Marvel Unveils New Variant Covers for Ultimate Invasion

A new line of variant covers will showcase the Ultimate versions of superheroes coinciding with Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch's Ultimate Invasion.

Christian Angeles

March 23, 2023

Marvel Comics is gearing up to release a new line of variant covers this June. Releasing in tandem with the debut of ULTIMATE INVASION, the acclaimed revitalization series from legendary creators Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch, Marvel comics is revisiting its iconic stories and characters of the Ultimate Universe that debuted at the turn of the millennium and is potentially setting the stage for its grand return.

Now, the return of The Ultimates Comics line can mean many things as it was a run that redefined superhero comics in the 2000s. This modern take was meant to relate to the then-young millennial generation and helped introduce an alternate universe for Marvel with a darker, grittier tone, featuring edgier versions of fan-favorite characters.

To celebrate this exciting new chapter in the Ultimate Universe, Marvel is showcasing the Ultimate versions of Marvel heroes and villains in a series of variant covers. The ULTIMATE LAST LOOK VARIANT COVERS will feature some of Marvel’s most acclaimed artists, including Bryan Hitch, Salvador Larroca, Francesco Manna, Mark Bagley, Juann Cabal, Stonehouse, Sara Pichelli, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Adam Kubert, and Pepe Larraz. The covers will be available throughout June and offer fans a chance to see their favorite characters from the Ultimate Universe restored for what could be the final time.

It’s unclear whether ULTIMATE INVASION will mark the definitive end of the Ultimate Universe or serve as a new beginning, but the variant covers suggest that Marvel is eager to offer a tantalizing glimpse into a world that holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. Whether the Ultimate Universe gets resurrected or if we’re bidding it a final farewell, one thing is clear: the Ultimate Universe left an indelible mark on the world of superhero comics, and these variant covers are a fitting tribute to that legacy.