Marvel has announced the Astonishing X-Men #25, Ultimates 3 #4, and Ultimate Origins #2 have all sold out at the distributor level, prompting the company to go back to print with variant covers for each.

“It’s unbelievably wild that we’ve sold out of all four issues AND multiple printings of these stories,” said Loeb of Ultimates 3 #4.  “We’re having a blast with the Ultimate U’s mightiest heroes and this issue really sets up our last issue #5 of the “Who Killed The Scarlet Witch?” arc.  The ending will surprise you — and even better, it is the direct lead in Ultimatum #1 with killer artwork by David Finch and Danny Miki!  Hop on now before the Ultimate Universe is never the same again!”

Ultimate Origins #2 was just released last week, and with the intriguing “we are all connected” storyline, it’s no wonder it sold out so fast.

Take the jump for a look at the variant covers and release date information.

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“No one can stop us now, We are all made of stars

Short of stealing directly from Moby, or Lost, or any other story that has everyone connected in some way or another, Brian Michael Bendis brings a different take to mutants, heroes, and villains in Marvel’s Ultimate Origins.

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Marvel Comics has sent Major Spoilers the variant cover to the fourth issue of Ultimates 3. Stepping up and delivering a terrific cover is David Finch’s interpretation of Valkyrie.

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Even though only three issues of Ultimates 3 have hit the stands, Marvel is collecting them together in a trade paperback in anticipation of the Ultimatum storyline dropping later this year.

“As ULTIMATUM approaches later in the year, I’m thrilled that the fans, retailers and new readers have an excellent jumping on point for the story that will change the Ultimate Universe — dare I say it? — forever!,” said [Jeph] Loeb. “The entire team of Joe Mad, Lichtner and Starkings have really put together an awesome story!”

Ultimates 3: March on Ultimatum arrives June 18 for $4.99.

via Marvel

or the Beginning of the End?

I’ve heard rumors that the Marvel Ultimate line may be ending, or at least getting a big shakeup. The Ultimate Origins five-part mini-series will hopefully reveal all when it arrives June 4, 2008.

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Marvel has announced Ultimates 3 #3 has sold out and will go back to press with a variant cover from the pages of the issue.

Ultimates 3 #3 will be in stores April 2 for $2.99.

via Marvel

Told you another printing was on the way…

The March On Ultimatum tie-in arrives March 12.

via Marvel

Marvel has announced the next reprinting of Ultimates 3 #1 will get the black and white treatment to showcase Joe Madureira’s artistic stylings.

“What a wonderful gift for the fans of the book,” says writer Jeph Loeb. “Joe’s artwork looks great in color, but to see what an amazing illustrator he is just off his pencils is a mindblowing!”

Take the jump for a peek of the black and white issue that arrives March 12, 2008.

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Fan favorite monkey boy Frank Cho has whipped up a variant cover for Marvel’s Ultimates #3 featuring the Scarlet Witch. Take the jump for the full image.

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Spinning from the Ultimate Universe, comes Tony Stark’s take on the Ultimates leading up to the action in Ultimates 3.

Every spy has his secrets, and Nick Fury is no different. As America’s top-ranking espionage expert, just imagine what skeletons Nick has lurking in his closet! What really happened behind the scenes of America’s premiere super hero strike force? That’s what Tony Stark wants to know!

Marvel sent us the cover and a sample page of art from Travis Charest, Bryan Hitch, and cover by Mark Brooks.

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One of my students asked me when the next Ultimates series was going to be released, and now I can tell him - December 05, 2007. I’m included in the number of fans that liked the series, and the third looks like it is going to be a smash.

Such a smash that Marvel is releasing two gatefold covers that connect into one giant panoramic shot.

“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!”

Take the jump for the full covers and info about the new series.

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