Ready for an Ultimate Universe unlike anything we’ve seen before? Marvel’s new Ultimate U has been running since 2023, and is one of the hottest lines in comics. From the blockbuster Ultimate Spider-Man to the wild Ultimate X-Men, even with only a handful of titles in the line, it can feel a little overwhelming to know where to jump in. That’s where our Ultimate Universe reading order comes in.
Beginning with Marvel’s Ultimate Invasion in 2023, writer Jonathan Hickman built a new cosmos for the Marvel Universe, alongside an incredible team of writers, artists, colorists, letterers and more. Even if you think you know the original Ultimate Universe from 2000… You have no idea. Hickman and the rest of the team took what the original universe was and dismantled it, to shape it into something new.
Here’s the short version: The Maker, the insane Reed Richards from the original Ultimate Universe, creates a plan to have his ideal world. And in that ideal world, he’s the ruler, and there aren’t any heroes. The Maker also has a Council made up of darker, deadlier versions of characters you know, who end up becoming the main antagonists throughout many of the Ultimate U series. It includes Ra and Konshu (an alternate version of Moon Knight), Hulk, some mutants (like Colossus, Sunfire, and Magik), and a few other members.
Into this darker Ultimate Universe, heroes do begin to arise, thanks to a new, younger version of Tony Stark called Iron Lad who locks The Maker away for two years. In the meantime, Iron Lad discovers The Maker has hidden keys to turning whichever heroes are left into the icons they’re meant to be. And as he does, time is ticking down to The Maker’s eventual return.
Because of this, the new Ultimate Universe feels way more intertwined than the previous one. All series, even though independent, happen simultaneously, in real-time, and have some connection. That’s why an Ultimate Universe reading order is so important… We’ll help you with trade paperback/issue descriptions for the series so you can find the ones that suit you the most. At the bottom, there’s a simple chronological release order for every issue, if you don’t want to miss anything. And we’re even including issues that haven’t been released yet, in case you want to plan ahead!
On the eve of the release of Ultimate Universe: One Year In #1, a special issue that sets the stage for the next year of storylines, you’re going to want to get caught up, and quick. So read on for the complete Ultimate Universe reading order, as of December 9, 2024.
Ultimate Invasion
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Bryan Hitch
The title is a big build-up for the new Ultimate Universe and its inherent conflicts. The Maker asks for Iron Man’s help to create a machine, which results in a big confrontation between them and a third party.
Ultimate Universe #1
Writer: Jonathan Hickman, Peach Momoko
Artist: Stefano Caselli, Peach Momoko
Tony Stark, AKA Iron Lad, recruits other heroes for his plan to stop the Maker’s Council. Finally, heroes who had their future stolen, like Thor and many others, will get a chance to be their true selves. But are they ready for what’s next?
Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1: Married with Children TP
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto, David Messina
Look at that title! Hickman knows how exciting it is to have a story with Peter, MJ, and their kids, and he doesn’t disappoint. Here, his big bad is Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin — and Spidey receives help from none other than the Green Goblin.
Ultimate Black Panther Vol. 1: Peace and War TP
Writer: Bryan Hill
Artist: Stefano Caselli, Carlos Nieto
Unlike some of the other titles, Ultimate Black Panther brings on a relatively familiar Wakanda and Black Panther. The cherry on the sundae is Storm’s, Killmonger’s, and Moon Knight’s characterization, which are very different than their mainstream universe counterparts.
Ultimate X-Men Vol. 1: Fears and Hates TP
Writer: Peach Momoko
Artist: Peach Momoko
After her out-of-continuity Demon Days saga, it became obvious Momoko needed a shot at the X-Men Universe. Fortunately, she’s already building something unique, universe and team-wise.
The Ultimates Vol. 1: Fix the World TP
Writer: Deniz Camp, Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Juan Frigeri, Phil Noto, Stefano Caselli
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Deniz Camp has been writing one of the most consistent books of this new Ultimate Universe with The Ultimates. It also has quite a fresh feel, as most of it is Tony and the other heroes recruiting new members to eventually take down The Maker when he returns.
[Note: This collects Ultimates #1 through #6, and Ultimate Universe Special #1, which you can find as single issues.]
Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 2: The Paper TP
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto, David Messina
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Peter and Harry’s lives get a little harder as the Sinister Six make their move. But they aren’t the only ones with moves to play, as Uncle Ben and Jonah (the best duo in the book) search for the truth behind the Ultimate U.
[Note: This collects Ultimate Spider-Man #7 through #12, which you can find as single issues.]
Ultimate Black Panther Vol. 2: Gods and Kings TP
Writer: Bryan Hill
Artist: Stefano Caselli, Carlos Nieto
Release Date: April 15, 2025
Ra and Konshu show they are taking Black Panther seriously and their dispute worsens. Now, T’Challa needs a counterstrike — and new allies.
[Note: This collects Ultimate Black Panther #7 through #12, which you can find as single issues.]
Ultimate X-Men Vol. 2: Children of the Atom TP
Writer: Peach Momoko
Artist: Peach Momoko
Release Date: May 27, 2025
With the stage set, it’s time for our super-group to shine. Momoko focuses on the Children of the Atom, a cult recruiting mutants for Sunfire. It’s a great spin on the original X-Men and a growing conflict for our protagonists.
[Note: This collects Ultimate X-Men #7 through #12, which you can find as single issues.]
The Ultimates #7
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Juan Frigeri
A welcome, less action-focused issue that dives into the characters’ mentalities. Also, it has a few hints on who and where America Chavez might come from (who’ll be a major player in the next few issues).
Ultimate Universe: One Year In #1
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Jonas Scharf
Release Date: December 11, 2024
This issue will define much of what we’ll see in this second year of the Ultimate Universe, so we’ll take a closer look inside the Maker’s Council. It’ll mark the first appearance of Ultimate Wolverine, too.
The Ultimates #8
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Juan Frigeri
Release Date: January 1, 2025
The Guardians of the Galaxy make their first appearance! For some reason, these travelers from a distant and Maker-free future come searching for America Chavez.
Ultimate Wolverine #1
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Alessandro Cappuccio
Release Date: January 15, 2025
Each title gives us glimpses of a different corner of the world and the Council members who rule. Now, it’s Colossus and Magik’s turn with Ultimate Wolverine. He is their deadliest weapon… But for how long?
Ultimate Spider-Man #13
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Issue #13 will be Hickman’s love letter to Kraven’s Last Hunt and we can’t wait to see how he will play with the original, and what role Green Goblin will have in the story.
The Ultimates #9
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Chris Allen
Release Date: February 5, 2025
Meeting a new player in this book is always an incredible treat, and finally seeing Luke Cage makes it even better. And discovering cage is undercover inside a prison is an interesting dynamic that could bring forth some powerful social commentary.
Ultimate Spider-Man #14
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Continuing where the previous issue left off, our heroes turn the hunter into the hunted.
Ultimate Black Panther #13
Writer: Bryan Hill
Artist: Stefano Caselli
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Ultimate Black Panther has been hinting at the mysteries of Vibranium for a while now. It’s finally time to dig deeper.
Ultimate Wolverine #2
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Alessandro Cappuccio
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Colossus puts Wolverine to the test by making him battle against a group fighting for mutant liberation. Will we maybe see some familiar or important faces there?
Ultimate X-Men #12
Writer: Peach Momoko
Artist: Peach Momoko
Release Date: February 26, 2025
The first year of Ultimate X-Men ends with a showdown with the Shadow King.
Ultimate X-Men #13
Writer: Peach Momoko
Artist: Peach Momoko
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Ultimate X-Men seems to be starting its second year with a bang, and we’re all for it. The Children of the Atom problem explodes, turning everything more chaotic. Also, a big shoutout to Momoko for writing, drawing, and doing covers for 13 issues straight!
Free Comic Book Day 2025: Amazing Spider-Man / Ultimate Universe #1
Writer: Deniz Camp, Cody Ziglar
Artist: Jonas Scharf
Release Date: May 3, 2025
This FCBD will give us a prologue to a new event from the Ultimate Universe starting this summer. Is The Maker back already?
Ultimate Universe Reading Order: Issue-By-Issue In Chronological Release Order
If you prefer to read issue by issue, here’s the complete Ultimate Universe release order for every issue published so far, and what has been solicited to comic book shops as of December 9, 2024.
Ultimate Invasion #1 to #4
Ultimate Universe (2023) #1
Ultimate Spider-Man #1
Ultimate Black Panther #1
Ultimate Spider-Man #2
Ultimate X-Men #1
Ultimate Black Panther #2
Ultimate Spider-Man #3
Ultimate X-Men #2
Ultimate Black Panther #3
Ultimate Spider-Man #4
Ultimate X-Men #3
Ultimate Black Panther #4
Ultimate Spider-Man #5
Free Comic Book Day 2024: Ultimate Universe/Spider-Man #1
The Ultimates #1
Ultimate X-Men #4
Ultimate Spider-Man #6
Ultimate Black Panther #5
The Ultimates #2
Ultimate X-Men #5
Ultimate Black Panther #6
Ultimate Spider-Man #7
Ultimate Black Panther #7
The Ultimates #3
Ultimate Spider-Man #8
Ultimate X-Men #6
The Ultimates #4
Ultimate Black Panther #8
Ultimate X-Men #7
Ultimate Spider-Man #9
Ultimate Black Panther #9
The Ultimates #5
Ultimate Spider-Man #10
Ultimate X-Men #8
The Ultimates #6
Ultimate X-Men #9
Ultimate Spider-Man #11
Ultimate Black Panther #10
The Ultimates #7
Ultimate Universe: One Year In #1
Ultimate X-Men #10
Ultimate Spider-Man #12
Ultimate Black Panther #11
The Ultimates #8
Ultimate Black Panther #12
Ultimate Wolverine #1
Ultimate Spider-Man #13
Ultimate X-Men #11
The Ultimates #9
Ultimate Spider-Man #14
Ultimate Black Panther #13
Ultimate Wolverine #2
Ultimate X-Men #12
Ultimate X-Men #13
Free Comic Book Day 2025: Amazing Spider-Man / Ultimate Universe #1
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