A Colossal Conclusion — James Harren’s ‘Ultramega’ #9 Reviewed
by Tito W. James
Summary
I’ve been reading comics 15 years and Ultramega towers above the rest as one of the best series I’ve ever read.
Every decade births a new comic that reinvigorates the medium– Ultramega is that comic.
Overall
10/10When Ultramega burst onto the scene in 2021, I knew we had something special on our hands. I’ve been following the series for years and each issue has offered its share of surprises. I was wondering how everything would ultimately play out when the series reached its bloody conclusion. Ultramega #9 ends the series with a gnarly, satisfying, final battle of Ultramega madness.
I haven’t encountered this level of mind-f*cking pop surrealism since witnessing The End of Evangelion. The final image left my jaw on the floor. Everything is rendered with eye-popping colors by Dave Stewart. I’m grateful James Harren had the balls to leave aspects of the ending open to interpretation. If this is truly the end, it’s been a hell of a ride; if there’s a chance of more to come I’ll be first in line.
Ultramega is a new breed of comic: perfect for a casual reader who’s familiar with the genre conventions of Mechs, Kaiju, and superheroes. However, at every turn, expectations are subverted and power fantasies turn into living nightmares. There’s kinetic action, creative body horror, and genuine heart beneath all the blood and guts.
Harlan Ellison once said that “Genius is the ability to summon childhood at will.” Harren is able to tap into the childlike glee of zany monster designs but render them with the craft and draftsmanship of a mature professional. There are so many pages that feel like an upgraded version of a gonzo idea from a kid’s notebook.
Ultramega’s story is able to juggle multiple genres and tonalities seamlessly. It’s this unpredictability and aesthetic variety that made it such an addicting read. Harren pulled from a creative palette that includes Godzilla, John Boorman‘s Excaliber, Dune, and David Cronenberg, combining the best elements to create something totally original. Ultramega is everything I believe creator-owned comics are truly capable of. The complete series is a seminal masterpiece that will no doubt inspire artists for generations to come.
I hope Image and Skybound will grace us with an omnibus hardcover of the complete Ultramega series.
