Ultimate Marvel is an imprint created in 2000 to reintroduce Marvel characters to new audiences. Classic heroes like Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four were reimagined in a modern setting.
This allowed new readers to familiarize themselves with Marvel characters without having to read through 40 years of publications! Today, more than 20 years later, most of these comics still hold as the best starting point for new readers. So, let’s read!
To start reading, subscribe to Marvel Unlimited to read the issues digitally. Or you can find these in paperback or hardcover collections. Then, follow the reading order below. I grouped stories into arcs.
The reading order below is presented in chronological order with the exception of non-canon and flashback stories. Non-canon stories are not part of the Ultimate Universe continuity, but will share some element, characters, and story points. Flashback stories take place before Ultimate Spider-Man #1, but are presented later for narrative purposes.
Dawn of the Superheroes
We’ll start with the introduction of superheroes into the modern world. Peter Parker becomes Spider-Man; Charles Xavier forms the X-Men; and we get to see some of their first adventures. Then, we’ll take a trip back in time to read two flashback stories starring Daredevil and Elektra. Finally, we’ll celebrate 1 year of Ultimate Marvel with a non-canon story starring Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four.
Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra #1-4 – this flashback story happens many years before Ultimate Spider-Man #1, but it’s best read here as we get to know other characters.
Ultimate Elektra #1-5 – this flashback story picks up where Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra left off. Best read here!
Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #9 – this is a non-canon story featuring the Fantastic Four. It can be read here as a goofy story or can be skipped altogether.
The World Gets Bigger
As we continue reading Ultimate Marvel, new heroes will appear, and with them, new threats will emerge. Spider-Man faces new villains and teams up with new heroes; while the X-Men travel around the world. The highlight of this phase is the introduction of the Ultimates: a government sanctioned team of super soldiers. We’ll end this year with another non-canon issue celebrating 2 years of Ultimate Marvel!
Ultimate Spider-Man #1/2 – this issue is a Wizard Magazine special issue. It is not available on Marvel Unlimited but can be found in the Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus vol. 1
Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #12-13
Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #15-16
Ultimate X-Men #1/2 – this issue is a Wizard Magazine special issue. It is not available on Marvel Unlimited but can be found in the Ultimate X-Men Omnibus vol. 1
Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special – this is a non-canon story that celebrates 2 years of Ultimate Marvel. Here, we get to see how Spider-Man’s life has been impacted by the other colorful characters of the universe.
Friends and Foes
It’s hero vs. hero as the Ultimates fight the X-Men in “Ultimate War”, the first crossover event in our series. While the X-Men are branded terrorists and are on the run from the law, Spider-Man overcomes growing pains as he faces challenges that affect him at a personal level. We’ll end this tumultuous year with a classic superhero team up as Wolverine enlists the help of old friends to evade mercenaries.
Enter the Fantastic
Spider-Man faces his biggest challenge yet as several supervillains escape prison and are out for revenge. The X-Men struggle to repair the damage to their reputation from previous events. Then, witness the birth of Marvel’s premier superhero team: the Fantastic Four.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #1-6 – this is a flashback story, since the FF are mentioned in the first issues of the Ultimates, meaning that this story had to occur before Ultimates #2. It’s still better to read it here as we slowly introduce the FF to the Ultimate Marvel universe.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #7-12 – this story picks up where Ultimate Fantastic Four #6 left off, making it a flashback story. But I recommend you read it here for the best experience.
Death from Above
This year, we’ll journey into worlds beyond Earth and see the marvels and horrors they contain. The Fantastic Four travel to another dimension called the N-Zone, where they meet Nihil, a survivor of that dimension who is looking a new universe to conquer. Upon their return, they are recruited by Nick Fury to stop Gah Lak Tus, a powerful cosmic entity that is heading towards Earth to destroy all life. After the cosmic threat is stopped, a series of events threatens to destroy the Ultimates from within.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #13-18
Ultimate Fantastic Four #19-20
Ultimate Vision #0 – this issue is a collection of backup stories that appear in Ultimate Spider-Man #86-88, Ultimate X-Men #65, and Ultimate Fantastic Four #25-26. If you are reading through Marvel Unlimited, you may not find this collection until reading through later issues, but that will not take away much of the story.
Life Changes
Our heroes have fought evil at all fronts. But these next events will change their lives forever. Spider-Man must save Harry Osborn from his past. The X-Men face off against old friends-turned-foes. The Fantastic Four discover a world where a virus has turned all heroes into flesh-eating zombies. To make matters worse, the United States is under siege after the super-powered Liberators conquer the country.
Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1
Ultimate Fantastic Four #21-26
Trials
Spider-Man faces his deadliest challenges yet, leading to the ultimate climax when he meets a clone of himself! The ranks of the X-Men are riddled with distrust. The Fantastic four travel through space and time to save worlds.
Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk #1-6
Ultimate Fantastic Four #27-32
Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #2
Ultimate Fantastic Four #33-38
Tribulations
We’ll start this phase with two non-canon stories featuring the origins of Iron Man. Then, our heroes must travel to the Supreme Power universe and battle against the Squadron Supreme, Earth’s mightiest heroes.
Ultimate Iron Man #1-5 – this story was originally intended to be the origin of Ultimate Iron Man, although it contradicted the events of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up. Later, this story was revealed to be the plot of an Iron Man TV show and not his real origin.
Ultimate Iron Man 2 #1-5 – this non-canon, flashback story follows up right after Ultimate Iron Man.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #39-41
Ultimate Fantastic Four #42-46
The Road to Ultimatum
The world of Ultimate Marvel is coming to an end. This year, we will learn the origins of the Ultimate Marvel universe, all while a series of events lead to the death of the Scarlet Witch. As our heroes overcome their challenges, they start to feel that there is hope for the future…
Ultimate Fantastic Four #47-53
Ultimate Fantastic Four #54-57
Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four Annual #1
Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men Annual #1
Ultimate Captain America Annual #1
Ultimatum
…but instead, it’s the end of the Ultimate Marvel world as we know it. Magneto exacts his revenge on humanity. He reverses the magnetic poles of Earth, killing millions in the process, including many heroes. While the Ultimates and the X-Men race to stop Magneto, other heroes try desperately to save as many people as they can in the streets. Ultimate Marvel ends here.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #58-59
Ultimate Fantastic Four Requiem #1
Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem #1-2
These final issues mark the end of the first wave of the Ultimate Marvel universe as we know it. The series were all rebooted in a new line called Ultimate Comics.
At this point, we’ve completed all of Ultimate Marvel! I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did!
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