New Ultimates #5 [2011] by Mark Millar

NEW ULTIMATES #5

Thor has returned after spending an indefinite amount of time with Hela Goddess of the Dead. Now with his beloved Valkyrie killed by Loki, Thor returns with an uncontrollable vengeance wreaking havoc on New York City in the process. The Ultimates one-by-one take on Thor including Hawkeye, Captain America, Zarda, and Tony Stark. Loki plans to assassinate his brother until Valkyrie returns as a servant of the Goddess Hela.

Writer Jeph Loeb cleans his plate as he removes Ka-Zar, Shanna, and the Black Panther from the Ultimates, returns Zarda to her own universe with the Squadron Supreme, reforges Captain America’s shield, and the Defenders gets what’s coming to them. Obviously Thor will rejoin the Ultimates again and Captain America will get his shield back when other stories are already revealed. Long delays between these issues really killed the momentum of the story especially when Mark Millar has already led the way with his Ultimate Avengers Vs. New Ultimates leading the way for the Death of Spider-Man arc. If you already know where these characters are going then you stop caring for the story.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5