The second Millar/Hitch run, Ultimates 2, began in December 2004 and finished in May 2007. In the first six issues, the Ultimates again fight overseas, invading and forcefully disarming rogue nations and causing worldwide concern that the United States is gradually establishing an expansionist empire akin to that of ancient Rome. The truth of the Ultimates' actual involvement with the second Hulk rampage is revealed, causing a massive PR disaster and a death sentence for Bruce Banner.
During a search for a mole within the Ultimates, Thor is suspected and later incarcerated, based on evidence fabricated by what is later revealed to be the trickster god Loki, Thor's half-brother. The series had a sizeable Hank Pym subplot, showing him attempting to redeem himself to the Ultimates (with prototype designs for Ultron Robots) and try a humiliating superhero comeback by joining a hapless vigilante group, the Defenders.
Millar stated in Pop Culture Shock that this arc reflected contemporary issues, ranging from hyper-powered countries like the USA, preemptive strikes, the rising world-wide anti-American sentiment in the wake of the neoconservative Bush Doctrine, and the "rogue nation" classification and the fear of backlash in form of nuclear armageddon. Millar said: "In the name of oil, this administration is stirring up a hornet's nest (...). My own belief is that there'll be a couple of nuclear attacks in the States, the multinationals will move elsewhere, the American economy will completely collapse and make the 30s look like the 80s and the Middle East will be occupied by drafted teenagers from your home town. (...) I hope I'm completely and utterly wrong."
The Ultimates v2
http://rapidshare.com/files/31824573/v21.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/31864537/v22.rar
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