Your Guide To The New Marvel Ultimate Universe Line (2023-2026)

Marvel Comics has an extensive multiverse. This consists of hundreds of parallel universes, which recontextualise Marvel’s heroes in numerous ways. These can be used to contrast or diverge from the main Marvel Comics Universe (where most of the publisher’s output is set) for single tales, occasionally returning if there are more stories to tell. However, there was one universe that Marvel turned into an extensive line – the Ultimate Universe. This line offered a fresh perspective on Marvel’s heroes, updating them for the 2000s and early 2010s.

While the universe has been defunct since 2015, Marvel has created a new Ultimate Universe under the guidance of writers Jonathan Hickman and Deniz Camp. This aims to recontextualise the publisher’s vast slate of characters for the 2020s with new ideas and directions.

This guide will take you through the new Ultimate Universe, explaining what it is, the comics involved, and how it’s good for new readers.

Updating…

Please note that this guide is regularly evolving. Details about the new Ultimate Universe come in dribs and drabs and will continue to for years to come as new comics are introduced and the shape of the line shifts. This page will be updated as these happen so you can be kept informed.

What is the Ultimate Universe?

The original Ultimate Universe imprint was launched in 2000, born from the need to create accessible comics for new and lapsed readers. The regular Marvel Universe was in a bit of a mess. It was too interconnected and had many stories bogged down in continuity, making it indecipherable for many. Marvel Comics was also feeling the effects of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy from a few years earlier, plus the comic book market was in a slump.

The Ultimate Universe gave readers a fresh jumping-on point by creating a new parallel universe that could reinterpret Marvel’s heroes and villains for the 21st century. This showcased familiar but different heroes grounded in some reality.

The line was a hit for about 10 years before it began to get crushed under the weight of continuity. The regular Marvel Universe also got its act together and found a balance between respecting continuity and offering new ideas, which made the Ultimate Universe feel less necessary.

Before the Ultimate Universe was destroyed in 2015’s Secret Wars, it created one more hit – Miles Morales.

As you’ll soon find out, Marvel has reinvented the Ultimate Universe under the guidance of writer Jonathan Hickman.

Reinventing the Ultimate Universe

One of the goals of the original Ultimate Universe was to “reflect the world outside your window”. Asking, “What would Marvel’s superheroes be like if they emerged in the 21st century?” However, it has been more than 20 years since the Ultimate Spider-Man #1 kicked everything off. The world has changed a lot since then.

The new Ultimate Universe is a chance to do that exercise again for the 2020s. What will transpire is something completely new, allowing for new interpretations of classic characters and interesting storytelling possibilities.

A major difference for the new Ultimate Universe is that there’s a larger overarching story involved, with much more of a long-term vision – unlike the original one, which operated on more of a story-by-story basis.

An interesting element of this universe is that it operates in real time. So for instance, twelve issues of a series is one year in the story. This is an important factor for series like Ultimates, where there is a countdown timer to The Maker being released from his city prison.

Do I need to be familiar with the old Ultimate Universe?

No. While these share the same names, the new Ultimate Universe doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the old universe to read it. As previously mentioned, it’s a reinvention that happens to use the same name as it captures the spirit of the old interpretation. You can jump right in and start reading.

The only comic that some familiarity with the old Ultimate Universe may help is Ultimate Invasion. I’ll explain why in the “What is a good starting point for the new Ultimate Universe?” section below.

What is the universe designation for the new Ultimate Universe?

Here are the universe designations for all the multiverse fanatics out there.

New Ultimate Universe: Earth-6160

Old Ultimate Universe: Earth-1610

Regular Marvel Universe: Earth-616

Who is spearheading this new universe?

Jonathan Hickman was the architect of the new Marvel Universe. He put a lot of the groundwork and guidance in the beginning, curating elements of the the line. However, since launch the overarching story has been spearheaded by writer Deniz Camp. Camp has been writing the central title, The Ultimates, which is the main driver of the overarching story of the Universe.

While Hickman wrote Ultimate Spider-Man, he wasn’t the first choice to pen the title.

Are these comics good for new readers?

Yes! You don’t need to know anything to start reading the new Ultimate imprint, which makes it very clean for readers to jump-on.

What is a good starting point for the new Ultimate Universe?

There are a few places you can start reading the new Ultimate Universe. Where you start with these will depend on your interests in world-building and what catches your interest.

Ultimate Invasion #1-4 is one option. This series sets up the new Ultimate Universe and is a good choice for those who want to know how this world was created. However, it’s not as new-reader-friendly as other series in the line, as it references the continuity of the regular Marvel Universe and the old Ultimate Universe. If you’re the kind of reader who needs to understand every reference, then you might want to skip Ultimate Invasion. Otherwise, I suggest going with the flow.

You could start with Ultimate Universe #1. This one-shot is the first comic set in the new Ultimate Universe, making it a clean starting point.

Alternatively, you can read the first issue of any new series launched with the new line. Each is a clean starting point, featuring a new version of established characters and requires no prior reading. You can read any of them that catch your interest.

Which comics are part of the new Ultimate Universe?

Take a look below to discover which comics are part of the new Ultimate Universe. This includes premises for each series, creative teams, covers, and heaps more. I’ll add additional titles to the list when they’re made available.

Ultimate Invasion #1-4

Written by Jonathan Hickman. Art by Bryan Hitch.

Ultimate Invasion is a four-part miniseries that is a bridge between the old universe and the new one. In it, The Maker is attempting to bring back the destroyed Ultimate Universe. However, through unintended consequences, an entirely new universe is born.

Read this miniseries to find out how the new Ultimate Universe was created.

Ultimate Invasion #1-4 are out now.

Ultimate Universe #1 (one-shot)

Written by Jonathan Hickman. Art by Stefano Caselli.

Where Ultimate Invasion created this new Ultimate Universe, this one-shot will introduce readers to it, exploring some of the players and shapes of it. This over-sized issue gives readers a better look at this new universe and begins to set-up new stories and series that are to come.

Ultimate Spider-Man #1-24

Written by Jonathan Hickman. Art by Marco Checchetto.

Like the original Ultimate Universe, Ultimate Spider-Man is the first comic to launch in the new Ultimate Universe. In this new version of the series we get an older Peter Parker, married to Mary Jane, has kids, and gets his powers much later in life.

Writer Jonathan Hickman had this to say about the decision:

“When we decided that we were going to do a book about an older Peter Parker becoming Spider-Man, we really wanted to lean into him starting his super hero life from a very different place than what’s traditionally expected. Peter and MJ being married is one of many decisions we made that underline this being quite a ‘different’ kind of Spider-Man story.”

This series has been well-received by Spider-Man fans for it’s fresh interpretation of Peter Parker. It shows the character in a different life stage than readers usually get to see, which opens up new story beats and responsibilities. The series has also shown different interpretations of classic villains and supporting cast members, giving them new purpose and contexts.

Ultimate Spider-Man (2024 series) will end with its 24th issue on 24th December, 2025.

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Ultimate Black Panther #1-24

Written by Bryan Hill. Art by Stefano Caselli.

There was never an Ultimate Black Panther series during the original Ultimate Universe. This new universe changes that, offering a fresh take on the character. Khonshu and Ra, the gods collectively known as Moon Knight, seek to control all of Africa. However, they’ll need to take Wakanda first. The nation’s king, Black Panther, is all that stands in their way.

Speaking to ComicBook.com, writer Bryan Hill talked about his approach to this interpretation of Black Panther:

I think the difference between what’s going on now in the 616 and what’s going on in Ultimate Black Panther is I’m using a broader philosophical canvas. And I think that Wakanda and the world of the Black Panther is vast and extends into history up until now, headed towards the future. It’s a lot. I’ve been using Frank Herbert’s Dune as an analog to what I’m doing in the sense that you have a rich world with varying philosophical ideas and the sort of conflict and synergy between ancient spiritualism and modern practical politics.

The series has also introduced an Ultimate Universe version of Storm.

Ultimate Black Panther will end with issue #24 in January, 2026.

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Ultimate X-Men #1-24

Written by Peach Monoko. Translated by Zack Davidson. Art by Peach Monoko.

Ultimate X-Men is a drastic reinvention of Marvel’s mutants. It follows Hisako Ichiki, a teenage girl dreaming of a normal life, who falls into the world of mutants and urban legends.

Apart from using some characters, Ultimate X-Men has very little in common with the main interpretation of the X-Men. Instead, it’s a comic that takes the idea of the X-Men into different genres and directions.

Momoko has garnered a strong following for her lush covers. She’s also not a stranger to reinventing Marvel characters, having done so through the Demon Days Universe, which interpreted heroes through the lens of Japanese folklore.

Ultimate X-Men (2024 series) will end with its 24th issue in February, 2026.

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The Ultimates #1-24

Written by Deniz Camp. Art by Juan Frigeri.

Spinning out of the Ultimate Universe #1 one-shot, the team of Iron Lad (Stark), Captain America, Doom, Thor, and Sif are creating a new network of super-powered heroes. By finding lost heroes to join them, they’re able to band together to take on The Maker, who will be released from his prison, The City, in two years time.

The Ultimates (2024 series) the comic that focuses on the new Ultimate Universe’s overarching story the most – making it the most essential read if you want to follow this universe.

The series also introduced a number of new interpretations of Marvel characters, with Ultimate Hawkeye being the most notable.

This series received a Free Comic Book Day prelude story. You can read it for free here.

The Ultimates (2024 series) will end with its 24th issue in April, 2026.

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Ultimate Universe: One Year In #1 (one-shot)

Written by Deniz Camp.

Ultimate Universe: One Year In is a one-shot that ties up the first year of the comic book line and lays the foundations for the Ultimate Universe going into 2025.

It will feature Ultimate Universe versions of Magik, Moon Knight, Hulk, Colossus, Omega Red, Wolverine, and others.

For those looking to optimise their reading, read Ultimate Universe: One Year In #1 after Ultimates (2024 series) #6.

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Ultimate Wolverine #1-16

Written by Chris Condon. Art by Alessandro Cappuccio.

Spinning out of Ultimate Universe: One Year In #1, this series focuses on a version of Wolverine that’s controlled by The Maker. With his mind wiped, he operates as the Winter Soldier to maintain control of the Ultimate Universe.

Ultimate Wolverine will end with its 16th issue in April, 2026.

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Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #1-5

Written by Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar. Art by Jonas Scharf.

Miles Morales transports from the regular Marvel Universe (Earth-616) to the new Ultimate Universe (Earth-6160) to save his sister, who has accidentally been transported to that world.

As Miles originally came from the first iteration of the Ultimate Universe, he acts as metaphorical link between the two worlds – hence the level of crossover between them.

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Ultimate Hawkeye #1 (one-shot)

Written by Stephen Graham Jones and Deniz Camp. Art by Juan Frigeri.

Spinning out of the pages of The Ultimates (2024 series), Ultimate Hawkeye #1 highlights a solo adventure that will have impact on future of the Ultimate Universe.

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Ultimate Universe: Two Years In #1 (one-shot)

Written by Deniz Camp and Alex Paknadel. Art by Patrick Boutin-Gagne, Lee Ferguson, Francesco Manna, Phil Noto, and Javier Pulido.

Similar to Ultimate Universe: One Year In #1, this one-shot is an exploration of the world just in time for Ultimate Endgame and introduces more heroes.

Buy: Amazon/Kindle | eBay

Ultimate Endgame #1-5

Written by Deniz Camp. Art by Jonas Scharf and others.

Ultimate Endgame is the culmination of two years worth of stories in the Ultimate Universe. The Maker is no longer imprisoned and he’s ready to tighten his grip on the world. Will all the preparation that the heroes have made be enough to stop him?

The event will feature characters from throughout the new Ultimate Universe line and resolve many ongoing story threads.

Ultimate Endgame #1 will be published on 31st December.

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Ultimate Universe Finale #1

Written by Deniz Camp, Chris Condon, Jonathan Hickman, Bryan Hill, and Peach Momoko. Art by Alessandro Cappucchio, Stefano Caselli, Marco Checchetto, Juan Frigeri, and Peach Momoko.

This one-shot, set after Ultimate Endgame, is the swansong for the Ultimate Universe.

Ultimate Universe Finale #1 will be available 29th April, 2026.

What will happen after the end of the Ultimate Universe?

The Ultimate Universe comes to an end in April 2026. That’s right, Marvel will end this line of comics when the overarching story concludes.

At New York Comic-Con 2025, Head of Marvel Comics and Franchise Dan Buckley stated: “You’ll be able to take this journey—the beginning, middle, and end—and digest it for years to come and pass it on to others”. As a result, there seems to be an intentional effort to make the new Ultimate Universe a tight saga instead of dragging it out, despite its success. This is rare for Marvel Comics, who often stretch out successful ideas well past their expiration date.

However, concepts from the Ultimate Universe will make their way to the regular Marvel Universe (616). We’ve already seen this with Miles Morales returning with handful of Origin Boxes at the conclusion of Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #5. These Origin Boxes will spawn a number of stories, including:

Reborn: Ultimate Impact #1-5
Written by Chris Condon. Art by Stefano Caselli.

This miniseries will show what happens after Miles takes the Origin Boxes back to the regular Marvel Universe and the rush from all kinds of scrupulous characters to obtain them.

Armageddon
Written by Chip Zdarsky. Art by TBA.

Origin Boxes will play a role in Marvel’s big 2026 comic book event.

Where can I find these comics?

The new Ultimate Universe comics will be available in all good comic book shops, online retailers, eBay, and Amazon/Kindle. They’ll be available three months later on Marvel Unlimited.

You can learn more about where you can find comics in this handy guide.

Have your say

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