Ultimate Comics: Avengers Vs. New Ultimates #5 – Review

So were done with Death of Spider-Man right? Well you would think that with what happened at the end of Ultimate Spider-Man #160 but yet here we are. While Peter fights for his life against Norman Osborn the Avengers and Ultimates are fighting to prevent a war from happening. But what’s this, a certain webslinger appears in this issue? There’s more to this than probably what you’re thinking.

Ultimate Comics: Avengers Vs. New Ultimates #5

DEATH OF SPIDER-MAN: Part Five

Writer: Mark Millar

Layouts: Leinil Yu
Finishes: Leinil Yu & Stephen Segovia
Inkers: Gerry Alanguilan with Jason Paz & Jeff Huet
Colorist: Sunny Gho
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover: Leinil Yu & Sunny Gho

The Mission
The issue starts with a flashback to five days ago with the Avengers being told by Tyrone Cash (The “First” Hulk and Bruce Banner’s mentor) that Carol Danvers is the traitor in S.H.I.E.L.D.** (Look back at issue two). With Tyrone still hypnotized by Blade, Fury orders the old man to take them to where he keeps his Hulk serums knowing that they’re going to need more than what they have on them currently. After arriving at Tyrone’s mansion and gunning down his men, Tyrone leads the Avengers to his lab where he tells the group about the pills he takes to transform into his stronger form. There is a 24 hour time limit before the effects of the pills begin to wear off and the person loses their powers. After being told everything he wants to know Fury puts a bullet in Tyrone’s head.

In the present, as Gregory Stark orders control to activate the super humans in North Korea, Fury’s body grows Hulk sized. Soon enough Fury and the rest of the Hulked out Avengers surround Gregory but are blasted back by him as he’s wearing a nanite force-field equipped with other powers. Gregory quickly smashes Fury into the ground of the aircraft with enough force that it shifts the Helicarrier off balance and the rest of the Avengers fall off it.

In Pyongyang, North Korea the Spider leads the super human soldiers to attack everything in the area. The Ultimates watch what is happening back at the base on the computer screens but are ordered to not intervene by Gregory Stark because if they do so it would breach international law. Later as things don’t look good in Pyongyang, the Spider unmasks himself to be, so far, a young unknown Korean man. Suddenly the Spider and the super humans look back to see the Ultimates and who now know that Gregory is behind this. As the Spider questions who could have told them he turns to see the Hulked out Avengers standing with the Ultimates, ready to lay the smack down.

Thoughts in General
Well there’s a reason why Nick Fury is one of the most dangerous man on the planet so of course anyone could see why Gregory would want him dead. I like how politics is being played into the story as well and helps show that heroes can’t just go around and do whatever they want.

Seeing Tyrone Cash was good considering we never got an explanation as to what happened with him at the end of issue two. He does play an important role with the Hulk pills being Fury’s backup plan. Hell, even the Spider plays a role in this issue even though he’s done nothing until now.

Speaking of the Spider, for those who do not know the character he first appeared in the first run of the Avengers mini and appeared again in Avengers 2. A lot about the character was covered up and I must admit I was interested in him… until I read this issue. The reveal of his identity was lack luster to me and I could now care less if he even gets killed off. This is coming from the guy who didn’t mind Carol Danvers got hit by a car… again I “HUZZAH!” to that. But back to the Spider, I saw some potential with this character but Millar took him into the wrong direction. His appearance almost seemed random and came off as though Millar just wanted to quickly wrap up some loose ends before meeting the final issue. The reveal was a letdown.

Once again, Leinil Yu is doing some pretty good artwork in this mini. My only complaint about his art in this issue is the Hulked out Avengers, especially Hawkeye. Fury I can understand taking a Hulk pill but why did the other Avengers need to do so? Their appearance on the Helicarrier to confront Gregory Stark, again, kind of out of the blue. They look pretty ridiculous. The transitions toward the end of the issue seem off.

The characterizations of the Ultimates are great. Fans of the Millar/Hitch run would also be happy with reading their dialogue.

My inner geek does have to speak out about Fury hulking out. People forget that the man does in fact have a fake arm after the events in Ultimates 2 and was even brought up in the first arc of Avengers; both stories written by Millar. I don’t think anything mechanical could “Hulk out” but you be the judge of that. Speaking of Hulking out it makes me realize I miss the Hulk in the Ultimate Universe. Yes, I did read Ultimate Comics X #5 and I enjoyed reading that than this issue… and Ultimates X was delayed… a lot.

After the events of Ultimate Spider-Man #160, there’s not a mention of Peter in this issue. I am betting that there will be a mention of him in the last issue of course and there should be some grief stricken on both teams as both sides abandoned Peter to his fate. Just because Ultimate Spider-Man is wrapped up doesn’t mean it will be the last we hear about the wall crawler in the mini.

Rating
Hopefully as this issue wasn’t that great it’ll hopefully be a set up for something awesome in the final issue. 3 out of 5 Hulked out heroes. Oh God, the idea of Hulked out heroes again… man oh man.