[SDCC:] MARVEL’S ULTIMATE UNIVERSE MUST DIE PANEL

July 26, 2008 on 8:59 pm | In Comics, San Diego Comic Con |

Here we are at Marvel’s final panel of the day: The Ultimate Universe Must Die! Fans continued the file into the half-filed quadruple room (6CDEF) as the panel’s start—and apparent death of the Ultimate Universe—loomed ever closer.

After a few minutes of technical problems, Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada took the stage and riled up the crowd before and started the panel with a trailer for The Stand by Stephen King, which he admitted was a little off the beaten path for the Ultimate Universe.
The Stand releases at 12:01 am on Sept 10 along with Dark Tower: Treachery.

Quesada then introduced the panelists: Marketing Guru Jim McCann, Jeph Loeb, Joe Pokaski, Aron Coleitte and publisher Dan Buckley.

Marvel also announced the return of MARK MILLAR to the Ultimate Universe and artist FRANK CHO becoming officially exclusive to Marvel!

Loeb also announced that the next Ultimates book will be written by him and drawn by Cho.

Slides then followed of Bendis flicking off the camera, the upcoming issue of Ultimate Spider-Man, a preview ad for Ultimate Origins, Ultimate Hulk Special, Ultimate Captain American Annual, and a preview pages of Ultimatum!
The first page showed Doctor Doom apparently marching out of his castle.
The second featured Thor and Valkerie
The final page showed the Ultron that appeared at the end of Ultimates #4.

Questions then opened to the audience.

A fan asked the infamous Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine question.
At which point, Damon Lindelof rushed to the stage saying, “I apologize here in person.” He then proceeded to turn in the script to the final issue!
“So please, never ask me that question again,” laughed Quesada.

A fan dressed as DC’s Captain Marvel came to the mic. After receiving some jest, he said he’s not in the wrong panel and that he wants to be here.
“Listen, most DC fans want to be here, too,” joked Quesada.
The fan asked if Ultimate Deadpool would return.
“Yeah. There’s some plans for that,” said Loeb who then turned the question over to Coleitte.
“Yes. Absolutely, Ultimate Deadpool is coming back,” said Coleitte.

A fan asked about the Bryan Singer Ultimate X-Men project.
“Did you see Superman Returns,” questioned Loeb.
Buckley said that if Singer were to hand in a script they’d publish it, but it seems unlikely.

A fan asked Quesada what the most controversial thing he did in the Ultimate Universe was.
“The beginning of the ultimate universe,” said Quesada. “And of course, putting the those guys on the books. No one knew who or what a Brian Michael Bendis was.”

Another fan asked if the Ultimate X-Men would feel any repercussions from using drugs in the current arc.
“No, we like it when people do drugs,” said Loeb.
“It’s completely a pro-drug book,” joked Coleitte. “They’re going to be pretty messed up coming out of this book.”

A fan asked if Ultimate Spider-Man would be ending after Ultimatum.
“No,” said Buckley.
“Yes,” said Quesada.
“Maybe,” added Loeb.

Another fan asked the panelists which Ultimate character they want to see die.
Buckley took the question saying that everything dealing with Ultimatum answers that question.
“When you finish reading the book, you’ll see which one we don’t like because they die,” laughed Buckley.