Here’s a bombshell for Marvel fans: the Ultimate Universe is officially coming to an end, and it’s not because Ultimate Spider-Man writer Jonathan Hickman wanted it that way. But here’s where it gets controversial—Marvel Comics made the call, seemingly catching Hickman off guard. Yes, the mastermind behind Ultimate Invasion and the grown-up, family-man Peter Parker we’ve grown to love didn’t see this coming. At New York Comic Con, Marvel confirmed the Ultimate Universe will wrap up next year with the Ultimate Endgame event, capping off a two-year saga with a clear beginning, middle, and end. But for Hickman, this wasn’t part of his original plan—a detail that’s both surprising and a little unsettling for fans who’ve been along for the ride.
During a creative retreat, Marvel’s Dan Buckley broke the news to Hickman in a way that feels almost anticlimactic. As Buckley recalls, Hickman thought they were just finishing their stories, but Buckley bluntly stated, ‘No, you’re done.’ Hickman’s stunned reaction—‘What do you mean we’re done?’—speaks volumes about how unexpected this decision was. And this is the part most people miss: Marvel’s move to end the Ultimate Universe now is a strategic one, aiming to preserve its integrity before it risks becoming a tangled mess like the original iteration, which fizzled out under the weight of chaotic events and unnecessary character deaths.
Buckley defends the choice, framing it as a bold experiment in storytelling. ‘This is a journey with a clear arc,’ he explains, ‘something fans can revisit and pass on as a complete narrative.’ But here’s the kicker: this approach is unique to the Ultimate Universe. Marvel has no plans to replicate it with their main universe, which raises the question—why end something that’s working so well? Is this a genius move or a missed opportunity?
The new Ultimate Universe, launched in June 2023 with Hickman and Bryan Hitch’s Ultimate Invasion, reimagined a world without heroes, only for figures like Spider-Man to rise against all odds. From the start, the universe was built toward a specific endpoint: the return of the Maker, a darker version of Reed Richards, whose release triggers Ultimate Endgame. This five-issue event, kicking off in December, promises a climactic showdown that ties everything together.
Here’s the controversial take: Marvel’s decision to end the Ultimate Universe now feels both brave and bittersweet. On one hand, it’s a masterclass in controlled storytelling, avoiding the pitfalls of endless continuity. On the other, it leaves fans wondering what could have been if this universe had more time to evolve. What do you think? Is Marvel making the right call, or are they cutting this experiment short? Let’s debate in the comments—because this is one decision that’s sure to spark differing opinions.
