The Ultraverse is a defunct
comic book
A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...
imprint
Imprint or imprinting may refer to:
Entertainment
* ''Imprint'' (TV series), Canadian television series
* "Imprint" (''Masters of Horror''), episode of TV show ''Masters of Horror''
* ''Imprint'' (film), a 2007 independent drama/thriller film
...
published by the
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
company
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics Entertainment, Inc. (also known as Malibu Graphics) was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. Notable titles published by Malibu included '' ...
which is currently owned by
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
. The Ultraverse is a
shared universe
A shared universe or shared world is a fictional universe from a set of creative works where more than one writer (or other artist) independently contributes a work that can stand alone but fits into the joint development of the storyline, chara ...
in which a variety of characters – known within the comics as Ultras – acquired super-human abilities.
History
The Ultraverse line was launched by
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics Entertainment, Inc. (also known as Malibu Graphics) was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. Notable titles published by Malibu included '' ...
during the "comics boom" of the early 1990s, when a number of new and existing publishers introduced new universes featuring superheroes, debuting in June 1993 with ongoing series
''Prime'', ''
Hardcase'' and
''The Strangers''. The project included writers
Mike W. Barr,
Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart (; born April 22, 1947) is an American writer of comic books and novels. He is best known for his work at Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s and 1980s. His pseudonyms have included John Harkness and Cliff Garnett.
Early li ...
,
Steve Gerber
Stephen Ross Gerber (; September 20, 1947 – February 10, 2008) was an American comic book writer and creator of the satiric Marvel Comics character Howard the Duck. Other works include ''Man-Thing'', ''Omega the Unknown,'' ''Marvel Spotlight:' ...
,
James D. Hudnall,
Gerard Jones
Gerard Jones (born July 10, 1957) is an American writer, known primarily for his non-fiction work about American entertainment media, and his comic book scripting, which includes co-creating the superhero Prime for Malibu Comics, and writing for ...
,
James Robinson,
Len Strazewski
Len Strazewski (born February 16, 1955) is a comic book author who wrote ''Starman'' after Roger Stern. He has also worked on ''The Flash'', ''Justice Society of America'', ''Phantom Lady'', '' The Fly'', and many other titles for DC comics. He als ...
, and
Larry Niven
Laurence van Cott Niven (; born April 30, 1938) is an American science fiction writer. His best-known works are ''Ringworld'' (1970), which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards, and, with Jerry Pournelle, ''The Mote in God's Eye'' ...
. It emphasized tight
continuity between the various series, making extensive use of
crossover
Crossover may refer to:
Entertainment
Albums and songs
* ''Cross Over'' (Dan Peek album)
* ''Crossover'' (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album), 1987
* ''Crossover'' (Intrigue album)
* ''Crossover'' (Hitomi Shimatani album)
* ''Crossover'' (Yoshino ...
s, in which a story that began in one series would be continued in the next-shipping issue of another series. Various promotions for special editions or limited-print stories also encouraged readers to sample issues of the entire line. The Ultraverse line came to dominate Malibu's catalog, and a short-lived animated series was based on the team series ''
Ultraforce
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in American comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel. The purpose of the group was to protect the public and keep other "Ultras" (superheroes) from becoming unruly. The group con ...
'' in 1994–1995.
As American comics sales declined in the mid-1990s, Malibu canceled lower-selling series. The company was purchased by
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
in November 1994. Marvel reportedly made the purchase to acquire Malibu's then-groundbreaking in-house coloring studio, with some speculation that it was to prevent DC Comics from buying it to increase their market share. Within the
Marvel Comics multiverse
Within Marvel Comics, most tales take place within the fictional Marvel Universe, which in turn is part of a larger multiverse. Starting with issues of ''Captain Britain'', the main continuity in which most Marvel storylines take place was des ...
, the ''Ultraverse'' was designated as Earth-93060. Crossovers between Malibu and Marvel began, such as ''Rune/Silver Surfer''.
In 1995, Marvel published a crossover story called "Black September" featuring the members of Ultraforce and Marvel's
Avengers
Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to:
Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe
* Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes
**Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of ...
, which ended with the cancellation of all of the series in the Ultraverse line. Seven of the series – ''Prime'', ''Mantra'', ''Night Man'', ''Ultraforce'', ''Rune'', ''Siren'', ''The New Exiles'' – were "rebooted" with issues numbered "#∞", followed by volume 2, in which popular Marvel characters were briefly featured to attract Marvel's regular readers. This version of the Ultraverse lasted until the end of 1996, with a one-shot published in February 1997 to wrap up unresolved plot lines.
Status
In 2003, Steve Englehart was commissioned by Marvel to relaunch the Ultraverse with the most recognizable characters, but editorial decided finally not to resurrect the imprint. In June 2005, when asked by
Newsarama
Newsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews, and essays about the American comic book industry. It is owned by Future US. In June 2020, Newsarama was merged with the website GamesRadar+, also owned by FutureUS.
History
N ...
whether Marvel had any plans to revive the Ultraverse, Marvel editor-in-chief
Joe Quesada
Joseph Quesada (; born January 12, 1962'' Comics Buyer's Guide'' #1650; February 2009; page 107) is an American comic book artist, writer, editor, and television producer. He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books ...
replied that:
Senior Vice President of Publishing
Tom Brevoort
Tom Brevoort () is an American comic book editor, known for his work for Marvel Comics, where he has overseen titles such as '' New Avengers'', ''Civil War'', and ''Fantastic Four''. He became Executive Editor in 2007, and in January 2011 was prom ...
has stated in the past that the reason Marvel cannot discuss the Ultraverse properties is because of
non-disclosure agreements
A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a legal contract or part of a contract between at least two parties that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties wish to share with one another for certain purposes, but wish ...
in place with certain parties, which has been speculated to pertain to
Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
Scott Mitchell Rosenberg is an American film, television, and comic book producer. He is the chairman of Platinum Studios, an entertainment company that controls a library of comic-book characters and adapts them for film, television and other ...
's contractual position as "ongoing producer deal for all Malibu Comics properties".
In February 2021, when Simon Spurrier, writer of the 2021 ''
Black Knight
The black knight is a literary stock character who masks his identity and that of his liege by not displaying heraldry. Black knights are usually portrayed as villainous figures who use this anonymity for misdeeds. They are often contrasted with t ...
'' series, was asked about the possibility of the series taking place in the Ultraverse, he said: "None percent, I'm afraid".
Titles
Characters
Crossovers with Marvel Comics
*''Godwheel''
*''Rune/
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character also appears in a number of movies, television, and video game adaptations. The character was created by Jack Kirby and first a ...
''
*''Spine'' (''Lord Pumpkin'' #1, ''Hardcase'' #23, ''Ultraforce'' vol.1 #8, ''Curse of Rune'' #2, ''Mantra'' vol.1 #22, ''Eliminator'' #3, ''Lord Pumkin'' #4, ''The Nightman'' #22 )
*''
Black September''
**''Countdown to Black September'' (''Ultraforce'' Vol. 1 #8-10, ''Ultraforce/Avengers Prelude'' )
**''
Avengers/Ultraforce
The ''Avengers/Ultraforce'' event was a two-part intercompany crossover between Malibu Comics and Marvel Comics. The first issue, '' Avengers/Ultraforce'', was written by Glenn Herdling with art by Angel Medina and M. C. Wyman. The sequel, ''Ul ...
''
**''
Ultraforce
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in American comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel. The purpose of the group was to protect the public and keep other "Ultras" (superheroes) from becoming unruly. The group con ...
/
Avengers
Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to:
Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe
* Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes
**Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of ...
''
**''Siren'' #∞ -3
**''Ultraforce vol.2'' #∞-12
**''Prime vol.2'' #∞-5
**''All New Exiles'' #∞-11
**''Rune Vol.2'' #∞-7
*''
Prime
A prime number (or a prime) is a natural number greater than 1 that is not a product of two smaller natural numbers. A natural number greater than 1 that is not prime is called a composite number. For example, 5 is prime because the only ways ...
vs. the
Incredible Hulk''
*''
Nightman vs.
Wolverine
The wolverine (), (''Gulo gulo''; ''Gulo'' is Latin for " glutton"), also referred to as the glutton, carcajou, or quickhatch (from East Cree, ''kwiihkwahaacheew''), is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae. It is a muscul ...
''
*''
The All-New Exiles vs.
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, first appearing in Uncanny X-Men, ''The X-Men'' #1 by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and writer/editor Stan Lee in 1963. Although initially cancelled in ...
''
*''The
Phoenix
Phoenix most often refers to:
* Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore
* Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States
Phoenix may also refer to:
Mythology
Greek mythological figures
* Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...
Resurrection''
*''
Conan vs. Rune'' (Also ''Conan'' #4 and ''Conan the Barbarian'' #4)
*''Ultraforce/
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book '' Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the ...
''
*''
Nightman/
Gambit
A gambit (from Italian , the act of tripping someone with the leg to make them fall) is a chess opening in which a player sacrifices with the aim of achieving a subsequent advantage.
The word '' gambit'' is also sometimes used to describe sim ...
''
*''Prime/
Captain America
Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''#Golden Age, Captain America Comics'' #1 (cover ...
''
*''Rune vs.
Venom
Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
''
*''Ultraverse Unlimited'' #1-2
*''Ultraverse Future Shock''
Other media
* In 1995, a 13-episode animated series featuring the characters of
Ultraforce
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in American comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel. The purpose of the group was to protect the public and keep other "Ultras" (superheroes) from becoming unruly. The group con ...
was produced by
DIC Productions, L.P.
DIC Entertainment Corporation (; also known as DIC Audiovisuel, DIC Enterprises, DIC Animation City, DIC Entertainment, L.P., and DIC Productions), branded as The Incredible World of DIC, was an international film and television production comp ...
and Bohbot Entertainment. The series also featured
Sludge
Sludge is a semi-solid slurry that can be produced from a range of industrial processes, from water treatment, wastewater treatment or on-site sanitation systems. For example, it can be produced as a settled suspension obtained from conventiona ...
, the
Night Man
''Night Man'' is a superhero television series, developed by Glen A. Larson, that aired in syndication from September 15, 1997 to May 17, 1999. The series is loosely based on the character from ''The Night Man'' comic book published, through the ...
, and
the Strangers.
* A live action series featuring the character ''
Night Man
''Night Man'' is a superhero television series, developed by Glen A. Larson, that aired in syndication from September 15, 1997 to May 17, 1999. The series is loosely based on the character from ''The Night Man'' comic book published, through the ...
'' aired in syndication from September 1997 to May 1999.
* The
Ultraforce
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in American comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel. The purpose of the group was to protect the public and keep other "Ultras" (superheroes) from becoming unruly. The group con ...
character Topaz (created by
Mike W. Barr) was portrayed by
Rachel House in the film ''
Thor: Ragnarok'' (2017) and the related short film ''Team Daryl'', produced by
Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios, LLC (originally known as Marvel Films from 1993 to 1996) is an American film and television production company that is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, a division of the Walt Disney Company. Marvel Studios produces the Mar ...
.
References
Sources
*
*
External links
Ryan McLelland on the history of the UltraverseRich Johnston's ''Lying in the Gutters'', speaking with creators on an Ultraverse revival
{{Marvel Multiverse
Fictional universes