Comics to Reflect Reality
Variant Cover for DC All In Special #1 by Wes Craig
In Fall 2000, Marvel launched a new line of comics set in the "UItimate Universe," a new continuity intended to modernize classic heroes by putting them in a world closer to ours politically, technologically, and culturally. It started with Ultimate Spider-Man, presenting Peter Parker as a modern teenager with a revamped origin story, bringing him back to his roots and putting creative twists on his classic friends and villains. Eventually, The Ultimates debuted; the Ultimate Universe’s version of the Avengers. It reimagined the superhero team through the kaleidoscope of modern politics and current events. The first volume was a primary source material for The Avengers film in 2012.
In Fall 2023, Marvel started a new Ultimate Universe. However, where the 2000's Ultimates were recognizable and not far from their main continuity counterparts, just put in a modern context, 2023's Ultimates exist in a universe where all superheroes’ origins were manipulated by the reality-breaking villain The Maker, preventing them from coming into their powers and becoming the heroes they’re meant to be. It's a world where everything is controlled by a secret elite council driven by power and greed and trying to do good is always an uphill battle. To change anything, the heroes must go against the corrupt government and its systems, being labeled terrorists. The world appears more distant from our current reality but feels closer to it than the 2000’s Ultimate Universe ever could. We face issues and navigate conflicts that never crossed most people’s minds twenty-five years ago. Despite its sci-fi technology, mystical powers and aliens, the Maker’s Ultimate Universe mirrors our anxieties and frustrations with the current state of the world and shows us heroes struggling with them and facing them head-on.
In Fall 2024, DC Comics launched the Absolute Universe. It's important to note that this idea had been in development since before Marvel's new Ultimate Universe launched, so there’s no stealing, just the collective subconscious I suppose. Similar to the new Ultimate Universe, this universe was created from the essence of the evil New God Darkseid and the heroes have been stripped of their assets and allies. Where the main continuity DC Universe is driven by life and hope, the Absolute is driven by challenge and turmoil. The heroes we know are fighting against greedy megacorporations and the 1%, backs always against the wall, figuring everything out on their own. It’s easy for DC’s strongest heroes to feel powerful and untouchable. But in this universe, Batman isn’t a millionaire, but the son of a teacher, who instead of investing in high-tech gadgets and fancy vehicles, must invest in his physical prowess and use his ingenuity to make the best of the tools he has. Superman comes from a Krypton that ignored the planet’s environmental degradation, and so he fights for workers’ rights and against energy corporations. It’s fascinating to see how the writers are reimagining these characters and their worlds, but it’s so encouraging and engaging to read about them fighting what we’re fighting, struggling with what we have to deal with each day.
The details of these universes are heightened and fantastical but, as I said, they feel incredibly relevant to our current reality. Today's world is so complicated. The truth is always obscured, we're constantly overstimulated by information, much of which is manipulative if not deceitful. The ultrawealthy controls most of the systems and commodities we need to survive. The heroes have to try twice as hard to cut through the noise and make an impact. I won't speak for any population of people, but for me, these heroes being stripped of their defining support systems and powers, whether that be a billionaire's wealth or a loving family, makes these superheroes feel more relevant and relatable than they have in a long time. Life is hard. Everything is more expensive than it has ever been. And it’s going to get worse before it gets better, but reading about these relatable heroes gives me hope. If you're suffering from superhero fatigue or are curious about the current state of superhero comics, I can't recommend these critically acclaimed modern myths enough.
