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Ultimate Galactus Trilogy #1
Ultimate Galactus, Volume 1: Nightmare
Superstar Warren Ellis teams with hot newcomer Trevor Hairsine (Ultimate Six) to tell a story of international intrigue that shakes every Ultimate book to its core! As world communications systems break down, the source of the anomaly is revealed as Tunguska, Russia. Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. leads a force comprised of Captain America, Black Widow, and Sam Wilson to investigate, while, simultaneously, Charles Xavier of the X-Men dispatches his own team consisting of Jean Grey, Wolverine, and Colossus. And what they discover there - and what happens next - defies belief!
Collecting: Ultimate Nightmare 1-5
Collecting: Ultimate Nightmare 1-5
120 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,912 books5,770 followersWarren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 21, 2019
This book is the first part of Warren Ellis' Ultimate Galactus trilogy (or Gah-Lak-Tus, or however they spell it) and it's pretty good but not great.
The concept and execution actually make for an excellent science fiction/horror story. What it's not is a good superhero story. I actually wish they'd made this a SHIELD tale and left the Ultimates and X-Men out of it completely, at least for this first chapter.
Maybe it's because I can't bloody stand the Ultimates and the Ultimate version of the X-Men. I don't like the Avengers as a military unit; the concept just doesn't work for me. It's probably just because I'm too used to the 'regular' Avengers characters that the Ultimates are based on. As for the Ultimate X-Men, they always seem to come off as incompetent idiots and this book is no exception to that. Jean Grey is very much damaged goods here, seeming on the border of a psychotic breakdown. Wolverine is so depressed I actual thought he might top himself by the end of the book.
I know the whole point of the Ultimate universe was to be more 'realistic' than the main Marvel universe, but I'm just not that interested in these versions of my favourite characters.
I'm not someone who hates the Ultimate universe out of some kind of stupid fanboy loyalty to the original universe, by the way. I bloody love the Miles Morales Spider-Man.
I'm hoping the second and third parts of this trilogy emphasise the SF/horror aspects and downplay the superheroics.
The concept and execution actually make for an excellent science fiction/horror story. What it's not is a good superhero story. I actually wish they'd made this a SHIELD tale and left the Ultimates and X-Men out of it completely, at least for this first chapter.
Maybe it's because I can't bloody stand the Ultimates and the Ultimate version of the X-Men. I don't like the Avengers as a military unit; the concept just doesn't work for me. It's probably just because I'm too used to the 'regular' Avengers characters that the Ultimates are based on. As for the Ultimate X-Men, they always seem to come off as incompetent idiots and this book is no exception to that. Jean Grey is very much damaged goods here, seeming on the border of a psychotic breakdown. Wolverine is so depressed I actual thought he might top himself by the end of the book.
I know the whole point of the Ultimate universe was to be more 'realistic' than the main Marvel universe, but I'm just not that interested in these versions of my favourite characters.
I'm not someone who hates the Ultimate universe out of some kind of stupid fanboy loyalty to the original universe, by the way. I bloody love the Miles Morales Spider-Man.
I'm hoping the second and third parts of this trilogy emphasise the SF/horror aspects and downplay the superheroics.
November 20, 2017
I enjoyed this story, but other than a great beginning and a surprise ending, the rest of the book felt like unnecessary filler material. Looking forward to the rest of the Galactus story though.
January 21, 2018
Book Info: This collection contains
Ultimate Nightmare
issues #1-5.
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3.5+/5 stars})
STANDARDIZED RATING: <4/5 stars>
When a large meteor-like object crashes down in Tungusta (i.e. a semi-remote region located in eastern Russia) around a century ago, the radiation given off by the crash site mysteriously mutates all the surrounding vegetation and inflicts severe illness upon expedition crews exposed to the area. Now, years after writing off the event as a freak accident, violent images of an extraterrestrial holocaust are being broadcast from the region, and suddenly displayed across several of Earth's communications and psychic frequencies. After days of constant broadcasting and growing tensions among the general public, the Professor Charles Xavier sends three of his X-Men to rescue what he believes to be a terrified mutant crying out for help. Meanwhile, General Nick Fury leads a few of his top operatives on a mission to pinpoint the source of this broadcast and shut it down by whatever means necessary.
Due to the complex nature of the plot, issue #1 ends up feeling a bit jumpy, and there isn't a clear idea of what to expect. The second issue is more focused, but is fairly slow, and Ellis uses almost all of it to finish setting the groundwork for the eventual arrival of the two groups in Russia. I'm sure that if it was up to a writer like Mark Millar, he'd have had X-Men and Fury's team in Russia in half the time, with much less lead-up in-between. There would also have been a lot less science fiction concepts and intelligent discourse. But while I'm sure many readers would have preferred Millar to Ellis for these same reasons, the eventual climax and the action scenes that preceded it would not have been half as exciting or satisfying, primarily because it would have been more difficult to fully appreciate the stakes involved or the potential vastness of this fictional world.
By the end of the second issue, I really felt like Ellis' steadiness payed off; there were already several fascinating and sensible explanations for the broadcasting phenomenon, and enough extra variables thrown into the mix to really get my imagination running. It felt as if the writer had thought of everything and more, and he still left time for intrateam planning and deliberation even when the mission got started. And to those readers who are painfully bored by all this, don't worry: things do heat up starting in the third issue, and Ellis doesn't let up with the action from there on out. So if you can muster the endurance, you will be rewarded with some mouth-watering action sequences later down the line.
As I've implied in the recap above, the narrative of Nightmare is split into two parts: one involves Captain America, Nick Fury, the Black Widow, and scientist/adventurer Sam Wilson; the other involves Wolverine, Jean Grey, and Colossus. These two teams approach an abandoned Soviet bunker from separate entrances, in search of the broadcaster, and only encounter one another at some point in the final third of the book. This means we get to see each group investigate this mystery using their own unique tools and intellect. The S.H.I.E.L.D. team assembled by Fury seemed very sensible and more than capable of handling the task at hand. Cap is the heavy hitter, and he, Fury, and Natasha (who is familiar with Russian intelligence and can also speak the language) are some of the best in the business when it comes to covert operations. Sam Wilson is the "science guy" of the team, and since he's also got extensive military training, he's able to keep up tactically with the rest of them during any combat scenarios.
Professor X's team, on the other hand, wasn't quite as well thought-out. Let's go ahead and assume that three members had to be the limit for their side, just in the possible event that they would have to face off against the comparatively underpowered S.H.I.E.L.D. team (as implied by the cover for issue #5). In order of most to least useful, there's: Jean Grey, who has the best chance of relating with a broadcasting mutant with psychic-based powers, and someone who can offer her immense and versatile abilities as a telekinetic and a telepath; Wolverine, who is practically unkillable, has considerable military/combat knowledge, is an expert tracker, and has years of life experience over all of his teenage companions; and Colossus, who has steel skin, super strength, and can speak Russian. Although there's no one else on the team I'd switch out for the first two X-Men, I'd definitely swap out Colossus (whose linguistic contribution could conceivably be handled by Jean) for someone brainy, like Beast – who, incidentally, has also got super strength. While this didn't turn out to be a huge problem per se, the X-Men's unpreparedness made their portion of the book less interesting, and made it so that Fury's side accomplished much more by way of finding answers.
[Tsk, tsk, tsk. How embarrassing...]
As an artist, I feel like Trevor Hairsine is an equal cross between David Finch and Billy Tan. He turned out to be a pretty solid choice, but I think that, at this point in his career, he's still got a ways to go before he's able to pull off work comparable to either one of those other guys. Epting, however, is probably the best of the three, and I was disappointed to see that his involvement did not extend beyond the third issue. But in the case of both Hairsine and Epting, I was very pleased with their artistic decision to utilize a liberal amount of shadow to shroud the environment and experimental atrocities found within the Russian bunker; the fact that you couldn't completely see everything gave this book an appropriately disquieting atmosphere.
You know, for an Ultimate Marvel comic book, Nightmare is particularly impressive. In fact, it's probably the best one I've run into so far, beyond even than the top volumes of USM . But considering the strong success of mainstream books like Ultimate X-Men , Ultimate Fantastic Four , and The Ultimates , it's no surprise that a book that actually requires readers to think for a change could only muster a meager 3.41 average rating. Unlike Millar – who's been writing most of Marvel's Ultimate titles – Warren Ellis tries to engage the imagination of readers, and doesn't settle for skating by on tough talk and big explosions. Judging from this, and almost everything else I've read from him, I'd say I have more than enough reason to trust Ellis' vision , and he's got me really looking forward to the next two parts in this trilogy.
Review for Ultimate Galactus, Vol. 2: Secret -->
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3.5+/5 stars})
STANDARDIZED RATING: <4/5 stars>
When a large meteor-like object crashes down in Tungusta (i.e. a semi-remote region located in eastern Russia) around a century ago, the radiation given off by the crash site mysteriously mutates all the surrounding vegetation and inflicts severe illness upon expedition crews exposed to the area. Now, years after writing off the event as a freak accident, violent images of an extraterrestrial holocaust are being broadcast from the region, and suddenly displayed across several of Earth's communications and psychic frequencies. After days of constant broadcasting and growing tensions among the general public, the Professor Charles Xavier sends three of his X-Men to rescue what he believes to be a terrified mutant crying out for help. Meanwhile, General Nick Fury leads a few of his top operatives on a mission to pinpoint the source of this broadcast and shut it down by whatever means necessary.
Due to the complex nature of the plot, issue #1 ends up feeling a bit jumpy, and there isn't a clear idea of what to expect. The second issue is more focused, but is fairly slow, and Ellis uses almost all of it to finish setting the groundwork for the eventual arrival of the two groups in Russia. I'm sure that if it was up to a writer like Mark Millar, he'd have had X-Men and Fury's team in Russia in half the time, with much less lead-up in-between. There would also have been a lot less science fiction concepts and intelligent discourse. But while I'm sure many readers would have preferred Millar to Ellis for these same reasons, the eventual climax and the action scenes that preceded it would not have been half as exciting or satisfying, primarily because it would have been more difficult to fully appreciate the stakes involved or the potential vastness of this fictional world.
By the end of the second issue, I really felt like Ellis' steadiness payed off; there were already several fascinating and sensible explanations for the broadcasting phenomenon, and enough extra variables thrown into the mix to really get my imagination running. It felt as if the writer had thought of everything and more, and he still left time for intrateam planning and deliberation even when the mission got started. And to those readers who are painfully bored by all this, don't worry: things do heat up starting in the third issue, and Ellis doesn't let up with the action from there on out. So if you can muster the endurance, you will be rewarded with some mouth-watering action sequences later down the line.
As I've implied in the recap above, the narrative of Nightmare is split into two parts: one involves Captain America, Nick Fury, the Black Widow, and scientist/adventurer Sam Wilson; the other involves Wolverine, Jean Grey, and Colossus. These two teams approach an abandoned Soviet bunker from separate entrances, in search of the broadcaster, and only encounter one another at some point in the final third of the book. This means we get to see each group investigate this mystery using their own unique tools and intellect. The S.H.I.E.L.D. team assembled by Fury seemed very sensible and more than capable of handling the task at hand. Cap is the heavy hitter, and he, Fury, and Natasha (who is familiar with Russian intelligence and can also speak the language) are some of the best in the business when it comes to covert operations. Sam Wilson is the "science guy" of the team, and since he's also got extensive military training, he's able to keep up tactically with the rest of them during any combat scenarios.
Professor X's team, on the other hand, wasn't quite as well thought-out. Let's go ahead and assume that three members had to be the limit for their side, just in the possible event that they would have to face off against the comparatively underpowered S.H.I.E.L.D. team (as implied by the cover for issue #5). In order of most to least useful, there's: Jean Grey, who has the best chance of relating with a broadcasting mutant with psychic-based powers, and someone who can offer her immense and versatile abilities as a telekinetic and a telepath; Wolverine, who is practically unkillable, has considerable military/combat knowledge, is an expert tracker, and has years of life experience over all of his teenage companions; and Colossus, who has steel skin, super strength, and can speak Russian. Although there's no one else on the team I'd switch out for the first two X-Men, I'd definitely swap out Colossus (whose linguistic contribution could conceivably be handled by Jean) for someone brainy, like Beast – who, incidentally, has also got super strength. While this didn't turn out to be a huge problem per se, the X-Men's unpreparedness made their portion of the book less interesting, and made it so that Fury's side accomplished much more by way of finding answers.
[Tsk, tsk, tsk. How embarrassing...]
As an artist, I feel like Trevor Hairsine is an equal cross between David Finch and Billy Tan. He turned out to be a pretty solid choice, but I think that, at this point in his career, he's still got a ways to go before he's able to pull off work comparable to either one of those other guys. Epting, however, is probably the best of the three, and I was disappointed to see that his involvement did not extend beyond the third issue. But in the case of both Hairsine and Epting, I was very pleased with their artistic decision to utilize a liberal amount of shadow to shroud the environment and experimental atrocities found within the Russian bunker; the fact that you couldn't completely see everything gave this book an appropriately disquieting atmosphere.
You know, for an Ultimate Marvel comic book, Nightmare is particularly impressive. In fact, it's probably the best one I've run into so far, beyond even than the top volumes of USM . But considering the strong success of mainstream books like Ultimate X-Men , Ultimate Fantastic Four , and The Ultimates , it's no surprise that a book that actually requires readers to think for a change could only muster a meager 3.41 average rating. Unlike Millar – who's been writing most of Marvel's Ultimate titles – Warren Ellis tries to engage the imagination of readers, and doesn't settle for skating by on tough talk and big explosions. Judging from this, and almost everything else I've read from him, I'd say I have more than enough reason to trust Ellis' vision , and he's got me really looking forward to the next two parts in this trilogy.
Review for Ultimate Galactus, Vol. 2: Secret -->
August 4, 2016
Warren Ellis comes out of nowhere and writes a great tale set in the Ultimate's universe.
A powerful telepathic message is emanating from the middle of Siberia and it seems to be a looping message depicting the end of an alien world whilst repeating the message that something is coming. That something is variously described as a Destroyer of stars, an anti-messiah, a Devourer of worlds, etc.
SHIELD deploys General Fury and a hand-picked team of Ultimates (Cap, Widow and Falcon) deploy into Russia to try to figure out what is going on and if necessary terminate it. Meanwhile, powerful telepaths Jean Grey and Dr. Xavier also get the same doom and gloom feed from the same place. They send in an X-team (Jean, Logan, and Colossus) to investigate.
As both squads move closer to their goal there are some interesting things going on around them. This is in the remains of was once parts of top secret research into the Super-Soldier serum. Many of the failures ended up locked away in these very places. As there is a scene (well done I thought) where Cap runs into a cheap Communist knock-off version of himself.
Finally both the Ultimates and the X-men find the source of the broadcast. It is a massive cybernetic being that is suspended from the ceiling and has had pieces of it's synthetic musculature removed. It says it is from another world and has traveled to Earth to warn of impending doom. On a cool note this was the Ultimate's Universe's introduction of the Vision which is pretty cool. Vision then explains to the Ultimates and to the X-men that the being that destroyed his old world was named "Gah-Lak-Tos" and that it is heading for Earth. Sadly, he had come to Earth at a time that would have allowed Earth to try to construct some defenses or to perhaps evacuate. I say sadly since the time period was a hundred years- exactly how long he has been languishing in Soviet custody. The first volume ends with all fingers pointing towards the coming of Galactus.
Gorgeous artwork throughout. Warren Ellis telling the story of an Ultimate's team and an X-man team going after a target in post-Soviet Russian territory and then finding out the end of the world is on its way. I really enjoyed this. While with everything that was building up- I admit the ending of volume 1 may feel a tad anticlimactic with the Vision discovery being the proverbial top of the mountain. I realize this since I too share the same sense of a slight letdown. Thus, this one gets 4 stars. However, I also do realize that there will be more in vol 2 and that this Volume did a good job setting the story for the coming of Galactus.
I always enjoy things set in the Ultimate's Universe. Wasn't aware that Ellis had written for the series. Glad to see him though. Hopefully Vol 2 is done by Ellis as well. The art was always good throughout and thats very important for a story like this. Highly recommend for any Ultimates fan or any fan of Ellis's writing.
A powerful telepathic message is emanating from the middle of Siberia and it seems to be a looping message depicting the end of an alien world whilst repeating the message that something is coming. That something is variously described as a Destroyer of stars, an anti-messiah, a Devourer of worlds, etc.
SHIELD deploys General Fury and a hand-picked team of Ultimates (Cap, Widow and Falcon) deploy into Russia to try to figure out what is going on and if necessary terminate it. Meanwhile, powerful telepaths Jean Grey and Dr. Xavier also get the same doom and gloom feed from the same place. They send in an X-team (Jean, Logan, and Colossus) to investigate.
As both squads move closer to their goal there are some interesting things going on around them. This is in the remains of was once parts of top secret research into the Super-Soldier serum. Many of the failures ended up locked away in these very places. As there is a scene (well done I thought) where Cap runs into a cheap Communist knock-off version of himself.
Finally both the Ultimates and the X-men find the source of the broadcast. It is a massive cybernetic being that is suspended from the ceiling and has had pieces of it's synthetic musculature removed. It says it is from another world and has traveled to Earth to warn of impending doom. On a cool note this was the Ultimate's Universe's introduction of the Vision which is pretty cool. Vision then explains to the Ultimates and to the X-men that the being that destroyed his old world was named "Gah-Lak-Tos" and that it is heading for Earth. Sadly, he had come to Earth at a time that would have allowed Earth to try to construct some defenses or to perhaps evacuate. I say sadly since the time period was a hundred years- exactly how long he has been languishing in Soviet custody. The first volume ends with all fingers pointing towards the coming of Galactus.
Gorgeous artwork throughout. Warren Ellis telling the story of an Ultimate's team and an X-man team going after a target in post-Soviet Russian territory and then finding out the end of the world is on its way. I really enjoyed this. While with everything that was building up- I admit the ending of volume 1 may feel a tad anticlimactic with the Vision discovery being the proverbial top of the mountain. I realize this since I too share the same sense of a slight letdown. Thus, this one gets 4 stars. However, I also do realize that there will be more in vol 2 and that this Volume did a good job setting the story for the coming of Galactus.
I always enjoy things set in the Ultimate's Universe. Wasn't aware that Ellis had written for the series. Glad to see him though. Hopefully Vol 2 is done by Ellis as well. The art was always good throughout and thats very important for a story like this. Highly recommend for any Ultimates fan or any fan of Ellis's writing.
April 7, 2020
Totally awesome. It’s pure sci fi horror. I love the ominous foreshadowing (I’ve always loved ominous foreshadowing,) and it reminds me of the creepier parts of the original Mass Effect trilogy.
These Ultimate versions of characters are much more... severe. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it makes me miss the more sympathetic 616 versions.
I definitely like the hard-edged grimness at play. Trevor Hairsine is a kickass artist. And, speaking of creators, this is some of my favorite Ennis work. This story would make a badass movie. It would be cool if the MCU could somehow combine 616 Galactus with whatever this is.
All in all, I’m stoked to read the rest of this trilogy. Def worth getting, and doesn’t require any additional Ultimate Marvel knowledge.
These Ultimate versions of characters are much more... severe. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it makes me miss the more sympathetic 616 versions.
I definitely like the hard-edged grimness at play. Trevor Hairsine is a kickass artist. And, speaking of creators, this is some of my favorite Ennis work. This story would make a badass movie. It would be cool if the MCU could somehow combine 616 Galactus with whatever this is.
All in all, I’m stoked to read the rest of this trilogy. Def worth getting, and doesn’t require any additional Ultimate Marvel knowledge.
September 24, 2018
While the characters involved are experts in their respective fields and work together as a team, there is a distict difference in how they interact with one another compared to their non-ultimate counterparts. They're a great deal colder, more sarcastic, less lovey-dovey-hold-your-hand or 'let me help you, friend.' It's a feature, but it does stand out. Wolverine and Colossus seem distictly underpowered compared to Fury's team.
A strange, extraterrestrial signal mentioning the end of the world is generating mass depression. Many people kill themselves as a result. Both the X-Men and the Ultimates send teams to investigate the source of the signal, in Tunguska. The two teams don't know about each other's presence at the installations where the signal originated from.
A strange, extraterrestrial signal mentioning the end of the world is generating mass depression. Many people kill themselves as a result. Both the X-Men and the Ultimates send teams to investigate the source of the signal, in Tunguska. The two teams don't know about each other's presence at the installations where the signal originated from.
March 20, 2014
A message simultaneously appearing on radios, televisions, computers and cellphones worldwide throws the world into a panic. The message warns of some vague impending doom and seems to be broadcast psychically. Both the Avengers and the X-Men track the signal's origin to an underground complex in the Tunguska region of Siberia. What follows is a story of steadily increasing horrors in darkened passages, the kind of story Warren Ellis is a past master of. Since he's mentioned in the book's title, it's not exactly a spoiler to say that Galactus is coming. This is the first volume of a trilogy designed to bring Galactus into the Ultimate universe. Nice atmospheric build in this volume. Looking forward to the next!
May 8, 2011
Very cool. Great art and a story about failed experimental Soviet supersoldiers. This is the kind of thing Warren Ellis does better than just about anyone. Also, a showdown between the X-Men and the Ultimates! Looking forward to the next volume...
November 20, 2024
"no escape
no escape
no escape"
no escape
no escape"
June 19, 2025
2.5/5, very weird but not too bad.
Read
February 7, 2024My Ultimate Year #11
No rating due to Ellis.
Read for some exciting reveals that should set up the next phase of the Ultimate universe.
No rating due to Ellis.
Read for some exciting reveals that should set up the next phase of the Ultimate universe.
September 14, 2024
Not mad I read this… just not entirely sure that it scratched any itch for me.
July 13, 2013
Reprints Ultimate Nightmare #1-5 (October 2004-February 2005). Jean Grey and Professor X sense the development of a new mutant in Russia as broadcasts begin around the world presenting otherworldly events. With Captain America, Black Widow, Nick Fury, and the Falcon also heading to Russia, the X-Men find themselves in conflict with something otherworldly in Tungusta.
Written by Warren Ellis, Ultimate Nightmare was the first part of a trilogy which brought Galactus to the Ultimate universe (or Gah Lak Tus as he was called there). The series was illustrated by Trevor Hairsine (except issue three which was illustrated by Steve Epting). The series was met with so-so reception and didn’t end up making a big impact on the Ultimate universe. The comic was originally percieved as a bigger idea with effects for the whole Ultimate universe, but the original writter Mark Millar was forced to give up the project when he had health issues.
Ultimate Nightmare doesn’t have a lot of Ellis’ normal interesting plotting. The first part of the story where the death of a world is being broadcast is very much like a Stormwatch or Planetary story, plus it is fun that Ellis encompassed the real life story of Tungusta (where a mysterious explosion leveled a large area in 1908). The X-Men and Fury’s investigation into the Russian Soviet era program gets a bit dull at points (with both groups facing opposition). The end result was the discovery of the Vision (who I thought almost more resembled Deathlok when he is first shown). The Vision warns of the coming of Gah Lak Tus and this leads into the next limited series.
The art for the series was good with Hairsine’s art which is very typical of art in the Ultimate series. There is very little difference between Hairsine’s art and fill in artist Steve Epting in issue three so the change isn’t as jarring as when a completely different style is brought in for a story.
Ultimate Nightmare is a slightly above average book. It isn’t great, but with the nice art it does strive to be a bit better than some lower stories. I have to admit a soft spot for Galactus so any Galactus story will probably score higher in my book. With the other two series, it has been collected into the Ultimate Galactus Trilogy trade paperback, but it is also available as an individual graphic novel. Ultimate Nightmare was followed by Ultimate Secret.
Written by Warren Ellis, Ultimate Nightmare was the first part of a trilogy which brought Galactus to the Ultimate universe (or Gah Lak Tus as he was called there). The series was illustrated by Trevor Hairsine (except issue three which was illustrated by Steve Epting). The series was met with so-so reception and didn’t end up making a big impact on the Ultimate universe. The comic was originally percieved as a bigger idea with effects for the whole Ultimate universe, but the original writter Mark Millar was forced to give up the project when he had health issues.
Ultimate Nightmare doesn’t have a lot of Ellis’ normal interesting plotting. The first part of the story where the death of a world is being broadcast is very much like a Stormwatch or Planetary story, plus it is fun that Ellis encompassed the real life story of Tungusta (where a mysterious explosion leveled a large area in 1908). The X-Men and Fury’s investigation into the Russian Soviet era program gets a bit dull at points (with both groups facing opposition). The end result was the discovery of the Vision (who I thought almost more resembled Deathlok when he is first shown). The Vision warns of the coming of Gah Lak Tus and this leads into the next limited series.
The art for the series was good with Hairsine’s art which is very typical of art in the Ultimate series. There is very little difference between Hairsine’s art and fill in artist Steve Epting in issue three so the change isn’t as jarring as when a completely different style is brought in for a story.
Ultimate Nightmare is a slightly above average book. It isn’t great, but with the nice art it does strive to be a bit better than some lower stories. I have to admit a soft spot for Galactus so any Galactus story will probably score higher in my book. With the other two series, it has been collected into the Ultimate Galactus Trilogy trade paperback, but it is also available as an individual graphic novel. Ultimate Nightmare was followed by Ultimate Secret.
June 10, 2008
Eh.
I'm not sure whose idea it was to re-animate the Cold War for this series, but Warren Ellis wastes many, many opportunities to mock it here. I was especially let down by the battle between Captain America and Captain Soviet Union (who looks kinda cool -- tattered, Red, and buff, with a trash-can shield). At least let that dull sexually ambiguous Cap get slapped around with a little rough-play from Red! Gimme something to feed my kinky socialist fantasies!
Nice artwork though, especially considering most of this occurs in ill-lit underground caverns.
I'm not sure whose idea it was to re-animate the Cold War for this series, but Warren Ellis wastes many, many opportunities to mock it here. I was especially let down by the battle between Captain America and Captain Soviet Union (who looks kinda cool -- tattered, Red, and buff, with a trash-can shield). At least let that dull sexually ambiguous Cap get slapped around with a little rough-play from Red! Gimme something to feed my kinky socialist fantasies!
Nice artwork though, especially considering most of this occurs in ill-lit underground caverns.
May 22, 2010
I haven't read much of the Ultimates stuff before. This was OK, I guess. I liked some of the stuff, like the secret Soviet super soldier program, the artist they had did a good job with big wide-angle shots, and I liked the Falcon. But a lot of the rest of the time the colors were so dark and murky that it sort of all got lost on the page, and the Ultimate X-Men (mostly Wolverine and Jean Grey in this case) were so massively annoying that I breathed a sigh of relief everytime they weren't on-screen anymore.
So, I dunno, three stars trending down toward two.
So, I dunno, three stars trending down toward two.
September 7, 2020
I know that these 5 issues are part of a much larger story but it really didn’t feel like much happened. This could have been 2 issues or 3. I will say that Ellis always does a good job of making me enjoy things that I normally wouldn’t— in this case the Ultimate universe. Everyone in the Ultimate universe is “gritty”, which usually translates to gross (with the exception of Ultimate Spider-Man, of course). But props to Ellis.
July 30, 2023
Great artwork by Trevor Hairsine and an intriguing story about the discovery of a herald of Gah Lak Tus in Tunguska.
Anyone who would like to read something close to the early MCU films would do well in reading this book as well as The Ultimates Volumes 1 and 2
Anyone who would like to read something close to the early MCU films would do well in reading this book as well as The Ultimates Volumes 1 and 2
July 8, 2013
For a big baddie I'm not thoroughly familiar with, the build up in this series is phenomenal.
July 11, 2013
A nicely dark vision of the Ultimate universe, but in the end, it's too decompressed to be that compelling.
January 2, 2026
8/10 - Nice introduction to this Galactus Trilogy in the ultimate universe
8/10 - Nice introduction to this Galactus Trilogy in the ultimate universe
The Ultimate Nightmare series across these five issues presents a slow-paced, atmospheric blend of horror and sci-fi elements with a subtle superhero backdrop. The story unfolds gradually, maintaining a steady pace that builds intrigue and mystery, though at times the slow tempo and wordless pages may test some readers' patience.
The five issue follows two separate teams unknowingly converging on the same goal. The mystery deepens steadily, setting the stage for future developments.
Nonetheless, he X-Men's portrayal was disappointing, often acting amateurishly and being easily defeated. San Wilson in contrast, provides a nice variation from the main Marvel Universe. As to Captain Marvel used to his version of he main marvel universe it’s hard to see him so impulsive, so it’s best to just read him.
Artistically, the series shines with consistently high-quality artwork and colouring that perfectly complement the dark, horror-infused tone of the story. The covers vary in appeal, with the fourth issue's cover standing out as the best among them.
Overall, while the pacing may feel slow and some plot elements less dynamic, the series successfully hooks me, maintaining the mystery and atmosphere, delivering a solid foundation for the continuation of the Galactus Trilogy.
8/10 - Nice introduction to this Galactus Trilogy in the ultimate universe
The Ultimate Nightmare series across these five issues presents a slow-paced, atmospheric blend of horror and sci-fi elements with a subtle superhero backdrop. The story unfolds gradually, maintaining a steady pace that builds intrigue and mystery, though at times the slow tempo and wordless pages may test some readers' patience.
The five issue follows two separate teams unknowingly converging on the same goal. The mystery deepens steadily, setting the stage for future developments.
Nonetheless, he X-Men's portrayal was disappointing, often acting amateurishly and being easily defeated. San Wilson in contrast, provides a nice variation from the main Marvel Universe. As to Captain Marvel used to his version of he main marvel universe it’s hard to see him so impulsive, so it’s best to just read him.
Artistically, the series shines with consistently high-quality artwork and colouring that perfectly complement the dark, horror-infused tone of the story. The covers vary in appeal, with the fourth issue's cover standing out as the best among them.
Overall, while the pacing may feel slow and some plot elements less dynamic, the series successfully hooks me, maintaining the mystery and atmosphere, delivering a solid foundation for the continuation of the Galactus Trilogy.
November 2, 2019
This is the equivalent of watching a terrible sci-fi movie that's at just the right Level Of Awareness to be fun. It's light crossover between part of The Ultimates and part of The Ultimate X-Men is engaging, and the two new characters we're introduced to are excellent additions to The Ultimate Universe.
I'm not much of a fan of art that's consistently dark and shadowy for a superhero book, but it totally makes sense for this particular sci-fi/horror/suspense book.
I recommend reading it with popcorn, which you will occasionally throw at the book.
I'm not much of a fan of art that's consistently dark and shadowy for a superhero book, but it totally makes sense for this particular sci-fi/horror/suspense book.
I recommend reading it with popcorn, which you will occasionally throw at the book.
April 6, 2023
Everyone in this mini is an absolute asshole, which comes across as funny for the most part. Besides that, the creepy atmosphere is well done and the unveiling of the mystery is surprisingly pretty good.
I honestly prefer when the Ultimate universe twists the characters from the traditional Marvel universe into bizarre and strange concepts like it is done in this volume (granted, it can be a hit or miss), rather than Bendis just bringing copies of the 616 characters to team with his Spider-Man.
I honestly prefer when the Ultimate universe twists the characters from the traditional Marvel universe into bizarre and strange concepts like it is done in this volume (granted, it can be a hit or miss), rather than Bendis just bringing copies of the 616 characters to team with his Spider-Man.
September 22, 2025
This is ok, at best. It seems interesting, with Ellis building a great horror atmosphere, but not much really happens here. It is just a very big prologue to the Galactus trilogy, and the majority of what comes up here doesn't really matter.
Also, the X-Men being here feels completely pointless, like some editor just required Ellis to include them for commercial purposes.
So yeah. It was not a bad read, but I had high expectations for the Galactus Trilogy, and I don't feel like this first part actually delivers.
Also, the X-Men being here feels completely pointless, like some editor just required Ellis to include them for commercial purposes.
So yeah. It was not a bad read, but I had high expectations for the Galactus Trilogy, and I don't feel like this first part actually delivers.
July 17, 2023
TVs across the world are showing the same thing; a planet dying in screams and terror. This has led to a huge rise in suicides. Meanwhile a psychic scream is being projected across the world. Both lead to an old soviet bunker which is investigated by the x-men and ultimates.
This is a decent horror title used to tease an upcoming threat to the world. One that I won't bother hiding because it's in the title: Gah Lak Tus
This is a decent horror title used to tease an upcoming threat to the world. One that I won't bother hiding because it's in the title: Gah Lak Tus
January 26, 2024
This volume is 120 pages and contains the 5 issue mini-series called Ultimate Nightmare. Honestly I really enjoyed this a lot. It was creepy and really out there. I know people will complain about how this doesn’t feel like anything close to the 616 Marvel Universe and I say GOOD! I wanted a completely different take. That’s the point of alternate universes. I had a blast reading this and I recommend it!
January 24, 2025
I like this take in the Ultimate universe so far. Some broadcast out of nowhere is playing everywhere and messing with telepaths. It's somehow all tied in with the Tunguska site in Russia. (That's a real place where a huge meteor landed if you aren't familiar.) Both the X-Men and the Ultimates go to investigate the site. There they uncover a lot of Russian shadiness along with something ominous they aren't aware of yet. Warren Ellis may be a horrible person but he writes great comics.
July 24, 2019
Any time a new character is brought into the fray, the hype level gets raised a hair. Any time a new supervillain is introduced, the hype level gets a boost. Although this had both, the execution with the current roster was okay at best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2019
This whole thing could have been told in one or maybe two issues, but they felt the need to drag it out unnecessarily. The dialogue was messy, the X-Men felt like they did not even need to be there and story-wise there was not much going on. Hopefully the rest of the trilogy will make up for that.
January 17, 2022
Some really awesome things here... and some not so awesome. I loved the revelations of the final issue, but some of the action leading up to it was problematic. The X-Men's motivations seemed flat and the overall style felt dated.
I'm really excited to see where this goes!
I'm really excited to see where this goes!
November 24, 2018
Ultimate Marvel does Horror. Kind of in a good way
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