| Ultimate Fallout | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Ultimate Marvel (Marvel Comics) |
| Schedule | Weekly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Genre | |
| Publication date | July – August 2011 |
| No. of issues | 6 |
| Main character(s) | Mary Jane Watson Gwen Stacy Ultimates Nick Fury |
| Creative team | |
| Written by | Brian Michael Bendis Jonathan Hickman Nick Spencer |
| Penciller(s) | Mark Bagley Gabriel Hardman Bryan Hitch Lee Garbett Steve Kurth Eric Nguyen Carlo Pagulayan Sara Pichelli Salvador Larroca Clayton Crain Luke Ross Billy Tan Mitch Breitweiser |
Ultimate Comics: Fallout is acomic booklimited series published byMarvel Comics that debuted in July 2011 as part of the second re-launch of theUltimate Universe. The story itself deals mainly with the aftermath of the "Death of Spider-Man" storyline, and focuses on the impact of the death ofSpider-Man on many Ultimate Marvel characters, including his close friends and family. It is written byBrian Michael Bendis,Jonathan Hickman, andNick Spencer. It also introduced a new art style by Gabriel Hardman that would go on to be featured in the sequel seriesUltimate Comics: Spider-Man and the crossoverSpider-Men.
The series takes place in theUltimate Universe, following bothUltimate Comics: Avengers,Ultimate Comics: X, and specifically the "Death of Spider-Man" inUltimate Comics: Spider-Man. At the same time, the series represents the beginning of the second re-launch (orRebirth) of Ultimate Marvel, which would bring about new ongoing titles such asUltimate Comics: Ultimates,Ultimate Comics: X-Men, and a re-launchedUltimate Comics: Spider-Man featuring a new Spider-Man.Jonathan Hickman,Nick Spencer, andBrian Michael Bendis represent the three writers of these upcoming respective books, as well as the co-writers toFallout itself.
In the aftermath of his death match against theGreen Goblin,Spider-Man has died in the arms ofAunt May andMary Jane Watson. The death of Spider-Man has affected everyone.Gwen Stacy considers herself a curse.J. Jonah Jameson knew that Peter Parker was Spider-Man and couldn't think of a way to print this out for theDaily Bugle. Both the Human Torch andKitty Pryde are shown to be saddened by the loss of their friend.Tony Stark foots the bill for the largest funeral in New York. At the funeral, Aunt May is visited by a young girl who Spider-Man once saved from a fire. Aunt May is then approached by a remorsefulCaptain America who states that what happened to Peter was his fault. Mary Jane Watson even blamesNick Fury for Peter's death.[1]
When Captain America tells Aunt May that Spider-Man "wasn't ready to be one of the Ultimates" and that the gunshot was meant for him, Aunt May scolds Captain America for making the decision that cost her the life of Peter Parker. Aunt May manages to find condolence from J. Jonah Jameson. The grievances are reached in different ways, ranging fromThor andRogue. Meanwhile, Mary Jane plans her retribution, stating that Nick Fury and his team of superheroes are responsible for Spider-Man's death.[2]
While at Spider-Man's funeral, Tony Stark has a flashback revolving around his brotherGregory Stark's funeral. During that time, he had an encounter with Jonathan Blackhaven of Blackhaven Pharmaceuticals who asked Tony to finish his brother's work. Meanwhile, Kitty Pryde decides to go into hiding with Human Torch andIceman whilst Karen Grant (the alias ofJean Grey) helpsBruce Banner remember the first time he lost control and transformed into the Hulk when he first fought Spider-Man.[3]
Following his release from prison,Kangaroo assaults a man who owes him money. Just then, someone in a Spider-Man costume ends up fighting Kangaroo. After defeating Kangaroo, some people of New York expressed disapproval of his actions, stating that wearing Peter's costume was disrespectful. Upon heading to the rooftop, this Spider-Man unmasks himself to be an African-American/Latino boy namedMiles Morales who states that it is in bad taste to wear a Spider-Man costume. Meanwhile,Mister Fantastic is revealed to be alive in the N-Zone with a horrible scar covering his right face, claiming that the heroes have ruined his chances of making the world a better place. He starts to rebuild his lab out of the remains from his last battle and then activates a machine that transports him to an unknown jungle. Upon building a new lab, he gathers together a small group of people and informs them that he will be sealing them in a dome and that they must evolve in order to survive. While these events are occurring, a government official begins to prepare for an announcement that will tell the world the truth about where the mutant gene came from.[4]
Philip Hanstead meets withPietro Lensherr to carry out some business in regards to the mutant race. Meanwhile, Nick Fury is told that the European Union has reconstituted the Super-Soldier Program which will be led byJamie Braddock as the newCaptain Britain. There are also reports that the Southeast Asian Republic (SEAR) is attempting to start their own Super-Soldier project, and tensions between Argentina and Uruguay are rising to the point of all out war. To make matters even worse, Fury is told by aWhite House representative that thePresident of the United States is planning on cuttingS.H.I.E.L.D.'s budget by thirty percent, leaving Fury to wonder how he can protect the United States against growing threats with dwindling resources.[5]
Aunt May and Gwen Stacy struggle with the attention that came with Peter's death and plan to take up Tony Stark's offer to be relocated to anywhere in the world, deciding to move to one of Stark's villas in France. Meanwhile, Kitty Pryde, Bobby Drake, and Johnny Storm take shelter in the former home of theMorlocks whilst Nick Fury continues to prepare for an upcoming international crisis after Captain America resigns from S.H.I.E.L.D. Mary Jane is seen still writing her article about Spider-Man's death when Nick Fury suddenly appears in her room. He tells Mary Jane that he loved Peter and was trying to groom him to become a great man like his father. However, he admits that he fears he pushed Peter too hard and blames himself for his death. The final panel shows Nick Fury crying due to his guilt.
Response to the introduction ofMiles Morales as the new Spider-Man had been generally mixed, creating a certain amount of controversy. Some members of the media had come out in support of the decision, which was prompted by author Brian Michael Bendis' discovery thatCommunity actorDonald Glover had campaigned for the role of Spider-Man inThe Amazing Spider-Man.[14]
However, many vicious reactions broke out across the web before the storyline even came to completion, with notable critical views coming from high-profile figures such asGlenn Beck[15] (who blamedMichelle Obama). While some had alleged this reaction to be an extension of racism, many simply argued that Spider-Man has always been, and always will be Peter Parker,[16] whilst others have cited the many unsuccessful previous attempts to change Spider-Man's past or his identity. Some fans have also criticized his age, as the content of comic books has increased in adult themes over the years, making a 13-year-old hero in the Ultimate universe somewhat inaccessible to many.[17]
| Title | Material collected | Published date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Comics: Fallout | Ultimate Comics: Fallout #1-6 | December 2011 | 978-0785159124 |