally digging this Reading Order. Funny thing, I have collected most of the Ultimate Universe years back and have never read em…lol Mostly the inner geek in me knowing I’d get to it someday. Anyhow, this guide has motivated not only to complete the collection… But to read em! =P

    Question:

    Is there anything else (other than Ultimate End which I assume is in your Secret Wars reading order, that I need to consider? Does this list “contain” the 1610 Universe?

    Thanks in advance for any feedback!

    Reply
  25. Dwight Davis says

    July 20, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    Really loving this guide. It’s super helpful.

    I’m about to start the Galactus section, but I was wondering if there’s any plans to keep the reading guide as up to date as possible. I think the ultimate u is officially done now and I was wondering if the ff, morales, and ultimate end books would be as well done as the rest have been.

    Reply
  26. Mejker says

    July 14, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    Few things that i noticed and would like explanation
    Why is Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #9 way after end of Marvel Team-Up 10-16?
    Missing comics
    Ultimate X-Men #½
    Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special #1
    Ultimate Captain America Annual #1
    Ultimate Secrets #1
    Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Vol 4 16
    Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Vol 4 20
    Cataclysm 0.1

    Reply
    • Dave says

      July 23, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #9 is a weird one, since it includes the Fantastic Four but was published before the Ultimate Fantastic Four actually started. I prefer slotting it after Ultimate FF has been introduced, hence the placement. I’ll have to take a look at the rest.

      Reply
  27. CSWebber says

    May 28, 2015 at 10:42 am

    I finally made it all the way to Cataclysm. I feel like I’ve been running a marathon. That counts as exercise, right? But I digress, I was wondering if you would be so kind as to update the final three series (Miles Morales, FF & All-New Ultimates) now that they have all finished up their runs.

    Thanks for everything you have done here. I am telling everyone about this site…even my wife, even though she just gives me a blank stare in return.

    Keep up the good work!!

    Reply
  28. nas adom says

    May 13, 2015 at 6:23 am

    from the feedback in your awesome site, I think I need to follow your wonderful guide since am all new to this comic world
    will starting from your guide clarify anything I need to know about the marvel world?

    Reply
  29. Renee says

    May 10, 2015 at 11:46 am

    Hey! Awesome guide. Im trying to read all of the ultimate universe comics as Secret Wars comes out. What guide should I follow after this one to get the full background for secret wars?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Dave says

      May 11, 2015 at 10:36 pm

      Check it out: Secret Wars reading order.

      Reply
  30. Paul says

    May 5, 2015 at 7:34 pm

    First of all, thanks for an excellent guide. i’m completely new to comics and the Ultimate Universe has me hooked, and I’m flying though this guide.

    I also have a proposed slight tweak in the reading order- I think Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 ideally should be read after you finish Ultimate Spider-Man #85, as the events of the Annual are mentioned during the first couple of pages of #87, which is second of the Silver Sable series.

    Thanks for the good work!

    Reply
    • Dave says

      May 11, 2015 at 8:51 pm

      Good call, thanks for the feedback!

      Reply
  31. Aidan says

    May 3, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    Is Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #09 canon? It’s missing from the list, and doesn’t gel with anything else in the Ultimate Universe so far, but I just want to be sure. Great list by the way! I’m trying to get all caught up for Secret Wars, and this couldn’t be more helpful!

    Reply
    • Aidan says

      May 4, 2015 at 4:08 am

      Never mind, I see it appears later on the list.

      Reply
      • Dave says

        May 5, 2015 at 12:57 pm

        Yeah, it’s a weird one. You could make a case it’s non-canonical, and I’d be on board.

        Reply
  32. Ryan says

    April 25, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    Hi. I really like your site, and I am in a bit of a pickle. I found another Ultimate Marvel Universe reading order, and am unsure as to which is the most accurate and readable. Here is a link to it:

    http://www.comicsbackissues.com/comic-book-reading-order/ultimate-marvel-reading-order/

    I don’t have access to the comics so I am unable to tell which is better and makes the most sense. If anyone can do a quick comparison, that would be appreciated. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Dave says

      April 28, 2015 at 12:12 pm

      Well obviously mine is better 🙂

      Honestly, there are plenty of lists online, and I work pretty hard at maintaining an accurate one, incorporating reader feedback over time. Your best bet is to get rolling with one, and if it doesn’t feel right, call an audible.

      Reply
    • CSWebber says

      May 28, 2015 at 10:38 am

      I started on the one you have the link for. It is a decent reading order, but after going through Comic Book Herald’s, I can tell you that it is better. I like that it is broken up into subsections. If you really want to follow along, I suggest CBH.

      Reply
      • Dave says

        May 28, 2015 at 11:17 pm

        Thank you 🙂

        Reply
  33. David says

    April 23, 2015 at 9:08 pm

    Just noticed that ‘Cataclysm point 1’ is missing from the list! Haven’t read it yet, so not sure just where it goes.

    Other things missing:

    Ultimate Captain America Annual #1
    Squadron Supreme #7-12
    Ultimate Adventures #1-6

    I’m nearing the end of the reading list and want to say thank you. You’ve made my Ultimate experience tons better with your work.

    Reply
    • CSWebber says

      May 28, 2015 at 10:29 am

      Cataclysm Point One should be read right after Hunger #4.

      Reply
  34. Austin says

    April 23, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    I don’t have proposed updates or anything, I’d just very much like to point out how fantastic the Spider-Men 5-issue miniseries is. I’ve read every Ultimate Universe comic up through it so far, and it’s just a beautiful, emotional piece. If anyone is just skimming through this list, I highly, highly recommend taking the time to read through this one.

    Reply
    • CSWebber says

      May 28, 2015 at 10:26 am

      I agree. I have almost read the entire Ultimate universe, and it is one of my favorite stories.

      Reply
  35. David says

    April 14, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    I’ve just read Ultimate Comics Ultimates 1-6 followed by Ultimate Comics Hawkeye 1-4. Hawkeye should really come before Ultimates, as the stuff that happens in Hawkeye leads directly into the stuff happening in Ultimates and helps Ultimates make more sense (the SEAR stuff, at least).

    Reply
    • Dave says

      April 15, 2015 at 10:15 pm

      Cool, guide has been updated!

      Reply
  36. David says

    April 6, 2015 at 10:05 am

    Is Ultimate Adventures omitted on purpose? I haven’t read it yet, so I’m not sure if it’s part of continuity or not.

    Should I read it?

    Reply
    • CSWebber says

      May 28, 2015 at 10:24 am

      It is pretty much it’s own beast. I do remember the Ultimates make an appearance somewhere in there, so you may want to read it after Ultimates, Vol. 1. But really, you could read it at anytime and be just fine. I know the series didn’t get good reviews, but I personally enjoyed it.

      Reply
  37. David says

    April 4, 2015 at 11:55 am

    Are Squadron Supreme #’s 7-12 not needed for the reading order?

    Reply
  38. David says

    April 4, 2015 at 8:53 am

    Just noticed Ultimate X-Men 89 is missing from the reading order!

    I’m on Ultimates 3 #4 and Pyro is suddenly part of the brotherhood??! When did that happen?

    Reply
    • Dave says

      April 7, 2015 at 4:54 pm

      Nice catch. Guide is updated!

      Reply
  39. David says

    March 19, 2015 at 7:30 am

    Other issues I found on Marvel Unlimited I don’t see in this guide:

    Ultimate X-Men #0 (seems to take place sometime between issues 6 and 7 maybe)

    Ultimate Spider-Man #1.5 (no clue when this takes place)

    Reply
  40. David says

    March 19, 2015 at 7:28 am

    I just got to Ultimate Fantastic 4 #7-18 and General Ross has come back to life! Also, in previous issues of USM, he keeps referencing the Fantastic Four like they are a known super team, but in UFF #7, they haven’t been doing anything heroic. I haven’t read further yet, but it feels weird like I’m reading a flashback.

    Other feedback: this reading order is fantastic and really makes it simple to just get in and read, without having to do a bunch of research first, or worry I am missing something.

    Reply
    • Dave says

      March 22, 2015 at 12:08 pm

      Glad you enjoy the guide!

      UFF is tricky. There are references to the team as if they exist (Ultimates #2) before any issues have been published. It may be worth revisiting but for now this approach worked for me.

      Reply
      • David says

        March 23, 2015 at 3:54 pm

        Yeah, I’m in the chunk right now with Ultimate vol 2, Ultimate Secret, Ultimate Extinction, Ultimates Annual stuff, and it seems like there are a few continuity issues in the issues themselves, and no reading order would be perfect. Most of your choices make more sense as I go further in.

        Reply
  41. SteelToes says

    March 18, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    Hello again my friends,
    I search many other reading order sites and sources but I always come back to the CBH! So a big thanks again!

    I have this Ultimate Captain America Annual. Other sites list it before The Ultimates 3, but it refers to what has happened in Ultimates 3. I will read and send in another reply to help anyone else who is trying to Chronologically place it.

    Sucks the Ultimate U is being destroyed with Secret Wars.

    Reply
  42. SteelToes says

    March 11, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    So the Ultimate U is now my everything Marvel! Never gave it a chance until Jeff at Mile High Comics turned me on to it. Now I can’t get enough.

    Can anyone tell me where Ultimate Six fits into the fray? I have all 7 in the run but cannot place it. The book is marked November 2003.

    With the aggressive time lapses that the ultimates have, Nov 2003 would be before the end of the first run of Ultimates….yet I don’t see it up on the list.

    Also, I have “Ultimate Marvel: The destruction of the ultimate universe” but cannot place it chronologically among this list?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    *stay geeky my friends

    Reply
    • Dave says

      March 12, 2015 at 11:45 pm

      It’s in the “After the Ultimate War” section, lumped with Ultimate Spider-Man #46. Note that in Marvel Unlimited “Ultimate Six” is its own series title.

      I’m not sure about that issue you mentioned… I’ll have to dig in 🙂

      Glad you’re enjoying the comics. The Ultimate Universe has a lot of great stuff!

      Reply
      • SteelToes says

        March 13, 2015 at 1:10 am

        Yes it does!

        I did miss the ultimate six…Spidey 46 threw my mind off track. Thanks a ton!

        I look forward to what you can find on the other issue, I shall dig deeper as well!

        Love everything you do man!

        Reply
  43. David says

    March 10, 2015 at 7:06 pm

    Is it true the Ultimate Iron Man and Ultimate Iron Man II stories were retconned out of the Ultimate universe? I thought they were really cool.

    Is that why Iron Man’s backstory in Ultimate Team Up is so different?

    Reply
    • Dave says

      March 12, 2015 at 11:15 pm

      I’ve heard that, yes. The Iron Man Ultimate Team-Up was published a few years before those origin stories, I believe, which would explain that.

      I feel like it’s dealer’s choice on that origin honestly. Go with the one that feels right 🙂

      Reply
      • Richard says

        December 7, 2015 at 6:20 pm

        They were kind of retconned – if reading closely in an issue of usm it’s shown to be the plot of a TV show of Tony’s Life – which is just narcissistic enough for me to keep it in the reading order

        Reply
  44. David says

    March 10, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Using your guide + Marvel Unlimited to do up the Ultimate universe (now seems like a good time since it may be ending soon).

    Up to Unlimited Iron Man II and this guide is sooooo helpful. Thanks for all the work. I really enjoy the commentary/review information on each collection, I hope you add more!

    Reply
  45. masterrmoge says

    March 1, 2015 at 8:17 am

    Do I need to read Ultimatum? I have heard nothing but terrible things about it

    Reply
    • Dave says

      March 1, 2015 at 10:39 am

      If you’re reading the Ultimate Universe, it’s kind of impossible to skip. I’m not saying you’re going to enjoy it, but so many huge changes happen. It’s a completely different Ultimate U after Ultimatum.

      If you’re just picking and choosing the best stories, then yeah, you can probably avoid. Although I have to admit, Ultimatum is completely fascinating. Comics are rarely this egregiously insane and destructive.

      Reply
      • masterrmoge says

        March 1, 2015 at 9:16 pm

        okay…..

        Reply
      • masterrmoge says

        March 4, 2015 at 1:59 pm

        What if I’m only reading Spiderman?

        Reply
        • Andrew says

          March 4, 2015 at 7:04 pm

          He has a guide exclusively for that. https://www.comicbookherald.com/ultimate-spider-man-reading-order/

          Reply
      • CSWebber says

        May 28, 2015 at 10:18 am

        I read Ultimatum and I really enjoyed it. All of it. The mayhem. The destruction. The heroes, what’s left of them, banding together to save the day. And the best part…the changes remained in the series that followed up.

        Reply
  46. Andrew says

    February 22, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    I think that the first Spidey annual should be read between issues 85 and 86 of the main series. I got to issue 86 and was confused that Peter was suddenly dating Kitty Pryde, then I got to the annual and understood.

    Reply
  47. Andrew says

    February 5, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Great guide! I have two quick comments I wanted to offer:

    1- Ultimate Comics Thor is a prequel, so if you’re reading chronologically, it should be read before the first volume of Ultimates. That being said, the Thor book works under the assumption that you already know that Asgard is real and Thor is for-real (instead of some crazy person, which is in doubt until partway through Ultimates 2), so placing it where you did makes sense too. Just maybe a note.

    2- I understand that the two Ultimate Iron Man series were retconned to being from an in-Ultimate-universe anime telling an absolutely insane origin story of Tony Stark (from Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates). It might be worth clarifying this in your note.

    These are pretty minor issues though. Great list (and great site overall!)

    Reply
  48. Alexei says

    February 1, 2015 at 11:58 am

    This guide is great, thanks so much for putting all these together. The only two things I wanted to point out were that I think Uktimate Spoder-Man annual 1 takes place between Spidey 85 & 86 and also I couldn’t find the Ultimate Captain America annual from 2008 on here (another guide said it happens right around Ultimate Human).

    Anyway, these are quibbles. The guides are fantastic and you’re doing a great job.

    Reply
    • Dave says

      February 8, 2015 at 11:34 am

      Glad you enjoy, and thanks! I’ll look into the suggestions.

      Reply
  49. Bran says

    January 20, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    Cant seem to find marvel team up issues after #8….. Going crazy here!

    Reply
    • Dave says

      January 23, 2015 at 4:44 pm

      On Marvel Unlimited?

      Reply
  50. Scott says

    January 7, 2015 at 8:26 am

    I’m new to comics and currently in the middle of your previous guide covering the Marvel Knights era, (just started the ASM run.) I noticed you’ve replaced that guide with this one. Given that Ultimate is an entirely separate universe, won’t I just be confused picking up Avengers Dissassembled right after this? Should I read both, or come back to Ultimate at some point? Thanks in advance, yet another great guide!

    Reply
    • schm0 says

      January 7, 2015 at 8:58 am

      Just realized you put this *ahead* of the Marvel Knights era on the main guide page, sorry for the confusion. A related question remains: should I “jump back” now and read the Ultimate universe, or plod ahead and come back to it when I’m done with the rest of the main 616 guides?

      Reply
      • Dave says

        January 10, 2015 at 8:43 pm

        Hey good question – you don’t need to read the Ultimate Universe as part of the chronology of the rest of the guide. It’s a totally separate read and guide.

        So no need to jump back – only if you want to 🙂

        Reply
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