The Ultimates: Brothers
Issue: #17
Writer: Mark Millar
Pencils: Bryan Hitch
Inker: Paul Neary
Colors: Laura Martin

Janet Pym is in her element—doing talk shows and interviews. She mentions her issues with her soon to be ex-husband, her opinions on Thor’s resignation from the Ultimates, and her relationship with Captain America. However, immediately after the final interview ends, we see that all is not running smoothly between them, in part because of their age difference.

At a dinner for billionaires in Switzerland, Jarvis announces that Tony Stark has found the woman of his dreams and plans to marry her. Stark’s proposal is delivered during a test-flight of Natasha’s new battle armor; Stark has paid the people of her hometown to line up in a way that spells “Will you marry me?” when seen from the air. Natasha accepts.

We cut to demonstrators protesting the super-soldier program in Italy. The police wade into the crowd, beating the demonstrators, but are suddenly knocked down by lightning. Thor tells the police to leave the people alone.

Clint Barton’s quiet time with his family is interrupted by an urgent call from Nick Fury: Thor is now considered a menace, and the Ultimates are going to Europe to deal with him. The team meets some of the European Union’s super-soldiers who will be assisting them with the situation, including Brian Braddock (Captain Britain), and his father James, who designed the suits the soldiers are wearing.

The group is briefed by scientist Gunnar Golman, who drops a major bombshell by revealing that Thor is actually Thorlief Golman, Gunnar’s brother. Gunnar designed and built the Thor armor and hammer to be used by the Norwegian Super-Soldier, but before they could be used, Thorlief stole them, destroying the research facility and beginning his rise to fame as Thor, Norse god of lightning. The equipment is so powerful that it will take the combined abilities of both the Ultimates and the Union to stop the wearer.

In Norway, a number of Thor’s followers are gathered, but Thor is seen apart from them, kneeling in the snow. As he is approached by Jane, who was introduced at the NYC nightclub earlier in the arc, he realizes that the group is under attack. The assailant is Quicksilver, who is stopped by a well-placed lightning bolt. Thor knows SHIELD can see him via satellite. He sends his followers away and confronts the Ultimates alone, asking them to believe his claims of godhood and the fact that his brother is the real danger. His words fall on deaf ears, and everyone readies themselves for the battle to come.

Submitted By: Seldes Katne