Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Ultimate dissapointment July 8, 2005
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I felt this was the poorest of all the comics I've read in the ultimate collection. The biggest problem was the lack of any real story arc. Despite all the action, very little actually happens. Granted there are some major developments for the next Ultimate X-men saga but these could have probably been added to one comic rather than strectched over 4 issues. Having read some of the other reviews, I was looking forward to reading this one as I thought it would be interesting to see The X-men battle the Avengers. I was expecting great set-pieces with Wolverine battling Captain America but the scenes don't last very long and on a number of occassions, particularly at the start, I was left confused as to what was going on in the pictures. The only reason I have given this 3 stars instead of 1 or 2 is because the next installment in the X-men saga is really good and you need to read this one to fully appreciate it.
 Reads great collectively but not as "stand alone" August 5, 2003
Ryan (Ballymena, Antrim United Kingdom)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
This 4 part story from writer Mark Millar and artist Chris Bachalo was originally published as a crossover mini-series between the Ultimates and the Ultimate X-Men. As such, it is highly recommended that the readers is familiar with both teams, or their more familiar mainstream versions, when reading "Ultimate War", for a complete and rewarding reading experience. "Ultimate War" spins out of events occurring in the preceding Ultimate X-Men paperback, "Hellfire and Brimstone", but Millar provides the reader with all the information needed to follow the events clearly. Basically, Magneto has returned to wage war on humanity, and the Ultimate Avengers – the Ultimates –believe the X-Men have joined Magneto’s forces. As with the other Ultimate titles, fast-paced black-ops action takes centre-stage, with an epic feel and high stakes involved. The detailed plots of past Ultimate volumes gives way here to widescreen action-adventure. Despite a huge cast of many characters, Millar’s individual characterisation shines through, particularly Captain America, Professor Xavier and Magneto (who is truly fearsome here). Several leaps in logic exist in the plot, but these can be overlooked, as an engaging and exciting tale unfolds. The story builds at the correct pace to a confrontation between the X-Men and Ultimates, and when it comes, it’s a tour-de-force in comic-book action. Each character utilises their powers and skills inventively for an exciting scene. However, this finale is also the biggest weakness of Ultimate War – a lack of solid conclusion. Rather, events are set up to be concluded in the next X-Men volume, "Return of the King." Whilst this is expected in the monthly comic market, trade paperbacks cater for different tastes and audiences. At four issues/chapters long, the book finishes sharply, leaving the reader feeling unsatisfied, yet – smart marketing here – hungry for more. Additionally, while Bachalo’s work is detailed and solid (impressive considering three inkers worked on this book), his jagged-edged, small-panelled approach often means it is slightly unclear what is happening in the many action sequences. Overall, an epic and exciting volume, recommended if the reader intends on purchasing both the preceding and following Ultimate paperbacks.
 If you ever Liked comics.... July 5, 2003
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is part five of the series of ultimate x-men comics released by marvel with six and seven coming soon. If you ever read xmen comics as a kid this will be a dream for you although I personally would recommend buying the whole series. It is an acurate new re-telling of the original xmen story, brought kicking and screaming into the new millenium. The art work not only on ultimate war but in all other four editions released at this time is nothing short of perfection. I am 24 and I have had a love of graphic novels all my life, but these are the best I have ever read. Trust me and buy them now, even if it's just one once you have one you'll want them all. The characterisation and writing bring all our favorite characters to life so well you'll wonder when the mutant revolution is coming. I've not been payed off by marvel by the way, they really are simply that good. BUY BUY BUY!!!!
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant May 5, 2003
Mr C M Shaw (UK)
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
Its the fight everyone wanted to see. The Ultimate universe's versions of the Avengers and X-men going at it. When i first heard of the project and its relatively small length (four regular issues) i was wondering how they were going to pull it off. How they do it is to tie it into regular Ultimate continuity, in particular the Ultimate X-Men line. This is a follow-on from the previous Ultimate X-Men storyline (Hellfire and Brimstone) and a lead-in to the next (Return of the King). And it is magnificent. The art is wonderful, the story and script superb and the eventual scrap between the two teams is dynamic and leaves you breathless. A must buy for all fans of comics.
one of the best in the ultimate line April 24, 2003
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book is absolutley a work of art; if you are a strict ultimate fan like me this is a must have.
The plotline:the X-Men are apparently in league with the brotherhood of mutants so after the Brooklyn Bridge is blown up it's up to the world's most famous superheros to take the X-Men down.
In this book you will find out about the fate of an X-Men member
who might not make it and (finally) the introduction of two new ultimate members. Although the start of the book is a bit slow
the fight scenes leave you astounded with such kick-ass fights as Captain America against Wolverine, and Storm against the God of Thunder. These aren't like normal fight scenes from Marvel history, these are proper fight scenes like Hawkeye firing a localized nuke at Colossus or the Beast battling Black Widow. There are also with quite a few intresting moments such as Hawkeye fighting against orthodox Jews in the Danger Room (you don't want to know). This book in my opinion is perhaps one of the best in the ultimate line and it'll leave you begging for more.
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