Back in the early 2000’s Marvel Comics began publishing their “Ultimate” line of comics. The aim was to offer an updated take on popular Marvel titles while giving readers a fresh start, free of the burden of continuity and the like. While some titles certainly got off to a shaky start with some odd or controversial decisions, some titles still proved to be highly successful. Still, over the course of several years, the Ultimate Universe managed to reinvent and reintroduce a vast amount of Marvel characters.
Furthermore, one of the more drastic changes in continuity was the lack of the Avengers at the start of the launch. Though the team would eventually be reintroduced, the original team of superheroes from this universe was simply called “The Ultimates.” While this team closely mirrored the original Avengers lineup, the character changes made for some intriguing changes in powers for these characters. As a result of these differences and changes to certain abilities, here is our list of the 10 most powerful members of the Ultimates.
10 Hawkeye
Despite not having any actual superhuman abilities, Hawkeye is still a very valuable member of the Ultimates, as well as the normal Avengers. Clint Barton in the Ultimate Universe is very similar to his Earth 616 counterpart in terms of skills and abilities. However, as a member of the Ultimates, Clint’s role was a lot more discreet and covert. He is also a bit darker in this universe, making him a bit more brutal than fans of Hawkeye are likely used to.
Regardless, Clint is always able to bring some discretion to the team and provide intel. Little is known about his past in the Ultimate Universe, but it is implied that Clint has pulled off some very impressive feats on his own, well before the Ultimates were even assembled. While other members of the team possess more in terms of sheer power, Clint’s history, knowledge, and talents still make him one of the more powerful Ultimates. What he lacks in terms of powers, he certainly makes up for in skills.
9 Quicksilver
Unfortunately, Quicksilver never really saw much character development in the Ultimate Universe. The basics of his character are the same in that he is a mutant who is the twin brother to Scarlet Witch and can travel at incredible speeds. Yet, while the basics are the same, author Mark Millar made some controversial decisions by implying that Quicksilver was romantically involved with his sister.
Aside from this bizarre twist though, this version of Quicksilver doesn’t quite live up to the legacy that his main counterpart does. He also isn’t shown to be quite as fast as fans are used to. While his abilities may make him stronger and faster than Hawkeye in the physical sense, Ultimate Quicksilver doesn’t offer much in terms of just about anything else.
8 Scarlet Witch
Ultimate Scarlet Witch certainly showed more potential than her brother, yet still didn’t quite live up to that potential. In the main 616 Marvel Universe, Scarlet Witch had successfully wiped nearly all of mutant-kind off the face of the Earth. In the Ultimate universe, however, her skillset is not nearly as powerful. The main difference between her powers is that in the Ultimate Universe, it is suggested that her abilities are much more mathematical. Wolverine also implies that her abilities are directly supernatural based, thanks to her mother.
However, since the potential to become one of Earth’s most powerful mutants is still very clearly there, she safely secures her spot as an incredibly powerful member of the Ultimates. Both Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver would eventually perish at the hands of different opponents, but both would still contribute greatly to the team before their passing.
7 Spider-Man
Following the death of the Ultimate Universe’s Peter Parker, Miles Morales assumed the role of Spider-Man. Though Peter would never see his time as a member of the Ultimates, Miles would eventually come to join the team in a later incarnation. As Spider-Man, Miles possesses incredible strength, the ability to stick to walls, a spider-sense, and even the added abilities of a venom sting and invisibility.
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While Miles certainly got off to a shaky start as a superhero, he quickly found his footing and learned to come into his own. Though most of Miles’ accomplishments have been on his own, there’s no denying his value to the team. Even after joining the main Marvel 616 universe, Miles has only grown stronger, making him all the more formidable an opponent.
6 Wasp
With the help from her husband’s technology, Ultimate Wasp is arguably more relevant to the Ultimates than the original is to the Avengers. For starters, both versions of the character are founding members of their respective teams. Furthermore, with the Ultimates being a more modern take on Earth’s mightiest heroes, Wasp just feels like a more involved and more complex character than she has in the past.
Her powers themselves are incredibly similar to the original’s, but she eventually comes to distance herself from her husband. Wasp’s abilities feel much more pertinent to the situations faced by the Ultimates making her powerful enough to go up against a completely enraged Hulk, even.
5 Giant-Man
Despite being a horrible person, Giant-Man still possesses great power, especially in the Ultimate Universe. Here, Hank Pym actually went from Giant-Man to Ant-Man, whereas the reverse happened in the main Marvel continuity. Both versions depict Pym to be one of Earth’s sharpest minds, meaning that most of Pym’s abilities are derived from science rather than other forces.
In designing his own tech, Pym successfully managed to grow himself to an incredible size while keeping his proportionate strength. This makes Giant-Man a heavy hitter who is also great at clearing large obstructions for rescue missions. Furthermore, Pym’s scientific mind also adds to his value to the team. If he weren’t such a dark character in the Ultimate Universe, perhaps he’d be much easier for other characters to get along with.
4 Nick Fury
The phrase “knowledge is power” could not apply better than in the case of Nick Fury. Both interpretations of the character see Fury as an incredibly intimidating and all-knowing leader. In regards to the Ultimates, Fury assembled the team based off of careful consideration. This version of Fury also pops up around other Ultimate Comics titles, usually to intimidate a hero, offer a tip, or straight-up tell them off.
Much like Hawkeye, Fury has no actual abilities to add in regards to superpowers. However, that hasn’t stopped him from accomplishing any number of things, one way or another. As the intimidating genius leader of the Ultimates, Nick Fury has gone on to accomplish things and possess power in a very different manner.
3 Iron Man
The Ultimate Tony Stark is a more drastic departure from the original than other versions of the Ultimate characters had been. Antonio Stark eventually developed a neural disorder that kept him in constant pain. Using his incredible intellect, he developed the Iron Man suit as a means of controlling his pain.
However, he also created a highly advanced piece of machinery that would prove to be incredibly useful in combat. Much like the original Tony Stark, the Ultimate version has access to a vast amount of wealth and resources. With all of his talents combined, he possesses great political influence while also proving capable of dealing devastating amounts of damage.
2 Thor
Thor remains fairly close to his original version, despite a drastically different appearance. With a lack of cape, lengthy hair and beard, and a Mjolnir that looks more like Stormbreaker, Ultimate Thor certainly comes across as much more intimidating than his Earth 616 version.
However, when audiences are introduced to Ultimate Thor for the first time, he still isn’t worthy of Mjolnir. Without his powers, he uses a magic belt that mimics his god-like abilities. Even without his full abilities, Thor was still incredibly powerful. Once Odin eventually restored his abilities, Thor then became all the more powerful. As a result, Thor, like his original counterpart, is easily one of the most powerful members of the Ultimates.
1 Captain America
Thankfully, Ultimate Steve Rogers has the same type of character as the one that everyone already knows and loves. While the Ultimate Captain America is a bit darker, he still holds onto his morals and sense of hope. Likewise, he also has all of the same abilities. While this may not make him more powerful than Iron Man or Thor in the physical sense, Ultimate Captain America was once able to call himself the President of the United States of America.
Therefore, with the addition of his own superpowers and abilities, Steve Rogers was likely the most powerful man on the planet at one point. Therefore, the political influence, symbolism, and powers that Captain America held undoubtedly makes him the most powerful member of the Ultimates.