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WHILE it may not come out as often as fans would like, "The Ultimates" still ranks as one of the best titles being published by Marvel today.
The latest issue to hit the shops is Issue 8, and it packs enough action and character information on the Black Ops unit of S.H.I.E.L.D to satiate fans who have been patiently waiting for this issue.
But first, a recap.
The Ultimates is a re-imagining of the Avengers, with their original line-up of Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Wasp, Giant Man and The Hulk.
In this reality, we don't have the Avengers but instead, we get The Ultimates who have been brought together as the USA's answer to the increased meta-human and mutant activity.
Like most exploits by American-funded outfits on the global stage these days, the Ultimates is part global politics, parts brute muscle and part PR exercise.
The first story arc, which detailed how the Ultimates were brought together, is collected in Ultimates: Volume One.
Ultimates: Volume One opens in the secret battles of WW2, as a covert team of US troopers head off to a secret Nazi science facility. The team was led by the one and only Captain America.
This sequence will tie in directly into events that unfold in Issue 8.
In the few brief opening pages of Volume One, writer Mark Millar re- discovers what made Captain America's early exploits great. It has a sense of rollercoaster thrills, and the Cap leads the troops to victory. However, while the mission ends in a success, it has a high price as the Captain is lost somewhere in the Arctic ocean, and the super-soldier serum that created him is lost with him.
We are then taken fast forward to the present day.
The US Government, via top scientist Bruce Banner, is still trying to crack the secrets of the super-soldier serum with no luck. Banner's attempt at creating the serum has so far ended in disaster. He tested a prototype on himself, but instead of turning into a Captain America he instead became an incredible, and raging Hulk.
Banner was roped in by S.H.I.E.L.D boss Nick Fury, who's landed the job of putting together and leading the Ultimates.
Fury brings on board Jan...