ULTIMATE NIGHTMARE #4 REVIEW

[Adam Chapman]

Reviewer: Adam Chapman adam.chapman@sympatico.ca
Quick Rating: Good
Title: Chapter 4

The Ultimates team finds a Russian Super Soldier, as the X-Men Squad gets closer to their goal.

<a href="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/media/710/ultnightmare4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/thumbnails/710/ultnightmare4.jpg"align="left" border="0"> </a>Writer: Warren Ellis
Pencils: Trevor Hairsine
Inks: Nelso DeCastro with Mark Morales, Rodney Ramos, Simon Colbey & Tom Palmer
Colours: Frank D'Armata
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Production: Jared Osborn
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Based On An Idea By: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Review: When it comes to writing Ultimate universe titles, Warren Ellis really knows what he's doing. Ultimate Nightmare has so far been a chilly horror/thriller comic, a dark tale that has led two teams, one of Ultimates-affiliated characters, and the other of X-Men, to a remote region of Russia where dangerous communication signals have been coming from, as well telepathic ones. This issue continues the team's exploration of the abandoned military bunker, and it's gripping from start to finish. This series is the first part of the Ultimate trilogy, which so far includes Ultimate Nightmare and the upcoming Ultimate Secret, but it doesn't feel like merely set-up, which is one of the strengths of this series given the hype of the trilogy.

In this issue, the Ultimates team, of Captain America, Sam Wilson (The Falcon), Black Widow and Nick Fury, discovers more about the abandoned military installation, and how it was originally designed to create Russian Super Soldiers, but instead produced freaks of nature, bonded to an alien artifact. Ellis really keeps the reader in suspense throughout the issue, and the Ultimates' confrontation with the Russian Super Soldier is chilling and darkly written. The dialogue here is very intelligent and gripping, and makes this issue work. Ellis' characterization of Ultimate Captain America is spot-on, and at times almost better than his characterization in The Ultimates. The military operation nature of the Ultimates' endeavor is really well handled, especially in contrast to how Ellis handles the X-Men's search mission.

The X-Men portion of the book isn't quite as strong as the Ultimates portion, but it still proves to be entertaining and engaging. Jean's struggle to maintain control as the psychic cry within the compound grows stronger is palpable, as is the growing sense of anticipation on the part of Colossus and Wolverine that fiercer foes might be ahead.

The artwork in this issue by Hairsine is really good stuff, and helps make this issue as good as it is. It's all about ambience here, and the dark tone suits this book to a tee, and furthers the horror/thriller movie mentality of the series. Once again, the part of the book with the Ultimates and the Russian Super Soldier is some of the strongest work in this issue, and the Russian Super Soldier looks positively chilling.

This book is nearing its conclusion, but it hasn't yet led up on the chill factor, or the sense of suspense and anticipation about what the threat will end up being. The next issue promises to be pretty damn great, and will set up the rest of the trilogy directly. Don't miss this series, it's a great piece of work by all involved.

Ratings:

Story: http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg

Art: http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg

Overall: http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg




Buy this issue online now from X-World and Save! (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore)

[Ryan Broussard]

i have honestly been a bit bored with this series, i dont know why it just wasnt doing anything for me.

HOWEVER!, this issue totally turned me around, it was excellent and now i cant wait for the next issue

[Adam Chapman]

This issue was pretty damn good- but then, I've been loving this series immensely from the very beginning. :D

[SamuraiDaddy]

I think Warren Ellis should get a stab at the Ultimates.

[Symphony of Six]

This was a great issue and I can't wait to see Cap do his thing, I just can't figure out how this is going to fit together in a trilogy form. This is obviously leading up to Ultimate Galactus...I'm positive that Mahr-vell is the telepath so he obviously came here to warn Earth...so how does a base full of deformed russian super-soldiers fit in the mix. Anyway this comic gets me more and more hooked every issue in. Instead of making a trilogy I think they could have easily done an entire Ultimate universe ongoing. Like "Ultimate Marvel" or something.

[AmazingMattMan]

this series is kicking back up again. it started off great, then in 2 and 3 it was a lil bit eh, but this issue rocked, and i think next issue promises to be even better

[Adam Chapman]

Well, the last part of the trilogy has now been named- Ultimate Arrival

I actually don't think that Mahr-Vell is going to be the telepath who they're searching for. The preview for Ultimate Secret shows him with military men, as he's in disguise... He's part of a Kree infiltration unit, or somesuch... It'll be interesting to see what the Kree do in Ultimate Secret, since the Chitari, otherwise known as the Skrull, have already debuted...

And yes, it sure as hell seems like it's building up to the Big G. The first issue sure made it seem that way at least... heh, that or Dark Phoenix... :p That's the only other thing that would do that to a world... but Dark Phoenix doesn't exist in the Ultimate Universe, leaving everyone's favourite Galactus as the prime candidate.

[Adam Chapman]

Originally posted by AmazingMattMan
this series is kicking back up again. it started off great, then in 2 and 3 it was a lil bit eh, but this issue rocked, and i think next issue promises to be even better

The Super Soldier fight alone promises to be pretty damn great- my only concern is how compressed its going to be, seeing as there seems to be a lot of possible material left for just one issue. :p

[Symphony of Six]

Yeah there's alot left for an issue...but let's remember we have a trilogy ahead of us...Awesome!

[TwIsTeD_Rubz]

despite the great premise behind the story, and the great atmosphere produced behind the story, i still feel like the pacing of this story leaves a lot to be desired. of course, the 5th issue hasn't come out yet, but i get the feeling that this story could have been told in 4 issues, not 5. of course i have yet to read issue 5 so i'll postpone my judgment to after that.

this trilogy, although it has great potential, is beginning to be lost on me due to pacing problems (both story wise and because of the now 2 1/2 month late shipping schedule). issue 5 had better be good or i'm off this trilogy...

[Adam Chapman]

Issue #5 has been delayed to Feb. 23rd. :p ARGH

[Boomer]

I absolutely love Ultimate Nightmare. The ink in this series is without question, outstanding. I agree with ryan the story arc started a little bland, but then the tornado hit the ground. It's explosive. This is a great series.

[AmazingMattMan]

Originally posted by Boomer
I absolutely love Ultimate Nightmare. The ink in this series is without question, outstanding. I agree with ryan the story arc started a little bland, but then the tornado hit the ground. It's explosive. This is a great series.

yup, but lateness is really getting to me. i really hope ultimate secret isnt going to be doing this, especially since it was originally supposed to come out in december!

[Boomer]

I hear ya, but where I disagree is that i think ultimate secret is going to be next level. Overall it seems to me all top shelf stuff is progressive. They have to do it better every time. Which I appreciate.

[alias.maxcomics]

i have to say that issue 4 was amazing. the ambiance of the complex is amazing in itself. the super soldier fight was just awesome, i was waiting for some good action. i thought that the story was somewhat confusing until this issue. everything seemed to be explained more, but still hidden. i love the black widow in this also, and in general i love how the Ultimates team interacts. i can't wait anymore for the next issue...:sigh: