Customer Reviews

The Ultimates - Vol 1 (DVD Graphic Novel)

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I was pleasently suprised by the quality and presentation of the formerly paper story books on the small screen. The voice acting of the characters is suprisingly good given the cheezy, often too wordy dialogue penned in comics. This DVD narrates the recent Marvel comic book series of the Ultimates, retelling the classic avengers tales with a modern, darker, more human element to the heros backgrounds and lifestyles. If you like the characters as a casual fan or if you are a die-hard collector nut, you will enjoy this and the entire series of DVDs. It's good entertainment value for your dollar

The first thing that hits you is the voice-overs. When you hear the people read the text of the comic book, you kind of feel sorry for them. You're like, "God, these people can't read." And then it hits you--you paid money for this. Then you feel sorry for yourself.

I read The Ultimates regularly, and I'm from the camp that thinks Marvel Comics should re-tool their whole market in the "Ultimate" line of storytelling. But this digital comic book thing will never get off the ground unless they can (by some miracle) get celebrities to do the voice-overs.

Marvel Comics scored a winner with the publication of The Ultimates. A retelling of the classic title The Avengers, this new look at the old characters lent them edgy quirks that really brought their personalities to life. The art was interesting, the plot contained some surprises, and the action was exciting.

But that was the comic book, and I'm writing a review for the DVD version.

I'd have to say that the DVD is okay as long as you never read the comics. It essentially comes off as a long Saturday morning TV episode, with a perfunctory plot and little character development. The art is flat, uninteresting and utterly forgettable. Added to that is the miscasting of the talent to provide the voices, with Bruce Banner's faint Bronx accent more suited to an apartment house's super than a super brain who is Earth's last scientific hope.

Rent this dog through Netflix and save your hard earned for the Spiderman 2 DVD.

James R. Rummel