ULTIMATUM (Marvel)

ULTIMATUM is an organization that features in Marvel Comics.

History

It was founded by the Flag-Smasher in his attempts to destroy nationalism. ULTIMATUM became the occupying army of Rumekistan when Flag-Smasher became the ruler.

Agents of ULTIMATUM once hijacked an American airliner and took its passengers hostages to exchange for the surrender of Captain America. The Swiss base was captured by Captain America and S.H.I.E.L.D. ULTIMATUM attempted to destroy the world's technology through an electromagnetic pulse, but the Arctic base and electromagnetic pulse generator were destroyed by D-Man on the order of Captain America. ULTIMATUM hired Sabretooth to assassinate Symkarian Prime Minister Limka in an attempt to start a war between Symkaria and the United States. The fiancée of King Stefan of Symkaria was also assassinated, but the assassination attempt on King Stefan failed, allowing the exposure and defeated attempt of ULTIMATUM to cause a war between Symkaria and the United States. ULTIMATUM agents attempted to blow up Ellis Island, but failed in the attempt to destroy the Arc de Triomphe and Ellis Island. ULTIMATUM attempted to distribute arms to subversive elements in the United States to create nationwide chaos, but their major arms stockpile was captured by the Punisher and Moon Knight.

An unnamed ULTIMATUM terrorist has the distinction of being the only person deliberately and directly killed by Captain America since World War II. Captain America has to choose between shooting the terrorist and allowing him to kill several innocent people, and he chooses to kill the terrorist. Despite the clear moral choice, he is wracked with guilt for several issues and then he volunteers to turn himself over to the relevant authorities.

During the Acts of Vengeance, U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. attacked the Punisher and Moon Knight on the orders of the Prime Movers.

Although Flag-Smasher was the founder of ULTIMATUM, its initial funding secretly came from the Red Skull, who used its activities to create political chaos benefiting his own fascist ends. Upon Flag-Smasher's discovery of the Red Skull's involvement, the Skull had other ULTIMATUM leaders who were loyal to him stage a successful coup against Flag-Smasher through its Symkarian campaign. Presumably the ULTIMATUM rank and file were never aware of the Red Skulls' control of the organization. Following the Symkarian debacle, Flag-Smasher regained control of ULTIMATUM and purged the organization of members known to be loyal to the Red Skull.

ULTIMATUM was among the various criminal groups that took the bounty by Org made on Taskmaster. (Taskmaster v2 #1)

A Life-Model Decoy modeled after U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M.'s leader Flag-Smasher was programmed by Dr. Erik Selvig to stage a hostage situation in Manhattan on behalf of Steve Rogers, whose past had been rewritten by a Cosmic Cube to secretly serve Hydra. Together with other alleged U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. members, the Flag-Smasher raided a gala being held by Senator Thomas Herald, in order to supposedly call the attention of the two Captains America, Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson, to try to convince them to join his radical left-wing cause. At the same time several digital attacks on the security networks of government agencies were carried out (nearly leaking America's nuclear launch codes), Flag-Smasher used bombs to kill attendees at the gala. The Flag-Smasher's plan was seemingly foiled when Rick Jones managed to deactivate the bombs and stop the digital intrusions. With his plan having purportedly failed, Flag-Smasher held Herald at gunpoint. Sam Wilson threw his shield to disarm Flag-Smasher, but he failed since Rogers had discreetly steered him, during the battle, into a position from which he would miss, and Herald was executed. Flag-Smasher proceeded to flee from the scene on a jetpack, and Rogers followed him under the pretense of giving chase. The LMD returned to Rogers' and Selvig's secret base and entered sleep mode. (Captain America: Sam Wilson v1 #14)

Overview

Its purpose of was to unite mankind by abolishing the concept of nationalism and bringing about the end of all nations, thereby making possible the establishment of a world government. In Flag-Smasher's absence, the organization has worked to subvert existing governments or foment wars to destabilize such governments in order to make possible their domination by the Red Skull. The organization seeks to accomplish its goals through terrorist activity against governments and institutions and symbols representing nationalism, and supplying arms to subversives. ULTIMATUM operates worldwide, primarily in Western Europe and the United States. The organization has been outlawed by the United Nations, and its members are sought by S.H.I.E.L.D., NATO, Interpol, and other law enforcement agencies.

The Flag-Smasher serves as the Supreme Commander, with various regional leaders; the rest of the organization is apparently organized along military lines. A member must be an adult who professes a belief in ULTIMATUM's one world philosophy; background in the military or experience as a soldier of fortune is preferred. Known bases of operations have included a former HYDRA base in the Swiss Alps, a base in an unrevealed location above the Arctic Circle, and a ski lodge on the Symkarian-Latverian border.

ULTIMATUM has access to technology and paraphernalia as highly advanced as any on Earth. The organization has access to various modes of transportation, including submarines, jet-propelled skis for flight by individual members, and teleportation devices. Agents wear white or black berets, white masks covering the entire face, goggles, white jackets, black shirts, white or black pants, and white gloves and boots. They are typically armed with automatic firearms, and are also equipped with jet-skis with electromagnetic grips and fuel tanks (worn on back), grappling hooks, and hook thrusters. (Captain America v1 #321)

Members

• Red Skull :
• Karl Morgenthau :
• Bianca Demonico :

Notes

• ULTIMATUM was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary where it made its first appearance in Captain America v1 #321 (September, 1986).

In other media

Television

• In The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, an adaptation of ULTIMATUM appeared in the setting of the live-action television series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This version was known as the Flag-Smashers that emerged after the Blip and sought to preserve what was gained during that period, believing in a world without borders.

Video games

• In Marvel: Avengers Alliance, ULTIMATUM appeared in the setting of the Facebook video game.

Appearances

• Captain America v1: (1986)

External Links

• Marvel Database Entry

This article is a stub. You can help Multiversal Omnipedia by expanding it.