Ultimate X-Men (story arcs)

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Ultimate X-Men, a Marvel Comics 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. Aron Eli Coleite, known for his work on Heroes, was announced as the new writer for 4 issues until Jeph Loeb takes over for Ultimatum

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]

Contents 1 The Mark Millar era 1.1 The Tomorrow People 1.2 Return to Weapon X 1.3 You Always Remember Your First Love 1.4 A Different World is possible 1.5 World Tour 1.6 Hellfire and Brimstone 1.7 Ultimate War 1.8 Return of the King 2 The Brian Michael Bendis era 2.1 Blockbuster 2.2 New Mutants 3 The Brian K. Vaughan era 3.1 The Tempest 3.2 Cry Wolf 3.3 The Most Dangerous Game 3.4 A Hard Lesson 3.5 Shock and Awe 3.6 Ultimate Sacrifice 3.7 Magnetic North 4 The Robert Kirkman era 4.1 Date Night 4.2 Phoenix? 4.3 Magical 4.4 Breaking Point 4.5 Cable 4.6 Aftermath 4.7 Cliffhanger 4.8 The Underneath 4.9 Sentinels 4.10 Shadow King 4.11 Apocalypse 5 The Aron Coleite era 5.1 Absolute Power 6 References 7 External links

[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. In its first year, the series became the biggest selling comic book of 2001. ^[3]

[edit] The Tomorrow People

• 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 assassinating 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, Mastermind, Blob, Toad
• 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, Doctor Cornelius, Sabretooth
• 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, Though he later returns in the Ultimate Spider-Man series, but how he returned from the dead is unexplained,
• 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] A Different World is possible

Originally published in: Ultimate X-men 15 (March 2002)

Plot outline: Xavier talks with Colossus and the new Magneto about his new book and on the mutant war.

[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 Moira's secret mutant hospital on Muir Island (off the northern coast of Scotland^[13]), and kills thousands while possessing Betsy Braddock. At last, David and Betsy are 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, Betsy Braddock (actually survived)
• 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, who drops a car on him. 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 & 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 remnants of Magneto's Brotherhood led by Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch destroy 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

• 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 and David Finch
• 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. Also, Betsy Braddock is revealed to be alive after her consciousness passed to the body of a comatose Asian girl named Kwannon.
• First appearances: Forge, Kwannon
• 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

• 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, Jude the Entropic Man, 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, Karma
• 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, Synch, Marrow, Apocalypse, 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, Wolfsbane
• 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.
• First appearances: Lady Deathstrike
• Notes: In the mainstream Marvel continuity, Yuriko Oyama is also an adamantium-laced cyborg.^[28]

[edit] Ultimate Sacrifice

• 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 Rogue phones her ex-boyfriend, Iceman, she is 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

• 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.

[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 just recently finished his run on 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.

Despite his initial claims, Kirkman has introduced a large number of ultimatized characters and concepts besides Lilandra and Cable: Bishop, the Six Pack (Domino, Hammer, Grizzly and Garrison Kane), Pyro, the Friends of Humanity, the Morlocks, Stacy X, Shinobi Shaw, the Legacy Virus, Stryfe, Zero, Pixie, the Mutant Liberation Front, the Shadow King and the Brood. He also retconned the leader of the anti-mutant conspiracy seen in "New Mutants" as the ultimate version of William Stryker.

Kirkman has also reused plotlines of the original X-Men comics, such as Cable's future being ruled by Apocalypse and Emma Frost being a member of the Hellfire Club. He has received great criticism from fans and media due to badly characterising many of the main characters, rushing storylines, retconning Beast's death away, and simply rehashing plots from the eighties to the early nineties.

[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 go see a movie. Iceman and Rogue take advantage of her loss of powers 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]
• First appearances: Magician, Lilandra Neramani, Shi'ar
• Notes: In this arc Kurt's homophobia takes on a clearly hostile feel for the first time.^[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 deity 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 an obsession with 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

• 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 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. Cable was also somehow able to touch his past self and not be eaten by the "Time Spiders" introduced in Ultimate Fantastic Four's "President Thor" arc.^[43]

[edit] Aftermath

• Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #79-80 (February 2007 - March 2007)
• Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist 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 . Meanwhile, it is revealed that neither Cable nor Professor X are dead; Cable has transported them both into the future.
• First appearances: Pyro
• Notes: Critics were unimpressed with Kirkman's storytelling of Xavier's funeral, stating it lacked emotional impact and did not convince them to take Xavier's death seriously.^[44][45][46]

[edit] Cliffhanger

• Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #81 (April 2007)
• Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Yannick Paquette
• Plot outline: Beast is revealed to be alive, reluctantly working with SHIELD to create a cure for the Legacy Virus and made to believe he was still working with the X-Men, thanks to Professor X's mental manipulation. Storm has a nightmare about the Shadow King, which influences her play. Bishop asks Storm to help him reform the X-Men. Mastermind and Stacy X switch places with Mystique and impersonate Magneto, while Mystique escapes to Magneto's compound.
• First appearances: Stacy X, Shinobi Shaw

[edit] The Underneath

• Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #82-83 (May 2007-June 2007)
• Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Pascal Alixe
• Plot outline: Toad investigates the Underneath to welcome the Morlocks to Xavier's school on behalf of Cyclops. When he goes missing; Jean, Cyclops, Iceman and Rogue search for him. The four of them are attacked by the Morlocks while Nightcrawler tries to keep the peace. Nightcrawler saves his old team mates from the Morlocks. Still feeling estranged by Xavier's old students, he stays in the Underneath as the Morlock's new leader. Bishop and Storm recruit Pyro, Dazzler and Angel to their new X-Men team.
• First appearances: Caliban, Calisto, Leech, Sunder

[edit] Sentinels

• Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #84-88 (July 2007-December 2007)
• Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Yannick Paquette
• Plot outline: Bishop recruits Wolverine and Psylocke to his new X-Men team to battle the reactivated Sentinels. A man named Stryfe forms the Mutant Liberaton Front and rallies mutants to stand up against the humans in a response to the death of Charles Xavier. It is revealed that Fenris are behind the funding and the creation of the new Sentinels. Beast escapes from S.H.I.E.L.D.
• First appearances: Stryfe, Mutant Liberation Front, Zero
• Deaths: Fenris

[edit] Shadow King

• Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #89 (December 2007)
• Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Salvador Larroca
• Plot outline: A battle with the X-Men against Doctor Cornelius, Sabretooth and various Wolverine mutates ends their longtime feud when Wolverine kills Cornelius. Storm deals with the love triangle between her, Beast and Wolverine, causing her to regress into her past and reveal that Amahl Farouk, an ex-lover of hers thought dead, was still alive. His time in mental solitude caused him to become the Shadow King but with the assistance of the X-Men Storm defeats him. Storm awakes from a coma, revealing the battle took place mentally. She then elects to leave that part of her past behind, effectively meaning that she has chosen Beast.
• First appearances: Shadow King, The Brood

[edit] Apocalypse

• Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #90-93 (January 2008-April 2008)
• Creators: writer Robert Kirkman, artist Salvador Larroca
• Plot outline: Sinister is alleged to have woken up in and escaped from the morgue and enters the Morlock tunnels to finish what he started: release Apocalypse by killing more innocent mutants. The X-Men and Morlocks attempt to stop him but Bishop manipulates his efforts so he succeeds. Angel is the last mutant to be killed, and Wolverine kills Bishop for aiding Sinister. Sinister transforms into Apocalypse and launches an attack on the city, taking control of mutants in the area to fight each other. Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four arrive but do not manage to resolve the situation, further compounded when Professor X and Cable arrive from the future wearing armor (resembling Onslaught and Stryfe) and attempt override Apocalypse's mind control though they are outmatched until Jean Grey unleashes the Phoenix, who makes easy work of Apocalypse. In the conclusion, the Phoenix and Jean have merged into one being and proclaim that there is "many things I must do." Then, in a flash, the world is changed back as if the battle didn't happen.
• Deaths: Bishop, Angel
• Resurrections: Angel

[edit] The Aron Coleite era

[edit] Absolute Power

• Originally published in: Ultimate X-Men #94-97 (May 2008-August 2008)
• Creators: writer Aron Coleite, artist Mark brooks
• Plot outline: The reunited X-Men find their game of softball against the Academy of Tomorrow interrupted by Alpha Flight. Alpha Flight easily overpowers the X-Men and Academy of Tomorrow taking Northstar away claiming he belongs with them. The fallout of the battle leaves the X-Men bewildered and seeing an unhappy Colossus convinces Jean she should read his mind. Jean discovers to her dismay that Colossus has been using Banshee, a mutant growth hormone. Peter, now furious, explains his uselessness without Banshee and in a discontented state elects to leave the school. Colossus attempts to take the Blackbird as Cyclops stops him offering to help him find Northstar. Colossus reveals that he has already composed a team consisting of Rogue, Angel, Dazzler and Nightcrawler, all clearly under the influence of Banshee.
• First appearances: Liz Allan/Firestar (in Ultimate X-men), Alpha Flight, Vindicator, Shaman, Jubilee, Sunfire, Sasquatch, Snowbird, Aurora
• Notes:On the last page of #94, Colossus says to Cyclops "Welcome to the X-Men". Behind him are standing Dazzler, Angel, Rogue, and Nightcrawler (all enhanced with the Banshee). In one of the issues of "The Most Dangerous Game";Colossus, Nightcrawler, Angel and Dazzler planned to go to Genosha together (like a team)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Ultimate X-Men at Marvel.com

v • d • e Ultimate X-Men Current Roster Angel • Beast • Colossus • Cyclops • Dazzler • Firestar • Iceman • Marvel Girl/Phoenix • Nightcrawler • Professor X • Psylocke • Pyro • Rogue • Storm • Syndicate • Toad • Wolverine Alumni Bishop • Magician • Shadowcat Bases & Technology Australia • Cerebro • Danger Room • Savage Land • X-Mansion Notable Villains Acolytes • Alpha Flight • Apocalypse • Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy • Hellfire Club • Lady Deathstrike • Magneto • Mister Sinister • Mojo • Morlocks • Proteus • Sentinels • Shadow King • Weapon X Other Characters • Story arcs • Ultimate X4