With world-altering events in play, Marvel sees big changes for its ‘Ultimate universe’ line

It’s the end of the world for Marvel’s Ultimate universe, but it’s a beginning, too.

Fourteen years after its creation by Marvel Entertainment as a modern, grittier and contemporary take on Marvel’s characters, the publisher is pushing forward with new efforts to reinvigorate its universe where the dead remain so and disaster, discord and — ultimately — redemption and rebirth keep readers coming back.

What it means for characters like Miles Morales; members of the FF (Future Foundation, not Fantastic Four); and the All New Ultimates, including Black Widow, Kitty Pryde, Bombshell and Cloak and Dagger, will unfold beginning in April as the events of the soon-to-end “Cataclysm” mini-series runs its course.

Writer Brian Michael Bendis says the end sets the stage for April’s launch of three new series.