Marvel's Ultimate Universe is Really Ending! Inside the Surprising Decision

Get ready to say goodbye to Earth-6160! Marvel's popular Ultimate Universe is officially wrapping up, and we've got the inside scoop on why this fan-favorite era is taking its final bow.

TL;DR

• Marvel's new Ultimate Universe concludes in April 2026, culminating with the epic five-issue Ultimate Endgame event.
• Key creators, including Jonathan Hickman, Peach Momoko, and Bryan Edward Hill, were already planning to end their runs around the same time.
• Marvel Comics aims to deliver a complete, contained saga with a clear beginning, middle, and end – a unique approach for major comic imprints.

The Countdown Was Real: A Universe with an Expiration Date

When Marvel launched its new Ultimate Universe (Earth-6160) in 2023 with Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch's Ultimate Invasion, it came with a built-in ticking clock. The series established that the villainous Maker – an alternate Reed Richards from the original Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610) – was imprisoned in a pocket dimension, but only for 24 months. After that, he'd be free, giving Tony Stark and newly emerging heroes just two years to prepare for his inevitable return.

For many fans, this two-year timeline felt like a cool story device, hinting at a major confrontation. But as we learned at New York Comic Con 2025, that countdown wasn't just for the story arc – it was a literal timer for the entire universe! The line is officially closing down in April 2026, with Ultimate Endgame serving as the climactic finale. And if you're wondering why a critically acclaimed and commercially successful line, especially with hits like Ultimate Spider-Man by Hickman and Marco Checchetto, is ending, you're not alone. Even Jonathan Hickman himself was reportedly surprised by the finality of the decision, as shared by Marvel Comics Publisher Dan Buckley.

Unpacking the "Natural Conclusion": Why the Ultimate Universe is Really Ending

Rumors flew thick and fast after the announcement, with some speculating that the line was being canceled for being "too woke" or because the main Marvel line was "jealous" of its success. Thankfully, Ultimates and Ultimate Endgame writer Deniz Camp took to X (formerly Twitter) to set the record straight, offering a detailed, people-first explanation that makes a lot of sense.

Camp clarified that while the original plan wasn't necessarily to "end" the entire universe, many of the core creators were already wrapping up their commitments around the time of the Maker's return. "John [Hickman] was ending his run [on Ultimate Spider-Man] at 24 – that was always the case. He was done," Camp explained. He added that Peach Momoko (Ultimate X-Men) and Bryan Edward Hill (Ultimate Black Panther) were also concluding their stories when the Maker was set to get out. Camp highlighted Momoko's incredible workload, writing and drawing 24 issues of Ultimate X-Men, stating, "She works like 20 hours a day on that book, no joke. She's the hero of the line. She deserves a break, if she wants one."

Even Ultimate Wolverine, initially planned for 12 issues, was extended to 16, but its creator, Chris Condon, also declined to continue further. Camp himself was the only one with plans to keep going, even pushing for new titles like Hawkeye and Guardians.

"Not because the books are 'too woke' (if it were that, they'd interfere with the writing of it, which they haven't) or because the main line is jealous (this is silly, money is money to them), but because everything seemed to be coming to a natural conclusion."

— Deniz Camp, Writer of Ultimates and Ultimate Endgame

The final decision to "end it, end it," as Camp recounts, came from Senior Editor Wil Moss "at least a year before now." It wasn't about external pressures or creative interference, but rather a recognition that the narrative threads were naturally converging, and many creators were ready for their next projects.

A Unique Vision: The Power of a Contained Comic Book Story

This definitive ending, while bittersweet for fans, reflects a deliberate creative choice by Marvel Comics President Dan Buckley. Buckley emphasized the importance of allowing this incarnation of the Ultimate Universe to exist as a complete, self-contained saga. "You'll be able to take this journey – take the beginning, the middle, and the end – and digest it for years to come and be able to pass it on to people and say, 'This is the experiment, this type of storytelling, we're allowed to do this,'" Buckley explained.

This approach stands in stark contrast to the often endless, labyrinthine narratives of ongoing comic universes. It's a way to avoid the pitfalls of the original "Ultimate Marvel" line, which ran for 15 years and eventually became as complex as the main Marvel Universe it was meant to simplify. It also prevents a "Krakoa situation," referring to Jonathan Hickman's acclaimed X-Men run, which he ultimately left before finishing his intended story arc.

For Deniz Camp, this radical decision to truly end a major universe is exciting. He views the Ultimate Universe as a place for "trying new things in comics. Radical things." He believes that "really, truly ending the universe on a high note, having it be this contained thing, giving a story an END – that's radical for big 2 comics! It's something that, to the best of my knowledge, has never been done on this scale by Marvel or DC. That is exciting to me." The goal is to ensure the Ultimate Universe leaves a pure, impactful legacy that can be enjoyed in its entirety for generations.

The Grand Finale: Get Ready for Ultimate Endgame

The five-issue Ultimate Endgame event, written by Deniz Camp with art by Jonas Scharf and Terry Dodson, promises to be the epic culmination of everything Jonathan Hickman began in Ultimate Invasion. It will bring together all the threads from the various Ultimate Universe series for the long-awaited showdown with the Maker.

Camp describes Ultimate Endgame as "definitive," "big," and "emotional," promising "death" and wild storytelling. He's particularly excited to finally write the Maker in the present, seeing him as a "natural evolution of the character," and looks forward to exploring characters like Killmonger and Peach Momoko's X-Men. To mark the occasion, Ultimate Endgame #1 will even feature "True Believers Blind Bags," Marvel's first-ever blind bag program, offering a chance to snag rare variant covers, including one-of-a-kind artist sketch covers.

What's Next for Marvel Comics? A Glimpse Beyond Earth-6160

While Earth-6160 is saying its goodbyes, its impact won't be entirely forgotten. The Ultimate Universe will leave its mark on the main Marvel Universe (Earth-616). In Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #5, Miles Morales will swing back to Earth-616 with "Origin Boxes"—the very devices the Maker used to strip legendary heroes of their powers. These boxes are set to unleash new heroes and storylines across the 616 in 2026, ensuring the legacy of this bold experiment continues in unexpected ways.

Meanwhile, Marvel continues to forge ahead with other exciting new projects. At NYCC 2025, they also announced a new monthly Iron Man series, written by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Carmen Carnero, hitting stores on January 28, 2026.

Don't Miss the Final Issues of Marvel's Ultimate Universe!

It's time to pre-order your copies and witness the planned, epic conclusion to this beloved era. Here's a quick guide to the final issues:

• Ultimate Spider-Man #24: On Sale December 24, 2025
• Ultimate Endgame #1: On Sale December 31, 2025 (The five-issue event concludes in April 2026)
• Ultimate Black Panther #24: On Sale January 21, 2026
• Ultimate X-Men #24: On Sale February 11, 2026
• Ultimates #24: On Sale April 2026
• Ultimate Wolverine #16: On Sale April 2026

You can pre-order these comics at your local comic shop or look for digital copies on the Marvel Unlimited app.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ultimate Universe's Conclusion When does the Marvel Ultimate Universe officially end? The Ultimate Universe will officially conclude with the final issue of Ultimate Endgame and other ongoing series in April 2026. Why is the Ultimate Universe ending if it's so popular? Marvel Comics made a deliberate creative decision to give this Ultimate Universe a complete story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, rather than letting it run indefinitely. Many core creators were also naturally concluding their runs. Will the Ultimate Universe have any lasting impact on other Marvel comics? Yes! Miles Morales will bring "Origin Boxes" from Earth-6160 to the main Marvel Universe (Earth-616) in 2026, which are set to introduce new heroes and storylines. Where can I read the final Ultimate Universe comics? You can purchase the final issues at your local comic book shop, or read them digitally via the Marvel Unlimited app once they are released. Sources

• CBR: Deniz Camp on Ultimate Universe ending
• Popverse: Jonathan Hickman didn't expect Marvel Comics to close the line down
• Marvel: Check Out the Final Covers for 'Ultimate Endgame' #1
• MovieWeb: Why Marvel's Ultimate Universe Is Ending In 2026
• IGN: Marvel Seems Serious About Ending the Ultimate Universe in 2026 | NYCC 2025
• ComicBook.com: Ultimate Endgame Really Is The End
• Bounding Into Comics: 'Ultimates' Writer Says Earth-6160 Never Meant For Early End
• Comic Book Club: Marvel Announces End Of Ultimate Universe, Reveals When Titles Will End
• ICv2: PREVIEW: 'ULTIMATE ENDGAME' #1 (OF 5) COVERS