Comic Review: The Ultimates Vol. 1: Fix the World

 

The new Ultimate line from Marvel has stirred a lot of emotions from the start some praise the fresh approach, while others criticize the lack of consistency and cohesion. Compared to Ultimate Spider-Man or Ultimate X-Men, however, the first volume of The Ultimates feels particularly ambitious. Deniz Camp leans into a serious tone, a political backdrop, and a reinterpretation of what it means to be a superhero in a world where the concept doesn’t exist at all. Not everything lands perfectly, but the book shows it has the potential to grow into something truly great.

Superheroes as terrorists

The most compelling element of this volume is the concept of the team itself. The Ultimates here aren’t beloved celebrities or a state-sanctioned strike force they’re branded as terrorists from the start. That fundamentally changes the dynamics and opens space to reflect on what being a hero really means. Camp isn’t afraid of comparisons to Watchmen or The Authority, but instead of cynicism, he serves up a more sincere, sometimes even hopeful tone. These heroes don’t fight for glory but out of duty to fix the world even as everyone around them sees them as a threat.

Pacing and world-building

From the very first issues, it’s clear Camp puts huge effort into building this new universe. Each issue reveals a new piece of the larger puzzle from the White House attack to character-focused chapters on figures like Hawkeye or Doom. The downside is the pacing: the series rushes forward so quickly that many characters are left as sketches rather than fully fleshed-out people. Iron Lad is clearly positioned as the main character, while Ant-Man, Wasp, or She-Hulk feel like background players. That’s frustrating, because the designs and ideas for them are great, but we’re never given enough space to really get to know them.

Characters and highlights

Among the cast, a few stand out strongly:

Iron Lad – a symbol of youthful, somewhat naïve hope in contrast with the world’s cynicism.

Doom – brilliantly reimagined, full of ambiguity and darkness, easily one of the series’ highlights.

Captain America – almost identical to his 616 counterpart, but older, grumpier, and more world-weary adding extra depth.

Hawkeye – once again “the normal guy among gods,” but with a fresh twist. His solo-focused issue is one of the best of the run.

It’s clear Camp can write strong reinterpretations the problem is that not all of them get the spotlight they deserve.

Story and themes

Plot-wise, The Ultimates leans heavily on the aftermath of Ultimate Invasion if you skipped that mini-series, you may feel lost. Camp tries to patch this with short recaps, but the best way to approach this volume is with that context in hand. In exchange, we get a story that balances classic superhero spectacle with a political thriller’s weight.

Camp weaves in social and political commentary freedom, power manipulation, and the meaning of heroism but avoids becoming preachy. This isn’t satire in the vein of The Boys or the exaggerated Don’t Look Up. Instead, it’s genuine questions about the nature of heroism, asked in a world that doesn’t believe in the very idea of heroes.

Artwork

While readers’ opinions have been split, in my view the art and colors strongly support the story. The paneling is dynamic, the action is clear, and the battle scenes especially those featuring Cap are impressive. Yes, there are the occasional awkward faces or shortcuts, but overall the visual tone works. Special credit also goes to the lettering, which gives the series a unique rhythm.

Final thoughts

The Ultimates Vol. 1: Fix the World is an ambitious, politically charged, and visually engaging comic that stumbles with its fast pacing and surface-level character development. Still, it’s a strong start and if Deniz Camp keeps up the quality while giving the cast more room to breathe, The Ultimates could easily join the ranks of Marvel’s best team books of the 21st century.

Final Score: 8/10

Pros:

+Ambitious take on heroism in a world that rejects it

+Fresh, compelling reinterpretations of Doom, Hawkeye, and Captain America

+Smart blend of political commentary with classic superhero storytelling

+Dynamic, clear artwork with excellent lettering

+Distinct tone that sets it apart from the other Ultimate titles

Cons:

-Too fast-paced; many characters remain shallow

-Requires knowledge of Ultimate Invasion for full context

-Sometimes overly formal, “stiff” narration

-Cliffhanger ending instead of a complete story