Out of all of the Ultimate Universe titles, Ultimate X-Men is the weakest one. Let’s see is Ultimate X-Men #69 reverses the steady downward trend of this title.
Creative Team
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler: Ben Oliver
Inker: Jonathan Glapion
Art Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10.
Story Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10.
Overall Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10.
Synopsis: The issue starts with Angel, now a student at Emma Frost’s mutant school, talking telepathically with Professor X. Evidently, Angel is a double agent sent to spy on Emma Frost. After they finish their conversation, Professor X and Jean Grey hop into the mind of the Elliot Boggs.
Elliot is still sedated from when S.H.I.E.L.D. dropped him off to Professor X last issue. Elliot tells Professor X that he thinks he can control his powers enough to be taken off the sedatives. Elliot allows Professor X to have access to his mind to allow him to help Elliot control his powers. Professor X then introduces Elliot to Cyclops who then takes Elliot on a tour of the X-Mansion.
Professor X then talks to Jean Grey about the Church of the Shi’ar Enlightenment wanting to conduct studies on Jean about her possibly being the Phoenix.
We then cut to Rogue talking to Wolverine about her new powers from Gambit. During the conversation, Nick Fury calls Wolverine and asks him to meet him in an hour about something important.
We then go back to Cyclops giving the tour to Elliot. Elliot seems a little unusually eager to be an X-Man, get a codename and a costume.
We then go to the Danger Room where we see Storm, Ice Man and Rogue kicking some butt. We then cut back to Cyclops and Elliot. While touring the hangar, the new X-Wing plane bought by the Church of the Shi’ar is being delivered.
We then cut to a party at Emma Frost’s school. Alex, Lorna and Angel are there. Colossus is there with his date, Northstar. Suddenly, the party is crashed by the Brotherhood of Mutants. A fight breaks out and Colossus calls the X-Men for help.
The issue ends with Cyclops in the hangar getting the call from Colossus. Cyclops turn to Elliot and told him that it looks like me just may get his wish about being in action with the X-Men. Elliot responds saying “Really? Wow. It’s like magic.” and we see his right hand glowing. End of issue.
Comments
The Good: Elliot seems to be an interesting character with his mysterious powers. That should provide for some good entertainment down the road.
The new relationship with the Church of the Shi’ar is also pretty good. I like how Jean Grey is less than thrilled with being tested on by the Church of the Shi’ar, but is willing to do since the school desperately needs funding. They are taking the Phoenix story nice and slow which is a great idea. There is no need to rush it. By taking their time and gradually laying down the foundation will result in a huge payoff one Jean Grey does become the Phoenix.
The Bad: The art is weak. The Revolution is not impressed with Oliver’s work. Everyone looks like they have double or triple chins. All the female X-Men are now sporting 40 year old soccer mom hairstyles. The art in general is boring, and rather sloppy and sketchy. Ultimate X-Men could use a serious upgrade in the art category.
The writing is solid and I like the pacing, but, overall, Kirkman’s dialogue is less than impressive. For some reason, Ultimate X-Men just isn’t a particularly interesting or entertaining read. It seems to be lacking any sizzle or emotion. I think that the writing in general has a very formulaic approach. Another problem with this issue is that not much at all happened. It felt like a wasted issue.
Kirkman’s Wolverine has now morphed totally into the exact same character as the Wolverine in the regular Marvel Universe. I liked Ultimate version of Wolverine more during the beginning of Ultimate X-Men.