Marvel unveiled their "next big thing" earlier today, and this time it is "ultimate." According to the publisher's website, ULTIMATE COMICS: ULTIMATES will be getting a new co-writer to lend Marvel architect Jonathan Hickman a helping hand, at least until the writer makes his way out. Writer Sam Humphries (OUR LOVE IS REAL) will be joining Hickman on the title starting with issue # 10. Humphries is, naturally, very excited about the new gig.

It's exciting to be able to come into Marvel on a book like this. You've got Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk and all the heavy hitters, but with the leeway to throw them around in ways you can't in the Marvel Universe. To use a football metaphor, Ultimates is in the red zone all the time: the biggest players making the big plays.

It seems that Humphries will only be joining Hickman for one arc following the events that take place in the series' ninth issue. According to Humphries, big things are going to happen in the ULTIMATES universe; things that will definitely shake up S.H.I.E.L.D., the city of tomorrow and much more. What could it be? Artist Luke Ross will be joining Humphries and Hickman for this upcoming story arc, and Marvel unveiled the gorgeous cover to ULTIMATE COMICS: ULTIMATES #10 by Kaare Andrews which you can see above.

Writer Sam Humphries revealed that he and ULTIMATES writer Jonathan Hickman are most definitely on the same page -- both creators seem to be working very well together.

Jonathan has been very generous with his ideas. From our very first conversations he's been encouraging me to write what I want to write and focus on what I want to focus on. We're very much moving in the same direction.

It seems that Hickman plans to turn the series over to Humphries much in the same way that Bendis turned SECRET WARRIORS over to Hickman. As Humphries writes the series, Hickman will continue to oversee the book. According to Marvel, Hickman will be leaving ULTIMATES but that the passing of the torch will be gradual.

Source: Marvel

/That Ghost Rider?

Who's the girl?

@TheCheeseStabber said:

/That Ghost Rider?

It's Xorn or Zorn, I forgot which one is which. The other one has purplish flames

@Burnstar1230: i think i need glasses...

The lady is probably Black Widow.

Ultimates has been far too confusing Post-Ultimate. Too many titles.

If Hickman's two image ongoings sell well i wont be surprised if he leaves marvel altogether, to do his own stuff. Because in several past interviews he has made it a point that he would alot rather do his own stuff. For most writers that do both I mostly like there indi stuff alot better like Bendis and Jason Arron, however I would still like to see Hickman do both.

If Hickman's two image ongoings sell well i wont be surprised if he leaves marvel altogether, to do his own stuff. Because in several past interviews he has made it a point that he would alot rather do his own stuff. For most writers that do both I mostly like there indi stuff alot better like Bendis and Jason Arron, however I would still like to see Hickman do both.

@spiderbat87: ya me to, I gess the only reason I am hesitant is because he has never done a non marvel book that was not a 4 or 5 issue mini, and IMO the reason hickman is so great is his ability to craft long story.

I seriously hope Hickman moves on to the Avengers after Bendis is supposed to be leaving. He has become one of my top favorite writers with his Fantastic Four work and I bet he could bring the same intensity to the Avengers.

@Burnstar1230 said:

@TheCheeseStabber said:

/That Ghost Rider?

It's Xorn or Zorn, I forgot which one is which. The other one has purplish flames

Xorn is the one was with Hawkeye in his mini, so he is the one with purplish flames, this one is Zorn.

ULTIMATE!

@Deadcool: @Deadcool said:

@Burnstar1230 said:

@TheCheeseStabber said:

/That Ghost Rider?

It's Xorn or Zorn, I forgot which one is which. The other one has purplish flames

Xorn is the one was with Hawkeye in his mini, so he is the one with purplish flames, this one is Zorn.

Why does everyone nowadays have flaming heads and names that sound alike >.<

@TheCheeseStabber said:

Why does everyone nowadays have flaming heads

Because the flaming heads are cool, also the skull faces.

and names that sound alike >.<

...Just wondering, is there a hero called Porn? lol, just kidding!

@ReVamp said:

Ultimates has been far too confusing Post-Ultimate. Too many titles.

Seriously! there was a thing w vampires and whatnot... the carol/fury thing... idk what the hell is going on anymore. The only good post-ultimatum thing was Ultimate Comic Avengers... it was well written and the art was flawless. The rest was garbage.

Good for Humphries, very gald he is getting this opportunity.

So then Hickman to the Avengers I am sad he was not on longer but it makes sense. Hope he brings the diversity and global focus back to the Avengers. As well as stronger character development and deeper storytelling.

Good for Humphries! :)

Beautiful Cover. One of the best I've seen.

That's a pretty sweet cover

the ultimate line only has three ongoings so its less books you haft to buy

@ReVamp: Not really. Ultimate Hawkeye a four issue mini that took place during the first two issues of Ultimates. Then there's ultimate spiderman, what other Ultimates titles do you speak?

@Time_Phantom: Since Ultimatum there have been multiple Ultimates and Ultimate Avengers Series.

So yeah...Humphries has a new creator owned book coming out through BOOM! Studios...Higher Earth sounds like it's going to be awesome.

@kamionero: You know the whole thing with Vampires? That was one of the story's from Ultimate Comics Avengers.

IMO Ultimate Comics Spider-man has been the only consistently good thing to come out of Ultimate Marvel since Ultimatum before the whole death of Spider-man thing, its nice to see that Marvel might actually be taking the Ultimate books seriously again

Ghost Rider as a monk type person? Seems interesting!

@IronSpidy-Rooney: You're right! I meant ultimate avengers Vol. 1. Just till the Red Skull dies. Then the whole thing with the original Rage-looking hulk, and what not was not very good. Same with the ghost rider story.

And even in Vol. 1 there are plenty of consistency issues, like the whole Red Wasp thing, but then the art and story where actually good enough to overlook them.