Jonathan Hickman, the architect behind the relaunch of the Ultimate Universe, was surprised after learning that Marvel will close the line in 2026. The decision, revealed at New York Comic Con, has generated debate among fans and creators

Marvel Comics has confirmed this line Final will end in 2026, news that has also taken people by surprise. Jonathan Hickmannthe screenwriter responsible for reinventing this universe in 2023. According to the president of Wonder, Dan Buckleyduring the panel “The Next Big Thing” In the New York Comic Con, Hickman didn’t expect the closure to be permanent. Buckley recalled the moment she told him:

“Jonathan looked at me and asked, ‘How did we break up?’ I told him, “We’re going to shut it down.” He asked me, ‘Why did we close it?’ I said, ‘It’s the end, right?'”

The writer had conceived the relaunch of Ultimate wonder as a real-time project, with the heroes facing a war led by the Creator (an evil version of Reed Richards). However, it was only supposed to be the first story arc of a larger saga, not its conclusion.

“You’ll be able to take this journey — the beginning, the middle and the end — and digest it for years,” Buckley explained, suggesting that the company views Ultimate Marvel as a closed story, not an ongoing franchise.

Hickman’s surprise has sparked speculation: is this a creative decision or a business move? Some fans believe Marvel is trying to avoid competing DC’s Assoluta line.

Whatever the reason, Ultimate’s closure marks the end of one of the publisher’s most ambitious narrative experiments.