1429 ( )

Marvel now has 2 independent and parallel universes: their regular continuity and this new Ultimate universe. Same characters, but different (to varying degrees) origins and narratives. Seems like a lot to keep straight. ( )

A fairly epic work that combines such Marvel luminaries as the Fantastic Four, various Avengers and X-Men, Nick Fury, the Hulk, Spider-Man and Dr. Doom, not to mention various heroes of an alternate Earth who have probably gotten airtime in other books that I've missed. Anyway, Reed Richards goes against Nick Fury's orders in an effort to reverse Ben Grimm's condition as the Thing, sending probes into an alternate universe. Later, super-powered beings from that universe show up, accusing Reed of destroying their world, and drag him back to face justice. Fury organizes a team of heroes to rescue him, but in the course of events we find that there are layer upon layer of treachery, with Dr. Doom at the heart of it - although he is not the only source of duplicity here. An interesting, if sometimes overladen and confusing storyline, and nicely written characterizations and interaction between heroes who all too seldom meet up. Nice artwork, too. ( )