As Marvel reinvents several iconicAvengersheroes, its new take on an iconic vigilante is capable of beatingCaptain America’s unbreakable shield like few people ever have. Made from a unique Vibranium ally, Captain America’s shield is an unbreakable, perfectly balanced weapon - one that can withstand almost every force in the Marvel Universe. However, as Marvel reimagines the Avengers franchise, Steve Rogers finally meets his match.
In Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri, Federico Blee and Travis Lanham’sThe Ultimates #5, Cap is on a mission to test outnew Hawkeye Charli Ramsey. Captain America interrupts Charli’s raid on a Roxxon oil refinery, intending to take the measure of this new hero. However, Cap isn’t ready for Hawkeye’s arsenal, which includesan"inertia-canceling arrow"that instantly robs his shield of all momentum on impact.
Not only that, butthe new Hawkeye hits Steve Rogers with a sonic arrow that his shield can’t do anything to combat, and uses several arrows which change direction to strike Steve Rogers from behind. WhenCaptain America’s shield has been beaten before, it’s usually been by literal gods, however even without powers, Charli Ramsey makes it clear that they have multiple ways to get around the iconic weapon. So far, the Ultimate Hawkeye has showcased the following types of arrow:
Explosive blast capable of destroying a tank
Explosive blast of repulsor energy
Painful sound strong enough to incapacitate Captain America
Releases multiple explosive capsules
Releases knockout gas
Instantly freezes a large area
Releases acid strong enough to melt steel
Robs momentun from target on impact
Releases strong electric shock, can change direction mid-air
Deadly cutting edge
Incapacitates neural pathways, leading to paralysis
Hunter/Kille Arrow
Ridged arrowhead for maximum physical damage
Captain America vs Hawkeye makes clear ahugeadvantage the Ultimate Universe has over Marvel’s mainstream Avengers franchise.
“Ultimates Assemble!” Marvel’s Ultimates Officially Unite for the First Time, Replacing the Avengers - Full Roster & Powers Explained
As the Ultimates assemble for the first time, we finally know the full roster and powers of Tony Stark’s god-tier Avengers replacements.
Ultimate Hawkeye Takes Out Captain America’s Shield with a Custom Arrow
Charli Ramsey’s Arsenal Can “Take on an Army”
While Charli Ramsey has easily mastered their new arsenal, they were never meant to have it. Tony Stark designed the Hawkeye gear - including a hi-tech ‘quiver’ that prints custom arrows on demand - for Clint Barton. However, in the Ultimate Universe, Clint rejected his iconic codename and weaponry, leaving it in the trash after failing to reclaim the heroic life heshouldhave lived,if the villainous Maker hadn’t rewritten the timeline. Charli finds the Hawkeye costume and takes the name, with Tony worrying because according to his metrics, they’re not suited to a life of heroism.
Thankfully, the duel with Captain America convinces Steve Rogers that Charli has exactly what the Ultimates need, and the two ultimately unite to take down Roxxon’s troops, with the new Hawkeye being recruited into the Ultimates shortly after. While this Hawkeye still uses a bow and arrow, their capabilities are far more impressive than Clint Barton’s original, with Tony Stark claiming they wield:
Arrows that can follow a target forty miles, cutting right angles at three times the speed of sound. Arrows that can blow holes in battleships and fry every electronic device for two hundred yards.
Hawkeye vs Captain America Shows the Ultimate Universe’s Biggest Advantage
There’s No One Star of the Show In This New Continuity
Acknowledging the vulnerabilities of Captain America’s shield and elevating Hawkeye to heavy-hitter level are just two ways in whichThe Ultimatesis reinventing the Avengers franchise as fans know it. One of the biggest strengths of the Avengers is that as a property, it gathers together Marvel’s most iconic heroes, however this can also be a weakness. The biggest Avengers heroes also tend to have their own monthly series which usually take precedent over the team book. Thislimits how ambitious anyAvengerstitle can be, and can often lead to them feeling wooden alongside characters who the writers are able to push further without ruining plans elsewhere.
In contrast, the heroes ofThe Ultimatesonly star in this title, at least so far.This gives the comic far more freedom to make big moves and shape its characters in the ways that best suit its story.Ultimate Captain America and Hawkeye don’t have to sell their own titles or even appear inThe Ultimatesevery month, which means that when theydoappear, it’s because the creative team have an inventive, unfettered idea of the best story to tell.
Hopefully, even as fan interest in theUltimate Universe continues to build, Marvel is able to hold onto this strength, and to keep taking big, creative swings like transforming Hawkeye from theAvengers' least-powerful member toCaptain America’s unquestionable equal.
The Ultimates #5is available now from Marvel Comics.
Ultimate Marvel
Created in 2000, the Ultimate Marvel imprint redesigned the entire Marvel Comics universe with a new set of origin stories and relationships. The reboot reinterpreted Marvel continuity from scratch in an attempt to simplify and update the company’s 60-year history for modern audiences. With famous comic book writers such as Brian Michael Bendis, Warren Ellis, and Mark Millar at the helm, the Ultimate universe (named Earth-1610 within the Marvel multiverse) lasted 15 years and provided plenty of inspiration for the MCU.
Captain America
Initially debuting in 1940, Captain America is the patriotically themed superhero who has shared the title with only a few individuals. Beginning with Steve Rogers, Captain America’s birth resulted from a frail man taking part in an experimental U.S. Army super-soldier trial, which imbued him with super-human abilities. The character is often depicted wielding a nigh unbreakable and aerodynamic shield made of vibranium that they use to defend and attack their foes.
