ULTIMA

Real Name: Ultima Wordman

Identity/Class: Normal Human

Occupation: Cult Member/Role Model/Enforcer

Group Membership: Cult of the Word

Affiliations: Cult of the Word

Enemies: Human Torch, She Hulk, Thing

Known Relatives: Jack Wordman (father, alias The Word), Apothea Kadbury Wordman (mother, deceased)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Wilmington, Delaware; formerly Los Angeles, California

First Appearance: Savage She Hulk#9 (October, 1980)

 

 

Powers/Abilities: Ultima has been specially conditioned from youth to the pinnacle of her mind, body and soul through meditation and personal discipline. Physically superior to most people, she has been able (through intense concentration) to pull off superhuman feats of strength similar to that of the Foreigner despite the absence of any actual superhuman powers. She has also been able to ignore her own crippling injuries through her force of will. Her ability to do so, however, is radically affected by her self-esteem, confidence in her father, and will power.
    I don't think so. Anyone who can go blow for blow with the She-Hulk (barring extreme martial arts skills, etc., which Ultima did not demonstrate), is superhuman. I'd put her at Class 25-50 strength, with comparable durability. However, when she lacks confidence in her father, she is left confined to a wheel chair--Snood.

Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 130 lbs.

 

 

 

 

History: (Savage She Hulk#9) - Ultima was the daughter of Jack Wordman, a dictionary editor who learned how to use words to get everything he wanted. Conditioning her to be the ultimate in human perfection, he became a cult leader obsessed with correcting all the foibles and imperfections in society. Ultima became the exemplar and role model of his followers. Ultima, however, fell in love with Randolph Harrison, one of the cult members. When Jennifer Walters (She-Hulk) infiltrated the cult to help Randolph escape it, Ultima came to the impromptu conclusion that she was flirting with him. Walters was able to escape Ultima by transforming into the She-Hulk without knowing if Ultima had seen her transformation.

(Savage She Hulk#10) - Using a signed statement from Harrison, Walters confronted the Word in court but was powerless because of his manipulation of the facts. Ultima, however, wanted revenge on Walters and to prove herself to her father by defeating the She Hulk. When the anxiety of the court scene incited Walters' transformation, she rushed out to avoid being seen, but Ultima deduced the truth and engaged Walters in a confrontation as the She-Hulk. Randolph jumped into the fray to save Ultima, but his distraction caused the She-Hulk to drop the automobile with which she was threatening Ultima. Ultima saved Randolph only to be paralyzed by a broken spinal column.

(Marvel Two In One#89) - The Word retreated with Ultima into self-imposed exile in the Orient where he forced her to believe she was not paralyzed. Once she was back to full power, he rebuilt and regathered his cult near coal mines he owned in Delaware. When SHIELD Director Nick Fury lost two agents to the Word, he sent the Human Torch and the Thing to investigate, but the Word neutralized their powers and forced them to work in his mines. Causing a cave-in as a diversion, the Thing fought Ultima as her father cheered her on, but once she saw him knocked out, her confidence was shattered and she returned to being paralyzed. Ultima and her father were then taken into custody by SHIELD.

Comments: Created by David Anthony Kraft, Mike Vosburg and Danny Bulshadi.

Ultima and the Word were two of a series of weak and limited foes paraded through the otherwise impeccable She-Hulk stories. (Note: The author's opinion of Savage She-Hulk as 'impeccable' does not necessarily reflect any opinion held by the editors of this page. Sensational She-Hulk, though, now you're talking. - editor caliban) On her own, she has the potential to be a great villainess. She also could be seen as a predecessor of Titania (Mary MacPherran). The chances of her turning up again, however, are almost none.

The name of Word's wife was revealed in Ultima's profile in FF: Fifty Fantatic Years#1 (November, 2011).

Profile by: William Uchtman

Clarifications:
Ultima should not be confused with:

Appearances:
Savage She Hulk#9 (October, 1980) - David Kraft (writer), Mike Vosburg (pencils), Dan Bulanadi & Al Milgrom (inks), Mary Jo Duffy (editor)
Savage She-Hulk#10 (November, 1980) - David Kraft (writer), Mike Vosburg (pencils), Frank Springer (inks), Mary Jo Duffy (editor)
Marvel Two-In-One#89 (July, 1982) - David Kraft (writer), Alan Kupperberg (pencils), Chic Stone (inks), Jim Salicrup (editor)

First Posted: 07/02/2002
Last updated: 05/23/2012

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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