The Ultimates 3 #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Artist: Joe Madureira

Colors: Christian Lichtner

Eyebrows like that, he must be a natural blond.

Iron Man is getting drunk, Hank Pym od’ed on prescription medication, and various objectified blonde women are fighting over Thor and his cooler-sized pectorals. Yes, it’s just another Sunday at the Ultimates’ mansion. Too bad Magneto has to show up and spoil it.

In The Ultimates 3, #2, Quicksilver obsesses over the death of his sister, the Brotherhood attacks Ultimates headquarters, and the Blob raids the fridge. Cap gets a few jabs into Sabretooth, and Hawkeye’s new costume could use a breathing hole.

Jeph Loeb brings his trademark sense of humor to the Ultimates, which is bad and good. The good? Loeb’s a clever writer. The bad? It changes the tone of The Ultimates from the previous two story arcs. The Ultimates’ serious, realistic approach to superhero comics was unique and compelling. Loeb’s change in tone is fun, but more mainstream than the title was. His best writing is the four page Spider-Man cameo that opens the book. Loeb writes Spider-Man as well as Bendis, and one hopes he’ll get another chance to interpret the character.

Joe Madureira’s art is enjoyable, but the style is so cartoon-y it feels like visual junk food. Like Loeb’s writing, Joe Mad’s art lacks the realism that made Greg Land’s work on previous Ultimates titles so believable. The biggest problem is Christian Lichtner’s digital paints, which are pretty, but make the book look like an elaborately frosted birthday cake.

Worth the money? Only for hardcore fans.