Marvel Comics
Published Sep 26, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT
Mark has been a comic book journalist for over 15 years and has interviewed comic book creators like Gail Simone and Caspar Wijngaard. And when he's not writing, he's working on beating his record of 1,200 comics read in a year.
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Marvel Comics has been doing a lot of crossover events. There were Aliens vs. Captain America and Predator Vs. Spider-Man. As epic as those battles were, none of them will be as big as Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles.
Star Wars is one of the greatest science fiction franchises of all time, and Marvel is known as one of the big two in comics (the other being DC Comics). Putting the two of them together makes sense. Especially since Marvel has produced a variety of Star Wars titles starring classic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker and newcomers like Doctor Aphra and Sana Starros.
Because there are so many recognized characters on both sides, there will be certain people who have to interact. For example, Captain America and Obi-Wan Kenobi make perfect sense to meet because they're both old war veterans; Groot and Chewbacca for the intense conversation; and Wolverine needs to be introduced to an army of Stormtroopers because it would be a massacre. The possibilities are endless, but which ones would be the best?
10 Darth Vader & Doctor Doom
When there’s a conversation between Marvel and Star Wars fans, the argument about who wins between Doctor Doom and Darth Vader will happen. Can Victor Von Doom overwhelm Vader’s Force choke, or would Doom hack into Darth’s suit? Can a lightsaber penetrate Doom’s armor? If they team up, who’s the first one to betray the other?
The two villains have a specific similarity too. Both of their faces were horribly scarred, and they blamed someone else for the incidents when it was their own doing. It would be nice to see them work together rather than the inevitable betrayal, but everyone knows it's coming.
9 Yoda & The Hulk
The Hulk is a huge ball of rage who is infamously difficult to soothe or bring to a state of calm. Even as Bruce Banner, there’s a certain amount of anger that’s locked away inside the human. It's partly why he can't overcome his deepest traumas. However, if anyone can calm the monster and bring him some peace, it’s Yoda.
In the centuries that Yoda's been alive, he's seen more than anyone. Because of that, it would make sense that he would be able to get through to both Hulk and Banner because he's witnessed this kind of anger in people. Once they gain some peace from Yoda’s teachings, would Banner or Hulk attempt to further his training to become a Jedi? It wouldn't be shocking, since Hulk isn't a stranger to learning and adjusting to alien cultures.
8 Princess Leia & Black Widow
Credit: MovieStillsDBWhen people think of the most groundbreaking women in fictional media, Princess Leia is one of the first names mentioned. She was bold, brave, and willing to put herself in danger to save the universe from tyranny. That's only in the movies. What she does in the comics is even better. Hearing all of her adventures would draw Natasha Romanoff to Leia.
Black Widow would take every opportunity to work with Leia. Both of them have been underestimated, and overachieved because they were looked at as just attractive women. A bonus would be watching Widow talk down to Han when he gets out of line towards Leia. We all know that will happen.
7 Boba Fett & Deadpool
Custom Image by Hannah DiffeyComic book and Star Wars fans have fantasized about Deadpool and Boba Fett meeting for decades. There has been fan fiction, artwork, and an Epic Rap Battle of History about the two of them, but it’s never happened in any real continuity. That will change in Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles.
Kevin Smith will give the people what they want because he’s more than just the writer of Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles. He’s a fan of both genres. There’s no way he would waste the opportunity of a lifetime by not having these two meet up and eventually fight. Maybe Deadpool ends up in the Sarlacc only to be spit out due to Wade Wilson tasting awful.
6 Jabba The Hutt & Guardians Of The Galaxy
The Guardians of the Galaxy will do what they can to make some money. Because they’re intergalactic pirates, they know that the kind of dirty deeds they specialize in requires dealing with some awful people. That will lead them to one of the worst beings in the galaxy, Jabba the Hutt.
It's more likely that Guardians of the Galaxy will have to do a favor to get something out of Jabba because it's the only way to get back to their universe. However, would it make more sense if Star-Lord felt more at home in a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away? He loves thrills, and what’s more exciting than a new area of space to explore?
5 Sheev Palpatine & Red Skull
Some villains aren’t necessarily evil, but there’s no argument that Red Skull and Sheev Palpatine are. Johann Schmidt is a Nazi and Palpatine is a fascist. The two of them are a match made in the darkest, vilest pits of Hell, and it hits the point home that the Galactic Empire is evil.
As of now, Red Skull hasn’t been seen in the promotions for Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles, but surprises happen in crossovers like this. It also tracks that someone as disgusting as Red Skull wouldn’t be something that needs to be promoted. Nevertheless, if there was ever a person who’d get along with Palpatine, it’s Schmidt.
4 Luke Skywalker & Spider-Man
Luke Skywalker and Peter Parker have a couple of similarities. Firstly, neither of them knew their parents, which led to them being raised by their aunt and uncle. Second, they both encounter a tragedy that pushes them to become heroes.
Spider-Man and Luke Skywalker similarities aren't the only reason they'll meet and get along. They’re the most popular characters in their respective franchises. It only makes sense that they’d have a lot of interactions in this crossover. It’s likely that they’ll be the ones who eventually save the day.
3 Doctor Aphra & Iron Man
During Brian Michael Bendis’ Guardians of the Galaxy, Tony Stark learned that his technology isn’t as groundbreaking as he’d thought. Sure, he’s a big man on Earth, but many of his inventions were created long before he thought of them. Nevertheless, Doctor Aphra would see one look at Tony’s armor and want it for herself.
Doctor Aphra hasn’t appeared in any of the Star Wars movies or shows, but she’s a major character in Marvel Star Wars comic books. Her continuity also coincides with the same timeline that Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles. Having her appear here is a great way to get people interested in her character, which could lead to her appearing in a future project.
2 C-3PO & The Thing
Ben Grimm has spent most of his adult life fighting and living with sentient robots, but none of them were like C-3PO. He’s sassy and cowardly, and is generally not liked by most of the people he encounters. That would likely include the Ever Lovin’ Blue-Eyed Thing.
Ben and C-3PO not getting along would make their interactions great. The Thing’s brutish behavior and sometimes crude jokes would cause C-3PO to say something snarky, leading to arguments throughout the series, solid background banter for any reader to enjoy. In the end, it will be one of the most underrated parts of this event.
1 Galactic Empire & Galactus
Now we come to the part that may be the most obvious, and that’s the Galactic Empire attempting to capture Galactus. It seems inconceivable, but with the combined might of Thanos, Darth Vader, and the Death Star, it’s more than possible. It's an inevitability.
Earth-1610 · Multiverse Edition
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Marvel’s Ultimate Universe?
🌏OriginsEarth-1610
⚡HeroesUltimates
💥EventsUltimatum
☠VillainsThe Maker
💫LegacyReborn
ENTER THE ULTIMATES! →
01
The Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610) was launched in 2000 with a reimagined version of Marvel’s most popular teenage superhero. Which comic series kicked off the Ultimate line?
AThe Ultimates BUltimate X-Men CUltimate Spider-Man DUltimate Fantastic Four
✓ Correct! Ultimate Spider-Man #1, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Mark Bagley, launched in October 2000 and retold Peter Parker’s origin for a modern audience. It became the flagship title of the Ultimate line and ran for 160 issues.
✗ That answer didn’t survive Ultimatum! The answer is Ultimate Spider-Man. Written by Brian Michael Bendis, it was the first Ultimate title, debuting in 2000. The Ultimates and Ultimate X-Men followed in 2001, while Ultimate Fantastic Four didn’t launch until 2004.
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02
In the Ultimate Universe, Peter Parker’s Spider-Man eventually died heroically. A new character then took up the Spider-Man mantle and later crossed over into the main Marvel universe. Who is this character?
ABen Reilly BMiguel O’Hara CMiles Morales DGwen Stacy
✓ Correct! Miles Morales debuted in Ultimate Fallout #4 (2011) after Peter Parker’s death in the “Death of Spider-Man” storyline. Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, Miles became one of Marvel’s most beloved characters and later migrated to Earth-616 after Secret Wars (2015).
✗ That answer didn’t survive Ultimatum! The answer is Miles Morales. Ben Reilly is the Scarlet Spider clone from Earth-616, Miguel O’Hara is Spider-Man 2099, and while Gwen Stacy existed in the Ultimate Universe, she didn’t become Spider-Woman there — that’s Earth-65’s Spider-Gwen.
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03
The Ultimates was the Ultimate Universe’s version of the Avengers. This series reimagined the team as a government-sponsored superhero squad. Who wrote the influential first two volumes of The Ultimates?
ABrian Michael Bendis BMark Millar CJeph Loeb DJonathan Hickman
✓ Correct! Mark Millar, alongside artist Bryan Hitch, created The Ultimates (2002) and The Ultimates 2 (2004). Their cinematic, widescreen approach to superhero storytelling heavily influenced the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly the first Avengers film.
✗ That answer didn’t survive Ultimatum! The answer is Mark Millar. Bendis wrote Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate X-Men, Jeph Loeb took over the Ultimates later with volume 3, and Jonathan Hickman wrote the 2024 Ultimate Universe relaunch. Millar and Bryan Hitch defined The Ultimates.
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04
In the Ultimate Universe, many characters were dramatically different from their main universe counterparts. Ultimate Reed Richards underwent a shocking transformation, becoming a major villain. What villain name did Ultimate Reed Richards adopt?
AThe Thinker BThe Maker CDoctor Doom DMolecule Man
✓ Correct! The Maker is one of the most terrifying villains to come out of the Ultimate Universe. After being rejected by Sue Storm and experiencing a mental breakdown, Ultimate Reed Richards turned evil, stretching his brain to enhance his already genius-level intellect and becoming a multiversal threat.
✗ That answer didn’t survive Ultimatum! The answer is The Maker. The Thinker is a different FF villain, Doctor Doom is a separate character entirely (though Ultimate Doom was Victor Van Damme), and Molecule Man is an Earth-616 entity. The Maker survived Secret Wars and became a major threat across the multiverse.
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05
The Ultimate Universe suffered a catastrophic event that killed off many major characters and dramatically changed the line’s direction. What was this controversial crossover event called?
AUltimatum BCataclysm CSecret Wars DUltimate Fallout
✓ Correct! Ultimatum (2008–2009), written by Jeph Loeb, saw Magneto use Thor’s hammer to reverse Earth’s magnetic poles, causing massive global devastation. Characters like Wolverine, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and many others were killed, making it one of the most controversial Marvel events ever.
✗ That answer didn’t survive Ultimatum! The answer is, ironically, Ultimatum itself. Cataclysm was a later event involving Galactus attacking the Ultimate Universe, Secret Wars (2015) ended the Ultimate Universe entirely, and Ultimate Fallout dealt with the aftermath of Peter Parker’s death.
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06
Ultimate Nick Fury was redesigned to look very different from his main universe counterpart. His new appearance was so popular that it influenced a major casting decision in the MCU. Who was Ultimate Nick Fury visually modeled after?
ADenzel Washington BWesley Snipes CSamuel L. Jackson DLaurence Fishburne
✓ Correct! Artist Bryan Hitch, with Mark Millar’s approval, deliberately modeled Ultimate Nick Fury after Samuel L. Jackson in The Ultimates. Jackson himself gave permission for his likeness to be used, and was later cast as Nick Fury in the MCU — one of the most perfect comics-to-film casting decisions ever.
✗ That answer didn’t survive Ultimatum! The answer is Samuel L. Jackson. Bryan Hitch specifically used Jackson’s likeness when redesigning Nick Fury for The Ultimates. Jackson actually gave his blessing, reportedly in exchange for first refusal on any film role — which led to his iconic MCU casting.
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07
The Ultimate Universe was eventually destroyed during Jonathan Hickman’s Secret Wars (2015) event, with some characters migrating to the main Marvel universe (Earth-616). Which of these characters did NOT originate in the Ultimate Universe?
AMiles Morales BThe Maker (Reed Richards) CKamala Khan DJimmy Hudson
✓ Correct! Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) was created for the main Earth-616 universe, debuting in Captain Marvel #14 (2013) and getting her own series in 2014. Miles Morales, The Maker, and Jimmy Hudson (Wolverine’s son) all originated in the Ultimate Universe before crossing over.
✗ That answer didn’t survive Ultimatum! The answer is Kamala Khan. She was created by G. Willow Wilson and Sana Amanat for the main Marvel universe (Earth-616), not the Ultimate Universe. Miles Morales, The Maker, and Jimmy Hudson (Ultimate Wolverine’s son) all came from Earth-1610.
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08
In 2024, Marvel relaunched the Ultimate Universe with a new line of comics set on a reimagined Earth-6160. This new Ultimate Universe features a world where who has secretly controlled everything from behind the scenes?
AThanos BThe Maker (Reed Richards) CDoctor Doom DMagneto
✓ Correct! In Jonathan Hickman’s 2024 Ultimate Universe relaunch, The Maker (Ultimate Reed Richards) has secretly reshaped Earth-6160 from behind the scenes, preventing many heroes from ever gaining their powers and manipulating global events. The new Ultimate line follows heroes discovering and resisting his hidden influence.
✗ That answer didn’t survive Ultimatum! The answer is The Maker (Reed Richards). In the 2024 Ultimate Universe relaunch by Jonathan Hickman, The Maker has been secretly pulling strings on Earth-6160, suppressing the emergence of superheroes and reshaping the world to his design. He is the central antagonist of the new Ultimate line.
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The Galactic Empire was already terrifying before the Devourer of Worlds arrived. Even after destroying Alderaan, people still fought back. With Galactus under their control, that would be enough for the rebels to stand down. Luckily, Captain America will be around, and he doesn’t believe in giving up.
Movie(s) Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order
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