Marvel Comics recently opened up its ever-expanding multiverse even more with the launch of an all-new Ultimate Universe (aka Earth-6160). This version is completely different from the original Ultimate Universe of Earth-1610, though the two are connected in a most diabolical way. The Maker (aka the evil Reed Richards from Earth-1610) traveled to Earth-6160 and used time travel to mold it to his liking. The result is a new continuity rife with exciting stories and powerful heroes. However, some heroes are certainly stronger than others.
While the Maker himself is arguably the most powerful person in the new Ultimate Universe (and definitely the most devious), he’s neither a hero nor is he even from Earth-6160 at all. Therefore, the Maker is exempt from consideration. However, that still leaves plenty of heroes who were created as a direct result of the Maker’s meddling, and plenty more who were created in spite of it. Above them all, these are the 10 most powerful heroes from Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe.
10 The Legendary Hulk Boasts Raw Power and Global Influence
Ultimate Invasion by Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch
The Hulk is one of the strongest beings alive, usually no matter what universe he’s in. That much has been proven time and again both in Earth-616 and Earth-1610 – and the same is true for Earth-6160. However, the Hulk in the new Ultimate Universe stands apart, as he’s more than just physically powerful. This Hulk – known as the Legendary Hulk – is a member of the Maker’s Council, controlling the world from the shadows. He’s also the leader of his own cult, The Children of Eternal Light, and is utterly ruthless when it comes to his gamma experiments.
The Hulk can become strong enough to split entire continents with a single stomp, but in the new Ultimate Universe, he can alter the course of the world with a mere sentence, making this Hulk more than just strong, but truly (horrifically) powerful.
9 Kang’s Only Goal is to Kill the Maker (& He Nearly Does It)
Ultimate Invasion by Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch
At this point, little is known about the new Ultimate Universe’s Kang, and what is known about him is shown in the miniseries Ultimate Invasion (which kicked off the new Ultimate Universe). This Kang is fully aware of how badly the Maker corrupted his timeline, and is working tirelessly to stop him. Kang has an Immortus Engine (just like the Maker), and he uses it to send hordes of heroes back in time to kill the Maker and destroy his temporal fortress (The City).
In Ultimate Invasion, Kang nearly kills the Maker by shooting him in the head upon their initial encounter, though that ultimately proves insufficient. While it hasn’t yet been confirmed, it’s strongly implied that this Kang is actually the future version of Tony Stark, making the new Ultimate Universe’s Kang as fascinating as he is powerful.
8 Thor Brings His Usual Level of God-Tier Power to the New Ultimate Universe
Ultimate Universe #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Stefano Caselli
Aside from small differences, Thor remains a pretty standard character throughout the main Marvel Comics universes. Earth-616, 1610, and now 6160 portray Thor as the cosmically-powerful God of Thunder, Asgardian royalty who’s sworn to protect Midgard no matter the cost. While this means that the Thor of the new Ultimate Universe isn’t too drastically different from his other variants, it also means fans have a pretty good idea of how strong he is, even before seeing Earth-6160’s Thor go all-out.
While this Thor is on-par with his other versions, he’s certainly facing tougher obstacles upon his introduction than his 616/1610 variants. Due to the Maker’s meddling, this Thor is an outcast on Asgard, and was even imprisoned when the Ultimates recruited him. Therefore, once the Maker is defeated, Thor will have to fight to get his life back on Asgard, which will assuredly make him stronger.
7 Sif is Powerful Enough to Keep Thor In-Line in the Ultimate Universe
Ultimate Universe #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Stefano Caselli
Sif is a character who’s always been vastly underutilized, both in the comics and in the MCU. Because of that, a solid power-ranking of Sif has been difficult to ascertain – at least, until now. Sif was Thor’s jailer before the Ultimates freed Thor from his prison cell, and she valiantly chased him through a portal across space and time to subdue and recapture him. Given her station and confidence, it seems Sif is strong enough to keep Thor in-line, meaning her power level is at least on-par with Thor’s.
While fans have seen very little from Sif so far in the Ultimate Universe, she has become a main member of the team, and won’t rest until the Maker is taken down. In other words, Sif is going to continue to prove how powerful she is.
6 Giant-Man has Never Been Bigger than He is in the Ultimate Universe (Literally)
The Ultimates #1 by Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri
Giant-Man has always lived up to his name, no matter what universe he’s in, but the Hank Pym from Earth-6160 takes his moniker to a whole new level in The Ultimates #1. Right after he and Janet are given their iconic Giant-Man and Wasp suits (plus the Pym Particles to power them), the Ultimates are attacked by Captain Britain’s soldiers, and Giant-Man stomps them into the ground. Giant-Man grows so big that the footprint he leaves after taking down these soldiers can be seen from space, giving some the impression that Earth was visited by a cosmic god.
Giant-Man could always grow as tall as a building, but this version was as big as a skyscraper. Never before has Giant-Man reached this size, which highlights how powerful he is in the new Ultimate Universe.
5 Maystorm will Lead a New Generation of Mutants in the Ultimate Universe
Ultimate X-Men #2 by Peach Momoko
Mei Igarashi aka Maystorm is a mutant with the power of weather manipulation. Maystorm was originally conceived by Peach Momoko as a protégé of Earth-616’s Storm, as the writer/artist featured Maystorm on the New Champions Variant Cover for X-Men #27. But, Momoko loved the character enough to include her in the new Ultimate Universe. Like Storm, Maystorm can control the weather, generate lightning, and summon rain/wind at will. Since Storm is an Omega-Level Mutant, it stands to reason that Maystorm will eventually gain that level of power herself.
Maystorm isn’t just a powerful mutant, but a strong leader of mutants as well. Maystorm came up with the name ‘X-Men’ in the Ultimate Universe, and will lead them against threats like the Shadow King and the Maker, proving that she’s a powerful Ultimate Universe hero in more ways than one.
4 Colossus’ Political Power is Even Greater than His Physical Strength
Ultimate Invasion by Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch
Colossus acted as the X-Men’s resident ‘strong guy’ for many years in Earth-616 and Earth-1610, and he boasts the same level of strength in Earth-6160 as well. However, like the Hulk, Colossus also has political influence on a global scale, as he, too, is a member of the Maker’s Council. As such, Colossus has a hand in how the entire world is run, and can change the course of world history with a mere sentence.
Fans haven’t seen much from Colossus so far in the new Ultimate Universe, but given that he’s the head of the Maker’s Russian territory (along with Magik and Omega Red), it’s fair to say that Colossus is extremely powerful. Add to that his proven mutant power as shown in Earth-616 and Earth-1610, and it’s easy to see why Colossus is one of the strongest ‘heroes’ in the new Ultimate Universe.
3 Black Panther has a Deeper Connection to Vibranium than His Multiversal Counterparts
Ultimate Black Panther #1 by Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli
T’Challa aka Black Panther is the King of Wakanda in the new Ultimate Universe, just as he is in Earth-616. Similarly, his superhuman abilities as the Black Panther are comparable (if not identical) to his main-continuity counterpart. However, this version of Black Panther stands apart from his variants – and stands out in the new Ultimate Universe as a true powerhouse – for one reason: his connection to vibranium.
Black Panther has something of a spiritual connection to vibranium in the new Ultimate Universe, one that is so strong that he can actually communicate with it. That communication means T’Challa can ‘ask’ vibranium to follow his mental commands, meaning he can summon vibranium almost telekinetically just by calling out to it telepathically. The extent of this power still needs to be more fully explored, but the power itself proves how strong Black Panther truly is.
2 Jim Hammond’s Human Torch will Give the Ultimates the Edge They Need
Free Comic Book Day 2024: Ultimate Universe by Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri
Jim Hammond is the original Human Torch, an android capable of setting his entire body ablaze and weaponizing the flames against his enemies. In both Earth-616 and Earth-6160, the Human Torch fought alongside Captain America during World War II. That’s why the Captain America of the new Ultimate Universe was determined to rescue the Human Torch from one of the Maker’s storage facilities, and recruit him into the Ultimates.
Upon his first appearance in Earth-6160, Human Torch single-handedly saves the rest of the Ultimates from a horde of Hand operatives, proving himself to be perhaps even more of an asset to the team than Iron Lad, Doom, or even Captain America himself. While he’s only had one brief appearance, it was clear from his debut alone that the Human Torch is a major Ultimate Universe powerhouse.
1 Spider-Man has the Power to Dismantle the Maker’s Entire Operation
Ultimate Spider-Man #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto
Every Marvel fan knows that Spider-Man is a premier superhero, and perhaps the most iconic in the entire Marvel catalog. He may not be cosmically powerful, but that doesn’t stop Spider-Man from proving himself more than formidable against even the strongest foes. In this case, that includes the Maker. In the Ultimate Spider-Man comic, Peter Parker is working with Harry Osborn’s Green Goblin to dismantle the Maker’s Council, starting with his operation in New York that’s run by the Kingpin. Plus, Ben Parker and J. Jonah Jameson are using their journalistic skills to uncover the truth about the Maker’s Council.
Not only is Spider-Man a strong superhero with a number of amazing abilities, but he and his allies are actually making some pretty significant headway in taking down the Maker simply by exposing him and his operation. That’s why Spider-Man is one of the 10 most powerful heroes in Marvel Comics’ new Ultimate Universe.
Ultimate Marvel
Created in 2000, the Ultimate Marvel imprint redesigned the entire Marvel Comics universe with a new set of origin stories and relationships. The reboot reinterpreted Marvel continuity from scratch in an attempt to simplify and update the company’s 60-year history for modern audiences. With famous comic book writers such as Brian Michael Bendis, Warren Ellis, and Mark Millar at the helm, the Ultimate universe (named Earth-1610 within the Marvel multiverse) lasted 15 years and provided plenty of inspiration for the MCU.
