The Ultimates: Tomorrow Men

Marvel Pocket Books Novels

by Michael Jan Friedman

The Ultimates -- the first government-sponsored cadre of Super Heroes -- was assembled to face threats to humanity too insanely powerful forother operatives to handle.Led by a general who gave an eye in the service of his country, the super-powered roster includes a billionaire playboy in a high-tech suit of armor, a World War II super-soldier whom fate has thrust into the twenty-first century, an environmentalist icon who claims to be an ancient Norse god, and a scientist whose mutant powers allow her to shrink to the stature of an insect.But even the Ultimates are unprepared for a quintet of mysterious visitors who appear in the midst of the team's top-security base of operations, claiming to be emissaries from the future.These "Tomorrow Men" say Earth's civilization is at a crossroads -- on the verge of enslavement by a secret, immensely efficient organization known in the future as Tiber. Only the Ultimates have the skills and the firepower to ferret Tiber out of its nests around the world and crush its plans for global conquest.But there is much more the Tomorrow Men will not say. After all, they don't want to alter the timeline any more than they have to.But wealthy Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, is dying by degrees of an incurable medical condition. For him, the temptation to make an additional change in the timeline may be too great to ignore -- though mankind's future might be damaged in the process.

Genres: Superheroes, Marvel, Comics, Graphic Novels, Audiobook, Fiction, Science Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2006

About the author

Michael Jan Friedman is an author of more than seventy books of fiction and nonfiction, half of which are in the Star Trek universe. Eleven of his titles have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. Friedman has also written for network and cable television and radio, and scripted nearly 200 comic books, including his original DC superhero series, the Darkstars.

Reviews

[Lori S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a good sense of humor in this story, even with the time traveling bad guys making life difficult for The Ultimates (aka the Avengers).

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel features The Avengers in their alternate guise as The Ultimates, which was an ill-fated marketing ploy Marvel launched in an attempt to draw in more mature readers. Or alternate readers. Or something. Friedman did a good job in toning down some of the more unpleasant aspects of the Ultimate incarnation and infused some of the fun of the original, but I wish he just would have produced an Avengers adventure and have had done with it. The titular tomorrow men are a band of time-travelers who take over the teams' headquarters and issue dire warnings before they're faced and vanquished, but the real attraction is the variations of the familiar characters. (The story itself drags a bit in angsty spots.)We see a coy Black Widow, a repentant Hank Pym, and good portrayals of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. There's more humor than in the comics versions, and some really good lines. Okay, Marvelites, time to Assemble...

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this a few years ago and remember liking it quite well. This was when the Ultimates were fun. Before the incest and horrible stories killed the line.

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a shortish story but really packed a punch. Very enjoyable distraction and nice addition to the Marvel Universe.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Marvel’s Ultimate universe. I found it to be a fresh and much appreciated retcon of the creation of Marvel’s superheroes. I loved the way that authors used the reader’s knowledge of the characters in the original Marvel Universe against them, turning heroes to villains and vice versa. So, when I saw this book, I was very hopeful it would be a great book. Unfortunately, it was only entertaining. Nothing about the plot seemed to me to require the Ultimate universe and while an effort was made to ground the cast of the Ultimates in the slight variations that differentiate them from the Avengers, it wasn’t enough to make this book stand out as a standard-bearer for the Ultimate universe.

The basic plot felt a little too typical to me. People from the future come to the Ultimates asking for help in preventing a totalitarian nightmare. The Ultimates are willing to lend their support, but very quickly suspicions arise that things are not precisely as the Tomorrow Men indicate. Tony Stark shines in this one as he seeks to uncover what the future will truly bring and what role the Ultimates should play in bringing it about.

[Lowell Usedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Tomorrow Men offers a fresh, darker take on the Ultimate Universe that I really appreciated. The novel explores familiar characters like Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, Hank Pym, and Bruce Banner in a more mature, emotionally complex way. The relationships feel genuine, especially the Tony-Natasha romance, which adds depth beyond typical superhero stories.

One of the most gripping moments is Tony Stark’s torture scene—enduring extreme heat while in his suit and turning the pain into a strategic advantage. It perfectly showcases the blend of human vulnerability and technological brilliance that defines the Ultimate Universe.

However, I felt the future world and its key groups—the Enclave and the Tomorrow Men—could have been fleshed out more. Their motivations and the setting felt a bit underdeveloped, which made parts of the story less immersive than they could have been.

Overall, The Tomorrow Men is a solid read for fans looking for a more grounded, character-driven Marvel story. It’s not perfect, but it offers a thoughtful and often intense experience that sets it apart from the more familiar Earth-616 or MCU portrayals.

[Ahliya S. Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This morning, I finished reading this time-traveling Marvel adventure over a cup of coffee. Its a lovely spring morning and this quiet was perfect for imagining all the noise happening here.
Tony accidentally gets separated in time from the other Tomorrow Men while on a mission. While trying to help those in the time he finds himself in as well as trying to help himself, the others have a lot going on too.
Natasha juggles emotions, which is rare. Bruce is on S.H.I.E.L.D. house arrest. Hank is on a mission to prove his position as a better physicist than Bruce. And so on and so on.
I enjoyed Wanda's newness to the team and as usual, her dedication to her brother. They've got their own orders to follow from S.H.I.E.L.D.
This was a good one. Thanks!

[AmbroseKalifornia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. Quite few people think this is the Mark Millar/Bryan Hitch MASTERPIECE (fight me) The Ultimates, which was successful, influential and AWESOME. This book uses the characters, but loses the magic. It"s fine. Comic books are comic books, and any adaptation is bound to have flaws. This is less impressive than either the animated or cinematic iterations, but it still has Captain America on the cover, so I guess it goes on the shelf.

Not really recommended. It's not BAD, but Ultimate Tony Stark was hardly my favorite character in the Ultimates. Also, Cap has like two scenes. Boo. Go read the comic.

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is always something missing with me in these comic book novels. I don’t know what exactly it is. Maybe it’s the lack of interconnectivity with other things I’ve read. Maybe the fact that this team of heroes has to exist independently and outside of the comic books so that I can enjoy them is what I’m missing. What I’m saying is, it’s hard for me to give these books 5 stars and say that they’re absolutely must reads.

However, I do feel comfortable giving this one 4 stars saying that it makes for a very good audiobook. The story is interesting and compelling, and it’s a good time travel story.

[Deat · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s a half decent Iron Man story in here but this is one of those books they make for kids who are told to read something without pictures, so they pick something with an IP they recognize on the cover.
It at least doesn’t contradict any 1610 canon.
It’s funny that the villains are just the enclave from Fallout.

[Paxton Holley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novel featuring the Marvel Ultimate Universe characters, The Ultimates. Pretty good, but I was a little disappointed with the ending. This book bridges the gap between Ultimates I and II.

[Idamus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect comics to work as audiobook, but this one sure does, recommended.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lucas Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

more 3.5. Decent marvel tie in novel. good fast read

[Jazzypom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ultimates's headquarters have been broken into by a quintet of people claiming to be from the future (hence the title, tomorrow men), and they bring tidings of a great evil that the Ultimates need to take out today, in order to chance the tyranny of the future. Of all the Ultimates to take these men and their message to heart, Tony Stark finds himself compelled to do so most fervently, especially in light of the legacy that he hopes to leave behind (as well as to the future), but are the tomorrow men on the level? Is the threat they speak of so sinister that they have to follow though? It's up to the Ultimates to find out.

As usual, a proviso: this story assumes that you know the comic book characters The Ultimates. They are: Tony Stark (Ironman), Nick Fury (head of The Ultimates), Steve Rogers (Captain America), Jan (the Wasp), and Thor. In addition, there are new additions to the roster of The Ultimates, Natasha Romanov (the Black Widow), Hawkeye (black ops specialist), Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, who have a very close sibling relationship. In addition, this book seems to take place during the period when Stark and Romanov were moving towards a relationship, so if Stark seems a bit of a sap (he's always this way when it comes to the women in his life, whatever the Marvel Universe. True story), that might be why.

This novel was okay, in that the story was interesting enough to follow to the end, but it wasn't as good as Against all Enemies in that the plot seemed to falter in key moments, and some concepts were a tad wobbly. On the plus side, you'll appreciate how the writer recognises that Stark, Banner and Pym are brilliant men, in spite of their personal foibles. If you put this book in your amazon basket, you won't be upset, but it's not the better Ultimates novel out there, pity that.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is NOT your father's "Avengers." Okay, they almost are. However, they are a revamped version of the Avengers, now officially sanctioned by the government with slightly alternate histories.

For example, Steve Rogers was in the ice floe for something more like sixty years than twenty-five or so. Banner did not become the Hulk by exposure to a gamma bomb, but instead by experimenting with the Super Soldier formula. Nick Fury resembles Samuel L. Jackson, yes, you got it, he's black.

Still, this was a decent comic book adaption. The author, better known (at least to me) for Star Trek novelizations, is comfortable with the comic book genre and does a good job telling this story about a threat "from the future" (hence the name of the novel).. Along the way we watch Tony Stark grow, Natasha (The Black Widow) play hard to get, The Scarlet witch be a a witch, the wasp stinging her foes, Bruce Banner's sorrow over his misbegotten experimentation, Pym's shame over his mistreatment of his wife Jane, the Wasp, (apparently in the first story of this series)..

I enjoyed this book-- a good break from some of the more serious reading I do or Biblical Study... I think knowing the full differences in the background of these characters would have helped.

[Hyann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stopped collecting comic books when Marvel started revamping their title with the Ultimate alternate universe. Never bought any Ultimates comic so didn't really know it and maybe it's helping me to appreciate the books more. With no background, I didn't judge how the author use the characters but judge the story-telling.

First chapters were great, I discovered a new world, lot of good action not just cheesy superhero style. He tried to give each characters some spotlights and something it's slow the pace of the story a little. But the main star is really Iron Man/Tony Stark, so much present that the book could be name after him and not the team. But it was previsible, the backside of the book talking about the dying Tony Stark who will alternate the timeline.

Even if the Hulk of this world is a monster, I would like to see him in action in the book. Another character that could better use is Thor... accept making lighting and teleportation, I didn't have a good feeling of the thunder god.


The story isn't spectacular, it's a good book to be introduced in the wolrd of the Ultimates and won't hesitate to read other Ultimates books (or looking to other Friedman books)

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friedman takes the characters from Marvel's 'Ultimates' comic series, gives them a more 'comic book-y' story than the actual comic, loses the politics and pop culture and replaces it with more action.
He also tones down the 'Writing people as jerks makes them more realistic!' that is Mark Millar's main writing gimmick.

It makes for a decent super hero/ sci-fi adventure, but while it's a fun, fluff read, you can't stop thinking 'this would have been better if it had been about the real Avengers'.
The ideas are interesting, but the execution is only 'okay'.

I think marvel did a couple of these prose stories and, while I'm curious to see what other writers would do with this team, I won't be in a rush to track them down.

goofy as the 'Avengers vs the earth wrecker' novel was, it was at least a fun read.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been a true fan of comic books and superheroes, despite by rampant geekiness. When I requested this book, the summary and cover didn't mention Marvel or any known-from-blockbuster-movie-titles good guys so I was quite surprised when I picked it up. I was spending a few hours in the car with my son, however, and try to keep age appropriate books to listen to if the kids are with me. I started in and we were both hooked. In fact, I enjoyed it enough that I'm checking out other audio books from this company - having a full cast can make books so interesting!

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few writers can make you suspend your belief in your own universe. Mike does that with this book. It draws you in to an alternate universe, no, make that a double-alternate universe, a universe once-removed from the Marvel universe we all grew up with, and you never, for a second, doubt the reality of his words, the actions and dialogue of his characters and the intensity of his plot.

[Rich Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite the Avengers, but then neither was the movie. Decent tale that fits between the first two Ultimates series. Well-written and characterized, it was a tad lacking in the plot area. Still worth a read for genre fans.

[Splash Champion · Rating 3 out of 5]

A better than average super hero yarn. Enjoyable character development, but neglects to explore the Tiber organization further and leaves unanswered questions. E.g. Why would the antagonists assist in the refugee evacuation?

[Ev · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book is incredible. Way more twists and turns than you would expect from a book like this. And So much action. I couldn't put this book down.

Ev

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The elite Marvel group teams up in this venture to stop the bad guys from doing bad things. Comic book characters with a real plot, minus the fancy artwork. Not a bad days read for superhero fans.

[Ketan Shah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading if you're a fan of the comic series,but the end seems a bit of an anticlimax. I like the characterization of Tony Stark though.

[Nicholas · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of an U Iron Man novel then a general Ultimates novel. Friedman writes it like a Star Trek novel which adds a cool dynamic to the team.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better written than Against All Enemies, but completely nonsensical.

[Scott Vout · Rating 4 out of 5]

its a comic book
i like Captain America

nough said

[Joshua Demello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the book sale because it had Captain America on the cover. Now, i'm not a comic nerd, butam a fan, so I have a bit of a background on what is going on. The Ultimates is a reboot of The Avengers bringing the same characters into modern times with modern problems and situations. It was good to read the note at the very end that this novel is a bridge between comic arcs providing a bit more background on thenovel and where it fits in the Ultimates universe.

Friedman, being a comic writer himself, did a good job setting up the storyline and providing character buildup. Even those with limited or no connection to Iron Man, Thor, Bkack Widow, etc. can pick it off the shelf and be comfortable reading it.

My main complaint is that the ending felt rushed, like the author was trying to wrap it up quickly after providing a long buildup. Maybe it was the feel of the pages left that gave me the impression, or being left to want to know more about the characters. I guess it did its job as a bridge novel so maybe I need to pick up the Ultimates comic book.

Overall, storyline was good, but be warned that this isnt your disney Avengers. If you like Marvel or have a casual interest, you will enjoy the book