Who says there is no such thing as a re-launch?
Much to the dismay of many older comic fans, Marvel's Ultimate line has been an incredible success. The Ultimate books re-set all of the origins of the Marvel characters in present day. They maintain the core character traits, but often take liberties with the details.

For example, Doctor Octopus and Green Goblin share the same life-changing explosion. Bruce Banner becomes Hulk while trying to re-discover Captain America's super- soldier serum. Nick Fury assembles the Avengers. These changes are a breath of fresh air into otherwise stale characters.

Take it or leave it, the Ultimate line is here to stay. Spider-Man, X-Men and the Avengers (now The Ultimates) all have received the Ultimate treatment and they have all sold exceptionally well. "Ultimate Six" is the second Ultimate cross-over series and details the origin of the Ultimate Sinister Six.

It's plot your ordinary Marvel book
The Ultimates have taken the center stage in the Ultimate universe. Ultimate Six begins at their headquarters where five Spider-Man villains (Doc Ock, Green Goblin, Kraven the Hunter, Electro and Sandman) are kept in a high-security prison. In a shocking turn of events, the villains break loose and it is up to the Ultimates and Spider-Man to stop them. But who is the sixth member? Time will tell.

Nick Fury keeps the villains together because all of them have chosen to modify their own genes… not unlike the elusive super-soldier serum formula Fury so desperately wants. Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Millar, the two Ultimate-line writers, have brilliantly woven the super-soldier serum into the center patch the Ultimate universe. "Ultimate Six" is the crescendo of Bendis' and Millar's master quilt work.

Bendis in Norman's Land
The first four (of six) issues released thus far have not disappointed. Writer Brian Michael Bendis delivers the witty, smart dialogue we've come to expect from him. He's also written in plenty of visual sequences that allow for penciler Trevor Hairsine to shine.

Hairsine's art excels in large, full-page displays and close-ups on character faces, but some of the intermediate art seems sloppy. His style is more reminiscent of the artwork seen in The Ultimates than that of Ultimate Spider-Man. In fact, even though the story details the Ultimate Sinister Six… this is really an Ultimates story. In the first four issues Spider-Man has only played a minor role.

The driving force in the plot seems to be a feud between Nick Fury and Norman Osborn. What you say? Yes, it is an unlikely rivalry that only a clever re-launch could allow for, but it works brilliantly.

The Verdict
So, are the first four issues worth your time to dig up? A resounding "Hell yes." The characters in the Ultimate line, though rehashes of old favorites, are currently the most compelling characters in comics. They carry with them a cinematic feel that jives with the modern-day geek's picky tastes. I give it my highest recommendation.