The Ultimates 1

From Ultimarvel

Revision as of 16:35, 5 July 2007

Cover to The Ultimates 1. Art by Brian Hitch

"Super-Human"

Writer: Mark Millar

Pencils: Bryan Hitch

Inker: Andrew Currie

Editor: Ralph Macchio

Publication Date: March 2002

• A flashback sequence is shown to the North Atlantic in 1945. Troop planes carrying American soldiers are flying in for an assault on the Germans for World War II. Among the soldiers is Bucky Barnes, a wartime reporter. Troop morale is low as the soldier discuss that the Germans are building a super-weapon that could literally end the war in days and America’s only response is to toss soldier at the hidden base where it is reported to be in hopes that someone breaks it. Buck is highly optimistic about the mission as he mentions America’s own secret weapon, Captain America.

• The other soldiers scoff at Bucky’s optimism, saying that Captain America is nothing but a clown in a circus costume, designed to place in recruitment posters.

• From the front of the plane, Captain America hears the comments and asks Bucky aloud to assure the soldiers that he has never lost a crew in three years of these operations. He then invites all of the crew to his wedding in six months time. Cap then informs the crew that the drop zone is one minute away. One of the crew notes that Cap can’t help them on the ground if he isn’t wearing a parachute. Buck notes that Captain America practically never wears a parachute; he says they’re for girls.

• At 06:00 hours in Iceland, the troop planes deploy their men by parachute. They land and begin the assault on the German base. The defenses are formidable and the forces start suffering mass casualties. Morale continues to drop as Kowalski, the most vocal of the complaining soldiers on the plane is injured. Bucky tends to wounds as Kowalski asks him where Captain America is now. Bucky indicates that Cap is using the plane they dropped from to clear a path. At this time, the plane flies overhead as Captain America flies the plane directly into the fortress, gaining entry and opening the way for the Allied soldiers.

• The Allied troops make their way inside the base with Captain America leading the charge. They are startled to see a large rocket launch pad inside the base. The soldiers note that the Germans are years ahead of America in technology. Bucky asks Cap where they laid their hands on this “Flash Gordon tech”, to which Captain America responds that Bucky wouldn’t believe him if he told him.

• The Germans launch the large missile from the base as the Allies approach; Captain America leaps on it and rides the missile into the sky. Cap plants a large number of explosives on the missile and dives from it. The missile then explodes and Captain America plummets into the ocean.

• In the present day, 2002, at Mount Everest, Tony Stark stands atop the mountain and speaks to a small group of climbers he has brought with him. He notes that being up here has put things in perspective for him and that he is now prepared to focus on the next stage of “The Plan”. Tony gives instructions to have his butler, Jarvis, contacted and informed that Tony will be staying at his Park Avenue address for the next twelve months. He then tells his entourage that there will be board meetings in Manhattan at 9:15 prompt on Monday morning.

Notes:

- First appearance of Ultimate Steve Rogers (Captain America).

- Captain America is seen looking at a photo of Gail, his fiancée. It is signed “To Steve, keep me close! Gail XX”.

- It is revealed in The Ultimates 8 that the Germans were receiving assistance in technology from the Chitauri race of aliens.

- Tony Stark indicates that Stark International is the third biggest company in America.

Forward to The Ultimates 2