Marvel Closes Ultimate Universe With Ultimate Endgame

Marvel is ending its Ultimate Universe with Ultimate Endgame, a five-issue crossover launching Dec. 31 that reunites the Ultimate line against The Maker and will feature extensive variant art and 'True Believers' blind bags. Matt Shakman's Fantastic Four recently returned to theaters to critical praise but modest box office and will be issued on 4K UHD as The Fantastic Four: First Steps — Cinematic Universe Edition, starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, with a storyline centering on Sue’s newborn Franklin as the Silver Surfer while Galactus threatens Earth. Marvel is leaning into milestone and event storytelling across its core line: the oversized Avengers anniversary issue, numbered Avengers #800 but published as Avengers #34, will drive a Kang/Myrddin endgame. Observers are divided over whether the Ultimate finale marks a genuine creative turning point or will be followed quickly by another relaunch.