I’ve read good things about Josh Fialkov’s writing, but I’ve never read any of the comics that he has written before now. This is his first issue of “The Ultimates,” but I can already tell that he is bringing a stylistic panache to this title that it has lacked for a long time. In truth, I’m not sure “The Ultimates” has ever seen such smoothness and sophistication in its scripting. In this issue, Fialkov takes on a classic type of story for team comic books – the melee in which a group of heroes battles a villain or group of villains. In this issue, the Ultimates battle first the Hulk and then Mr. Fantastic. The action is innovative, with Hawkeye and Iron Man unleashing new weapons, and the dialogue is character revealing and sharp. In a melee book, the characters taunt, cajole, threaten -- whatever they think will psyche out their opponent, and give them the upper hand. Hulk, who is now intelligent, brags arrogantly about his abilities. Captain America tells the Hulk, “You’re a disgrace to this country, and I’m going to love kicking your ass.” Ultimately, (pun intended) Cap realizes that the Ultimates cannot win, and he makes a sensible strategic decision (take note, Jonathan Hickman) by telling the rest of the Ultimates to retreat and seek reinforcements while he holds off the bad guys. By the way, the top baddie in this comic is Kang. Could it be just coincidence that Kang is the villain at the same time in “Uncanny Avengers” and “The Ultimates,” or is Marvel trying to raise his profile? Long time Avengers fans will recall that Kang used to be the Avengers’ archenemy before Ultron rose to prominence, but the time travelling villain has declined in importance over the years. Joss Weadon has declined to say who the villain for “Avengers 2” will be, but the cinematic groundwork for introducing Ultron has not yet been laid, so could Kang be the natural alternative? I wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case. Carmine di Giandomenico’s pencils for this issue are just terrific. At times the Hulk’s mouth is agape with rage, and at others, he is deviously grinning. The poses of the characters in action are very natural, and convey movement and power. Captain America has his shield upraised, while he clenches his opposite hand in a fist, ready to strike. Cap’s legs are spread as he stumbles back while trying to remove the Infinity Gauntlets from the Hulk. I like the white piping on Captain America’s costume, a detail that I haven’t noticed on the 616 Cap. The art for this issue is a perfect complement to, and expansion upon, the script by Fialkov.