As Marvel reinvents several iconic Captain America's unbreakable shield like few people ever have. Made from a unique Vibranium ally, Captain America's shield is an unbreakable, perfectly balanced weapon - one that can withstand almost every force in the Marvel Universe. However, as Marvel reimagines the Avengers franchise, Steve Rogers finally meets his match.

In Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri, Federico Blee and Travis Lanham's The Ultimates #5, Cap is on a mission to test out new Hawkeye Charli Ramsey. Captain America interrupts Charli's raid on a Roxxon oil refinery, intending to take the measure of this new hero. However, Cap isn't ready for Hawkeye's arsenal, which includes an "inertia-canceling arrow" that instantly robs his shield of all momentum on impact.

Not only that, but the new Hawkeye hits Steve Rogers with a sonic arrow that his shield can't do anything to combat, and uses several arrows which change direction to strike Steve Rogers from behind. When Captain America's shield has been beaten before, it's usually been by literal gods, however even without powers, Charli Ramsey makes it clear that they have multiple ways to get around the iconic weapon. So far, the Ultimate Hawkeye has showcased the following types of arrow:

Captain America vs Hawkeye makes clear a huge advantage the Ultimate Universe has over Marvel's mainstream Avengers franchise.

Ultimate Hawkeye Takes Out Captain America's Shield with a Custom Arrow

Charli Ramsey's Arsenal Can "Take on an Army"

While Charli Ramsey has easily mastered their new arsenal, they were never meant to have it. Tony Stark designed the Hawkeye gear - including a hi-tech 'quiver' that prints custom arrows on demand - for Clint Barton. However, in the Ultimate Universe, Clint rejected his iconic codename and weaponry, leaving it in the trash after failing to reclaim the heroic life he should have lived, if the villainous Maker hadn't rewritten the timeline. Charli finds the Hawkeye costume and takes the name, with Tony worrying because according to his metrics, they're not suited to a life of heroism.

Thankfully, the duel with Captain America convinces Steve Rogers that Charli has exactly what the Ultimates need, and the two ultimately unite to take down Roxxon's troops, with the new Hawkeye being recruited into the Ultimates shortly after. While this Hawkeye still uses a bow and arrow, their capabilities are far more impressive than Clint Barton's original, with Tony Stark claiming they wield:

Arrows that can follow a target forty miles, cutting right angles at three times the speed of sound. Arrows that can blow holes in battleships and fry every electronic device for two hundred yards.

Hawkeye vs Captain America Shows the Ultimate Universe's Biggest Advantage

There's No One Star of the Show In This New Continuity

Acknowledging the vulnerabilities of Captain America's shield and elevating Hawkeye to heavy-hitter level are just two ways in which The Ultimates is reinventing the Avengers franchise as fans know it. One of the biggest strengths of the Avengers is that as a property, it gathers together Marvel's most iconic heroes, however this can also be a weakness. The biggest Avengers heroes also tend to have their own monthly series which usually take precedent over the team book. This limits how ambitious any Avengers title can be, and can often lead to them feeling wooden alongside characters who the writers are able to push further without ruining plans elsewhere.

In contrast, the heroes of The Ultimates only star in this title, at least so far. This gives the comic far more freedom to make big moves and shape its characters in the ways that best suit its story. Ultimate Captain America and Hawkeye don't have to sell their own titles or even appear in The Ultimates every month, which means that when they do appear, it's because the creative team have an inventive, unfettered idea of the best story to tell.

Hopefully, even as fan interest in the Ultimate Universe continues to build, Marvel is able to hold onto this strength, and to keep taking big, creative swings like transforming Hawkeye from the Avengers' least-powerful member to Captain America's unquestionable equal.

The Ultimates #5 is available now from Marvel Comics.