The Ultimate Comics Podcast

The first part of the Ultimate Ga Lak Tus (Galactus) trilogy! Nabeel and Josh dive into the Ultimate Nightmare mini-series, a major crossover between The Ultimates and Ultimate X-Men! Josh argues that the X-Men really weren't necessary, but the guys love the spy thriller vibes of this comic regardless. Lots of action, suspense, and the introduction of Ultimate Falcon! Plus: One of these issues...

The guys continue with Ultimate X-Men! First, we get a one-off issue focusing on Professor X! Then, a Storm/Wolverine two-parter, where we meet Ultimate Lady Deathstrike! Insightful character work meets fast-paced action in these issues! Plus: Josh continues to argue that every team needs a black ops squad! The guys also argue about the Sasquatch/Bigfoot, so that's fun. Join us!

We're finally back to Ultimate X-Men! Nabeel and Josh talk about the "Most Dangerous Game" storyline, featuring the introduction of Ultimate Longshot! Plus: Mojo! Spiral! Arcade! Genosha! Krakoa! And all the horny soap opera elements you'd expect from X-Men (sorry Josh)! The guys are eager to break down this commentary on 2000s reality TV, with unfortunately relevant social/polit...

This is it! The end of the Mark Millar/Greg Land Ultimate Fantastic Four arc! Nabeel and Josh dive into "Frightful", a three-part storyline which features Doctor Doom's master plan! Plus, zombies! Body-swapping! And The Human Torch gets pregnant! The guys then dive into Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #2, the start of the Mike Carey run! Featuring, the return of the Mole Man! Bonus: W...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses topics of self-harm and suicidal ideation as it pertains to the story. And we're back to Ultimate Fantastic Four! Nabeel and Josh dig into Ultimate FF Annual #1, introducing the Ultimate Inhumans! Josh isn't a huge fan, but Nabeel loves Jae Lee's artwork. Then, the guys dive into the wacky President Thor storyline, in issues #27-29! This is a bon...

It's part 2 of our discussion with special guest, Cameron Hamilton! The Nabeel, Josh, and Cameron finish up the Warriors arc of Ultimate Spider-Man! Featuring: Black Cat! Moon Knight! Shang-Chi! Iron Fist! And more street level villains than you can shake a web at! The guys have a blast unpacking the tangled web of these characters, and how it all connects back to Spider-Man! Plus: one of the...

A very special episode! Nabeel and Josh are joined by longtime listener, first time podcaster, Cameron Hamilton! Cameron joins the guys to discuss the Warriors arc of Ultimate Spider-Man! The first half of this arc is full of gritty, street level superheroics and a host of guest-stars! Featuring: Moon Knight! Iron Fist! Shang-Chi! Elektra! And more to come! The guys love these issues and are shock...

SPOILERS FOR MARVEL ZOMBIES AHEAD! Nabeel and Josh interrupt their usual format to interview the Marvel Zombies animated series! The guys thought it was really fun, although Nabeel thinks it's pretty skippable. They break down the plot, the characters, and every last gory detail of the show! For instance: Phase 4 and 5 MCU characters finally interacting more! How the series remixes previous MC...

The conclusion to the Ultimate Hobgoblin arc! Nabeel and Josh dive into the action-packed second half of the Hobgoblin storyline, with all the triumph and tragedy that comes with it! We get an all-out brawl in New York, an appearance by Nick Fury, and more relationship drama than we can handle! All this, plus a nice epilogue issue from Mary Jane's POV! The guys love these issues, but are tired...

And we're back to Ultimate Spider-Man! Josh and Nabeel review the first half of the Hobgoblin arc, featuring the return of Harry Osborn! These issues ramp up the personal stakes of Ultimate Spider-Man, bringing all the relationship drama, intense action, and major plot twists to the forefront! Josh and Nabeel are kind of over some of the Peter/MJ relationship drama, but they love the tension w...

Josh and Nabeel dive into Marvel Zombies! Spinning directly out of Ultimate Fantastic Four, this cult classic by Robert Kirkman and Sean Philips would go on to become its own mini-franchise! The guys have a lot of fun reading these comics, especially the campiness and dark comedy. Marvel Zombies is chalk-full of body horror, warped takes on beloved Marvel heroes, and plenty of fun twists! Plus: Jo...

Onto the next arc of the Mark Millar/Greg Land Ultimate FF! Introducing Ultimate Namor! And because this is Ultimate Marvel, he's far worse than his 616 counterpart! Josh and Nabeel revel in the action, the love triangles, and the family drama! Did we mention we meet Sue and Johnny Storm's mother? Well we get that too. A jam-packed story arc, with surprise twists and cameos at every turn!...

And we're back to Ultimate Fantastic Four! Josh and Nabeel dive into the beginning of the Mark Millar/Greg Land run on Ultimate FF! First up: the first appearance of Marvel Zombies! The guys have a blast with these issues, despite their issues with Greg Land's art. Josh calls it the Michael Bay movie of comics, and Nabeel agrees. Lots of comparisons to 616 Marvel, lots of oversexualized ar...

The guys are finally talking about Ultimate Marvel again! Nabeel and Josh dive back into Ultimate X-Men! An exciting arc by Brian K. Vaughan and Andy Kubert, featuring the return of Gambit! The guys really enjoy these issues, despite some problematic aspects of the story. These issues are full of relationship drama, superhero action, incestuous supervillains, and more (yes, you read that last part...

SPOILERS FOR ALL-NEW VENOM AHEAD! A crazy special episode on possibly the most infamous Spider-Man character of all time: Paul! Given recent events in All-New Venom, Nabeel and Josh take the opportunity to discuss Paul Rabin and his reviled place in spider-fandom. Returning guest Annika Falconer moderates a debate between the boys! Nabeel thinks Paul sucks and should be gone from the Spider-Man co...

SPOILERS FOR FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS! Josh and Nabeel review the new Fantastic Four film! Surprise, surprise: they loved it! As two major Fantastic Four fans, Nabeel and Josh have been waiting for years for this film, and it didn't disappoint! The guys rave about almost everything, from the Easter Eggs to the wonderful characterization of the titular heroes. All this, plus we get to hear J...

And we're back to Ultimate Fantastic Four (conveniently timed, just when the movie is coming out)! Josh and Nabeel dive into the third major story arc in this series, and it's a big one! The Fantastic Four delve into the Negative Zone, meet Annihilus, and one member undergoes a startling metamorphosis! The guys love this story arc, as it delivers the classic sci-fi adventure tale that the...

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR SUPERMAN (2025)! Josh and Nabeel both saw Superman and were very eager to give their thoughts! The guys have a spoiler-filled discussion about the story, the characters, and the comics that inspired the latest Superman film! As usual, Josh and Nabeel geek out a little too much and Josh goes on several unnecessary tangents!

The boys continue with Ultimate Spider-Man! We got an exciting series of two-parters, with guest-stars galore! The infamous body-swap issues with Wolverine! A classic teen-team-up with The Human Torch! And a trek through Spidey's nightmares with Doctor Strange('s son)! Josh and Nabeel think these issues are super fun and a great breather from some of the heavier content. All this, plus, th...

Aaand we're back to Ultimate Spider-Man! Josh and Nabeel dive into the Ultimate Carnage storyline! This unique spin on Carnage combines elements of several classic Spider-Man stories into its own stand-alone tale! The guys love this arc, although Nabeel feels the storylines are getting a bit repetitive. The stakes are upped, drama unfolds, and a key Spidey character dies! All this, plus the us...

Our longest cold open to date! Josh and Nabeel dive into Ultimate X-Men, under the new creative team of Brian K. Vaughan (if you've heard of him) and Brandon Peterson! Josh doesn't feel that this specific story arc is super important, but he's okay with that. Nabeel thinks this arc is important because it introduces Mister Sinister and Apocalypse to Ultimate Marvel! The guys both enjoy...

Josh and Nabeel dive into the second arc of Ultimate Fantastic Four! The guys talk a lot about the featured villain: Doctor Doom himself! It's an exciting story arc that continues to explore the FF and flesh out their arch-nemesis. Featuring: a lot about the FF's biology! Sue Storm character analysis! Great feats by The Human Torch! An anarchist commune in Denmark! And so much more! Plus:...

The conclusion to the short-lived Brian Michael Bendis/David Finch run on Ultimate X-Men! The guys have a lot to say about these issues! We get introduced to a slew of X-Men characters, including Angel, Emma Frost, Dazzler, and more! There is also an incredible single issue spotlighting Wolverine and the problem with the mutant metaphor. Josh and Nabeel have a lot of opinions on Professor X, his d...

Back to Ultimate Spider-Man! Josh and Nabeel cover the "Hollywood" arc, which guest-stars Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi! A very fun storyline which features the return of Doc Ock (looking more and more like Alfred Molina) and drama with Gwen Stacy. The guys end on a tangent about Spider-Man 3, because why not? Plus: several wacky tangents from Josh!

Josh and Nabeel finally get to Ultimate Fantastic Four! The guys dive deep into Marvel's First Family and the significance of this updated origin (Josh also made Nabeel watch Fant4stic before this, so your hosts have done their due diligence). Adam Kubert's artwork is gorgeous as ever, and we see a rare collaboration between Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Millar! Join us for this seminal ep...