Ultimate Six

(Marvel, 2003-2004)
™ and © Marvel Entertainment Group

The Ultimate universe takes Marvel’s best characters and tends to give them a little twist, introducing new, modern origins and keeping them up to date. Peter Parker was bitten by a spider which was testing an experimental drug. Instead of Loki causing the mighty Avengers to be formed, the Ultimates are a branch of Nick Fury’s S.H.I.E.L.D., which is allowed to skirt the fringes of the law in order to protect civilians at all costs.

Which is how this version of the Sinister Six has come about. S.H.I.E.L.D. has been holding villains who have illegally enhanced their own DNA to gain unauthorized super powers. Unfortunately, the baddies they’ve been holding manage to kill thirty five agents and escape. What’s worse than Kraven the Hunter, Sandman, Electro, Doctor Octopus and the Green Goblin on the loose again? Having them threaten the President of the United States with full public disclosure of what S.H.I.E.L.D.’s been up to. All they want is their freedom and the sixth member of their little group, Norman Osborne’s favorite boy…Peter Parker. No one ever said having super powers would keep you sane.

— Ronald L. Black

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