New Faces, Big Action: Ultimates #16 Preview

Marvel’s Ultimates #16, written by Deniz Camp with art by Juan Frigeri (main cover by Dike Ruan), is scheduled to hit stores on September 17, 2025. It’s the latest entry in Marvel’s Ultimate Universe relaunch and signals a notable shift in tone: greater involvement of ordinary people, more street-level action, and rising tension as the threat of The Maker draws closer.

What We Know So Far

Issue #16 looks to pivot the series from cosmic-scale showdowns to a more grounded focus on the people living within the Ultimate Universe. Solicitation text teases “new recruits from the streets,” suggesting that alongside big names like Iron Lad and Captain Marvel, we’ll see a wave of fresh, possibly non-powered or lesser-known heroes stepping into the fray. This approach appears to expand the cast and show how everyday figures — not just the traditional Ultimates lineup — respond to a looming, universe-level crisis.

The preview pages Marvel released depict urban environments in chaos, hinting that the action will shift from lofty sky battles to on-the-ground skirmishes where civilians and rookie heroes are directly involved. Artist Juan Frigeri’s pencils emphasize dense cityscapes, crowd scenes, and close-quarters combat, signaling a tonal shift from previous issues’ widescreen cosmic vistas.

“The Maker’s Arrival Draws Near in Ultimates #16

Meanwhile, the specter of The Maker (the Ultimate Universe’s most infamous architect of chaos) looms large. Promotional material notes that his arrival is now only “three months” away within the story, injecting a sense of ticking-clock urgency into every subplot. That countdown, combined with the influx of new characters, sets up Ultimates #16 as both a turning point and a table-setter for the next major arc.

This issue will run 32 pages, carry a T+ rating, and retail for about $4.99. The creative team also includes colorist Federico Blee and letterer Travis Lanham, both of whom have been praised for giving the Ultimate line a distinctive palette and lettering style that blends modern polish with classic readability. For collectors, Dike Ruan’s main cover leads a lineup of variants that lean into the “new recruits” theme.

What’s Exciting

This issue’s biggest strength may lie in its shift in scale. After several issues dealing with cosmic or large-scale threats, Ultimates #16 appears to bring the story down to the people. The “new recruits from the streets” angle suggests we’ll see how day-to-day heroes or civic guardians respond to a coming apocalypse. This can deepen stakes, make the Ultimate Universe feel more lived in, and allow for character moments where non-powered or less flashy figures matter.

Artistically, Juan Frigeri’s layouts from preview pages show dynamic action in more grounded settings: broken streets, crowds, and close-quarters conflict. The contrast between skyborne or cosmic visuals and gritty, urban panels could make for visually strong storytelling. The variant covers are also drawing attention: Dike Ruan’s main cover and others from segment artists suggest multiple visual flavors for collectors.

What Might Be Risky

With greater scope comes certain pitfalls. First, recruiting “ordinary people” into a superhero narrative always risks either underusing them (making them background) or overcrowding the roster, diluting focus on core characters. If the issue tries to juggle too many new faces, it may reduce emotional impact.

Second, pacing could suffer. Given that The Maker’s arrival is time-sensitive (three months), balancing world-building, recruitment arcs, and advancing main plot threads in one issue may feel forced. There’s a danger that urgency becomes cliché if not handled with subtlety.

Finally, tonal shifts — from cosmic conflicts to street-level heroism — can be hard to manage. If the dialogue or action becomes too grounded, readers expecting the grandeur of the Ultimate Universe scale might feel it’s a downshift; conversely, if it remains too bombastic, the street-level stakes may lose realism.

Final Thoughts: Ultimates #16

On balance, Ultimates #16 looks like a promising entry. It has the potential to humanize the larger threat, expand the universe in interesting directions, and give ordinary characters meaningful roles. The art, pricing, and creative team seem solid. If Camp and Frigeri can balance the new elements without sacrificing momentum or character development, this issue could mark a turning point in the series — one that shifts from spectacle to meaningful impact.

If you’re a fan of the Ultimate Universe’s cosmic sweep, this is one to pick up: not just for the action, but for what it could mean about who gets to be a hero when the skies fall.