In the upcoming Ultimate Invasion crossover, the threat of the evil version of Reed Richards called the Maker to the main Marvel universe will see the return the Illuminati to oppose him. In the latest trailer for this ambitious crossover event, the controversial clandestine group of iconic Marvel figures gets together to discuss the Reed Richards of the Ultimate Fantastic Four. While this is not the first time Mr. Fantastic has struggled against doppelgangers with less-than-honorable motives, the fact that he had to gather the Illuminati signifies the threat the Maker represents to the Marvel universe overall.
In the new trailer released by Marvel, Black Panther and Mr. Fantastic discuss the Maker and his recent thefts of advanced technology. Reed admits he’s less worried about where the Maker is in the world but more about what he’s up to. Later, Reed and T’Challa speak to the Illuminati members gathered to discuss the Maker and his plans as the grinning villain’s elongated form is seen taking materials from Wakanda and Black Bolt’s Attilan.
The Evil Reed Richards Forces The Illuminati To Come Back
Considering Reed Richards is one of the smartest beings in any universe, one can assume that the Maker is following a plan that only he can see. Black Panther surmises that the Maker’s actions have to be deliberate, and he wanted to instigate a confrontation between the Illuminati and himself. As the Illuminati and other heroes gather near the Maker’s machine, which appears to be a portal to the Ultimate Universe, the villain taunts ‘good’ Reed on what he may have to do in order to stop him.
Who are the Illuminati?
Created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Steve McNiven, the Illuminati first appeared in New Avengers #7 where Reed Richards, Tony Stark, Black Bolt, Mr. Fantastic, Charles Xavier, Doctor Strange, and Namor met to discuss the re-emergence of the Sentry. A later series retconned their presence to be connected to a number of famous Marvel events. Although their intention was to protect their world in secret, their self-appointed influence caused them to lose the respect of friends and colleagues within the superhero community when their actions were brought to light. The Illuminati’s main concern was to stop the threat of the Incursions, which culminated in the main Marvel Universe colliding with the Ultimate Universe during 2015’s Secret Wars, written by Ultimate Invasion writer Jonathan Hickman. Although these events were eventually reversed and most worlds restored, a select few Ultimate Marvel characters were found in the mainstream Marvel universe, one being the Maker. This insane version of Reed Richards appeared notably during Donny Cates’ Venom run when it appeared he had finally returned to his home, smiling as he considered plans for the burning, lawless ruins of the once-prominent Ultimate universe.
The Maker has proven he is not to be underestimated as his warped yet still impressive intellect has been capable of resurrecting the once-dead Ultimate universe and its former heroes for his own purposes. As an evil version of the smartest man in the universe, the Maker is such a threat that to stop him Marvel is bringing back the Illuminati, who were not seen together since Secret Invasion. Paired up with Ultimates co-creator Bryan Hitch, Jonathan Hickman promises an epic story with the evil version of Reed Richards as the primary villain, but also the return of Marvel’s most controversial group, the Illuminati, who have a dangerous tendency to believe that ‘the end justifies the means’.
Ultimate Invasion goes on sale June 21, 2023
Source: Marvel Entertainment on Twitter.
