The Bitter Guide to The Ultimates 2 #7

[thebitterguy]

Well, things are certainly getting more interesting. We get to see the actual attack on Unamed Middle Easter Country's nuclear program (ICBM silos? Wow). The squad o' Giant Men are interesting to see in action.

Hank & Janet seeing each other under a veil of secrecy was interesting; it appears Ultimate Cap is very much an anachronism. The initial thrill has worn off for Janet. Of course, we must also wonder who it was keeping tabs on them.

And, of course, the brutal murder of Hawkeye and his family was completely unexpected. What I'm concerned about is that the dialogue at the end sounded, well, it sounded like Fury. Could Hawkeye have been the leak, and this is how he gets plugged?

It seems unlikely (and, well, even more unlikely as I type it), since he could just as easily have been eliminated much quieter on a mission (friendly fire, while tragic, is a risk, etc, etc).

Am looking forward to the next issue, in any case.

Comments

[skaiser.livejournal.com]

The book is definitely staying strong, getting stronger even.

I am enjoying Ultimates 2 more and more with every issue.
Hawkeye and his family being executed was definitely unexpected, and brutal. That now makes three members (four if you include Giant Man) that have been eliminated in one way or another.

Perhaps Thor is not crazy. Maybe Loki is the leak, and the assassin.

What I love about U2 is how the worst fears of the first series seem to all be coming true, and Fury is definitely at the centre of that. He is not the Nick Fury of the regular universe at all.

[thebitterguy]

The only reason I don't think Loki is the leak is because when Hank was talking to the Leak, it sounded like they were definitely someone from the team, and probably someone he'd worked with.

Of course, with the new Secret Wars stuff in the Mainstreatm MU, he may be the same Nick Fury after all.

[skaiser.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the new Secret Wars stuff. I tend to stay away from Bendis. The thing is in issue #2 Hank is talking to Banner about how Fury seems to be organizing it to get rid of the old guard and replace them with people like Hawkeye and Black Widow.

Perhaps these are two seperate events? What if the leak is Fury, and Hawkeye's assasination is a reaction to that? Though seeing as how Banners trial and execution were lead ins to the arrest of Thor, perhaps the events of issue 7 are the lead ins to something bigger?

[thebitterguy]

I haven't read the new SW either; the only insite I get into it is through The Pulse.

It's a good sign that the book is sparking this much speculation (the first series was less interesting). Hopefully they can make it pay off.

[dawgstar.livejournal.com]

We were talking about who it could be in the store, and we don't think from Hawkeye's reaction that it was either Fury or (heaven forbid) Cap. No, "I can't believe it!" or similar. My own theory (developed just now) was that it's Natasha, as the Black Widow hardly seems the type to shy away from such things.

Though I tell you, just when I think I'm about done with this book, it comes around and gives me a slap upside the head.

[thebitterguy]

Yeah, it's appearing to be possible that Cap did eliminate HE. Although it's unlikely he'd go in with firearms, or need a team for backup.

I think there's two issues to look at here: Who's the leak (Cap? Hawkeye? The dialogue at the end of #6 makes it sound like a disillusioned patriot, but it's a white male) and who killed Hawkeye. And are the two of them related?

Puzzles within puzzles.

[mearls.livejournal.com]

I think Cap is the leak - it would make sense. After fighting the good fight in WW II, he could be disillusioned.

As for Hawkeye's execution, I'm not so sure. I suspect that, based on what Thor said to Tony early in the issue, that there's something else at work. IIRC, Thor (if he isn't crazy) was sent to Earth to take part in some sort of final battle. Maybe that battle is starting?

[thebitterguy]

I just have troubles with the idea of it being Cap. The conversation at the end of #6 is too chatty, considering all other evidence points to them totally hating each other.

The Homeland Security and Gitmo lines COULD be Cap, but remember that WW II had just as much ugly in it. I thought it might be Hawkeye as well based on that.

So much happening, it's kind of hard to keep track.