Summary

• Captain America's mentorship of Tony Stark in the new Ultimate Universe is drastically different from their usual relationship.
• Tony's future in the new Ultimate Universe depends on the advice he receives from both heroes and the choices he makes.
• The dynamic between Tony, Captain America, and Doctor Doom could shape the entire future of this universe, including Tony's own path.

Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe is making drastic changes to what fans expect, and the writer for its biggest series has hinted at how Captain America and Tony Stark’s relationship is completely different to anything that’s come before. With a younger Tony looking to older heroes for guidance, his future—and the future of the entire new Ultimate Universe—depends on the advice he takes and the choices that he makes.

In an interview with Comicbook.com, Deniz Camp, writer of the The Ultimates (2024) has revealed that Captain America will be mentoring this new young Tony Stark, alongside another drastically different hero.

“This Tony Stark – Iron Lad – is a little more idealistic than 616 Tony. He's still young, so he's still trying to figure out who he's going to be. Captain America and Doom are kind of pulling him in opposing directions, trying to influence the make-up and methods of the Ultimates.”

The Ultimates (2024) is written by Camp and illustrated by Juan Frigiri.

Tony is leading the new Ultimates against the supervillainous regime of the Maker, the evil Reed Richards of the original Ultimate Universe, who prevented this world’s heroes from appearing until now.

The original Ultimate Universe, Earth-1610, is completely different from this new Ultimate Universe, Earth-6160.

Having Captain America mentor Tony drastically changes their relationship from the peer-to-peer friendship they usually have, even before Doctor Doom’s competing advice is factored into the equation as well.

These Ultimate Heroes Are Drastically Different From The Originals

Unlike his Earth-616 counterpart, this Captain America was never unfrozen from the ice until now and has therefore never met other modern heroes. Meanwhile, this Doctor Doom is actually Earth-6160’s Reed Richards, who’s been locked away by the Maker for years. Without having seen too much of either hero, it’s hard to say what their respective philosophies will be, but it’s very possible that Doom will be more resentful and hardline against the Maker’s regime due to his treatment, as opposed to Cap, who’s traditionally a more aspirational and idealistic hero who represents the best in humanity.

One crucial question that could change this dynamic is whether this new Captain America is more like his mainstream Marvel or his original Ultimate Universe self. The Captain America of the original Ultimate Universe is jingoistic and brutal, a much more cynical reflection of what a 1940s hero would be like. If Camp chooses to take him in this direction, then he could be the hardliner of the team, not Doom. For his part, Doom could also have been somewhat indoctrinated by the Maker over time, and less willing to tear down what the villain has built.

Tony Stark's Choices Could Change This Entire Universe

This rivalry of mentors is crucial to the very future of this universe. In Ultimate Invasion #4, it’s strongly hinted that Tony is headed towards a dark future as this world’s Kang the Conqueror. It's possible that all these different mentors could lead him toward or away from this path.

Ultimate Invasion #4 is written by Jonathan Hickman, penciled by Bryan Hitch, inked by Andrew Currie, colored by Alex Sinclair and lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna.

Will one mentor push Tony towards supervillainy, while one advocates for a more peaceful way forward? Or will he have to find a third solution apart from both, forging his own future? More than just Tony Stark’s strategy hangs in the balance as the new Captain America for this new Ultimate Universe finally emerges.

The Ultimates (2024) #1 will be available June 5 from Marvel Comics.

Source: Comicbook.com