A lot of rumors are being thrown around as it pertains to Marvel opting to call it quits with the Ultimate Universe, so much so it has those involved with the project speaking up to defend the integrity of the process, the decision and all involved with what’s become one of the biggest eras in the history of Marvel’s legendary stable of content.
Deniz Camp, writer of Ultimates and Ultimate Incursion, has heard enough to the point he can’t stand hearing anymore without addressing the rampant speculation washing over the project. In a thread of replies on X (formerly known as Twitter), Camp didn’t hold back.
Buckle up folks, because Camp isn’t leaving any stones unturned here, via BleedingCool.
“Okay, the End of the Ultimate Universe (from my perspective): It’s true that the original plan was not to ‘end’ the universe. A lot of my run is setting up characters I hoped would go on past me, I think I’ve made that clear and obvious, but John was ending his run at 24 — that was always the case. He was done.”
Camp goes on to reveal the end was nearing no matter what, and why: “Peach [Momoko] and Bryan [Edward Hill] were both ending their stories when the Maker got out as well. That was their decision (according to what I’ve been told/my interactions with them, and it makes sense). Think about it – Peach is writing and drawing every issue for 24 issues. That’s insane. She works like 20 hours a day on that book, no joke. She’s the hero of the line. She deserves a break, if she wants one.” He then explains how others got dragged out as well: “Wolverine was only meant to be 12, then it got extended to 16. The other creators were offered more issues to run alongside Endgame, but they declined (I saw that happen). The only person who planned on continuing was me.”
Deniz a.k.a. Camp Counselor
Believe it or not, but Camp didn’t stop there. Anyone wondering if there was a chance things continued with the Ultimate Universe at the hands of new creators now have their answer — yes, that was the intent and, at some level, the plan, but it was Wil Moss, senior editor at Marvel comics, who decided against it.
“Initially, still very early, those books were going to end as those creators left, and Ultimates would have continued and new books launched (I was pushing for Hawkeye, Guardians was discussed, etc),” said Camp. “This was all very vague. But then, Wil Moss came to me and said, ‘Hey, I think we’re going to end it. End it, end it.’ This was a long time ago, at least a year before now I think, but I’d have to check.”
As for anyone claiming the end is due to allegedly being political, Camp says think again: “[It’s] not because the books are ‘too woke’ (if it were that, they’d interfere with the writing of it, which they haven’t) or because the main line is jealous (this is silly, money is money to them), but because everything seemed to be coming to a natural conclusion.”
That sound you hear is a mic being dropped. So while other legendary franchises are finding their way back to fans, Ultimates is officially waving goodbye.
Remaining Ultimate issues are available for pre-order now at comic bookshops.