The Ultimates: Born on the Fourth of July
Issue: #21
Writer: Mark Millar
Pencils: Bryan Hitch
Inker: Paul Neary and John Barber
Colors: Laura Martin

All is not well in the relationship between Steve Rogers and Janet Pym. The issue opens with them arguing about Jan’s relationship with Hank; in the course of the fight, Rogers jumps over the railing of the apartment’s patio and takes off over the rooftops of New York.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the murders of the Barton family is underway. Hawkeye’s body is missing. Nicholas Fury reveals that he was baby Nicole’s godfather, and orders that the security tapes from the family’s home be examined. While the main cameras had been disabled by the attackers, there’s a set of secret cameras they didn’t know about. What is seen on the tapes stuns everyone watching.

Cap has stopped at the one place he feels comfortable talking: Bucky and Gail’s home. He talks to Bucky about his inability to fit in in this century and the difficulties he’s having with Jan.

As Fury calls the Reserves into action, preferring to keep the main members of the Ultimates out of the picture, Cap and Bucky take a walk through a cemetery and discuss some of the people they knew. Just as Bucky is telling Cap about the funeral service held after his disappearance, the two are attacked by the Reserves. Bucky is carried out of the battle; Rogers is taken captive through brute force and tranquilizers. Fury accuses him of being an imposter. Rogers breaks free and runs, but is taken out by an explosion.

The word goes out to the rest of the Ultimates. Natasha is trying to pick out a wedding dress, assisted by Wanda and Pietro Maximov. Tony Stark is being confronted by his board of directors over a plane he’s been secretly assembling. Jan finds Hank in a bar, and together the two learn of Roger’s capture on the television.

Submitted By: Seldes Katne