Warning: contains spoilers Ultimate Universe: One Year at #1!
Marvel Current Final Universe is officially celebrating a year in comics by corrupting an iconic piece of S.H.I.E.L.D. lore. The Helicarrier, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1965, served as SHIELD's headquarters and transport ship for the government agency and the superheroes that accompany them. In Marvel's rapidly developing new universe, the Helicarrier has a different name and a mission that is truly frightening to the people of Earth-6160.
Final Universe: One Year Later #1 – written by Deniz Camp, with art by Jonas Scharf – gives the Ultimate Universe's growing lineup of heroes a major threat to face. The one-shot, which will also feature a prequel by writer Chris Condon and artist Alessandro Cappuccio Supreme Wolverine, will explore Nick Fury's role among the universe's villains.
In the preview, Nick Fury and the HAND agents use the ultimate equivalent of the Helicarrier to murder an innocent civilian, whom they flagrantly labeled a terrorist. With villains ruling this alternate world, Fury notes that there will be no repercussions for the cruel scene.
The Ultimate Universe's “Cumulo-Carrier” is one of Marvel's most sinister weapons of all time
Final Universe: One Year Later #1 – Written by Deniz Camp; Art by Jonas Scharf; Colors by Mattia Iacono; Lyrics by VC's Travis Lanham
Earth-6160's Nick Fury makes his first appearance in the anniversary one-shot as director of HAND, and quickly illustrates just how terrifying this universe's take on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier truly is. HAND, or Heroic Anomaly Neutralization Directorate, commands an entire fleet of “Cumulo-Carriers” helicopters that can eliminate potential threats to the Maker's Council's world domination. The main carrier is curiously called the Beast, which could draw a connection to the X-Men's founding hero, but so far it lives up to its name as a powerful superweapon and base of operations that helps the HAND carry out its dastardly mission. .
Instead of helping superheroes and their missions as he is usually depicted, this version of Fury leads the HAND into killing potential heroes in the Ultimate Universe. In the preview, when Keith Kincaid dares to think out loud that the Ultimates might be right, the everyday hero with a history of charity is considered a threat to the Creator's Council and is unceremoniously struck and killed by the Beast. As they falsify evidence that the father of the family is a terrorist, HAND can target other Ultimates sympathizers within a mile of the Cumulo-Carrier as their sinister plot unfolds.
Marvel's Ultimate New Helicopter Highlights the Dominant Power of Earth-6160's Villainous World Order
Final Universe: One Year Later Variant cover #1 by Stefano Caselli; Available December 11, 2024 from Marvel Comics
The terrifying new version of the Helicarrier further highlights that this alternate Marvel Universe is run by the evil Reed Richards and his assembly of villains, making it truly terrifying for the heroes trying to make their world a better place. With a huge super weapon in the sky and actively eliminating heroes' supporters on any level, the Council of Creators continues to prove its powerful advantage. While the brutality of the Cumulo-Carrier Beast offers fascinating real-world commentary on government-sanctioned violence and the propaganda that allows its perpetuation, Marvel villains and their weapons have never been more frightening.
As Marvel approaches a year into its Ultimate Universe, its sinister twist on the Helicarrier as a murderous tool for the world's supervillains is a huge development.
Although Nick Fury is committing horrific atrocities in the name of HAND to appease the Council of Creators and their world control, the preview for Final Universe: One Year Later one-shot ends with him stating that he is doing his “last confession.“If Fury is perhaps having a moral crisis over his actions with the Beast, the Ultimates may be gaining a new ally who can reveal the evil organization's methods and secrets. As Marvel approaches one year of its Final Universe, his sinister twist on the Helicarrier as a murderous tool for the world's supervillains is a huge development.
Final Universe: One Year Later #1 will be available on December 11, 2024 from Marvel Comics.