Despite the Ultimate End of Marvel’s Ultimate comics during Secret Wars, characters from the Ultimate Universe very much carry on in Marvel Comics. Indeed, from 2016 to 2019, there are a variety of ongoing series starring characters created in the Ultimate Universe, as well as teases for the eventual return of the entire universe itself!
Below you’ll find a guide to characters from Ultimate Universe comics after Secret Wars, focused on the individuals who propel the legacy of the Ultimate U forward into Earth-616.
The Ultimate Universe is dead. Long live the Ultimate Universe!
Related Reading Orders:
Jimmy Hudson
The Ultimate Comics Wolverine (version 2.0) is the least likely continuing character on this guide. Since his appearances are most concisely confined to X-Men: Blue (with some Venom crossovers lest things seem too clear – this is comics after all), it’s easier to start with Jimbo before progressing to the bigger players.
Collects: X-Men: Blue 1-6
X-Men Blue Vol. 2: Toil and Trouble
Collects: X-Men: Blue #7 to #12
X-Men Blue Vol. 3: Cross-Time Capers
Collects: X-Men: Blue 16-20
Collects: X-MEN BLUE 21-22 AND ANNUAL 1, VENOM 162-163
X-Men Blue Vol. 5: Surviving the Experience
Collects: X-Men Blue #29 to #34
Miles Morales, Spider-Man
The majority of post Secret Wars continuation of the Ultimate Universe can be found in the pages of Miles Morales, the universe’s greatest ex-pat.
Since Miles is obviously a Big Deal (especially after Into the Spider-Verse!), I’d recommend fans of the character check out the dedicated Comic Book Herald Miles Morales reading order for every story starring the Ultimate Spider-Man.
For the purposes of extending the Ultimate Universe, I’ll concentrate here on Miles’ solo ongoings, or appearances that more directly advance the Ultimate U.
All-New, All-Different Avengers Vol. 1: The Magnificent Seven
Collects: All-New, All-Different Avengers 1-6; Avengers 0 (All-New, All-Different Story); Free Comic Book Day 2015
Although I just said I’d focus on Miles’ solo outings, it’s worth calling out that Miles waltzes into the universe and is immediately on the Avengers. He’s kind of a big deal.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales Vol. 1
Collects: Spider-Man 1-5
Co-creator Brian Michael Bendis brings Miles into Earth-616, makes him “Also, Spider-Man” and carries over a whole bunch of Ultimate Universe characters like Ganke and Bombshell. So for all intents and purposes, Miles and his Ultimate U get to carry over into “mainstream” continuity!
Spider-Man: Miles Morales Vol. 2
Collects: Spider-Man #6 To #10
Spider-Man/Spider-Gwen: Sitting in a Tree
Collects: Spider-Man #12 To #14, Spider-Gwen #16 To #18
Begin with Spider-Man #12, and then alternate Spider-Gwen and Spider-Man issues, ending with Spider-Gwen #18.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales Vol. 3
Collects: Spider-Man #15 To #19
Spider-Man: Miles Morales Vol. 4
Collects: Spider-Man #234 To #240
Collects: Spider-Men II #1 To #5
Collects: Venom #1 to #6
Miles plays a part as as significant supporting character in the first arc of Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman’s Marvel Fresh Start Venom ongoing.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man Vol. 1
Collects: Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1 to #6
The Maker
Clearly if granted their pick of Ultimate Universe creations (or ideas), loads of top tier Marvel creators (including Al Ewing and Donny Cates) would choose to pick up where Brian Michael Bendis and Jonathan Hickman left off with Reed Richards, aka The Maker.
The villain, turned anti-hero, turned, “yeah we still probably can never trust that guy but maybe he’s not wholeheartedly objectionable?” has had a role in a variety of Earth-616 books since Secret Wars ended, and given his involvement in Absolute Carnage, there’s no clear end in sight.
New Avengers: A.I.M. Vol. 1: Everything is New
Collects: New Avengers #1 to #6
New Avengers: A.I.M. Vol. 2: Standoff
Collects: New Avengers #7 to #11
New Avengers: A.I.M. Vol. 3: Civil War II
Collects: New Avengers #12 to #18
Ultimates: Omniversal Vol. 1: Start With the Impossible
Collects: Ultimates 1-5, Avengers 0
Ultimates is 1) my favorite Marvel comic of 2016 and 2) the book that seems like it should most closely connect to the legacy of the Marvel Ultimate Universe. Eventually writer Al Ewing does do this (which is why the entire series is on this guide), but it takes a while before Ultimates isn’t just thematically connected to Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch’s early 2000’s baby.
Ultimates: Omniversal Vol. 2: Civil War II
Collects: Ultimates 7-12
Ultimates 2 Vol. 1: Troubleshooters
Collects: Ultimates 2 (2016) 1-6
Ultimates 2 Vol. 2: Eternity War
Collects: Ultimates 2 (2016) 7-12
Venom by Donny Cates Vol. 2: The Abyss
Collects: Venom #7 to #12
Collects: Absolute Carnage #1 to #5
Venom #26
There’s some Maker action sporadically throughout the rest of the Cates/Stegman run on Venom, but the big final coda comes in issue #26, setting the stage for the grand return of the new Marvel Ultimate Universe!
It’s Back! The Return of the New Ultimate Universe!
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Missing Jimmy Hudson’s return in Venom War: Deadpool and TVA