Ultimate Adventures
Encyclopedia
Ultimate Adventures was a six-issue comic book
, written by Ron Zimmerman
and drawn by Duncan Fegredo
, and published by Marvel Comics
. It starred Hawk-Owl and Woody, two characters who were purposefully designed as blatant parodies of Batman
and Robin
. At the time of its publication, it was the only Ultimate title to introduce characters who were not explicitly based on pre-existing Marvel characters. (Ultimate Spider-Man
followed suit with Geldoff
and the series Ultimate X-Men
has since added the characters of Syndicate
and Magician
.)
series, which debuted the same week (as part of U-Decide) - had its eighteenth issue released the same week as Ultimate Adventures #6 finally made it to shops).
Woody/Hank Kipple - The Robin to Hawk-Owl's Batman. In some ways the actual main character of the story in Ultimate Adventures, which is largely about the creation and advent of the Woody character (which only appears in proper in that last issue of the series). Brash and assertive, well past the point of obnoxiousness, Hank seems to fear both making lasting connections (by rejecting nearly everybody) but also being ruthless.
Aunt Ruth - A mother figure of sorts towards Danner who lives at his mansion. Quite possibly an alcoholic, Ruth doesn't represent any particular Batman character so much as the supporting cast in general (although it is possible that she is a reference to Aunt Harriet from the 60's Batman television series
). It is also unclear if Ruth knows about Danner's double life as the Hawk-Owl until the end of the series.
Lee - Danner's often-mute chauffeur. Not a direct relation to any Batman character either, but much closer to the Green Hornet's
valet Kato.
The Principal - The main enemy of the Ultimate Adventures story. Hank's actual principal at one point, Larry Jones loses his grip on reality after a series of degrading events (including catching his wife being unfaithful multiple times) and suffering a concussion from Hank thanks to a misunderstanding. Holding on to the one grasp of identity he has left, Jones embodies the full meaning of the term Principal, becoming a sadistic disciplinarian and utilizing a series of weapons, all shaped like paddles. A satire of several Batman villains, including The Joker
and Two-Face
where a certain characteristic or quirk is magnified to a hyperbolic degree.
Mr. Willow - The Principal's assistant in crime. She is quite similar to the Joker's assistant, Harley Quinn
.
orphanage located in Chicago
, Hank Kipple is currently being disciplined for bad behavior (namely rigging the lights in the dorm rooms to not only use the Clapper
, but also only to respond to his claps) and saying "God can shove it." Later on,there is a scene of Hank in his dorm room with several other children who live at the orphanage. It appears that his brash, rude manner even extends to his peers, and not just his authority figures. He also comments on the persistent danger of crime that is associated with living in an orphanage in downtown Chicago. Sure enough, as the children go to sleep, two burglars seek refuge in the dorm room of St. Frederick's. Hank starts smart-mouthing to the burglars, putting the other children of the orphanage in danger as the burglars decide to make them hostages. Just as one of the burglars begin threatening the children, a voice comes from the rafters of the old orphanage. It's Hawk-Owl, the Midnight Avenger. While the children don't recognize him (and some of the younger kids mistake him for Spider-Man), both of the thugs recognize him almost immediately. With Hank's help, the Hawk-Owl makes short work of the burglars with an assortment of crime-fighting tools. In the morning, while the children are still abuzz about the excitement the night before, Father Joe announces that the Orphanage is going to have a very special guest. This turns out to be Jack Danner, a successful albeit unkempt businessman, accompanied by his butler Daniel Toliver (whom he calls James in this issue,) his Aunt Ruth, and seemingly mute chauffeur Lee. Danner, interested in adopting one of the children from the orphanage, first has a question and answer session with them. Most of the children ask him about his house, especially if he has toys waiting for them. Hank, on the other hand, gives him quite a hard time on everything from his demeanor to his politics. Eventually Hank is told to leave, which he seems to appreciate. Toliver notes that Danner has already picked "the surly kid". As Danner is set to adopt one of the children, a child named John asks him if Danner will go take him "make poop," which startles Danner quite a bit, especially the prospect of having to watch him. Afterwards, Father Joe comes up to the dorm room where Hank has run off too, telling him to pack his bags. First thinking he's being kicked out, Hank grows very apologetic for the first time, until Father Joe explains himself: Danner has indeed chosen to adopt Hank. Hank expresses his confusion, given how rude he had been to Danner, but Father Joe proposed that perhaps Danner simply saw beyond the "bravado". Father Joe also reminds him to pack quickly, seeing how he doesn't usually recommend long goodbyes. By the time the conversation is over, Hank is back to his brash self, smart-mouthing to God one more time as he exits, in the shadow of Hawk-Owl.
In Danner's mansion in the suburbs, Toliver takes Hank to his new room and tells him that he was a street kid like Hank and he is lucky to get a break. Jack Danner, meanwhile, goes to "the Nest," his crime-fighting lair; Danner is secretly the Hawk-Owl. Later, Hank sees a flying car pass him, and learns that Hawk-Owl saved an Internet café. Next morring Hank Kipple goes to school and meets Principal Larry Jones and Ms. Willow, learning a little more about Danner's past. After his first day of school, Hank sees the flying car pass him again and finds "the Nest".
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
, written by Ron Zimmerman
Ron Zimmerman (comics)
Ron Zimmerman is an American comedian and writer who has worked primarily in the television and comic book medium. He also had a small recurring acting role as "Doc" in the family drama series 7th Heaven...
and drawn by Duncan Fegredo
Duncan Fegredo
Duncan Fegredo is a British comic book artist born in Leicester in 1964.-Career:Fegredo first managed to get into comics after showing his portfolio around UKCAC in 1987 and meeting Dave Thorpe. Together they worked on a strip for a short lived British magazine called Heartbreak Hotel...
, and published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. It starred Hawk-Owl and Woody, two characters who were purposefully designed as blatant parodies of Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
and Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
. At the time of its publication, it was the only Ultimate title to introduce characters who were not explicitly based on pre-existing Marvel characters. (Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man was a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
followed suit with Geldoff
Geldoff
Geldoff is a fictional character in Marvel Comics who first appeared in the Ultimate Marvel Universe's Ultimate Spider-Man #40 written by Brian Michael Bendis with art from Mark Bagley. Geldoff was brought into the main Marvel Universe by Dan Slott and Christos N...
and the series Ultimate X-Men
Ultimate X-Men
Ultimate X-Men is a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2001 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running X-Men comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
has since added the characters of Syndicate
Ultimate X-Men
Ultimate X-Men is a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2001 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running X-Men comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
and Magician
Magician (comics)
Magician is a fictional character in the Ultimate Marvel imprint of Marvel Comics. Created by Robert Kirkman, he first appears in Ultimate X-Men #66...
.)
Publication history
It is notable for its involvement in the U-Decide campaign, and for being plagued by chronic lateness, taking a year and four months (from September 2002 to January 2004 to complete what was a supposedly monthly series (in contrast, the relaunched Captain MarvelCaptain Marvel (Marvel Comics)
Captain Marvel is the name of several fictional superheroes appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Most of these versions exist in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe.- Publication history :...
series, which debuted the same week (as part of U-Decide) - had its eighteenth issue released the same week as Ultimate Adventures #6 finally made it to shops).
Heroes
Hawk-Owl, the Midnight Avenger/Jack Danner - A Batman pastiche, complete with secret lair ("the Nest") and crime-fighting gadgets. Unlike Bruce Wayne, Danner is far from being any sort of genius. Rather, he's a socially inept middle-aged billionaire with a rather dangerous and expensive hobby. He also lacks the traumatic murder experience of his DC counterpart, making him less "severe" in some respects, but also lacks a certain personal element to his own mission, however, it is implied by his Aunt Ruth and others that the death of his parents and uncle may not have been accidents as he claims, but in fact murders.Woody/Hank Kipple - The Robin to Hawk-Owl's Batman. In some ways the actual main character of the story in Ultimate Adventures, which is largely about the creation and advent of the Woody character (which only appears in proper in that last issue of the series). Brash and assertive, well past the point of obnoxiousness, Hank seems to fear both making lasting connections (by rejecting nearly everybody) but also being ruthless.
Supporting Characters
Daniel Toliver - Hawk-Owl's butler and best friend, the Ultimate Adventures variation on Alfred Pennyworth. An African-American veteran with an apparently difficult past, Toliver's character is often given to manic, almost aggressive outbursts throughout the series. This can be contrasted with Alfred Pennyworth's demure, passive attitude commonly shown. Toliver also proves important in Hawk-Owl's origin later on in the series.Aunt Ruth - A mother figure of sorts towards Danner who lives at his mansion. Quite possibly an alcoholic, Ruth doesn't represent any particular Batman character so much as the supporting cast in general (although it is possible that she is a reference to Aunt Harriet from the 60's Batman television series
Batman (TV series)
Batman is an American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to...
). It is also unclear if Ruth knows about Danner's double life as the Hawk-Owl until the end of the series.
Lee - Danner's often-mute chauffeur. Not a direct relation to any Batman character either, but much closer to the Green Hornet's
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet is an American radio and television masked vigilante created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, with input from radio director James Jewell, in 1936. Since his radio debut in the 1930s, the Green Hornet has appeared in numerous serialized dramas in a wide variety of media...
valet Kato.
Kato (The Green Hornet)
Kato is a fictional character from The Green Hornet series. This character has also appeared with the Green Hornet in film, television, book and comic book versions. Kato was the Hornet's assistant and has been played by a number of actors...
The Principal - The main enemy of the Ultimate Adventures story. Hank's actual principal at one point, Larry Jones loses his grip on reality after a series of degrading events (including catching his wife being unfaithful multiple times) and suffering a concussion from Hank thanks to a misunderstanding. Holding on to the one grasp of identity he has left, Jones embodies the full meaning of the term Principal, becoming a sadistic disciplinarian and utilizing a series of weapons, all shaped like paddles. A satire of several Batman villains, including The Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
and Two-Face
Two-Face
Two-Face is a fictional comic book supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. and is an enemy of Batman. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #66 , and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger....
where a certain characteristic or quirk is magnified to a hyperbolic degree.
Mr. Willow - The Principal's assistant in crime. She is quite similar to the Joker's assistant, Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn was first introduced as a villain on September 11, 1992, in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series, later adapted into DC Comics' Batman comic books. As suggested by her name , she is clad in the manner of a traditional harlequin jester...
.
One Tin Soldier
At a CatholicRoman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
orphanage located in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Hank Kipple is currently being disciplined for bad behavior (namely rigging the lights in the dorm rooms to not only use the Clapper
The Clapper
The Clapper is a sound activated electrical switch, sold by San Francisco, California based Joseph Enterprises, Inc and marketed with the slogan "Clap On!" and as a separate phrase "Clap Off!"...
, but also only to respond to his claps) and saying "God can shove it." Later on,there is a scene of Hank in his dorm room with several other children who live at the orphanage. It appears that his brash, rude manner even extends to his peers, and not just his authority figures. He also comments on the persistent danger of crime that is associated with living in an orphanage in downtown Chicago. Sure enough, as the children go to sleep, two burglars seek refuge in the dorm room of St. Frederick's. Hank starts smart-mouthing to the burglars, putting the other children of the orphanage in danger as the burglars decide to make them hostages. Just as one of the burglars begin threatening the children, a voice comes from the rafters of the old orphanage. It's Hawk-Owl, the Midnight Avenger. While the children don't recognize him (and some of the younger kids mistake him for Spider-Man), both of the thugs recognize him almost immediately. With Hank's help, the Hawk-Owl makes short work of the burglars with an assortment of crime-fighting tools. In the morning, while the children are still abuzz about the excitement the night before, Father Joe announces that the Orphanage is going to have a very special guest. This turns out to be Jack Danner, a successful albeit unkempt businessman, accompanied by his butler Daniel Toliver (whom he calls James in this issue,) his Aunt Ruth, and seemingly mute chauffeur Lee. Danner, interested in adopting one of the children from the orphanage, first has a question and answer session with them. Most of the children ask him about his house, especially if he has toys waiting for them. Hank, on the other hand, gives him quite a hard time on everything from his demeanor to his politics. Eventually Hank is told to leave, which he seems to appreciate. Toliver notes that Danner has already picked "the surly kid". As Danner is set to adopt one of the children, a child named John asks him if Danner will go take him "make poop," which startles Danner quite a bit, especially the prospect of having to watch him. Afterwards, Father Joe comes up to the dorm room where Hank has run off too, telling him to pack his bags. First thinking he's being kicked out, Hank grows very apologetic for the first time, until Father Joe explains himself: Danner has indeed chosen to adopt Hank. Hank expresses his confusion, given how rude he had been to Danner, but Father Joe proposed that perhaps Danner simply saw beyond the "bravado". Father Joe also reminds him to pack quickly, seeing how he doesn't usually recommend long goodbyes. By the time the conversation is over, Hank is back to his brash self, smart-mouthing to God one more time as he exits, in the shadow of Hawk-Owl.
In Danner's mansion in the suburbs, Toliver takes Hank to his new room and tells him that he was a street kid like Hank and he is lucky to get a break. Jack Danner, meanwhile, goes to "the Nest," his crime-fighting lair; Danner is secretly the Hawk-Owl. Later, Hank sees a flying car pass him, and learns that Hawk-Owl saved an Internet café. Next morring Hank Kipple goes to school and meets Principal Larry Jones and Ms. Willow, learning a little more about Danner's past. After his first day of school, Hank sees the flying car pass him again and finds "the Nest".