[TheBlueMarvel]

@Triv

I'm glad you see it that way, but to me, it felt far too rote. The retread of old heroes with a twist was NOT what I was looking for. At the time, I was reading books like Planetary and Authority (DC). Those books handled much of the same material you're extolling of with greater skill and refreshingly new takes on storytelling. That was a halcyon period of writing for DC (100 Bullets, Jonah Hex, Preacher, etc) and (IMO) many of the stories were far more cerebral and better conceived from a structural perspective.

My lack of enthusiasm over the Ultimate Universe doesn't stem from an aversion to homosexual characters, themes, or situations (FYI I view the anti pc/anti diversity-agenda argument as idiotic and representative of a myopic, or stilted world view). I don't care for the Ultimate Universe because I view(ed) it as a gimmick on a multitude of fronts. Marvel used the space as a place to keep bored artists within the fold, while providing greater freedom of expression than was enjoyed in the 616 continuity. Many writers and artists were feeling confined by the "Marvel way," especially with DC doing exciting things. Lacking the temerity to explore different voices and lifestyles with their stable of heroes, Marvel created a shunted-off universe where everything could be easily dismissed as inconsequential given its stepchild status.

I've read a decent amount of Ultimate stuff, I'm just not particularly wowed by it....Had Marvel treated the universe like Epic or MAX, I might've respected the effort a bit more.

EDIT: and BLAH.

I liked that Select Gray Hulk fig!