The return of the Ultimate Universe has Marvel fans dreaming about which classic story arcs will be reimagined for this new reality. With Reed Richards, known as the Maker, at the center of it all, this universe is already pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Fresh takes on iconic characters like Spider-Man, Iron Lad, and Thor give creative teams plenty of room to work with, especially as they explore conflicts and alliances that defined the original Marvel Universe. As the new Ultimates team expands, fans are eager to see which legendary events from Marvel history could shape this alternate continuity – putting familiar faces in entirely new situations, and testing them in unforeseen ways.
From the rise of cosmic threats to the darker struggles of personal betrayal, there’s no shortage of inspiration. Classic story arcs like Civil War, Armor Wars, and World War Hulk are at the top of readers’ wish lists, with everyone curious to see how they’ll unfold in a world where so many destinies have been rewritten. Below are twelve Marvel events that fans want most for the Ultimate Universe, each promising seismic shifts for the new heroes and villains struggling to find their place.
12 Stark/Stane Tech Ignites an Armor War
Tony Stark’s legacy has always been tied to technology, for better or worse. In the classic “Armor Wars” storyline, stolen Stark tech led to a global crisis, as Iron Man was forced to hunt down anyone misusing his inventions. In the new Ultimate Universe, with Iron Lad carrying on the Stark mantle and the Stane family making waves, that threat still looms.
Iron Lad is not just a hero, he’s also a guardian of his family’s secrets. Since the Maker’s reset, new alliances and rival companies have brought Stark and Stane technology into unpredictable hands. If these designs spread further, other would-be inventors and villains could use them to create dangerous new weapons, escalating conflict throughout the Ultimate Universe.
This brewing arms race would force Iron Lad to make tough choices. Would he put trust in fellow heroes, or prepare to confront them as enemies if they misuse his father’s legacy? The story is ready for old enemies like Crimson Dynamo or newer faces to step up, challenging Iron Lad to protect the world from technology gone rogue.
Fans are especially interested to see how the legacy of Stark and Stane Industries impacts global security in a universe where lines between hero and antagonist are often blurred. The story could spotlight not just gadgets and suits, but also the morality of power and invention when no clear rules exist.
Ultimately, an Ultimate Armor War could change the status quo. The consequences of these choices would echo far beyond one hero, affecting every alliance in the new world.
11 Gwen Stacy Hunts Spider-Man
In the original Marvel Universe, Gwen Stacy’s death marked a turning point for Spider-Man. The Ultimate Universe, however, has built up Gwen in unexpected ways. Here, she’s not a victim – she’s married to Harry Osborn, who’s also become the new Green Goblin.
With Harry’s fate now uncertain, Gwen finds herself at a crossroads. Rather than being caught in the crossfire, this time she could seek out Peter Parker herself, driven by grief or revenge. It would flip the script on what fans expect, as Gwen becomes the pursuer instead of the lost loved one.
This twist would force Peter to confront the fallout of his double life in a new way. Gwen, who once represented innocence and hope, could challenge Spider-Man morally and emotionally. Their showdown would explore how deep guilt and unresolved trauma run between these characters when destinies are rewritten.
Fans have always been fascinated by Gwen’s relationship with both Peter and the Osborns. Having her directly step into the narrative as an active player would highlight the fresh unpredictability of the Ultimate Universe, and set up some of the strongest personal stakes yet for Spider-Man.
10 Thor Becomes Unworthy
Thor’s worthiness has been his greatest strength – and his greatest risk. In the main Marvel continuity, when he lost Mjolnir, it forced him to question what it meant to be a hero. The current Ultimate Thor works alongside Lady Sif, but the new Asgard remains mysterious, leaving plenty of room for upheaval.
Fans want to see what would happen if this universe’s Thor could no longer wield Mjolnir. The storyline could bring in new characters – maybe a different Avenger, or even a powerful outsider like the Silver Surfer – to pick up the hammer. The result would be a new perspective on what it means to be “worthy.”
Removing Thor from the center of his power also gives space for Asgard itself to become more developed. Audiences have seen hints of Loki operating in the background, and if Thor is sidelined, other mythic threats or allies could rise to fill the void.
This event would not just reshape Thor, but alter the whole dynamic of the Ultimates team. It asks serious questions: Can a hero lead without their greatest weapon? How do you redefine yourself when all the rules have changed?
9 Gamma Mutates Spark a World War Hulk
One of the most intense Marvel sagas, “World War Hulk,” saw the Hulk pushed to his limits and forcing all heroes to unite or fall apart. In the new Ultimate Universe, Hulk is already different. Bruce Banner has both gamma power and mystical training, making him more unpredictable than ever.
The introduction of She-Hulk and an island full of gamma-affected individuals creates the potential for a much wider Hulk-centric war. Unlike the original Earth-616 story, here the Hulk has allies who are also learning to use their abilities, and those alliances may not always align with the Ultimates.
This could easily spiral into a global crisis if Hulk and his allies take a stand against those they see as oppressors – or if the world turns on them out of fear.
The “World War Hulk” scenario in this universe would be more than just a battle between superpowers. It’s an opportunity to look at who suffers and who benefits when power multiplies and boundaries are blurred.
Every fan knows that when Hulk loses trust in the heroes around him, the consequence is destruction. But the Ultimate Universe could turn that idea inside out, showing that sometimes everyone wants to be heard, not just the strongest.
8 Kang Returns to Challenge the Ultimates
Kang’s history is twisted through time, and Iron Lad himself started out as a young version of Kang trying to avoid a dark destiny. With the MCU moving away from Kang in films, comics are primed to bring him back in a new and bolder form in the Ultimate Universe.
Anthony Stark’s dual legacy as Iron Lad and a would-be Kang is ripe for drama. If a version of Kang were to return, either as a threat or as a warning, it could force the new Ultimates to question what they think they know about their own timelines and futures.
Fans hope to see a fresh “Kang Dynasty”-style conflict, not as a simple battle, but as a clash of philosophy and survival. The Ultimates would have to prevent history from repeating itself, knowing that even their leader’s heroism doesn’t guarantee a happy ending.
This event could drag in other time-related Marvel icons or even alternate versions of the team, blending multiverse chaos with personal stakes. With timeline manipulation at the heart of the Maker’s universe, a Kang story is both natural and exciting in this new context.
7 Kraven Sets a Deadly Trap for Spider-Man
Kraven the Hunter is always looking for a challenge, and in Marvel’s “Hunted” arc he set his sights on Spider-Man and other animal-themed heroes for a survival game. In the Ultimate Universe, Kraven has already allied with Kingpin and set up tense showdowns, but their rivalry feels ready to escalate.
The story is set for Kraven to outdo himself, perhaps creating a new kind of arena or trap that involves even more of Spider-Man’s allies and enemies. The question is who will be the prey and who will emerge as the true hunter in this new reality.
With the dynamics between Peter Parker, Harry Osborn’s Green Goblin, and other new villains, a Kraven event would capitalize on established tension. Fans know Kraven as ruthless, and his obsession could take new forms – forcing Spider-Man to call on unfamiliar allies, or survive using only his wits.
Marvel teams could use this arc to showcase unexpected relationships, or push characters like Black Cat and Lizard into the spotlight, showing how the rules of this universe are always in flux. The results could be even deadlier than before.
6 The Ultimates vs. Ultimate X-Men
The original Avengers vs. X-Men event was one of Marvel’s biggest crossovers, putting the planet’s strongest heroes at odds. In the new Ultimate Universe, the Ultimates and X-Men haven’t yet clashed, but as both groups’ rosters expand, a clash feels inevitable.
With new versions of Wolverine and Jean Grey present, the potential for conflict over mutant rights, the Phoenix Force, or just leadership in a chaotic world is high. Past events have shown how quickly tensions rise when the stakes are survival.
This event could let writers explore how different worldviews and backgrounds create conflict, outside of simple hero-villain lines. Would Cyclops challenge Iron Lad, or would Jean Grey threaten to shift the balance of power?
Such a story would not only test alliances but force characters to reevaluate whom they trust. Fans want a showdown that is about more than powers – it’s about belief and what kind of future these teams can build together or destroy trying.
5 Mary Jane Gains Spider Powers
One of the most beloved Marvel what-ifs is when Mary Jane Watson became a hero in her own right. In “Renew Your Vows,” she fought alongside Peter and their daughter, giving fans a vision of a true Spider-Family.
In the Ultimate Universe, Peter’s son Richard has already taken up the Spider-mantle. This sets the stage for Mary Jane – perhaps inspired by her family’s struggle, or by danger in the world around her – to gain powers and join the fight directly.
This move isn’t just for nostalgia. It spotlights family, hope, and resilience in a world rebuilt from tragedy. Seeing Mary Jane as a hero could bring new storytelling energy, especially in a setting where every character’s fate has been reset by the Maker’s actions.
Fans looking for wholesome superhero stories are excited by this prospect. The “Spinneret” identity could give Mary Jane agency and depth while offering new team-ups and conflicts that are both intimate and epic.
4 The Heroes Collide in a Civil War
The Civil War storyline is legendary. The question of who gets to decide what’s right and who pays the price for power is always relevant, especially in a new world with new rules. In the Ultimate Universe, Iron Lad is recruiting for the Ultimates, but every new ally could also be a future rival.
Tensions could break out for any reason – superhero registration, the fate of an innocent, or how to handle the Maker’s manipulations. This version would challenge new alliances and force heroes to pick sides, sometimes against their closest friends.
The chance to see alternate versions of the famous Iron Man versus Captain America standoff is a big draw for fans. The stakes feel higher when there’s no guarantee that anyone will survive, much less reunite after the dust settles.
This event could push every character to their limit, making the idea of “heroes” far more complicated. Betrayals and unexpected alliances would give fresh context to old rivalries and create dramatic consequences that last for years.
3 Mutantkind Faces the Phoenix
The Phoenix Force has always been a defining threat for the X-Men, and Jean Grey’s connection to it is legendary. In the Ultimate Universe, tensions are already running high between super-teams and the broader society. Introducing the Phoenix would raise the stakes to a cosmic level.
If Jean or another mutant becomes the host, it could force the X-Men and Ultimates into direct conflict. This scenario usually turns allies into enemies, as the raw power of the Phoenix tempts even the noblest to dark deeds.
Fans want to see if the new Ultimate Universe can break old cycles or if history will repeat itself in an even more explosive way. With a reshuffled cast, even supporting characters could end up as central players, leading to unforeseen alliances or heartbreaking choices.
The arrival of the Phoenix would change everything, putting the fate of the world – and the souls of its greatest heroes – on the line.
2 Galactus Threatens the Ultimate Universe
Galactus isn’t just another villain. When he arrives, entire worlds are at risk. The original “Cataclysm” brought Galactus from the main Marvel Universe, threatening to consume everything the Ultimates had fought for. With the Maker now the universe’s prime threat, the return of Galactus would reset the scale of every conflict.
Fans crave a cosmic disaster storyline that forces even the most powerful to work together. The possibility of opening portals to other dimensions, as seen before, adds new variables and unknown dangers to the mix.
In a universe where nothing is fixed, Galactus’s hunger would be the ultimate test of survival and unity. Heroes would be forced to sacrifice, compromise, or even bargain with old enemies just to save a piece of their world.
This event is more than just destruction – it’s about hope, ingenuity, and what everyone is willing to risk for tomorrow.
1 The Maker Faces Cataclysmic Retribution
Everything in the current Ultimate Universe revolves around the Maker and his manipulations. He erased destinies, rebuilt the world to his vision, and became its single greatest threat. But comics are built on consequences, and sooner or later, he’ll face the consequences of what he’s done.
Fans want to see a cataclysmic event that challenges the Maker’s very existence. Whether it’s his own creations turning against him, cosmic beings like Galactus stepping in, or the united heroes finally discovering the full truth, this event is set up to be the definitive test of this universe’s foundation.
The Ultimate Universe has always been about exploring new outcomes and surprising readers. The Maker’s long-overdue reckoning promises to be epic – not just in spectacle but in its emotional and philosophical stakes as well.
