YMMV / The Ultimates 2

• Alternative Character Interpretation
  • Pym's last work for the Ultimates was to make sure that Banner stays unconscious during the execution. He does not. Is he that inept that he botched even that? Or did he do it on purpose, to save his friend?
  • Stark arranges for people in Russia to create a multitude shaped in the form of the letters of "Will You marry me?" (plus a heart). Widow asks "What the hell is this?". As in "Are you really asking me for marriage?". Or as in "You have exploited my compatriots for this charade?"
• Even Better Sequel: The first series is generally considered great, but Ultimates II is considered better by many for its more complex story, stronger action scenes, and more charismatic villains.
• Harsher in Hindsight:
  • After the second volume, Quicksilver questioning Wanda if she was flirting with one of Hank Pym's robots turned from just a little Mythology Gag regarding her relationship with Vision into this for two reasons: the first being that the robot fell in love with her, resulting in it becoming Ultimate Ultron and murdering her in the third volume, alongside the realization that that comment might have been Quicksilver being jealous.
  • Pretty much all of the geopolitical talk has gotten a bit more uncomfortable considering the increase of tensions betweem the United States, China, and Russia in the last 10 years. This story was written at a time when China wasn't considered a major competitor to give you an idea of how much things have changed.
• Moral Event Horizon: Black Widow arranging for the deaths of Hawkeye's family.
• Spoiled by the Format: The Ultimates 2 had delays, and the second annual was eventually published before it ended. It is set after the ending of the arc, and although it does not go into great detail, it spoils that there is a huge battle and New York is devastated.
• Take That, Scrappy!: Issue #6 is a full Humiliation Conga for Henry Pym. Yes, the Hate Sink guy who almost killed the Wasp during a domestic discussion.
• They Wasted a Perfectly Good Character: Black Widow's death at the end of the story is a pretty sudden end to what could've been a very dangerous villain for the Ultimates going forward.
• They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot: Charles Xavier suggested enlisting Hulk with the Ultimate X Men. They have experience keeping dangerous powers under control. Unfortunately, the political crisis did not allow for that. It would have been interesting to see this Wolverine and this Hulk on the same team.