Fans Stunned as Marvel Ends the Ultimates Era; Has the Comic Giant Lost Its Mind?

Marvel Comics has decided to shut down its Ultimates Universe next year with the release of Ultimates Endgame in 2026. The decision ends one of Marvel’s most talked-about lines, which had briefly given readers hope that the company still knew how to tell strong stories. Instead, Marvel is choosing to close the books on the one corner of its brand that seemed to be working.

Fans first heard the news at New York Comic Con. The announcement sparked confusion online, as many assumed writer Jonathan Hickman, the architect of the modern Ultimate universe, had been forced out. Writer Deniz Camp went online to correct the record. “It’s not fake news, but it’s a sensationalistic headline that misses a lot of the nuance,” he explained. “It implies people are getting pushed out, which I don’t think is the case. [Hickman] just didn’t think Marvel would be bold enough to do this. [He’s] very supportive of, and excited for, this, I know that for sure.”

Camp said the ending was always part of the long-term plan. “A lot of my run is setting up characters I hoped would go on past me,” he said. “BUT. John was ending his run at 24; that was always the case. He was done. Peach [Momoko] and Bryan [Edward Hill] were both ending their stories when the Maker got out as well. That was their decision.”

It’s not fake news, but it’s a sensationalistic headline that misses a lot of the nuance. It implies people are getting pushed out, which I don’t think is the case (from everything I’ve heard/everyone I’ve talked to). John just didn’t think Marvel would be bold enough to do this.

— Deniz Camp (@DenizCamp) October 17, 2025

He also revealed that Marvel discussed new titles such as Hawkeye and even a Guardians series before deciding to “end it end it.” Camp said that choice was made more than a year ago. He denied rumors that the move had anything to do with political concerns. “Not because the books are ‘too woke’ … or because the main line is jealous,” he said, adding that “everything seemed to be coming to a natural conclusion.”

Even so, many readers remain frustrated. Closing the Ultimate line feels like Marvel walking away from fresh stories that briefly captured fan excitement. The Ultimates revival was one of the few things making Marvel Comics buzz again, and ending it leaves the company looking like it’s lost its sense of direction. The Ultimates Universe will conclude with Ultimates Endgame in 2026, a move that may mark yet another creative retreat for a publisher already short on momentum.

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