Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Ultimates #8! In the Marvel cosmos, Galactus stands as a harbinger of cosmic doom, consuming entire planets as he traverses the universe. Few beings possess the strength or intellect to challenge him. However, within the newly established Ultimate Universe of Earth-6160, Galactus’ role dramatically shifts, offering a glimmer of hope for the cosmos.
A New Era: The Guardians of the Galaxy
In The Ultimates #8, penned by Deniz Camp and illustrated by Juan Frigeri, the narrative introduces a reimagined team of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Unlike their traditional portrayal as a quirky band of heroes zooming across the cosmos in a spaceship, this version emerges from a distant future and navigates through the Fourth Dimension, enabling them to appear in any time period of the Third Dimension. As their journey unfolds, they find themselves in the year 2024, on a quest to locate a fellow Guardian: America Chavez.
Rediscovering Lost Memories
Upon locating America, the Guardians discover that her memories of their shared past as teammates have faded. In a heartfelt effort to revive her recollections, they recount tales of their adventures together, some of which bore tragic consequences. Among these stories is one featuring Galactus, revealing a far more complex character than previously understood. Rather than being merely the ‘Devourer of Worlds,’ Galactus is redefined as the ‘Seeder of Worlds’—a title that emphasizes his role as the Lifebringer. This narrative crescendo culminates in Galactus’ demise, where his colossal remains inadvertently give rise to dark, ominous beings.
Galactus: The Lifebringer of the Ultimate Universe
Unlike the traditional depiction, this iteration of Galactus does not annihilate life across countless planets. Instead, in Earth-6160, he cultivates life on desolate worlds, utilizing the Power Cosmic to promote flourishing ecosystems. This version of Galactus stands in stark contrast to his Earth-616 counterpart, who indiscriminately extinguishes billions of lives while consuming planets.
The Paradox of Creation
This more benevolent Galactus may seem like a blessing for Marvel’s characters, who can view him as a guardian of cosmic balance. However, there is a troubling twist; his death manifests as the birth of dark entities, seemingly spawned from the residual energies within his decayed body. These beings present a new challenge, highlighting the duality of Galactus’ influence on the universe.
An Unexpected Threat: The Dark Entities
While The Ultimates #8 hints at the nature and power of these dark creatures, much remains shrouded in mystery. Readers catch only fleeting glimpses of these formidable entities, which appear to inherit the Power Cosmic from Galactus. The sheer volume of these beings suggests a potential for widespread destruction, implying they could devastate planets without restraint. Disturbingly, they seem incapable of reasoning, contrasting with the original Galactus, whose intellect allows for negotiated truces.
A Lesser Evil?
In a perplexing twist, the version of Galactus from the new Ultimate Universe might inadvertently present more peril than the original. The mindless entities spawned from his remains appear as a relentless, destructive force, overshadowing the original Galactus, who, while terrifying, could be reasoned with and even avoided if planets exhibited abundant life.
The Ultimates #8 by Marvel Comics is currently available, unveiling these fresh takes on beloved characters and concepts.