Ultron Becomes an Even Greater Threat: Marvel’s Latest Villain Upgrade

Ultron has long been regarded as one of the most formidable adversaries faced by The Avengers, but a recent upgrade has significantly elevated his threat level. This transformation not only adds an intriguing twist to the character within the narrative but also enriches his lore, opening up exciting possibilities for writers in future Ultron stories.

The latest issue of West Coast Avengers #3, penned by Gerry Duggan and illustrated by Danny Kim, Arthur Hesli, and Joe Caramagna, introduces a groundbreaking concept: Ultron has created numerous duplicates of himself throughout the universe. In essence, the original Ultron has managed to evolve into an entire species, relentlessly seeking ways to conquer and survive against humanity.

Ultron splits himself into independent copies while floating in space in West Coast Avengers (2024) #3

As revealed in this pivotal issue, while hibernating, Ultron fragmented into numerous autonomous copies, each endowed with unique consciousness and individual agendas.

Ultron’s Autonomous Copies: Each with Free Will

Distinct Plans for Each Ultron: Including Alliances with the Avengers

Ultron declares its free will from all other versions of itself in West Coast Avengers (2024) #3

The current storyline is exploring two contrasting incarnations of Ultron: a reformed version collaborating with the West Coast Avengers and a charismatic antagonist known as ‘One.’ The latter claims to offer salvation to terminally ill patients by transforming them into cyborgs. This development elucidates why these distinct Ultrons, along with others since 2015, can coexist and why the heroic Ultron remains unaware of One’s intentions. Furthermore, it provides ample creative freedom for future storytellers, enabling them to introduce new iterations of Ultron without being constrained by intricate continuity. This is particularly advantageous for a villain like Ultron, designed to wreak havoc and require united superhero efforts to contend with.

Notably, this narrative evolution alleviates one of Ultron’s historic vulnerabilities: his shared consciousness with other iterations. Traditionally, Ultron deployed a swarm of robotic drones under his central control, allowing heroes to secure victory by defeating the main version. However, with each new Ultron operating independently, a successful defeat of one will have no consequences on the others. They remain oblivious to each other’s strategies. This shift means that Ultron has not only ensured his ongoing presence but has also effectively undermined the Avengers’ most reliable tactics for his defeat.

Ultron: A Villain with New Dimensions

Unlimited Possibilities for Writers with Multiple Ultron Versions

Two versions of Ultron discuss their plans while on the moon in West Coast Avengers (2024) #3

Traditionally, Ultron’s character was rooted in a simplistic desire to annihilate and supplant humanity, viewing himself as the pinnacle of ‘life.’ Although that core motivation persists, it is now expressed through each Ultron’s unique tactical approach. For instance, one version has adopted a cult leader role, while another has aligned with heroic aspirations. Interestingly, these new Ultrons are not isolating themselves; given Ultron’s advanced AI capabilities, they can efficiently execute their respective plans while collaborating. Even on his own, ‘One’ has already mobilized a formidable army of cyborg followers, while other Ultron variants across the Marvel Universe are enacting their ambitious objectives.

Previously, writers faced the challenge of rationalizing Ultron’s returns and alterations in tactics throughout different narratives, often with varied success. In Brian Michael Bendis and Frank Cho’s Mighty Avengers #1, Ultron reemerges in a new form based on Janet van Dyne, seizing control of Tony Stark’s body. Now, with multiple Ultron iterations in play, the loss of any single version does not jeopardize the collective. Each Ultron can concurrently advance their plans and gather resources, meaning that the failure of one does not negate the achievements of another. If even one Ultron succeeds, previous losses become irrelevant.

This evolution marks a significant departure from the era when Ultron’s AI had to persist through constant battles, endlessly shifting from one scheme to the next. The most lethal artificial intelligence ever conceived has transitioned from merely a supervillain to a pervasive entity, leaving the Avengers uncertain about the sheer number of Ultrons that may be lurking. With the conclusion of West Coast Avengers, Ultron now possesses the potential to evolve into Marvel’s most inventive and multifaceted antagonist—one that creative teams are encouraged to explore in future storytelling.

West Coast Avengers #3 is currently available, bringing this exciting evolution of Ultron to readers from Marvel Comics.

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