As a longtime fan of comic books and alternative universes, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about the Ultraverse and its short-lived animated series, “Ultraforce.” The Ultraverse was a unique corner of the comic book world that offered an intriguing take on superhero teams and their adventures. But unfortunately, the universe’s fate was sealed when Marvel acquired Malibu Comics in 1994, effectively ending the Ultraverse for good – or so it seemed.
In the fiercely competitive landscape of comic books, a strategic acquisition can lead to the demise of entire universes. A clear example is what happened to Malibu Comics’ Ultraverse in 1994 when Marvel Comics took it over. Some Ultraverse titles carried on as relaunches, but by 1996, Marvel chose to eliminate this alternate universe from their collection. Almost all traces of the Ultraverse vanished, except for one lingering remnant that can now be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
“Ultraforce” is a 13-episode animated show from 1995 that introduces viewers to the Ultraverse comics’ equivalent of the Avengers or Justice League. This captivating series brings to life the thrilling adventures of some of the Ultraverse’s notable characters as they battle their most formidable foes. Originally aired during the Ultraverse franchise’s Marvel era, it offers a unique perspective into an almost forgotten comic book realm. Feel free to explore this intriguing series now.
Marvel acquired the Ultraverse to get one over on DC
From a fan’s perspective, the Ultraverse universe, located at Earth-93060 within the Marvel multiverse, has been largely untouched since Marvel canceled their titles back in 1996. It’s intriguing to consider why Marvel hasn’t delved into this world anymore, especially given that they may not have held a strong interest in Malibu and its characters to begin with. Instead, it seems Marvel stepped in to protect their turf, preventing DC Comics from potentially acquiring Malibu and becoming a stronger competitor.
“Tom Mason, Malibu Comics’ co-founder and Ultraverse co-creator, revealed to Filing Cabinet of the Damned that Marvel’s primary motivation for acquiring Malibu in 1994 was to prevent DC from taking over. However, due to Marvel’s own financial struggles and a dismal comic book market, it became apparent that keeping Ultraverse alive was no longer an option.”
If the circumstances had unfolded differently, the Ultraverse could be a major player in the comic book universe scene, but for now, it remains relatively unknown and potentially dormant (with the exception of the “UltraForce” series on Prime Video). This is undoubtedly disappointing for devoted fans of Malibu’s classic works. However, had Malibu persisted and become part of the superhero film industry, it’s uncertain whether it would have thrived or merely added to the list of unsuccessful cinematic universes. At least, Marvel has a wealth of Ultraverse material to explore should interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever wane.
Marvel likely won’t ever bring back this Ultraverse character for a horrible reason
It’s important to mention upfront that among the quirks of “UltraForce” is a character whose revival in the Marvel universe seems extremely unlikely. The creator of Ultrverse’s Superman-esque character Prime is Gerard Jones. However, it’s unfortunate news that in 2017, Jones was apprehended on charges of possessing and disseminating child pornography. Subsequently, in 2018, he was sentenced to six years in prison for these offenses.
In a 2005 interview with Newsarama (as mentioned on Wikipedia), Joe Quesada from Marvel suggested a possible factor in the revival of Ultraverse was the original creators receiving a portion of the revenue. He explained, “There are whispers that this hinges on a particular percentage of profits being allocated to the inventive minds.” However, he clarified, “This isn’t the sole reason we’ve kept our distance from these characters; there’s a more significant motivation at play. I personally don’t believe it’s appropriate for me to disclose those private matters.”
Jones, who was not specifically named and may not be the primary issue Quesada alluded to, is highly unlikely to appear in Marvel comics given his past misdeeds and the potential financial obligation for Marvel to involve him. Consequently, Prime’s return is an unlikely prospect even if other Ultraverse characters regain prominence.
As a concerned gamer, I want to bring your attention to an important issue. If you or someone you care about is experiencing child abuse, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. You can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or utilize their live chat services when you need support. Remember, it’s okay to ask for assistance and prioritize your safety and wellbeing.
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2024-07-29 21:00