Ultraforce

Did You Know?

• An Ultraforce action figure line was produced by Galoob.
• The TV show had a poor reception from critics.

Publication history

The team debuted in Ultraforce #1 (August 1994), assembling existing Ultras from their own series, similar to the Avengers or Justice League. The first series ran 11 issues (#0–10), with the first seven written by Gerard Jones and drawn by George Pérez. A reformed second series ran 16 issues (September 1995–December 1996), and a one-shot, Ultraverse Future Shock #1, wrapped up unresolved plots in February 1997. The Ultraverse line ended that year.

Fictional biography

Ghoul, the sole survivor of the Exiles, rose from his tomb and faced public harassment. Hardcase rescued him and suggested that Ultras should regulate themselves rather than the government. Prime saw this on TV and sought members for a new team called Ultraforce, convincing Prototype but clashing over leadership. Their fight drew Contrary, who brought Hardcase and Ghoul to her airship and showed them the public impact.

When Prime and Prototype fought on the ground, the villain Atalon, king of the fire people, took them underground. Hardcase rescued them, while Topaz, one of Gwendor's three queens, arrived from the Godwheel. Contrary promised to return her home. Prime and Prototype were defeated by Atalon, but Hardcase saved them.

The team formed with U.S. government backing from President Bill Clinton. Attempts to recruit Freex, the Strangers, Night Man, and Mantra failed. Atalon raised a new island and fought Ultraforce; Prime returned, and Atalon detonated a nuclear missile. The young ultra Pixx sacrificed herself to disable the arsenal and died from radiation.

Atalon was defeated and left the surface world. Ghoul later investigated singer Mosh's strange death. Marvel's Black Knight arrived, meeting Prototype and Prime, and fought angels created by Metabio Corporation, freed accidentally by Siren, who joined the team. Ghoul defeated the angels due to his decaying body.

Topaz fought sorceress Mantra for the sword of Fangs but was interrupted by Hybrid, who sent the team to Egypt. Hybrid died, and Topaz and Mantra made peace. Black Knight later found his lover Sersi possessed by the Ego Infinity gem, who attacked him and Topaz.

Members

Hardcase, whose real name is Tom Hawke, debuted in Hardcase #1 (June 1993), written by James Hudnall and illustrated by Jim Callahan. He was a Hollywood actor and one of the first publicly known Ultras, forming the first superhero team, the Squad. He possesses super strength, leaping ability, near invulnerability, rapid healing (sped by seawater), and enhanced senses. Prototype refers to two characters using Ultratech exo-armor: Bob Campbell, the original spokesperson, who lost an arm fighting the villain Arena, and his successor Jimmy Ruiz. Other members include Prime, Topaz (warrior queen of Gwendor), Ghoul (undead last Exile), Contrary (team organizer and tech provider), and Pixx. The team also included Siren after she accidentally freed angels from Metabio Corporation.

In other media

Prime, a member of Ultraforce, appeared on a Sega CD disc that came with Microcosm, featuring digital comic issues, interviews, concept art, and a beat 'em up game, which GamePro panned. Topaz, created by Mike W. Barr, was played by Rachel House in Thor: Ragnarok and the short Team Darryl within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.