How do they just now realize that they need an extra issue to wrap things up?

Makes sense to me, seems like they're just getting everyone together now after 5 issues, and just finally explained what happened. Seems like a lot to resolve still.

I'm sure Issue 9 will end up being as late as the last few issues have been.

Well 2 of the 3 last issues were supposed to be over/giant-sized. But I guess they figured that wasn't enough either.

Doesn't really bother me much though because I'm enjoying the ties-ins more than the main series anyway.

Marvel must have realized they could squeeze a few more dollars - I mean storyline out of it.

I think this is all Hickman. He's a freelancer who won't be working for Marvel after SW. If he didn't want to extend his story I doubt he would.

I'm sure the dollar signs helped Marvel say yes though.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/08/...l-ninth-issue/

Sounds like they're just giving themselves more time so they don't keep delaying the issues for so long by shortening them. I'm ok with this, but certainly seems like they're not actually adding much.

How essential is Jonathan Hickman's run on The Ultimates to understanding 'Time Runs Out' and subsequently Secret Wars?

Now that the event had wrapped up I'm going to start reading Secret Wars - I read through recent Avengers and New Avengers up until 'Time Runs Out' but one reading order guide recommends Jonathan Hickman's run on The Ultimates as essential to deciphering 'Time Runs Out;' this initially seems random - is it?

I only had a general idea of what was going on prior to the start of Secret Wars, and it worked out ok. But then again I read a few summaries and primers leading up to it.

I still need to pick up the last 2 issues of Secret Wars.

Hopefully the first Secret Wars digital sale is close at hand. I've accumulated a bunch of the main series and minis thru $1 bins, but need a few more before I can really start reading, and now way I'm paying $3.99 an issue.

to those that read secret wars