Ultimate What?

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Black Widow, Brian Michael Bendis, David Finch, Ultimate X-men, Wolverine, X-men

Brian Michael Bendis saw into the future. We’ve recently seen one of the most ridiculous series titles in comics history: Ultimate Comics Ultimates. Marvel, come on! But Bendis predicted this branding insanity in a dialogue from Ultimate X-men in 2003.

Here, Bendis and artist David Finch parody Bendis’ own famous dialogue style by filling the page with 38 separate panels for a single conversation! And, in this snappy discussion between Black Widow and Wolverine, Bendis pokes fun at the name “The Ultimates.”

All kidding aside, this story — Blockbuster — may be my favorite Spider-man/Wolverine team-up since James C. Owsley (Priest) paired them in the Soviet Union in the 1980s in a weird conclusion to the Hobgoblin saga. Throw in Daredevil and the Black Widow, and you’ve got some seriously action-packed adventure!

Collector’s Guide: From Ultimate X-men #35; Marvel, 2003. Reprinted in Ultimate X-Men TPB #7, “Blockbuster.”

Costume or No Costume, Electro?

Tags

Avengers, Brian Michael Bendis, David Finch, Electro, first issue, New Avengers

In the first issue of New Avengers, some very bad people charge Electro with breaking a bunch of nasty supervillains out of a high-security prison. They ask Electro, “Costume or no costume?” The high-voltage bad guy eagerly replies, “Costume!” Look out, Avengers! He’s going for the spandex! Art by David Finch, Danny Miki, and one of our favorite colorists Frank D’Armata; Story by Brian Michael Bendis.

Collector’s Guide: From New Avengers Vol. 1, #1. You can also find this run in trades and hardcover.