The Marvel Ultimate Universe comic books definitive issue-by-issue collecting guide and trade reading order for omnibus, hardcover, and trade paperback collections. Find every issue and appearance from Marvel Ultimate! Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated August 2024 with titles solicited for release through May 2025.
What is Ultimate Marvel?
The simplest way to think about it is as a new-millennium, ground-up reboot of the four most enduring Marvel Silver Age properties – Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers (as Ultimates), and Fantastic Four.
That frequently made for a take on Marvel’s heroes that was both more edgy and more grounded. There were fewer aliens, magic, and resurrections, and more real-world socio-political ramifications. While the line wasn’t for Mature Readers, the combination of those factors could sometimes lead to a grimmer take than the main Marvel universe.
The Ultimate Universe was thoroughly covered in collected editions as it was released, which means you definitely can own every issue of every title with no gaps and hardly any overlap. As a result, this guide does not include an exhaustive list of where singles issues may be collected out of context.
Below I’ve broken the Ultimate Universe into four eras punctuated by four major events that reset the line. Within each era books are listed in order of their launch, but for a more threaded view I’ve also listed them by threaded reading order.
[Patreon03][/Patreon03]
Original Era
- Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra > Ultimate Elektra (> Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #7-8)
- Ultimate Spider-Man (w/Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Ultimate Six, Ultimate Power)
- Ultimate X-Men (w/Ultimate War, Ultimate Nightmare > Ultimate Extinction, Ultimate X/4, Ultimate Power)
- The Ultimates (w/Ultimate Adventures) > Ultimate War > Ultimate Six > Galactus Trilogy > Ultimates 2
- Ultimate Fantastic Four (w/Ultimate Secret > Ultimate Extinction, Ultimate X/4, Ultimate Power)
- Ultimate Galactus Trilogy: Ultimate Nightmare > Ultimate Secret > Ultimate Extinction (> Ultimate Vision)
- Ultimates 2 > Ultimate Power > Ultimate Human (AKA Iron Man vs. Hulk) > Ultimates 3 (w/Ultimate Hulk)
All roads lead to Ultimatum, which includes Ultimate Origin > March to Ultimatum > Ultimatum > Requiem
Post-Ultimatum to Fallout
- Ultimate Avengers 1, 2 (> Ultimate New Ultimates), 3 > Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates > Ultimate Fallout
- Ultimate New Ultimates (Ultimate Enemy Trilogy > UA3) > Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates > Ultimate Fallout
- Ultimate Spider-Man (> returns to legacy numbering with #150) >Ultimate Fallout
- Ultimate X >Ultimate Fallout
- FF from Ultimatum > Ultimate Enemy Trilogy >Ultimate Fallout
Post-Fallout to Cataclysm
- Ultimate Comics Spider-Man > Cataclysm
- Ultimate Comics X-Men (> Ultimate Comics Wolverine) > Cataclysm
- (Ultimate Hawkeye >) Ultimate Comics Ultimates (> Ultimate Comics Iron Man) > Cataclysm
Post-Cataclysm to Secret Wars
- All-New Ultimates > Secret Wars / Ultimate End
- Miles Morales: Ulimate Spider-Man > Secret Wars / Ultimate End
- Ultimate FF > Secret Wars / Ultimate End
Out-of-Continuity
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Ultimate Spider-Man (2000-2011) #1-133 & Annual 1-3 by Brian Bendis
in omnibus…
Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus, Vol. 1
(2004 Barnes & Noble exclusive oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0760761335 /
2012 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785164753 / 2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302931872 / digital)
Collects Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #1-39 & 1/2. Originally issued as a B&N exclusive version in 2004, which was technically the first ever Marvel Omnibus!
Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus, Vol. 2 (2023 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302947477 / digital)
Collects Collects Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #40-71 and Ultimate Six (2003) #1-7
Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus, Vol. 3 (2023 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302950194 / digital)
Collects Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #72-111 & Annual 1-2
Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus, Vol. 4 (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302959555 / digital)
Collects Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #112-133 & Annual 3, Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem (2009) #1-2, and Ultimate Spider-Man (2009) #1-15
in paperback Epic Collection…
Epic Collection Vol. 1: Learning Curve (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302963002 / digital TBA)
Collects #1-13.
in deluxe oversized hardcovers and corresponding paperback Ultimate Collections…
#1-13: Vol. 1
Also includes Amazing Fantasy (1962) #15. Available as a trade paperback Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1
#14-27: Vol. 2
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2
#28-39 & 1/2: Vol. 3
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate Collection, Vol. 3
#40-45 & 47-53: Vol. 4
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate Collection, Vol. 4
#46, 54-59 & Ultimate Six #1-7: Vol. 5
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate Collection, Vol. 5
#60-71: Vol. 6
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate Collection, Vol. 6
Further paperback Ultimate Collections are not yet solicited.
#72-85: Vol. 7
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate Collection, Vol. 7
#86-96 & Annuals 1-2: Vol. 8
#97-111: Vol. 9
#112-122: Vol. 10
#123-133: Annual 3: Vol. 11
Also collects Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem (2009) #1-2
#1-14 (2009): Vol. 12
as originally released…
#1-7: Vol. 1: Power and Responsibility (2009)
Originally collected as a 2001 TPB. Released in 2009 in hardcover. Issue #7 also recollected in Spider-Man: Spider-Verse – Fearsome Foes
Ultimate X-Men begins during this arc.
After #7: Spider-Man appears in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001) #1
#8-13: Vol. 2: Learning Curve
After #8: Spider-Man appears in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001) #2-3
After #13: Spider-Man appears in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001) #4-10 (although #9 was determined to be out of continuity
#14-21: Vol. 3: Double Trouble
During #17: Spider-Man appears in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001) #11-13
During #21: Spider-Man appears in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001) #14-16.
After #21: A flashback story in #46
Ultimate Spider-Man Special was released around the time of #22, but is not considered to be in continuity.
#22-27: Vol. 4: Legacy
#28-32: Vol. 5: Public Scrutiny
After #32: Spider-Man appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #0.5 (flashback)
#33-39: Vol. 6: Ultimate Venom
Available in hardcover.
Ultimate War occurs around this point
#40-45: Vol. 7: Irresponsible
After #45: Spider-Man appears in Ultimate X-Men (2001) #34-37
#46 & Ultimate Six #1-7: Vol. 9: Ultimate Six
Yes, Volume 9, not Volume 8. Ultimate Six (2003) #1-7 (Spider-Man appears in #3-7) directly follows Volume 7. To make this even more puzzling, #46 is a story told mostly in flashback.
#47-53: Vol. 8: Cats & Kings
#54-59: Vol. 10: Hollywood
#60-65: Vol 11: Carnage
#66-71: Vol. 12: Superstars
#72-78: Vol. 13: Hobgoblin
#79-85: Vol. 14: Warriors
Annual 1 & #86-90: Vol 15: Silver Sable
After Annual 1: Spider-Man appears in a flashback arc in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #123-126
After #96: Spider-Man appears in Ultimates 2 (2005) #11-13, Ultimate X-Men (2001) #66-67 and implied in #70
#91-96 & Annual 2: Vol. 16: Deadpool
#91-94 also collected in Deadpool Classic Vol. 20: Ultimate Deadpool
#97-105: Vol. 17: Clone Saga
Available in hardcover
#106-111: Vol. 18: Ultimate Knights
Ultimate Power: See below. Spider-Man appears in #2-9
#112-117: Vol 19: Death of a Goblin
After #117: Spider-Man appears in Ultimate X-Men (2001) #91, Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #52-53
#118-122: Vol. 20: Ultimate Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
Annual 3: Fits after #120, but is collected below.
#123-128: Vol. 21: War of the Symbiotes
After #128: Spider-Man appears in Ultimates 3 (2008) #2, Ultimate X-Men (2001) #96, Ultimate Origins (2008) #3
#129-133 & Annual 3: Vol. 22: Ultimatum
Annual three occurs after #120, above. Spider-Man does not appear in #133. Available in hardcover.
Annual 3: March on Ultimatum
Also, see Ultimatum, below. Collects Ultimate Fantastic Four/Ultimate X-Men Annual #1, Ultimate X-Men/Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1, Ultimate Captain America Annual #1, Ultimate Hulk Annual #1, and Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3. Available in hardcover.
Ultimatum: See below. Spider-Man appears in #1-4 parallel to #129-132. After Ultimatum #4 he appears in Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem (2009) #1-2
This series continues to Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 2 (2009), below. Legacy numbering of this volume would later continue through #160 as well as a standalone #200.
Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001-2002) #1-16
As with the original Marvel Team-Up, this is a Spider-Man team-up title, occurring between issues #7-21 of his main title. Issue #9, starring the FF, was later deemed to be out of continuity.
Hulk debuts in #2-3. Iron Man debuts in #4-5 with Nick Fury in #5. Black Widow debuts in #14. Daredevil debuts in #7-8, although he later appears in prequel stories in Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra (2003) and Ultimate Elektra (2004). His full chronology is listed under Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra.
in deluxe oversized hardcovers and corresponding paperback Ultimate Collections…
#1-16: Ultimate Marvel Team-Up
Also includes Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) Special 1. Available as a trade paperback Ultimate Collection.
as originally released…
#1-5: Vol. 1
#6-8: Not collected in the original trade release sequence, but do appear with 616 continuity material in
The Best of Spider-Man Vol. 01, Daredevil Ultimate Collection Vol. 03, and Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev Omnibus Vol. 02, as well as the Ultimate collections, above.
#9-13: Vol. 2
#14-16: Vol. 3
Also includes Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) Special 1
Ultimate X-Men (2001-2009) #1-100, 1/2, & Annual 1-2
This order addresses the appearances of key characters Wolverine, Jean Grey, and Cyclops.
in omnibus…
Ultimate X-Men Omnibus, Vol. 1 (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302946357 / digital)
Collects Ultimate X-Men (2001) #1-33 & 1/2 and Ultimate War (2002) #1-4.
Ultimate X-Men Omnibus, Vol. 2 (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302950118 / digital)
Collects Ultimate X-Men (2001) #34-74 & Annual 1-2, Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four (2005) #1, and Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men (2006) #1.
in paperback Epic Collection…
Epic Collection Vol. 1: The Tomorrow People (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302963019 / digital TBA)
Collects #1-12 & #1/2
in deluxe oversized hardcovers and corresponding paperback Ultimate Collections…
#1-12: Vol. 1
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection, Book 1, which also includes #1/2 (which was published later but fits best after #6).
#13-25: Vol. 2
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection, Book 2
#26-33 & Ultimate War #1-4: Vol. 3
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection, Book 3
#34-45: Vol. 4
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection, Book 4
#46-57: Vol. 5
Available as a trade paperback Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection, Book 5
#58-65, 1/2, & Annual 1: Vol. 6
Note that #1/2 follows #6 (yes, #6, not a typo) and Annual 1 follows #60, Ultimate Nightmare, and Ultimate Extinction
#66-74 & Annual 2: Vol. 7
#75-88: Vol. 8
#89-97: Vol. 9
#98-100: Ultimatum Companion
as originally released…
#1-6: Vol. 1: The Tomorrow People
#1/2: Follows six. Collected in Deluxe Hardcover and Ultimate Collection, above.
After #1: Wolverine is the co-star of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001) #1
After #6 & 1/2: Cyclops appears in Ultimate X-Men (2001) #0.5, X-Men are the co-stars of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001) #11
#7-12: Vol. 2: Return to Weapon X
#13-20: Vol. 3: World Tour
#21-25: Vol. 4: Hellfire & Brimstone
Vol. 5: Ultimate War
Also, see Ultimate War, below. Collects Ultimate War #1-4. This is the first major X-Men and Ultimates crossover. Despite #25 stating at the end of the issue that it proceeds to this mini-series, you can optionally read #26 prior to Ultimate War as well – it’s mostly a flashback issue with a single present-day panel that is concurrent with Ultimate War #1. The event runs alongside #26-27 and resolves prior to #28.
After #20: Jean and Wolverine in X-Men Unlimited (1993) #37
#26-33: Vol. 6: Return of the King
During #26-27: X-Men appear in Ultimate War.
After #32: Jean appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #42-44
After #33: Cyclops appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #44
#34-39: Vol. 7: Blockbuster
#40-45: Vol. 8: New Mutants
#46-49: Vol. 9: The Tempest
After #49: Cyclops and Jean appear in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #67
After #49:Wolverine in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #66-67
#50-53: Vol. 10: Cry Wolf
#54-57: Vol. 11: The Most Dangerous Game
#58-60 & Annual 1: Vol. 12: Hard Lessons
Ultimate Nightmare: See below. This occurs between #60 and Annual 1.
Ultimate Extinction: See below. This occurs between #60 and Annual 1.
After #58: Cyclops appears in Ultimate Extinction (2006) #5, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #Annual 1, Ultimates 2 (2005) #2
After #58: Jean appears in Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #27, Ultimate Nightmare (2004) #1-5, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #88 /2, Ultimate Extinction (2006) #2-5, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #Annual 1, Ultimate X-Men (2001) Annual 1
After #60: Wolverine appears in Ultimate Nightmare (2004) #2-5, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #88 (2nd story), Ultimate Extinction (2006) #5, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #Annual 1
#61-65: Vol. 13: Magnetic North
Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four
Collects Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four (2006) #1, Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men (2006) #1, Official Handbook of the Ultimate Marvel Universe 2005: The Fantastic Four & Spider-Man (2005), and Official Handbook of the Ultimate Marvel Universe: The Ultimates & X-Men 2005 (2005) #1
After X/4: Wolverine appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #90, Jean appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #92-94, Jean appears in Ultimates 2 (2005) #11, Jean & Wolverine appear in Ultimates 2 (2005) #12-13
After X/4: Cyclops appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #90-94, Ultimates 2 (2005) #12-13
#66-71: Vol. 14: Phoenix?
Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk: Also, see below. This occurs during #70-71 for Wolverine.
#72-74 & Annual 2: Vol. 15: Magical
After #74 & Annual 2: Jean and Wolverine appear in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #103 & 105
After Annual 2: Cyclops appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #103 & #105
#75-80: Vol. 16: Cable
#81-88: Vol. 17: Sentinels
Ultimate Power: See below. This is a line-wide crossover event that happens all at once rather than being interspersed with issues of the ongoing series.
Wolverine and Cyclops appear in Ultimate Power (2006) #2-9. Jean appears in Ultimate Power (2006) #2-4.
#89-93: Vol. 18: Apocalypse
After #93: Wolverine appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #118 (implied) & 120, Ultimates 3 (2008) #2-5
After #93: Cyclops appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #120
#94-97: Vol. 19: Absolute Power
After #97: Cyclops appears in Ultimatum (2009) #1, Ultimate X-Men (2001) #98, Ultimatum (2009) #3, Ultimate X-Men (2001) #100, Ultimatum (2009) #4-5, Ultimatum: X-Men Requiem (2009)
After #97: Wolverine appears in Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four (2008) #Annual 1, Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #/XM Annual 1, Ultimate Origins (2008) #3, Ultimatum (2009) #1, Ultimate X-Men (2001) #98, Ultimatum (2009) #3
March on Ultimatum
Also, see Ultimatum, below. Collects Ultimate Fantastic Four/Ultimate X-Men Annual #1, Ultimate X-Men/Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1, Ultimate Captain America Annual #1, Ultimate Hulk Annual #1, and Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3. Available in hardcover.
#98-100: Ultimatum: X-Men/Fantastic Four
Also collects Ultimate Fantastic Four #58-60. Available in hardcover.
This series does not directly continue after Ultimatum and Ultimatum: X-Men Requiem. The next X title is Ultimate X, below.
The Ultimates (2002-2004) #1-13
Iron Man debuts in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001) #4-5 before appearing in The Ultimates. Thor debuts in #4, but has a preceding story in Ultimate Thor (2010). Hawkeye debuts in #7.
In deluxe, oversized hardcovers…
The Ultimates Omnibus by Mark Millar and Brian Hitch
Collects Ultimates #1-13, Ultimates 2 #1-13, and Ultimates Annual #1. Note that it does not include Annual 2. (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302945657 / digital)
The Ultimates, Vol. 1
Also available in trade paperback as The Ultimates: Ultimate Collection
as originally released…
#1-6: Vol. 1: Super-Human
Hulk does not appear in #1.
After #3: Iron Man appears in Ultimate X-Men (2001) #18 (implied), Ultimate Spider-Man #28
During #6: Ultimates (minus Hulk) appear in Ultimate Adventures (2002) #3-4
#7-13: Vol. 2: Homeland Security
The Ultimates continue to Ultimate War (except Pym, who skips War to continue to Ultimate Six). Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch continue from #13 to Ultimate X-Men #22, above.
Ultimate Adventures (2002-2003) #1-6 starring Hawk-Owl
This series stars Hawk-Owl, who does not appear again, so it’s relatively standalone aside from the appearance of The Ultimates in #3-4.
#1-6: One Tin Soldier
Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra (2003) #1-4
This is a prequel to Daredevil’s debut in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, above, which makes these the earliest issues (rather than single flashback scenes inside of a modern framing device) of Ultimate continuity along with Ultimate Thor.
Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra (2003) #1-4: Vol. 1
Also includes Daredevil (1998) #9 from main Marvel continuity. #1 is also collected in Daredevil: The Movie.
Both characters continue to Ultimate Elektra, below.
Ultimate War (2003) #1-4 (continues from Ultimate X-Men #25)
This is an X-Men & Ultimates crossover event that was primarily recollected along with X-Men. It continues from Ultimate X-Men #25-26 and the end of Ultimates, both above.
Captain America, Hawkeye, Hulk, and Iron Man continue here from Ultimates. (Hulk only appears on panel in #2)
Ultimate War #1-4: Ultimate War Hardcover
Collected in paperback as Ultimate X-Men, Vol. 5: Ultimate War and Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection, Book 3. Collected in oversize hardcover in Ultimate X-Men Deluxe Hardcover Vol. 3.
The X-Men continue to Ultimate X-Men #29. Generally, The Ultimates continue to Ultimate Six. In specific:
Iron Man and Thor continue to Ultimate X-Men (2001) #32, then Ultimate Six.
Captain America is next implied in Ultimate X-Men (2001) #33, then appears in Ultimate Six.
Hawkeye continues directly to Ultimate Six.
Hulk is implied in a Ultimate Six #4-5, but he’s next on-panel in Ultimates 2.
Ultimate Six (2003-2004) #1-7 (continues from Ultimate Spider-Man #46 & Ultimate War)
A Spider-Man and The Ultimates crossover that continues from Ultimate Spider-Man #46 and Ultimate War, respectively. Note that Hulk does not appear.
Ultimate Six (2003) #1-7: Ultimate Six hardcover
Available in paperback in Vol. 9: Ultimate Six and Ultimate Collection, Vol. 5. Available in oversize hardcover in Ultimate Spider-Man Deluxe Hardcover, Vol. 5
Generally, The Ultimates continue to appear in Galactus Trilogy prior to Ultimates 2. Specifically:
Captain America continues to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #70 (flashback), Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #21 & 32, and then to Ultimate Nightmare.
Iron Man continues to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #70 & 77, Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #21 & 32, and then to Ultimate Secret.
Thor continues to Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #27 & 32, and then to Ultimate Secret.
Hawkeye continues directly to Ultimate Secret
Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004-2009) #1-60
Initially launched by Brian Bendis, Fantastic Four wouldn’t find the single-writer stability of the other Ultimate flagships until Mike Carey took over in the mid-30s.
in omnibus…
Ultimate Fantastic Four Omnibus, Vol. 1 (2025 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302963668 / digital TBA)
Collects Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004-2009) #1-32 & Annual 1
in deluxe oversized hardcovers…
#1-12: Vol. 1
#13-20 & Annual 1: Vol. 2
#21-32: Vol. 3
#33-41 & Annual 2: Vol. 4
Also collects Ultimate X-Men/Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate Fantastic Four/Ultimate X-Men.
#42-53: Vol. 5
#54-57: Vol. 6
This curiously short book is padded with Official Handbook of the Ultimate Marvel Universe #1-2, and Ultimate Secrets (2008) handbook, since all subsequent stories with this team tie-in to Ultimatum.
X-Men/Fantastic Four & Fantastic Four/X-Men Annuals: March
#58-60: Ultimatum Companion
as originally released…
#1-6: Vol. 1: The Fantastic
Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #27 occurs during #2
#7-12: Vol. 2: Doom
After #12: Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #68-69
#13-18: Vol. 3: N-Zone
#19-20 & Annual 1: Vol. 4: Inhuman
#21-26: Vol. 5: Crossover
#27-32: Vol. 6: Frightful
Ultimate Secret: See below. The team appears in #2-4.
Between Secret & Extinction: Reed appears in the 2nd stories of Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #86 & 88. Sue also appears in 88.
Ultimate Extinction: See below. Thing and Torch do not appear.
Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four
Collects Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four (2006) #1, Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men (2006) #1, Official Handbook of the Ultimate Marvel Universe 2005: The Fantastic Four & Spider-Man (2005), and Official Handbook of the Ultimate Marvel Universe: The Ultimates & X-Men 2005 (2005) #1
After X/4: Team appears in Ultimates 2 (2005) #11-13 (no Torch, no Reed in 11) & Annual 2 (no Sue), and the team in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #98-99 & 101-105 (no Torch in #98, no Thing in #99, no Sue in 102)
Annual 2: Vol. 8: Devils
After Annual 2: Team in Ultimate X-Men (2001) #79 and Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #106
#33-38: Vol. 7: God War
#39-41: Vol. 8: Devils
#42-46: Vol. 9: Silver Surfer
Ultimate Power: See below
After Ultimate Power, team in Ultimate X-Men (2001) #91-93, then Torch in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #118-119
#47-53: Vol. 10: Ghosts
#54-57: Vol. 11: Salem’s Seven
March on Ultimatum
Also, see Ultimatum, below. Collects Ultimate Fantastic Four/Ultimate X-Men Annual #1, Ultimate X-Men/Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1, Ultimate Captain America Annual #1, Ultimate Hulk Annual #1, and Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3. Available in hardcover.
After Annuals, Team appears in Ultimate Origins (2008) #2-5 – though, much of that is in flashback, and Torch in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #129.
#58-60: Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) TPB
Ultimatum begins parallel to #58. This title continues to Ultimatum: Fantastic Four Requiem, and the next appears in Ultimate Enemy Trilogy, which is effectively the next Fantastic Four volume.
Ultimate Elektra (2004-2005) #1-5
This is another flashback series that continues from Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra and which is set prior to Daredevil’s debut in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up.
#1-5: Vol. 1: Devil’s Due
From here, Daredevil appears in his debut in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up (2001) #7-8, then Ultimate X-Men (2001) #36-37, Ultimates 2 (2005) #3, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #Annual 2, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #106-107 & 109-110, Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #52-53, Ultimate Origins (2008) #3, & Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #131
Elektra continues to Ultimate Spider-Man #51-53, 80, & 82-85
Galactus Trilogy: Ultimate Nightmare (2004) #1-5, Ultimate Secret (2005) #1-4, Ultimate Extinction (2006) #1-5
Together, this trilogy serves as a three-act a line-wide event gathering all of the Ultimate Universe together save for Spider-Man.
The entire trilogy is collected in a single paperback and deluxe hardcover.
Ultimate Galactus Trilogy
Collects Ultimate Nightmare (2004) #1-5, Ultimate Secret (2005) #1-4, Ultimate Extinction (2006) #1-5, and Ultimate Vision #0. Also collected in oversize hardcover.
Alternately, the trilogy was collected in individual TPBs as it was released.
Ultimate Nightmare (2004) #1-5: Ultimate Galactus, Vol. 1: Nightmare
Includes several X-Men (after #60) and the Ultimates represented by Captain America (after Ultimate Six), Black Widow, & Nick Fury.
The majority of this cast (including Captain America) drop by Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #88 (2nd story) before skipping Secret to continue to Extinction.
Ultimate Secret (2005) #1-4: Ultimate Galactus, Vol. 2: Secret
Primarily focused on Fantastic Four (after #32, which was released later than this begins), plus Iron Man, Hawkeye, and Thor (all after Ultimate Six). Iron Man and Thor appear from #2, Hawkeye in #3-4.
Hawkeye and Thor continues to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #126 (a later arc that occurs during this prior period) and then to Ultimates 2.
Iron Man continues to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #88 (2nd story) then to Ultimate Extinction (2006)
Ultimate Extinction #1-5: Ultimate Galactus, Vol. 3: Extinction
This combines most of the cast of the prior two installments plus some X-Men and occurs prior to Ultimates 2 even though it began a month later. Captain America continues here (#2-5) from Ultimate Nightmare. Iron Man continues here (#3-5) from Ultimate Secret.
Captain America & Iron Man continue to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #126 and then to Ultimates 2
Fantastic Four continue to Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four & Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men, then to Annual 2 of their own series.
X-Men appear in this story between #60 and Annual
Ultimate Iron Man Volumes 1-2 (2005-2006 & 2008) #1-5
This Orson Scott Card series was retconned as a fictionalized version of the Ultimate Comics Universe Iron Man, which means this story is not in continuity.
Ultimate Comics Iron Man Ultimate Collection
Collects Ultimate Iron Man #1-5 and Ultimate Iron Man II #1-5
#1-5: Vol. 1
Available in hardcover
#1-5: Vol. 2
Available in hardcover
Ultimates 2 (2005-2007) #1-13
Captain America and Iron Man continue from Extinction via Ultimate Spider-Man #126. Hawkeye continues from Secret. Hulk continues from Ultimate War and appears in only #1-3 & 11-13.
In deluxe, oversized hardcovers…
The Ultimates Omnibus by Mark Millar and Brian Hitch
Collects Ultimates #1-13, Ultimates 2 #1-13, and Ultimates Annual #1. Note that it does not include Annual 2.
The Ultimates, Vol. 2
Includes Annual 1. Also available in trade paperback as The Ultimates 2: Ultimate Collection
as originally released…
#1-6: Vol. 1: Gods and Monsters
Annual 1: Ultimates Annuals, Vol. 1
Collects Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) Annual 1, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) Annual 1, Ultimate X-Men (2001) Annual 1, and The Ultimates 2 (20050 Annual 1
After Annual 1, Captain America and Iron Man appear in Ultimate X-Men #63-64. Iron Man then appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #90.
#7-13: Vol. 2: Grand Theft America
Annual 2: Ultimates Annuals, Vol. 2
Collects Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #2, Ultimate Spider-Man Annual 2, Ultimate X-Men Annual 2, and The Ultimates Annual 2
Generally, The Ultimates continue to Ultimate Power. Specifically:
Captain America and Iron Man then make a string of guest appearances prior to continuing to Ultimate Power: Ultimate Captain America (2011) Annual 1 (2nd story), flashback framing material in Ultimates Saga (2007), flashback in Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk (2006) #4, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #105, and Ultimate X-Men (2001) #79
Hulk continues to Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk (2006) and then to Ultimate Power.
Thor continues to Ultimate Captain America (2011) #Annual 1 (implied in the 2nd story) and then to Ultimate Power.
Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four & Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men (2006)
Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four
Collects Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four (2006) #1, Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men (2006) #1, Official Handbook of the Ultimate Marvel Universe 2005: The Fantastic Four & Spider-Man (2005), and Official Handbook of the Ultimate Marvel Universe: The Ultimates & X-Men 2005 (2005) #1
Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk (2006 & 2009) #1-6
This mini-series is written by JJ Abrams acolyte Damon Lindelof, of Lost infamy. Wolverine continues from Ultimate X-Men #69; Hulk continues from Ultimates 2 #13.
#1-6: Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk
Wolverine returns to Ultimate X-Men #72. Hulk continues to Ultimate Power.
Ultimate Power (2006-2008) #1-9
A line-wide crossover event between the Supreme Power universe and Ultimate Marvel.
Spider-Man appears from his #111. X-Men appear from their #88. Generally, Ultimates (including Cap, Hawkeye, Iron Man, and Thor) appear directly from Ultimates 2 (and begin in #2) except Hulk, who appears from Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk (and appears in #7-9); Fantastic Four appear from #46.
#1-9: Ultimate Power
Available in hardcover.
Generally, characters return to their own titles and The Ultimates continue to Ultimates 3. Specifically:
Captain America and Thor continue to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #113 and Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #52-53 (no Thor in #53), then to Ultimates 3
Hulk continues to Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #52-53, then to Ultimate Human.
Iron Man continues to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #127 (flashback), Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #113, and Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) #52-53 before Ultimate Human.
Ultimate Vision (2007-2008) #0-5
Continues Vision’s story from the end of the Ultimate Galactus Trilogy.
#0: Collected with Ultimate Galactus, above.
#1-5: Ultimate Vision
There is no direct continuance of this series, but it ends prior to Ultimates 2.
Ultimate Human (2008) #1-4
Effectively Ultimate Hulk vs. Iron Man. Both Hulk and Iron Man continue to here from Ultimate Power.
#1-4: Ultimate Hulk vs. Iron Man: Ultimate Human
Hulk continues to Ultimate Hulk (2008) #Annual 1 and then to Ultimatum
Iron Man is in flashbacks in Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem (2009) #1 and Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #128 before continuing to Ultimates 3.
Ultimates 3 (2008) #1-5 (ends in March On Ultimatum and Ultimatum)
This is technically part of the March To Ultimatum. Captain America, Hawkeye, and Thor continue here from Ultimate Power. Iron Man continues from Ultimate Human.
Ultimatum hardcover
Includes both Ultimates 3 #1-5 and Ultimatum #1-6
#1-5: Who Killed The Scarlet Witch?
Available in hardcover
Generally, the team continues to various points in Ultimatum. Specifically,
Captain America continues to Ultimate Hulk (2008) Annual 1 (flashback) and Ultimate Origins (2008) #3 prior to Ultimatum
Iron Man continues to Ultimate Origins (2008) #3 and is implied inUltimate Spider-Man (2000) #129 before continuing to Ultimatum.
Ultimate Hulk Annual (2008)
Hulk appears here from Ultimate Human and continues to Ultimatum, during which he also appears in Ultimate Spider-Man #130-133. See March on Ultimatum, just below.
Ultimatum (2008-2009)
This massive event caused the cancellation of all of the ongoing Ultimate titles and saw many characters killed or fundamentally altered. It’s also loathed almost by a clear majority of fans like no other Marvel story of which I am aware.
March on Ultimatum
Collects Ultimate Captain America (2008) Annual 1, Ultimate Fantastic Four/Ultimate X-Men Annual (2008) #1, Ultimate Hulk (2008) Annual 1, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) Annual 03, Ultimate X-Men/Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual (2008) #1. Available in hardcover.
Ultimate Origins (2008) #1-4: Ultimate Origins
A series that sets up Ultimatum while flashing back to the formative years of Ultimate Marvel. Many Ultimate characters from all four of the anchor titles appear. Available in hardcover.
Ultimatum hardcover
Includes both Ultimates 3 #1-5 and Ultimatum #1-6
Ultimatum #1-6: Ultimatum
Available in hardcover
Ultimatum Requiem
Collects Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem #1-2, Fantastic Four Requiem #1, and X-Men Requiem #1. Available in hardcover.
Where do they go from here?
Captain America continues from Spider-Man Requiem #2 and X-Men Requiem to Ultimate Avengers.
Hawkeye continues to Ultimate Avengers.
Hulk appears in Ultimate X (2010) #5 and Ultimate Fallout (2011) #3 before continuing to Ultimate Comics Hawkeye.
Iron Man continues from Spider-Man Requiem #1-2 to Ultimate Armor Wars
Reed continues to a flashback in Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #30, Ultimate Avengers (2009) #2, and Ultimate Enemy (2010) #1 before SPOILER (highlight to read): continuing as “Maker” in Ultimate Mystery.
Susan Storm continues to Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 2 (2009) #3 and is implied 12 #12 before continuing to Ultimate Enemy (> Mystery > Doom)
Torch continues to become a supporting cast member in Ultimate Spider-Man.
Thing continues to Ultimate Enemy (> Mystery > Doom)
Thor continues to Ultimate New Ultimates
The X-Men are effectively disbanded in their Requiem one-shot. Jean Grey next appears in Ultimate X. Kitty Pryde joins the cast of Ultimate Spider-Man, below.
Post-Ultimatum Relaunch (2009-2011)
Ultimate Avengers 1, 2, & 3 (2009-2011)
Effectively, each 6-issue sprint is one volume – 1 (2009-2010), 2 (2010), and 3 (2010-2011).
In a single oversize hardcover…
Ultimate Comics Avengers by Mark Millar Omnibus
Collects all 18 Ultimate Avengers issues, plus Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates (2011) #1-6
As originally collected…
Ultimate Avengers (2009) #1-6: Vol. 1: The Next Generation
Captain America and Hawkeye appear throughout, adding Black Widow II, Nerd Hulk, and War Machine. Available in hardcover.
Ultimate Avengers 2 (2010) #1-6: Vol. 2: Crime and Punishment
Stars Hawkeye (from #2), Black Widow II, Nick Fury, Punisher, Tyrone Cash, Ghost Rider, and War Machine. Captain America appears only in #1. Available in hardcover.
During #1, Captain America departs to Ultimate New Ultimates (2010) #1-5, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #150, Ultimate Doom (2011) #4, and then continues to his own series before returning to Ultimate Avengers 3.
Hawkeye continues to Ultimate New Ultimates (2010) #1-5.
Ultimate Avengers 3 (2010) #1-6: Vol. 3: Blade vs. The Avengers
Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Nerd Hulk, Blade, Daredevil II, and Stick appear throughout. Available in hardcover.
The entire cast of Ultimate Avengers 3 continue to Ultimate Avengers Vs. New Ultimates.
Ultimate Armor Wars (2009-2010) #1-4
This is Iron Man’s first post-Ultimatum appearance
#1-4: Ultimate Comics Iron Man: Armor Wars
Available in hardcover.
Iron Man next appears in flashbacks in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #150 and Ultimate Avengers (2009) #1 before appearing in Ultimate Avengers (2009) #2, Ultimate Avengers 2 (2010) #4, and then continuing to Ultimate New Ultimates
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man AKA Ultimate Spider-Man (2009-2010) #1-15
Spider-Man continues directly from Spider-Man Requiem #2. Human Torch and Kitty Pryde join this series from the events of Ultimatum and star throughout except where noted.
in deluxe oversized hardcovers continued from the 2000 volume of this title…
Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus, Vol. 4 (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302959555 / digital TBA)
Collects Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #112-133 & Annual 3, Ultimatum: Spider-Man Requiem (2009) #1-2, and Ultimate Spider-Man (2009) #1-15
#1-14: Vol. 12
#15 & 150-160: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man: Death of Spider-Man Omnibus
(2012 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785164647 / 2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302957551 / digital)
Collects Ultimate Comics Spider-man (2009) #15 and #150-160, Ultimate Comics Avengers Vs. New Ultimates #1-6, and Ultimate Comics Fallout #1-6.
As originally released…
#1-6: Vol. 1: The World According to Peter Parker
Available in hardcover
#7-14: Vol. 2: Chameleons
Available in hardcover
After #10, Kitty Pryde appears in Ultimate X #1 and then returns for #155 only.
Title is renumbered to original, legacy numbering with #150.
#15 & 150-155: Vol. 3: Death of Spider-Man Prelude
Available in hardcover
After #15, Torch appears in Ultimate Avengers (2009) #2 and a retroactive story in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #2.
After #152, Torch continues to Ultimate Enemy #2 and continues through the end of the Ultimate Enemy Trilogy, at which point he returns to this title with #155 and then skips #156-157.
Ultimate Enemy Trilogy: See below. This occurs after #154 for Spider-Man, who appears in Ultimate Enemy (2010) #2-4, Ultimate Mystery (2010) #1-2, and Ultimate Doom (2011) #3-4
#156-160: Vol. 4: The Death of Spider-Man
Available in hardcover
During and after #157: Spider-Man appears in Ultimate Avengers Vs. New Ultimates (2011) #3-4
Human Torch and Kitty Pryde continue to Ultimate Fallout, which is effectively the continuation of this title.
Spider-Man is implied or mentioned in Ultimate Fallout (2011) #1-3 and Ultimate Avengers Vs. New Ultimates (2011) #6 but does not appear in an in-continuity fashion. He appears in flashback in Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man (2014) #6 (9) (flashback) and is referenced in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #200. He is also a significant factor in Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man (2014) #1-7, but I can’t say more due to spoilers.
Ultimate Enemy Trilogy (2010-2011): Ultimate Enemy (2010), Ultimate Mystery (2010), Ultimate Doom (2011)
Sue and Thing continue here from Ultimatum. Torch (from #2) appears from Ultimate Spider-Man #152. Maker debuts here in #3 (he is implied in #2).
#1-4: Ultimate Comics Doomsday
Collects Ultimate Comics Enemy #1-4, Ultimate Comics Mystery #1-4, Ultimate Comics Doom #1-4. Also available in oversize hardcover.
Invisible Woman continues to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #155 before disappearing for a while and then becoming a supporting cast member in Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #10
Maker appears in Ultimate Fallout (2011) #4 before continuing to Ultimate Comics Ultimates.
Thing continues to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #155, disappearing for a while before returning in Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #26-30, then to Cataclysm
Torch returns to Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #155 & 158-160 before continuing to Ultimate Fallout.
Ultimate X (2010-2011) #1-5
Kitty Pryde appears in one from Ultimate Spider-Man #10 and returns to #155. Jean Grey continues here from Ultimatum. Storm, Rogue, Firestar, and Quicksilver make their first post-Ultimatum appearances. A new Wolverine is introduced.
#1-5: Ultimate Comics X: Origins
Available in hardcover.
A handful of characters continue to various issues of Ultimate Fallout, but the majority of them are next found in Ultimate Comics X-Men.
Ultimate Comics New Ultimates AKA Ultimate New Ultimates (2010-2011) #1-5
Hawkeye continues from Ultimate Avengers 2. Thor continues from Ultimatum. Iron Man continues from Armor Wars
#1-5: Ultimate New Ultimates: Thor Reborn
Available in hardcover.
Generally, you can think of this series leading to Ultimate Avengers, Vol. 3 and then to Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates
Hawkeye next appears in Ultimate Enemy (2010) #4, Ultimate Doom (2011) #4, Ultimate Captain America (2011) #1 (flashback), Ultimate Captain America (2011) #4 before continuing to Ultimate Avengers 3, above.
Thor next appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #150 and Ultimate Doom (2011) #4 before continuing to Ultimate Avengers Vs. New Ultimates.
Iron Man next appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #150-154, Ultimate Doom (2011) #4, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #155-BTS, and Ultimate Avengers 3 (2010) #4-6 (above) before continuing to Ultimate Avengers Vs. New Ultimates
Ultimate Thor (2010-2011) #1-4
This is a prequel story that precedes Thor’s appearance in the original Ultimates series.
in omnibus format
#1-4: Ultimate Marvel by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302956936 / digital)
Collects Ultimate Thor (2010) #1-4, Ultimate Comics Hawkeye (2011) #1-4, Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #1-12, and material from Ultimate Fallout (2011) #2-6.
as originally released
#1-4: Ultimate Comics Thor
Available in hardcover.
Ultimate Captain America (2011) #1-4
Captain America continues from Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #1.
#1-4: Ultimate Comics Captain America
Available in hardcover.
Captain America continues to Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #1, above.
Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates (2011) #1-6
Published as part of the “Death of Spider-Man” event banner. All characters effectively continue from Ultimate Avengers 3 #6, with the exception of Thor who continues from Ultimate Doom.
Hawkeye (begins in #2) continues from Ultimate Avengers 3.
#1-6: Ultimate Avengers Vs. New Ultimates: Death of Spider-Man
Available in hardcover
Generally, you can think of this as continuing to Ultimate Fallout and then to Ultimate Comics Ultimates.
After #2, Captain America appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #156.
During #6, Captain America appears in Ultimate Fallout #1-3 before continuing to Ultimate Comics Ultimates with #5.
Hawkeye next appears in Ultimate Fallout (2011) #5 before continuing to Ultimate Comics Hawkeye.
During #6, Thor appears in Ultimate Fallout before continuing to Ultimate Comics Ultimates.
During #6, Iron Man appears in Ultimate Fallout #1-3 as well as flashback material in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #4). He next appears in Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #1-6
Ultimate Fallout (2011) #1-6
Torch continues from Ultimate Comics Spider-Man and appears in all but #4-5. Many Ultimate Avengers and New Ultimates characters appear in #1-3 during #6 of their Vs. series. Thor appears in #2 but is implied in the action in #1 and 3
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man: Death of Spider-Man Omnibus
(2012 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785164647 / 2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302957551 / digital)
Collecting Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2009) #15 and #150-160, Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates #1-6, and Ultimate Comics Fallout #1-6. Material from issues #2-6 also collected in Ultimate Marvel by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302956936 / digital)
as originally released
Ultimate Fallout (2011) #1-6: Ultimate Spider-Man: Death of Spider-Man Fallout
Available in hardcover.
The Mile Morales story from issue #4 is collected with Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, below.
Captain America and Thor return to the end of Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates and then continue to Ultimate Comics Ultimates in #5 and #1, respectively. Torch continues as a supporting character in Ultimate Comics X-Men (2011).
Ultimate Comics Relaunch (Fall 2011 – 2013)
This relaunch effectively consolidates the ongoing original Ultimate Universe characters to a relatively small group to which it adds Miles Morales as Spider-Man. That group includes:
- From Avengers/Ultimates: Black Widow II, Captain America, Carol Danvers, Hawkeye, Hulk, Iron Man
- From FF: Human Torch, Invisible Woman, Maker, Thing
- From X-Men: Kitty Pryde as Shroud, Jean Grey as Karen Grant
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011-2013)
Introduces Miles Morales as Spider-Man. Technically, his debut was in Ultimate Fallout #4, but the initial issues of his own series precede that story in continuity.
in omnibus format…
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus (ISBN 9781302911751)
Collects all of Miles Morales Ultimate Marvel material from Ultimate Fallout #4, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1-28 & 16.1; Spider-Men #1-5; Cataclysm: Ultimate Spider-Man #1-3; Ultimate Spider-Man #200; Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1-12;
as paperback Ultimate Collections…
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection Book 1
Ultimate Fallout #4 (SM story), Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #1-12, Spider-Men #1-5
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection, Book 2
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #13-28 and 16.1
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection, Book 3
Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 1-3, Ultimate Spider-Man 200, Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man #1-12
as originally released
#1-5: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis , Vol. 1
Available in hardcover. Issues #1-2 also recollected in Spider-Man: Spider-Verse – Miles Morales along with Miles’s Ultimate Fallout #4 material. Recollected in Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2019 paperback), likely along with the contents of Vol. 2
During #4, Miles is implied in Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #160 and Ultimate Fallout (2011) #1, and then appears in Ultimate Fallout (2011) #4.
#6-10: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis, Vol. 2
Available in hardcover. Recollected in Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2019 paperback), likely along with the contents of Vol. 1.
#11-18: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis, Vol. 3
Available in hardcover. Issues #11-12 also recollected in Spider-Man: Spider-Verse – Fearsome Foes
Simultaneous to the final page of #16, Miles appears in Ultimate Comics Ultimates #16-17.
Spider-Men #1-5
Also available in oversize hardcover. Issues #4-5 recollected in Spider-Man: Spider-Verse – Spider-Men
#16.1 & 19-22: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis, Vol. 4
Indeed, #16.1 fits best here, after #18 and Spider-Men. Available in hardcover
#23-28: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis, Vol. 5
Available in hardcover
After #28, Miles cameos in Age Of Ultron (2013) #10.
This series (and Miles) continues to Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man and then to Miles Morales: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man
Ultimate Hawkeye (2011-2012) #1-4
Hawkeye continues here from Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates by way of Ultimate Fallout #5. Hulk continues here from Ultimatum and appears in #2-4.
in omnibus format
#1-4: Ultimate Marvel by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302956936 / digital)
Collects Ultimate Thor (2010) #1-4, Ultimate Comics Hawkeye (2011) #1-4, Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #1-12, and material from Ultimate Fallout (2011) #2-6.
as originally released
#1-4: Ultimate Comics Hawkeye (by Jonathan Hickman)
Also available in hardcover.
Hawkeye continues to Ultimate Comics Ultimates, where he appears in #1 during this series. Hulk also continues there beginning in #7.
Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011-2013) #1-30
Unifies the split casts of Ultimates and Avengers, though the characters aren’t necessarily united.
in omnibus format
#1-12: Ultimate Marvel by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302956936 / digital)
Collects Ultimate Thor (2010) #1-4, Ultimate Comics Hawkeye (2011) #1-4, Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #1-12, and material from Ultimate Fallout (2011) #2-6.
as originally released
#1-6: Ultimate Comics Ultimates by Jonathan Hickman, Vol. 1
Available in hardcover
#7-12: Ultimate Comics Ultimates by Jonathan Hickman, Vol. 2
Available in hardcover
#13-18: Ultimate Comics Divided We Fall, United We Stand
Collects Ultimate Comics X-Men #13-18, Ultimate Comics Ultimates #13-18, and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #13-18. Available in oversize hardcover.
#1-4: Ultimate Comics Iron Man
#18.1 & 19-24: Ultimate Comics Ultimates by Sam Humphries – Volume 1
#25-30: Ultimate Comics Ultimates: Disassembled
Black Widow II appears in #3-11, 14-8 and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #16, #17-18, 18.1, and 19-30. She next appears in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #28 and then in Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1.
Captain America appears in #5-6, 12-15, then during an after #15 in in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #13-17 (implied in #18) while he continues in #16-18 of this series and Ultimate Comics X-Men #18, then #18.1 and Ultimate Comics X-Men #18.1 (and implied in 19 & 25), then #19-30. He next appear sin Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2014)
Hawkeye appears in #1, 3-5, then appears in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #5, then in #7-17 and in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #16-17, then in #18, 18.1, Spider-Man #3 & 5, and #20-30. He next appears in Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2014) #1
Hulk appears in #7-10, 12, implied in 22, 25-28, and 30. He next appears in Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Ultimates
Invisible Woman appears in #10, 12, 17, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #17, and #18-30. She next appears in Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2014) #1
Iron Man appears in #1-6, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #5, Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #8-12, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #24 (flashback), #13-14, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #10 (implied in 11) & 13, #15-18 and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #16, Ultimate Comics Iron Man (2012) #1-4, then returns for Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #18.1, Ultimate Comics X-Men (2011) #20-22 (implied in #19), Spider-Man #3-5, #19-24, implied in Ultimate Comics X-Men (2011) #29, and #25-30. He next appears in Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2014) #1
Maker appears in #1-12 and 25-30. He next appears in Cataclysm (2013) #0.1
Thor appears in #1-#12, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #24 (flashback), #13, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #10, Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #15-18 and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #16, 18.1, #19, Spider-Men (2012) #3-5, and #19-30. He next appears in Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2014) #1
Ultimate Comics X-Men (2011-2013) #1-33
Kitty Pryde and Human Torch continue here from Ultimate Fallout. Jean Grey and Wolverine II continue from Ultimate X. Human Torch continues as a supporting character in Ultimate Comics X-Men (2011) #1-6, 11, 13-14, and 18. Jean Grey departs after #1 to appear in Ultimate Comics Hawkeye #2-4 before returning in #8 and then most issues from #17 forward.
#1-6: Ultimate Comics X-Men by Nick Spencer, Vol. 1
Available in hardcover.
#7-12: Ultimate Comics X-Men by Nick Spencer, Vol. 2
Available in hardcover.
#13-18: Ultimate Comics Divided We Fall, United We Stand
Collects Ultimate Comics X-Men #13-18, Ultimate Comics Ultimates #13-18, and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #13-18. Available in oversize hardcover.
After #18, Human Torch next appears in Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) #28-30 before continuing to Cataclysm: Ultimates’ Last Stand (2014) #1-3
#18.1 & 19-23: Ultimate Comics X-Men by Brian Wood, Book 1
#1-4: Ultimate Comics Wolverine: Legacies
Kitty Pryde and Wolverine (along with Rogue, Storm, and other characters) appear in Ultimate Comics Wolverine #1-4 from #22 and return in #24.
#24-28: Ultimate Comics X-Men by Brian Wood, Book 2
#29-33: Ultimate Comics X-Men by Brian Wood, Book 3
Continues to Cataclysm: X-Men #1.
Ultimate Comics Iron Man (2012-2013) #1-4
Continues here from Ultimate Comics Ultimates #18 and returns there for #18.1. Carol Danvers appears throughout.
#1-4: Ultimate Comics Iron Man
Ultimate Comics Wolverine (2013) #1-4
Effectively could be considered to be Ultimate Comics X-Men #22.1-3, as much of the cast appears here during #23, which does not feature them.
#1-4: Ultimate Comics Wolverine: Legacies
Cataclysm (2013-2014)
Note that individual character tracking ends here, with the exception of Miles Morales! That’s because this event is summed up in a single book, and the three new series that follow have relatively contained casts.
The Ultimate Universe is thrown into upheaval when the 616-Universe Galactus invades their reality thanks to the hole in reality created by Age of Ultron. All titles grind to a halt for a series of Cataclysm mini-series, which placed the survival of the entire line in question. All series are included in a single collection of this event.
Cataclysm: The Ultimates’ Last Stand
Events spiraling out of Age of Ultron, starting with Hunger #1-4 and followed by Cataclysm: The Ulimates’ Last Stand 1-5, Cataclysm: Ultimate Spider-Man 1-3, Cataclysm: Ultimate X-Men 1-3, Cataclysm: Ultimates 1-3, Cataclysm 0.1, Survive 1. Available in oversized hardcover
Cataclysm: Ultimate Spider-Man #1-3: Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus (ISBN 9781302911751)
Collects all of Miles Morales Ultimate Marvel material from Ultimate Fallout #4, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1-28 & 16.1; Spider-Men #1-5; Cataclysm: Ultimate Spider-Man #1-3; Ultimate Spider-Man #200; Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1-12;
In this period, Miles Morales appears in Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2014) #1, Cataclysm: Ultimates’ Last Stand (2014) #1, Cataclysm: Ultimates’ Last Stand (2014) #2 and also Cataclysm: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2014) #2-3, Cataclysm: Ultimates’ Last Stand (2014) #3-5, Survive! (2014)
Miles continues to Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (2011) #200 and then makes a slew of other appearances before returning to his own series. Ready? All-New Ultimates (2014) #1-12, a flashback in (616) Avengers Vol. 5 (2013) #41, Ultimate FF (2014) #6,
All-New Marvel Ultimate Comics (Summer 2014 – 2015)
From the ashes of Cataclysm a slimmed down new line of three Ultimate Comics briefly emerged.
All-New Ultimates (2014-2015) #1-12
This is not the past decade’s Ultimates! Lead by Kitty Pryde, the book featured a number of secondary characters like Black Widow III (Jessica Drew, our Spider-Woman), Bombshell II, Cloak & Dagger, Diamondback, King Cobra, and Mile Morales as Spider-Man.
All-New Ultimates #1-6: Vol. 1
All-New Ultimates #7-12: Vol. 2
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man (2014-2015) #1-12
Miles continues from Cataclysm. Before this series begins (but after Ultimate Spider-Man #200), Miles makes a pair of rare 616-continuity appearances. He also appears in All-New Ultimates during this period.
All-New X-Men (2013) #31-36: See All-New X-Men
Spider-Verse: See Marvel Universe Events. Miles appears in Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3 (2014) #9-11, Spider-Verse Team-Up (2015) #2, Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3 (2014) #12-15 and during #14 in Spider-Verse (2015) #2 (5th story)
in omnibus format…
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus (ISBN 9781302911751)
Collects all of Miles Morales Ultimate Marvel material from Ultimate Fallout 4 Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1-28 & 16.1; Spider-Men #1-5; Cataclysm: Ultimate Spider-Man #1-3; Ultimate Spider-Man #200; Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1-12;
in a single paperback Ultimate Collection…
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection, Book 3
Collects Cataclysm: Ultimate Spider-Man (2014) #1-3, Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #200, and Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man (2014) #1-12
as originally released…
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1-5: Vol. 1
Includes Ultimate Spider-Man #200, which is Miles’s first chronological appearance after Cataclysm.
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #6-12: Vol. 2
Issues #8-9 also recollected in Spider-Man: Spider-Verse – Miles Morales
Miles continues to Secret Wars.
Ultimate FF (2014) #1-6
This series, penned by Joshua Hale Fialkov, featured many of the characters and plots from Ultimates, but failed to catch on with readers.
Ultimate FF #1-6: Vol. 1: Strangest Ever
Secret Wars (2015)
The Ultimate Universe begins to appear in 616-Universe Avengers and New Avengers during Time Runs Out, culminating in the two Universes colliding in Secret Wars #0-1.
From there, Secret Wars is effectively the only Marvel story, though it featured many tie-ins with characters of dubious lineage. However, the Ultimate Comics story is (somewhat) resolved in Ultimate End (2015), which reunited Ultimate Comics originators Brian Bendis and Mark Bagley for a final five issues.
Secret Wars is available in oversize hardcover and paperback, but note that aside from brief appearances by Miles Morales and Maker it has little to do with the Ultimate Universe. After Secret Wars…
- Miles Morales and some of his non-super-powered supporting cast continue to Spider-Man (2015) – see Guide to Spider-Man – Miles Morales.
- Maker continues to New Avengers (2015) – see Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010 – Present).
- Ultimate Thor’s hammer is a major plot point in The Unworthy Thor (2016) – see Guide to Thor – Odinson.
The Ultimate Universe (2023 – Present)
Jonathan Hickman reinvents the Ultimate Universe thanks to the tinkering of The Maker.
Ultimate Invasion (2023) #1-4 by Jonathan Hickman, Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair, & Joe Caramagna
(2024 paperback, ISBN 978-0785194736 / digital)
This acts as an introduction to the relaunched universe, for which you don’t need any prior material. It continues to Ultimate Universe (2023) #1.
Ultimate Universe (2023) #1 by Jonathan Hickman, Stefano Caselli, David Curiel, & Joe Caramagna
Collected in Ultimates Vol. 1, below, since it is effectively a pilot for that team and continues to their book.
Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #1-(TBA) by Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto, & Matthew Wilson
This relaunches Peter Parker as Spider-Man, starting with a brand new look at his origin. You do not need to read Ultimate Invasion to understand this – it gives you all the information you need!
#1-6: Vol. 1: Married With Children (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302957292 / digital)
#7-12: Vol. 2 (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958282 / digital TBA)
Ultimate Black Panther (2024) #1-(TBA) by Bryan Hill, Stefano Caselli, & David Curiel
#1-6: Vol. 1: Peace and War (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302957308 / digital)
TBA: Vol. 2 (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958237 / digital TBA)
Ultimate X-Men (2024) #1-(TBA) by Peach Momoko
#1-4: Vol. 1: Fears and Hates (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302957315 / digital TBA)
TBA: Vol. 2 (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958336 / digital TBA)
Ultimates (2024) #1-(TBA) by Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri, & Frederico Blee
#1-6: Vol. 1: Fix the World (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302957513 / digital TBA) – Also collects Ultimate Universe (2023) #1 a story from Free Comic Book Day 2024: Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe.
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Harps says
Hi, I know this may be a lightly outdated topic, but I have a bunch of hardcovers I’ve collected and am now trying to complete the whole collection. I was wondering if it’s possible to get a list of all the Hardcover books to cover the whole of the Ultimate universe issues? Is this possible, I know above they are included in the threaded reading orders, but would it be possible to get a complete list, along with what would be missing from them to also collect alongside?
Jamie B says
Do you know if Ultimate Secrets is collected anywhere other than the hardcover Fantastic Four volume?
Jamie B says
Ultimate Origins collects 1-5 not 1-4
Jamie B says
Ultimate End is collected in Secret Wars: Battleworld: Ultimate End. Also, the Ultimate Universe appears briefly in the Ultimates 2 100 from the 2017 616 Ultimates team comic and then again at the end of Spider-Men II from 2017-2018
Zillan99 says
Almost complete with the Ultimates. Any reason as to why Sam Humphries run from Issues 18.1 & 19-24 for the collected paperback edition is so hard to find? I’ve been scouring the internet to find it and it’s frustrating. Any hints or tips on what to do?
krisis says
Unfortunately, a lot of those later trades had relatively short print runs – and, we’re talking about decade-old books at this point! I think your best bet could be setting up some solid searches/alerts on Amazon, eBay, and Bookshop.org. Also, if you’re in some buy/sell/trade groups on FB or Reddit, put the call out! I’m sure a lot of people are sitting on volumes like that one that don’t really care whether they keep them or not.
Zillan99 says
Thanks for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it.