Marvel Comics’ announcement that they were shutting down the new Ultimate Universe line after two years stunned comic readers. Indeed, it stunned many of the creators working on the titles devoted to the new alternate universe. However, two comics featuring Miles Morales suggest that part of the Ultimate Universe will survive on Earth-616.
The first hint came in the finale of Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion. Written by Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar, with art by Jonas Scharf, the series found Miles Morales traveling to the new Ultimate Universe in search of his missing sister. This brought him into contact with the heroes of the new world, including The Ultimates.
Miles’ odyssey in the Ultimate Universe ultimately brought him into battle with Emmanuel Da Costa. A Mutant by birth, Da Costa had begun augmenting his natural powers with superpower catalysts stolen from the Maker.
Additionally, the Ultimates discovered that Da Costa had been constructing bootleg versions of the Origin Boxes Tony Stark had used to restore the superheroes that The Maker had prevented from ever existing. This raised the frightening possibility of the Maker’s Council creating their own army of superpowered soldiers.
Miles Morales saves one thing from New Ultimate Universe
This discovery gave the Ultimates quite the conundrum. Destroying the Origin Boxes was too dangerous and they couldn’t risk them being stolen. Miles Morales suggested the obvious solution; let him remove the Origin Boxes from the Ultimate Universe when he returned home.
The Ultimate Universe Tony Stark wasn’t thrilled with this plan, but couldn’t think of a better alternative. Miles agreed to act as a courier, taking the Origin Boxes to the Avengers of his world. Even if they couldn’t find a way to dispose of them safely, they could make sure they didn’t fall into the wrong hands.
However, a follow-up scene at the end of Miles Morales: Spider-Man #39 by Cody Ziglar and Luigi Zagaria revealed Miles was slow in delivering the boxes to the Avengers. Indeed, he first showed them to Misty Knight, who is employing him as a superhero intern. The comic closed with a banner proclaiming the Origin Boxes will be explored at some point in 2026. If this banner is accurate, it means the Ultimate Universe may not be as dead and gone as Marvel Comics’ editorial team previously stated.
Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #5 and Miles Morales: Spider-Man #39 are now available at comic shops everywhere.
