The Ultimates 2 #10
	Story Title: 'The Axis of Evil' Writer: Mark Miller Penciller: Bryan Hitch Inker: Paul Neary with Bryan Hitch Colorist: Laura Martin Letterer: VC's Cory Petit Production: Omar Otieku Editor: Ralph Macchio Publisher: Dan Buckley Published by: Marvel Comics
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

The Ultimates (and the rest of the Ultimate Universe) have grown by leaps and bounds, not in their size but in depth. They have come a long way from the earlier days when the Ultimates were fumbling to find their place and give a reason (to the readers) for their existence to this latest issue which is nicely building up to the end of this run (volume #2) of the series.

Continuing from where the last issue left off, with the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters disabled and left open, most of the Ultimates and quite a few of the supporting characters taken out of the equation (beaten, captured and/or killed), to say that the situation is ‘dire’ would be an understatement. For a count, Jarvis is dead, courtesy of the Black Widow, who along with Hank Pym (previous member) is the traitors to the team. Both Thor and Captain American are incarcerated as supposed traitors, Hawkeye has been tortured to get his secrets, with his family also killed (previously). Quicksilver is also supposedly dead and Nick Fury has his right arm ripped away (last issue). In short, it is the lowest point in the team’s existence, not to mention the nation.

With this issue, the story is carried forward, as we come to know about how the rest of the world came together to retaliate against the Great Satan (as said in last issue). Using the teenager/adult shown in #7 (Volume 2) as the antithesis of Captain America is a stroke of genius in that coming full circle sort of way as is make-up of ‘The Liberators’. The Middle East, Chine, North Korea, Syria, the (erstwhile) Soviet Union, each have a member or two in the main team, with Loki constituting up the ‘godly’ part. Even though the choice of the countries is clichéd, the execution is interesting.

Coming to the broken down Ultimates team. The only person out at the start is The Wasp, who making use of her shrinking powers, makes a move that sets the stage for the next issue. On the other end, Tony (Iron Man) has his own confrontation with his traitorous (ex-) fiancée, Natasha. Once again, (if for the first time in the Ultimate Universe) he shows why he such a force to reckon with and not just another guy in a metal armored suit. Even Hawkeye, whose mainline (Earth-616) counterpart I never liked much, is brilliant in his moves. Of all the characters, his anger is the most personal of all. Looking forward to more of him and the others in the next issue.

As with all comics the heroes will save the day in the end, but unlike many others, this one actually has me interested in as to how they are going to salvage a seemingly…well, unsalvageable situation and wrest victory from the jaws of defeat.

Next week will review the ‘Ultimate Avengers’ DVD. Lets see how it stacks up against the comic series.

Conclusion: Brilliant execution. Story, writing and art. The whole triumvirate.

RATING: 9/10 (Almost 9.5)