Marvel is pleased to announce that the most-anticipated comics release of the year, ULTIMATES 3 #1 (of 5), will arrive in stores this December with two different gatefold covers! From the all-star creative team of Jeph Loeb, Joe Madureira and Christian Lichtner, ULTIMATES 3 unveils a new line up for the comic industry's most exciting, controversial superhero team, along with new opponents to battle! To celebrate this landmark issue, Madureira and Lichtner have crafted two dynamic gatefold covers for the premiere issue of ULTIMATES 3, one featuring the heroes and the other featuring the villains. To meet the overwhelming demand for this series, Marvel has released two separate solicitations for ULTIMATES 3 #1, allowing retailers to order their preferred quantities of each cover.

"When we first talked about how to launch ULTIMATES 3, we wanted something that both the retailers and the fans could sink their teeth into," explained award-winning writer Loeb. "I'd been a huge fan of Joe Mad's UNCANNY X-MEN #350 with that triple-gatefold and it's hardly ever done anymore. But since we're in the Ultimates it had to be even bigger than that! Working with Chris Lightner's magic digital inks and colors, Joe created TWO covers—HEROES and VILLAINS all rushing toward each other. And when you put them together it makes one massive poster. So much so, that Marvel is releasing them as posters! We also wanted to thank you all for being patient while we put this together properly. Joe and Chris are at the height of their game and having been away from comics for a few years, these Hall of Famers have returned with a vengeance. Go Ultimates!"

This winter, the Ultimate Universe heads down the road to ULTIMATUM and the red-hot, star-studded ULTIMATES 3 #1 (of 5) is your first chance to experience this bold new direction for the comic line that changed superheroes! And don't miss both the color and black white poster editions of these covers, featuring the stunning art of Madureira and Lichtner!

ULTIMATES 3 #1 (of 5) HEROES GATEFOLD COVER
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art & Cover by JOE MADUREIRA & CHRISTIAN LICHTNER
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC—11/15/07, On-Sale—12/05/07

ULTIMATES 3 #1 (of 5) VILLAINS GATEFOLD COVER
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art & Cover by JOE MADUREIRA & CHRISTIAN LICHTNER
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC—11/15/07, On-Sale—12/05/07

ULTIMATES 3 HEROES POSTER (SEP072288)
ULTIMATES 3 HEROES BLACK AND WHITE POSTER (SEP072289)
55x20 Color…$15.99
55x20 Black and White Poster…$15.99
FOC—10/11/07, On-Sale—11/14/07

ULTIMATES 3 VILLAINS PANORAMA POSTER
ULTIMATES 3 VILLAINS BLACK AND WHITE PANORAMA POSTER
55x20 Color…$15.99
55x20 Black and White Poster…$15.99
FOC—11/15/07, On-Sale—12/12/07

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook