Ultimate X-Men (story arcs)

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Ultimate X-Men, a Marvel comic book series, has covered 19 story arcs since the first issue's debut in February 2001. Mark Millar wrote most of the first 33 issues. His run was followed by Brian Michael Bendis for 12 issues, Brian K. Vaughan for 20 issues, and Robert Kirkman for 23 issues.

Film director Bryan Singer, who directed X-Men and X2: X-Men United, is scheduled to write 12 issues of Ultimate X-Men with Brian Vaughan and X2 scripters Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris.[1]

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Contents

[edit] The Mark Millar era

Ultimate X-Men was the second comic to debut as part of the Ultimate Marvel line, predated a few months by its sister title Ultimate Spider-Man. Mark Millar reinvented the X-Men with the first X-Men film, which debuted only seven months prior, as his only reference. The plot of the The Tomorrow People was what Millar had in mind for the first X-Men film, and Return to Weapon X would have been the plot to the sequel.[2] As a consequence of the movie's inspiration, Millar's original X-Men consisted of telepath Professor X, Cyclops, whose eyes shoot concussive beams, telepath / telekinetic Jean Grey, weather-manipulating Storm, simian genius Beast, metal-skinned Colossus, and cryokinetic Iceman. With the exception of Beast and Colossus, these mutants were also featured in the first X-Men movie. In its first year, the series became the biggest selling comic book of 2001. [3]

[edit] The Tomorrow People

Cover of Ultimate X-Men #2. Clockwise from top left: Storm, Beast, Colossus, Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Wolverine
Cover of Ultimate X-Men #2. Clockwise from top left: Storm, Beast, Colossus, Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Wolverine
  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #1-6 (February 2001 - July 2001)
  • Creators: writer Mark Millar, artist Adam Kubert (#1-4), Andy Kubert (#5-6)
  • Plot outline: The government starts building and releasing Sentinels to hunt mutants after the Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy declares war against humans. Professor Charles Xavier unites a group of teenage mutants to form the X-Men so they can stop the Brotherhood. Millar immediately establishes differences between the mainstream and Ultimate continuities by reinventing the pasts and motives of several characters. For example, Jean Grey recruits Colossus after a nuclear arms deal goes bad while Wolverine joins the team with the ulterior motive of assasinating Professor Xavier.[4] [5] Some themes remain the same, however, such as the love triangle between Wolverine, Jean Grey and Cyclops.
  • First appearances: Colossus,Cyclops, Beast, Storm, Iceman, Jean Grey Wolverine, Magneto, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Sentinels
  • Comic book deaths: Magneto
  • Notes: This arc's main plot centers around Wolverine's search for his past, and the Weapon X facility.[2] Originally, Adam and Andy Kubert were both to illustrate Ultimate X-Men so that it could come out on a regular basis, but then Andy moved to illustrating Origin and couldn't continue. [6] The series' first arc sold extremely well — the first issue sold out, then the fourth and fifth issues sold more than 100,000 copies each to US comic book stores alone.[7] [8]

[edit] Return to Weapon X

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #7-12 (August 2001 - January 2002)
  • Creators: writer Mark Millar, artist Adam Kubert
  • Plot outline: While Wolverine is away, Xavier and his X-Men are kidnapped and taken to Weapon X. Wolverine later tricks Weapon X into capturing him so he can lead the Brotherhood into Weapon X and free his companions. The mutants are ready to commit a massacre, but then General Nick Fury steps in, arrests the Weapon X staff and declares all mutants free.
  • First appearances: Nightcrawler, Rogue, Juggernaut, John Wraith, Doctor Cornelius
  • Notes: Millar continues to distinguish settings in the Ultimate universe from their mainstream counterparts. In this arc, Weapon X is introduced as a S.H.I.E.L.D-initiated project based in Finland to force mutants to carry out covert missions for the government. John Wraith and Abraham Cornelius are established as the heads of Weapon X, while Nightcrawler, Rogue, and Juggernaut have been part of the Weapon X team for some time. Mark Millar had a kidney infection during the summer of 2001, and wrote two of the issues in this arc in the hospital, leading to a darker than normal tone.[3] While Rogue has always been portrayed as a Southern Baptist[9], Ultimate Rogue is more believing and devout than the Rogue in the normal Marvel continuity.[10]

[edit] You Always Remember Your First Love

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #13-14 (February 2002 - March 2002)
  • Creators: writer Chuck Austen, artist Essad Ribic
  • Plot outline: Cajun mutant Remy Lebeau (Gambit) is a homeless bum on the streets of New Orleans. One day, he takes in a little girl whose parents have been murdered. When she too is abducted, he takes bloody revenge on those responsible: Hammerhead and his mob henchmen.
  • First appearances: Gambit, Hammerhead
  • Comic book deaths: Hammerhead
  • Notes: This is the only arc which features Chuck Austen, who got the job of writing Uncanny X-Men because of his work on Ultimate X-Men.[11] This arc preceded Austin's eventual resignation from Marvel and controversy at DC.[12]

[edit] World Tour

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #16-20 (April 2002 - August 2002)
  • Creators: writer Mark Millar, artists Chris Bachalo and Adam Kubert
  • Plot outline: The X-Men are shocked to find that Magneto is still alive and Xavier is trying to rehabilitate him. Then Xavier's mutant son David MacTaggert (Proteus) escapes from the Moira's secret mutant hospital on Muir Island (off the North coast of Scotland[13], and kills thousands while possessing Betsy Braddock. At last, David is killed by Colossus, who was previously considering leaving the X-Men, but changed his mind.
  • First appearances: Betsy Braddock, David MacTaggert, Illyana Rasputin, Dai Thomas
  • Comic book deaths: David MacTaggert, Dai Thomas
  • Notes: The Ultimate version of Proteus is an amalgamation of Legion (David Xavier), who is Charles Xavier's and Gabrielle Haller's son, and the mainstream version of Proteus (Kevin MacTaggert), who is the son of Moira MacTaggert.[14] In the original Proteus saga (Uncanny X-Men #125-128, 1979) Proteus is killed by Colossus. Millar has described this arc as "X-Men meets Magnolia."[3] In this arc, Colossus' rescue of a capsized submarine crew was a possible allusion to the real-life Kursk submarine disaster.[15] Millar also hints that Colossus may be gay, letting Piotr state his favourite show is Will and Grace, which features a gay male lead.

[edit] Hellfire and Brimstone

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #21-25 (September 2002 - January 2003)
  • Creators: writer Mark Millar, artists Kaare Andrews and Adam Kubert
  • Plot outline: The Hellfire Club destroys the nuclear arsenels of India and Pakistan to get into the good graces of the US government.[16] Shadowcat is recruited, while Wolverine and Cyclops fight over Jean. All three go to the Savage Land, and Shadowcat saves Wolverine and Cyclops from a giant computer. Meanwhile, the Hellfire Club awakens the "Phoenix force" in Jean, and she kills the whole club. Also, the Brotherhood frees Magneto.
  • First appearances: Shadowcat, The Hellfire Club, Acolytes
  • Comic book deaths: The Hellfire Club
  • Notes: While the previous arc was action oriented, Millar uses this arc to develop his characters more fully .[16] The love triangle heats up between Jean, Scott, and Wolverine, and is much more violent than in the original version.[16] In Ultimate Marvel, Millar depicts Shadowcat as a bright, clever girl, but she's not as smart as her mainstream counterpart, created by John Byrne and Chris Claremont.

[edit] Ultimate War

Cover art for Ultimate War #1 by Chris Bachalo featuring Captain America and Wolverine
Cover art for Ultimate War #1 by Chris Bachalo featuring Captain America and Wolverine
  • Originally published in: Ultimate War #1-4 (December 2002 - February 2003)
  • Creators: writer Mark Millar, artist Chris Bachalo
  • Plot outline: The Brotherhood declares the second war against humanity, and Xavier and the X-Men are branded as traitors. Things get worse when Wolverine and Shadowcat report that Cyclops has been killed in the Savage Land. The Ultimates track down the X-Men and have an all-out fight in NY. Xavier is captured, but thanks to Iceman, the rest escape.
  • Comic book deaths: Cyclops (seemingly)
  • Notes: "Ultimate War" is not purely an X-Men arc, it is the first crossover between the Ultimates and the Ultimate X-Men.[17], though it sets up the plot for the "Return of the King" arc.[17] A big fight between the X-Men and the Avengers (the mainstream Marvel version of the Ultimates) was also the subject of X-Men (vol. 1) #9 (1965) by Stan Lee.[18]

[edit] Return of the King

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #26-33 (February 2003 - July 2003)
  • Creators: writer Mark Millar, artist Adam Kubert
  • Plot outline: The Brotherhood plans an attack on humanity and it turns out Cyclops is alive, but at the bottom of a pit (thanks to Wolverine). Forge has created a machine to amplify Magneto's powers, but Shadowcat and the X-Men foil their plans. In the end, the X-Men turn themselves over to the authorities and are granted amnesty.
  • First appearances: Forge
  • Comic book deaths: Sabretooth
  • Notes: In this arc, Rogue switches sides of her own free will, helping the X-Men prevent a nuclear explosion. In the mainstream Marvel Comics, she switches sides because she absorbed the mind of superhero Carol Danvers (Uncanny X-Men #171).[19]

[edit] The Brian Michael Bendis era

After Mark Millar's run, Ultimate Spider-Man writer Brian Michael Bendis took over for a year. Bendis was originally slated to write both Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Spider-Man from their conception, but turned down Ultimate X-Men because of the challenge of writing a team book.[20] He has stated that he was going to interpret his run in a more character-driven way, especially concerning Wolverine, who had previously tried to kill his teammate Cyclops.[21]

[edit] Blockbuster

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #34-39 (June 2003 - November 2003)
  • Creators: writer Brian Michael Bendis, artist David Finch
  • Plot outline: This arc focuses on Wolverine as unknown assailants ambush him. Wolverine tries to learn the motives of his attackers, with the help of Spider-Man and Daredevil, the stars of comics Bendis had previously written.[20] Wolverine learns they are ex-Weapon X members, and is then saved by the X-Men. The assailants kill themselves rather than reveal any further information. Later, a SHIELD attack force arrives and reveals that the Weapon X team members are only flunkies in a larger, more insidious anti-mutant conspiracy.
  • First appearances: Daredevil, Dum-Dum Dugan
  • Notes: Colorist Dave Stewart, who colored Ultimate X-Men #39, won an Eisner Award in 2005 for his work on Ultimate X-Men, Daredevil, and Captain America.[22]

[edit] New Mutants

Ultimate Angel on the cover of Ultimate X-Men #40
Ultimate Angel on the cover of Ultimate X-Men #40
  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #40-45 (December 2003 - May 2004)
  • Creators: writer Brian Michael Bendis, artist David Finch
  • Plot outline: The first three issues of this "arc" are stand-alone introductions of individual characters, including Ultimate versions of Angel and Dazzler. Meanwhile, the government has Emma Frost create a mutant team; she recruits Alex Summers, Dazzler, Karma and Beast. At the team's kickoff, a Sentinel is defeated by the X-Men, but not before Beast is killed.
  • First appearances: Angel, Dazzler, Havok, Emma Frost
  • Comic book deaths: Beast
  • Notes: Bendis continued the tradition of modernizing mainstream characters upon introducing them into the Ultimate Universe. For example, Dazzler debuted in 1980 as a disco star in the regular Marvel continuity. In Ultimate Marvel continuity, she is a punk rocker instead. Brian K. Vaughan believed "Ultimate Dazzler ... may very well be Bendis’ single greatest contribution to the free world", which led to her continued integration as part of the X-Men in his later story arcs. [23]Also, the mainstream version of Emma Frost is a telepath and former member of the Hellfire Club, who later becomes an educator and gains the power to turn into organic diamond.[24] Bendis introduces her Ultimate counterpart as an educator who turns into diamond, without the original power or membership.

[edit] The Brian K. Vaughan era

Brian K. Vaughan created many self-reliant story arcs, then tied them together during the final arc. Although he was initially worried about alienating new readers or hardcore fans, he eventually focused on "simply trying to tell great stories about young people who are feared and hated because they’re different."[23] He was originally slated to write just four issues, but he enjoyed working on Ultimate X-Men and ended up writing 20 issues. Marvel asked him to extend his run even longer when production on Superman Returns prevented Bryan Singer from starting his run. Vaughan chose to turn down the offer and finish his run with "Magnetic North."[23]

[edit] The Tempest

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #46-49 (May 2004 - July 2004)
  • Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Brandon Peterson
  • Plot outline: The X-Men investigate a series of mutant killings. The killer is Nathaniel Essex, aka Mr. Sinister. He has delusions of a "Lord Apocalypse", who is ordering him to kill mutants. Sinister infiltrates the Institute, defeats Xavier, Iceman and Angel and is about to go on a killing spree, when Rogue knocks him out and saves the day. Sinister is then take into custody by SHIELD.
  • First appearances: Mr. Sinister, Northstar, Sunspot
  • Notes: Colossus's homosexuality is forshadowed in issue #47 when he meets Jean-Paul Beaubier, a gay mutant introduced in issue #46.[25]; in mainstream Marvel, Mr. Sinister was the right-hand man of Lord Apocalypse, better known for his role in the Age of Apocalypse crossover event

[edit] Cry Wolf

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #50-53 (August 2004 - November 2004)
  • Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Andy Kubert
  • Plot outline: On a field trip, the X-Men are ambushed by Gambit. He leaves a wake of destruction, and uses the chaos to kidnap Rogue. He presents her to his superiors, the Fenris twins, who offer Rogue the ability to touch. She refuses, and flees with Gambit. Later, Rogue, stating that she feels alienated by the X-Men, leaves with Gambit. Also, Wolverine and Storm temporarily leave the team.
  • First appearances: Fenris
  • Notes: Issue #53 marked the return of artist Andy Kubert, who illustrated issues #5 and #6 and was originally slated to be a recurring artist.[6]. There is a love triangle between Shadowcat, Rogue and Iceman in this arc. Vaughan suggests that Iceman is attracted to Rogue because the two can never be intimate.[26]

[edit] The Most Dangerous Game

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #54-57 (January 2005 - March 2005)
  • Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Stuart Immonen
  • Plot outline: Mojo Adams produces a reality show on Krakoa where his assassin, Arcade, hunts and kills accused mutant felons. Mojo's current and longest-lasting contestant, Longshot, is accused of killing Lord Scheele, a Genoshan politician and the lover of Longshot's off-and-on girlfriend, Spiral. Professor Xavier sends half of the X-Men to the island to investigate. Other members of the X-Men, led by Dazzler, travel to the island, without Xavier's knowledge, to free Longshot. Xavier becomes angry when it turns out Longshot is guilty. An injured Angel takes the blame for Dazzler, and they start dating.
  • First appearances: Mojo, Longshot, Spiral, Major Domo, Arcade
  • Notes: This arc's plot is similar to the man-hunting plot from Richard Connell's 1924 short story, "The Most Dangerous Game". Several of the characters are adapted from the mainstream universe with major changes placing them on Earth instead of in alternate realities. Mojo, an overweight alien, becomes Mojo Adams, an albino overweight human. Major Domo, Mojo's right-hand alien, becomes a businessman. Longshot is transformed from a heroic alien to a mutant felon. The role of his girlfriend, Spiral, is reversed from villain to victim. Arcade is an evil genius in mainstream Marvel with no ties to Mojo. Vaughn was complimented for pulling off this story arc without using Wolverine, who is notably absent during this arc.[27]

[edit] A Hard Lesson

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #58 (April 2005)
  • Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Steve Dillon
  • Plot outline: Charles Xavier witnesses a bank robbery by a grotesque, psi-resistant conjoined twin mutant called "Syndicate." Xavier realizes that they only became criminal to help their terminally ill sister, and he offers the conjoined twins a chance to redeem themselves. He then fakes Syndicate's death and instructs them to wait in a safehouse.
  • First appearances: Syndicate
  • Notes: In the beginning of his run, Vaughan had difficulty bridging the gap between new and experienced readers, but found his stride during this collaboration with Steve Dillon.[23]

[edit] Shock and Awe

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #59-60 (May 2005 - June 2005)
  • Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Stuart Immonen
  • Plot outline: Storm picks up Wolverine in the north, where he's looking for his past. An adamantium-laced, cybernetically enhanced Yuriko attacks them. Her benefactor is the sinister Dr. Cornelius from Weapon X. Cornelius is apparently killed and Yuriko is restrained.
  • Comic book deaths: Dr. Cornelius
  • First appearances: Yuriko Oyama
  • Notes: In the mainstream Marvel continuity, Yuriko Oyama is also an adamantium-laced cyborg.[28]

[edit] Ultimate Sacrfice

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men Annual #1 (August 2005)
  • Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Tom Raney
  • Plot outline: Juggernaut escapes SHIELD's custody and tracks down Rogue, his old flame. He meets her with her lover Gambit where, they have just stolen the "Crimson Gem of Cyttorak." Gambit loses his life in a fight with Juggernaut, who absorbs the gem. Rogue retrieves him and gives him one last kiss before he dies. When then Rogue phones her ex-boyfriend Iceman, afraid that she has permanently absorbed Gambit's memories and powers.
  • Comic book deaths: Gambit
  • Notes: The Ultimate X-Men Annual #1 was published in between issues #62 and #63 of Ultimate X-Men, four years into the series's run. It is the first annual for any X-Men line since Bill Jemas decided that additional regular issues should be printed instead of publishing an annual.[29] As with all the other first annuals for the Ultimate line, this annual provides a self-contained story.[30] The annual proved to be a success, becoming the third annual in the Ultimate Marvel line to sell-out. [31]

[edit] Magnetic North

Cover art for Ultimate X-Men #65 showing the new roster
Cover art for Ultimate X-Men #65 showing the new roster
  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #61-65 (July 2005 - November 2005)
  • Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Stuart Immonen
  • Plot outline: Emma Frost has assembled the Academy of Tomorrow, a second heroic mutant group consisting of Havok, Polaris, Northstar, Sunspot, Cypher and Cannonball. Lorna Dane is put into Magneto's plastic prison cell, because Forge and Mystique cause the AoT's first mission to go awry. The AoT goes to free her, and the X-Men are forced to fight the Ultimates when they try and stop the break out. Professor X "expels" Angel for insubordination, only to send him to the AoT as a spy. Colossus reveals to Nightcrawler that he is dating Northstar, a hint that he is coming out.
  • First appearances: Mystique, Cannonball, Cypher, Polaris
  • Notes: Colossus comes out of the closet in Ultimate X-Men #65.[32] In Ultimate Marvel, Mystique is reinvented as Magneto's right-hand woman, a parallel to the three X-Men movies; in the mainstream comics, Mystique and Magneto hardly meet at all; in the Ultimate Marvel continuity, Cypher is a baseline human, not a mutant.

[edit] The Robert Kirkman era

Robert Kirkman took on the mantle of writer when Bryan Singer again could not commit to writing for the title. His run was originally scheduled for only nine issues, but was extended — and he is still the current writer for the series. Kirkman believed the Ultimate Marvel universe had developed a strong enough footing to not rely on "'who's getting Ultimatized this week.'" He also believed that the Ultimate universe should retain its differences from the mainstream universe. As a result, he planned to introduce one character unique to the Ultimate universe and one character who already existed in the mainstream universe.[33] These characters became The Magician and Lilandra, respectively. A year later, Cable was also "Ultimatized" with major differences from his mainstream counterpart.

[edit] Date Night

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #66-68 (January 2006 - March 2006)
  • Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Tom Raney
  • Plot outline: Kirkman explores the relationship side of X-Men's lives as they finally have a night-off since their non-stop action began in The Tomorrow People arc.[33] Scott and Jean see a movie, and end up making love. Logan and Ororo go into a bar, where Sabretooth attacks them in order to a deliver a tissue sample of Logan to his superior: Doctor Cornelius of Weapon X. Piotr and Kurt visit a comatose Alison, and Kurt is sad because she chose Angel over him. Kurt is also uncomfortable with Piotr's new lifestyle. Meanwhile, Kitty meets her new crush Spider-Man and Xavier has dinner with Lilandra, head of the powerful, vastly rich Shi'ar cult. The cult worships a Phoenix god, who they think has been reborn in Jean Grey. Lilandra is the sole mainstream character Kirkman planned to introduce to the Marvel universe at the start of his run.[33]
  • Notes: Kirkman pushes Kurt's homophobia as far as possible without crossing the line from "uncomfortable" into "hostile."[34]

[edit] Phoenix?

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #69-71 (April 2006 - June 2006)
  • Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Ben Oliver
  • Plot Outline: Kirkman advances the Phoenix storyline, as Lilandra and her assistant examine Jean to determine whether she is the Phoenix diety or is just insane.[35] Meanwhile, Elliot Boggs becomes the first original Ultimate universe character to join the X-Men, as the Brotherhood of Mutants attack the Academy of Tomorrow's Homecoming Dance.[36] In side plots, Nightcrawler confesses to the comatose Dazzler that he hates Piotr for revealing his homosexuality, and Piotr goes on his first date with Jean-Paul at the Homecoming Dance. Also, Rogue begins applying Gambit's powers in battle.
  • Notes: In issue #69, Kirkman wrote Wolverine out of the remainder of the story arc by having Nick Fury secretly asks him to meet in Harlem. This allowed Wolverine to meet and do battle with the Hulk in the Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk mini-series.[37]

[edit] Magical

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #72-74 (July 2006 - September 2006)
  • Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Ben Oliver
  • Plot Outline: Magician's powers show no limits when he helps the X-Men battle the Friends of Humanity. Nick Fury visits the X-Mansion to inform Xavier that he wants to enlist Magician in The Ultimates. However, Xavier suspects something is amiss when he realizes Fury does not recall bringing Magician to the X-Men. A battle occurs when they realize Magician has manipulated the X-Men. Wolverine and Jean Grey defeat Magician, but Shadow Cat later learns from Magician that his death was another deception.
  • Notes: Mike Cotton, senior staff writer of Wizard magazine, criticized Kirkman for his writing during issue #74. Cotton wrote that while Kirkman is skilled, he failed to make the issue a must read; the characters sounded like their 616 universe counterparts, instead of like teenagers.[38]

[edit] Breaking Point

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men Annual #2 (August 2006)
  • Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Salvador Larroca
  • Plot outline: Kirkman ties up several plotlines in this special issue. Flashbacks reveal Nightcrawler's Weapon X training, in action prior to joining the X-Men, as well as Rogue's worries about kissing Gambit as he died and its after-effects. In the present, Dazzler wakes from her coma but is kidnapped by Nightcrawler, who has developed a crush on her. The X-Men rescue Dazzler and try to calm down Nightcrawler, however, a fight breaks out when Nightcrawler insults Colossus's homosexuality. During the battle, Rogue finds that Gambit's powers have left her and her own powers have returned. Nightcrawler's Weapon X training helps him take out most of the team until Rogue accidentally knocks him unconscious with her original powers. Dazzler quits the team when Professor Xavier decides to keep Nightcrawler unconscious instead of having him arrested.
  • Notes: The origin of Xavier's pet cat, Mystique, is explained in a two page extra story illustrated by Leinel Francis Yu. The issue received criticism for its publishing date — Wolverine and Professor Xavier discuss the events that occurred at the end of the Magician storyline in this story, although this issue was published prior to the conclusion of that arc.[39]

[edit] Cable

Cover art for Ultimate X-Men #75 with Ultimate Cable in the foreground
Cover art for Ultimate X-Men #75 with Ultimate Cable in the foreground
  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #75-78 (October 2006 - January 2007)
  • Creators: writer Robert Kirkman and artists Ben Oliver and Yannick Paquette (main story), writer Sean McKeever and artist Mark Brooks (back-up story)
  • Plot Outline: In this arc, the story turns away from romance and drama and turns towards action.[40] Cable, a time traveler, arrives in the present on Jean Grey's 20th birthday to assassinate Professor Xavier. Another time traveler, Bishop, arrives to save Professor Xavier's life. Cable kidnaps Jean Grey, and the X-Men take the fight to him. Xavier tries to put an end to the fight and when Cyclops tries to stop him, Xavier says that he loves Jean. Cyclops and the Professor arrive to stop Cable, but are no match for the mercenary. In the end, Cable's mission is successful; while he has kept Cyclops busy, he throws a futuristic grenade at Xavier, incinerating all but a skeleton. Cable and the other members of the Six-Pack then return to their future, leaving Bishop stranded in the present.
  • First appearances: Cable, Six Pack
  • Comic book deaths: Professor Xavier
  • Notes: Kirkman liked the Cable's paramilitary look from his comic book appearances in the 1990s,so he he made it a goal to have Cable "use every piece of equipment hanging off of him."[41] However, he chose to change Cable's history. In the mainstream Marvel universe, Cable is the future son of Cyclops.[42] In this story arc, Kirkman has Cable reveal himself to be Wolverine's future self, although without his healing ability. [43]

[edit] Aftermath

  • Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #79-80 February 2007 - March 2007
  • Creators: writer Robert Kirkman and Yannick Paquette
  • Plot outline: In this arc, Kirkman explores the emotional aftermath of Professor Xavier's death, not only with respect to current and former X-Men members, but to their allies and enemies as well. Kirkman also sets the characters in the direction of new story arcs:[44] Wolverine learns more about his family, Jean discovers that Nightcrawler has escaped, Kitty leaves (and starts appearing in Ultimate Spider-Man with #106), Storm begins work on a play entitled 'The Shadow King', Nick Fury is working on a secret "Legacy" project for the government, and Magneto continues his own secret plans .
  • Notes: Critics were unimpressed with Kirkman's storytelling of Xavier's funeral, stating it lacked emotion impact and did not convince them to take Xavier's death seriously.[44][45][46]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ McLean, Thomas (2004-07-18). Hero worship Film, TV talents jump at chance to write their favorites. Variety. Retrieved on January 22, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Server, David (2001-10-02). Interview: Ultimate X-Men's Mark Millar. CountingDown.com. Retrieved on January 22, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c Lien-Cooper, Barb (March 2002). Mark Millar The Ultimate Writer. Sequential Tart. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
  4. ^ O'Brien, Paul (2000-12-24). The X-Axis Reviews - Christmas Eve 2000. The X-Axis. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
  5. ^ The Tomorrow People. Ultimate Marvel Universe.com. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
  6. ^ a b Taylor, Robert (2006-12-20). Reflections: Talking with Andy Kubert. Comic Book Resources. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.
  7. ^ Diamond Comic Distributors (2000-12-18). Ultimate X-Men #1 an Immediate Sell-Out!. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-21.
  8. ^ Ultimate X-Men Tops 100,000. ICv2 (2001-04-08). Retrieved on January 21, 2007.
  9. ^ Beliefwatch: Holy Superheroes?. Newsweek (2006-07-19). Retrieved on January 19, 2007.
  10. ^ The Religion of Rogue, of the X-Men. Adherents.com. Retrieved on January 19, 2007.
  11. ^ Singh, Arune (2002-10-22). Welcome to 'Uncanny X-Men' Chuch Austen, Hope You Survive the Experience. Comic Book Resources. Retrieved on January 19, 2007.
  12. ^ Singh, Arune (2006-02-14). In Depth with Chuch Austen (Part One). Comic Book Resources. Retrieved on January 19, 2007.
  13. ^ Moira MacTaggert (Ultimate). Marvel.com. Retrieved on March 14, 2007.
  14. ^ The X-Axis Reviews 5 May 2002. The X-Axis. Retrieved on March 14, 2007.
  15. ^ Lovegrove, James (January 2003). My God, My God, We're All Going To Die!. The Alien Online. Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
  16. ^ a b c Ultimate X-Men #22 Review. Silver Bullet Comics. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  17. ^ a b Ultimate War Review. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  18. ^ X-Men #9. The X-Axis. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  19. ^ Rogue. Marvel.com. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  20. ^ a b Kreiner, Rich (2005-10-15). 5,137 Pages of Brian Michael Bendis p. 3. The Comic Journal. Retrieved on January 28, 2007.
  21. ^ Ultimate Bendis - Bendis Talks Ult. X, Spider-Man, DD & Alias. Newsarama. Retrieved on January 15, 2007.
  22. ^ Monster and Critics.com (2005-09-04). Marvel Congratulates 17th Annual Eisner Award Winners. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
  23. ^ a b c d An Ultimate Fifth: Brian K. Vaughan on Ultimate X-Men. Newsarama. Retrieved on January 22, 2007.
  24. ^ Emma Frost. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved on January 28, 2007.
  25. ^ An Actually Gay X-Man. Queerty (2006-05-25). Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
  26. ^ The X-Axis, 8 August 2004 Part 3 of 8: ULTIMATE X-MEN #50. The X-Axis. Retrieved on March 14, 2007.
  27. ^ Klinger, Jason (2005-02-01). Ultimate X-Men v11: The Most Dangerous Game. Silver Bullet Comic Books. Retrieved on February 11, 2007.
  28. ^ Lady Deathstrike. Marvel.com. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  29. ^ O'Brien, Paul (2005-08-28). ULTIMATE X-MEN ANNUAL #1. The X-Axis. Retrieved on January 18, 2007.
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[edit] External links


Ultimate X-Men
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