ULTIMATE X-MEN #30 REVIEW

[Brian Wilkinson]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultxmen30.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultxmen30t.jpg" align=left alt="Ultimate X-Men #30"></a>Reviewer: Brian E. Wilkinson, bewilkinson@xfan.cjb.net
Quick Rating: Great!
Story Title: Return of the King, part 4 of 7

Magneto makes his move for world domination, and there is nothing to stop him… or is there?

Written by: Mark Millar
Cover by: Adam Kubert & Richard Isanove/Apter Frazetta
Pencilled by: David Finch
Inked by: Art Thibert
Colors by: Chris Sotomayer
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Assistant Editor: Stephanie Moore
Associate Editor: C.B. Cebulski/Brian Smith
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

Okay, right off the bat this is NOT as good as last months (or rather the issue two weeks ago… this is the THIRD issue of Ultimate X-Men this month), but it’s still really enjoyable and a solid effort by writer Mark Millar.

This week was also super-special because readers got another issue of The Ultimates to read, and THIS time it only took three months! It’s kind of funny, as Millar has been notoriously associated with books that ship late. In the early days of Ultimate X-Men it was considered a minor miracle if the book shipped on time and slowly but surely it has gotten back on course. Millar’s making up for that lost time with a vengeance as readers have been thrust into his final arc, ‘Return of the King’ with a violence only Magneto would be able to understand.

And truthfully, I’m loving it. Oh, sure, it sucks that at this pace I’ll be out of my main dose of Millar-written goodness, but at least I get to enjoy the brilliance of this arc all at once. It doesn’t hurt to have two amazing artists like Dave Finch and Adam Kubert trading shots on it each month, either.

Though I’m wondering why Marvel is pushing this book at such a frantic pace. Sure, having more of a good thing is all well and good, but are they just doing that to have Bendis fresh on the book for when the X-Men 2 movie opens? I don’t know, it seems wiser to me to have all the X-Men fighting Magneto for when the movie comes out. But hey, I don’t make these decisions, I just read the results of them.

This issue doesn’t pack the same kind of punch the previous few have. Millar was slowly building the plot, giving insight into the X-Men, Magneto, the Brotherhood, and the badly injured Cyclops, but this issue reads as though it were the conclusion of the arc. I realize that there are three more issues yet to come, and Millar has promised that two of them would be the major battle of his entire run on the book, but I’m still surprised at how quickly things seem to be tied up.

A prize goes out to the many of you who guessed that Cyclops was somehow set up to be found by Magneto’s brotherhood, though I’m quite sure that him being in THAT much pain wasn’t intended. My best guess is that Cyclops and Wolverine found something out while they were in the Savage Land, and decided to set up Magneto to find Cyclops. After all, Wolverine can’t have his mind read, and Kitty was always being sent away, so it could have happened. Maybe Xavier was in on it, maybe he wasn’t. I admit, this theory has a ton of holes in it, and the X-Men probably could have averted the whole thing, but something is going on.

For one, Wolverine is shown in the fight against Magneto, and there seems to be no mention of his connection with Cyclops’ injury. Bad writing, or waiting to be explained (after all, a battle is no time for a chit-chat)? I’ll just have to have faith that Millar knows what he’s doing. After all, he hasn’t let me down with this arc so far.

THIS JUST IN!!!! Mark Millar has commented on the scene in question, and this is what he had to say:

"and to those who asked, Wolvie WAS trying to kill Cyke. Cyke's just taking care of business before he takes care of Wolvie. I like the idea of Wolvie being a bit of a ****-up. I mean-- he's KILLED people for YEARS. He's got a good heart, deep down, but it's kinda VERY deep down sometimes. And he wants a shag pretty bad."

That explains much. And Millar was drunk when he wrote this.

My main complaint about this issue is that it reads as classic super-hero villainy and heroism. Magneto has an amplifier, built by Forge who seems to be coming to his senses, that will allow him to destroy the world. In come the X-Men (through the window in the damn plane, no less), and proceed to fight everyone in the room. None of them, except for Kitty in one small panel, think to push Magneto OFF the platform, or to destroy the machine. They don’t even try.

That bugs me, I’ll have to be honest. This guy is trying to blow up the world, more or less. Shouldn’t they try to stop him? Even Magneto admits that he was yammering on too much when he should have just done it.

Millar’s dialogue, with the exception of this scene, is spot on for most of the issue. He handles the characters right, the plot moves forward well, and all the major characters are highlighted in some form or another. I guess I’m just unhappy that all the answers to my questions have to wait until the next few issues.

And I hate waiting.

The cover this month by Adam Kubert is absolutely stunning. Though he’ll be moving on with Mark Millar after issue #33 hits, I can’t help but hope he’ll keep on producing these for the near future. This rivals my previous favorite, #17 featuring Beast for my favorite cover of the series. My only request would be that Marvel had used THIS cover for last month’s issue. Makes sense to me… it was drawn by Kubert and the issue was ABOUT Cyclops. Bump Finch’s fantastic Wolverine cover from last month to this one.

I should so be an editor. ;)

Dave Finch has found his calling. A bit wasted on The Call, and underused during his cover art days on Wolverine, Dave Finch proves that he is the man to take over Ultimate X-Men. Solid art, solid backgrounds, and able to shove a lot of heat and emotion into each panel. The opening shot of Magneto addressing the crowd started it off, and the cracked helmet at the end finished it brilliantly.

The only part of the issue that could have used a bit more time were in the fight scenes. I was a tad confused when Iceman first appeared, and had to search for the end of his ice slide to locate him. The shot of the blackbird flying into the room was wonderful, but I was missing more… debris, if that’s a fair thing to ask for.

The rest of the action was nicely done, especially with Colossus and Beast. I personally feel that Finch was at the top of his game during issues #27 and #28, and that by comparison this isn’t as good, but it’s still some of the best work I’ve seen this month.

And is it just me, or does it look like Finch drew Wolverine cutting off Sabretooth’s head? Or is it just a nasty gash? We’ll have to wait and see, but I doubt that Sabretooth is gone for good.

At any rate, Ultimate X-Men is nearing the end as we know it, but being a huge fan of Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Daredevil), I have no doubt that readers are in for a treat. And if you like what you see from them, make sure you ask Marvel for more!

The final verdict:

It’s not the best part of ‘Return of the King’ (so far, for me, that would be last issue, #29, about Cyclops), but it’s part of a GREAT whole. Worth your time, your money, and your adoration. Pick it up today.

ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore) and save!

[Benjamin Ong]

As much as I still love the covers, I think the constant focus on Cyclops, Jean, Wolverine and others are making me "sick" of 'em. I know these characters are more recognisable and the timing is great for X2 but don't you think it's a case of too much of the good thing?

[Ultimate Marvel]

So was the whole hiding out with Storm's gang in Harlem a ruse? Because I don't really see it fitting in to the story now.

[spiral48]

Um... maybe it's just me, but I didn't see anything in this issue that proved that Wolvie and Cyke planned things from the get-go. Cyclops had his communicator on him even in the Savage land but he was out of range, he'd been at least concious for a few days, figured out he was in custody of the Brotherhood and called the X-men.

I have yet to see any proof of forethough or planning in Wolverine's action. Plot devce, sure, Wolvie's actions are still wolvie's actions.

As for why Cyclops didn't say anything about Wolverine during the heat of the battle? It just seems like a very Cyclops thing to do. Take care of duty first and make sure Magneto doesn't kill the entire WORLD, and then worry about personal issues. Seems fairly in character to me.

[Zachary J. Morrison]

Great review, Brian! This was definitely outstanding and enjoyable. I was defintely amazed to see alot of action all through the book. There was probably ONE scene throughout the entire issue, which was my probably (possibly) my all-time favorite. My favorite scene in this issue was the part where Scott wakes up and he has his hands around a doctor's neck and is shown mostly naked, but only in his underwear. And man, was Scott buff. I wondered if he had worked out before he left. Since we are all reasurred that Scott is definitely still alive, I can't wait to find out how this all turns out in next issue. I would like to see how Scott blows up in Wolverine's face for leaving him in the Savage Land. And what is Jean going to do to Logan. Or did she already know after reading Logan's mind?

[gambitX]

I think I actually bought into Finch's art with this issue and Cyclops in underwear... nice

I dindt enjoy this issue as much though. I agree... I dont see anywhere in this issue a sign that Wolverine/Cyclops had a plan of any sort... and for some reason I doubt they would be intelligent enough AND LUCKY to have it happen exactly as planned.

it was a 6.5/10 for me...

[ArchangelX]

Fantastic review!!! I gree that there wasn't enough fight seens. Especially between Wolverine & Sabretooth. You'd figure the next time these two guys ran into each other after what happened last, it'd be an all out brawl. NOPE!!! One panel. one panel is all we got and wolvie did what he does bast in one panel... Didn't like that at all.

[Padan Fain]

Superb review, Brian! I could not POSSIBLY agree with you more on anything (well, except Cyke and Wolvie planning to drop Cyke down a well and let him suffer in excruciating pain for a month :D)...this issue was good, but not quite as good as the last one (which, as of right now, might just be my fav issue of UlXM. Ever). But the dialogue kinda...anyone who's also read Ultimates #9; is it me, or is someone called a 'Meatball' a total of four times between these two issues? Was kinda'...well, hokey to me. Otherwise, though, a good, solid issue that makes me want the next three parts NOW!!! Screw the fact that we've had 3 issues in 4 weeks!!! NOW NOW NOW!!!! :D

The storm's old gang thing...I dunno what's up with that. I just looked through the solicits for all the parts of Return of the King, and it kinda' makes me wonder if they're wrong for a REASON or if they were intentionally left vague or misleading. Anyway, if we dont' meet her gang, we don't meet her gang. More time with the fighting!!

Finally...I'm kinda' wondering if Sabes is a bit...erm...headless? 'Cause it rather clearly shows Wolvie choppin' off Creed's noggin. That and the splash of the X-Jet crashing through the Citadel's window were just a couple of the things in this issue that actually made my jaw drop. Always a good sign.

[DCUnited]

Originally posted by Ultimate Marvel
So was the whole hiding out with Storm's gang in Harlem a ruse? Because I don't really see it fitting in to the story now.

Um...they were never staying with Storm's friends in Harlem. It was never hinted that they might be. It was an option, but Beast explained that close friends would be the first place the Ultimates would look for them.

Any way, I enjoyed this issue. Although I was kind of confused in one scene when Scott's hair appeared to be blonde, although it was obvious that it was Scott. And did any one ever offically say that Cyke and Wolverine had a plan? I don't remember that being said, but I forget a lot.

[Dragon]

What can i say Cyke handed everyone played for suckers, and here i though Wolverine actual betrayed him, it was still cool though, stunk Logan only got one panel though, but he did his damage, i don't think him chopped Sabretooth's head off though i think he just severly sliced his throat open.. and whats this.. Magneto destablized a Nuclear reactor core, just north of Miami, can we say no more Florida... :O

[iceman2002]

Originally posted by DCUnited
Um...they were never staying with Storm's friends in Harlem. It was never hinted that they might be. It was an option, but Beast explained that close friends would be the first place the Ultimates would look for them.


yeah, it's in next month's (or some upcoming month's) solicits, that the x-kiddies are gonna be bummin with storm's gang.

[anthomaniac1023]

I noticed that Millar seemed to be enjoying the word "meatball" a lot this week too, Padan Fain, lol. I thought this was a great issue, but where did Cyclops get that signaling device? If it was on his clothes then wouldn't the infirmary people have seen it and realized it was an X-Man? I liked how all the X-Men were focused on the battle and the Wolvie/Cyclops thing wasn't brought up yet. It shows common sense.

[Cloud]

I want a Kitty cover!!!

[Alex Guillen]

well if the Cyclops/Wolverine situation is a ruse to set up Magneto it seems to be in the right track. I wish that they would focus on other characters like for example Kitty and Storm alot more, they're often overlooked especially in this arc but hopefully Millar still has big plans for them.
I loved the cover but I agree with Brian here, this one should have been used last issue. And Great review Brian!

[TheMan]

Originally posted by spiral48

As for why Cyclops didn't say anything about Wolverine during the heat of the battle? It just seems like a very Cyclops thing to do. Take care of duty first and make sure Magneto doesn't kill the entire WORLD, and then worry about personal issues. Seems fairly in character to me.

Exactly. This is Cyclops. The ultimate soldier. The utlimate leader.

[ArchangelX]

Originally posted by DCUnited
Any way, I enjoyed this issue. Although I was kind of confused in one scene when Scott's hair appeared to be blonde, although it was obvious that it was Scott.

Funny, I looked back at the issue, and his hair is always brown.

[ine6139]

She is supposed to be showing up eventually.

[ine6139]

Maybe cyclops or wolvie is really mystique.

[Master X]

I personally think that Moira or the Proffesor who is in Camp X-factor is Mystique.

[NicholasRogue]

I liked this issue, but again the issue seemed way to rushed for me, Cyclops looked good, and I liked how Storm fried Magneto.

[darkelf63]

I liked when Storm fried Mags too, but as Brian said, Why didn't they try to get him off the platform? *sigh*

Anyway plus points were how good Cyclops looked, and that KICkass panel with Wolvie. It certaily got me to :O

The art was pretty good.
I would have loved some explanation for the Wolvie and Cyclops plan..or Non-plan. I will wait for the next issue...

Finally the nurse who had the blue glowing hands was she a recognizable mutant from 616??

[spinarakboi]

No way could there be a plan in my opinion. I mean at least not Cyclops knowlege. He kept thinking about how that scum (wolverine) would end up with Jean and said it was stupid to have trusted him. I most certainly hope there was no plan because that makes no sense to me what so ever. *breath*

Anyway I thought this issue was great.... it was weird with Sab getting his head darn near chopped off if not completely (which it looked like it was) but so far the last two issues have been great as it had gotten me to pick up the series again. And I will continue so long as there wasn't a plan. Although Scott wasn't even around Wolvie and couldn't see through half of it. So I'm hoping for a show down next month.

I liked this issue just as much as last issue I have to say.

[Sabretooth]

I dunno about you guys, but I am FURIOUS over the whole Sabretooth issue! C'mon, the guy supposedly has an adamantium skeleton...with four claws on each hand too...and that happens to him? Please God don't let that be the end...it just looked down right ridiculous. Ultimate Sabretooth has been a lil' abused and misunderstood since he appeared. He shined in Weapon X, but did anyone notice he didn't have the tattoos he had in Ultimate Team Up or the Ultimate preview pics of him? I don't quite understand why that idea got thrown out of the window and forgotten...but I am, for sure, peeved over this whole issue! I love Wolverine and Sabretooth battles the most...and man, this was just plain unpleaseable.

[Brian Wilkinson]

Hey all...


This is what Mark Millar had to say about the Cyclops/Wolverine issue over on his message board... enjoy!

"and to those who asked, Wolvie WAS trying to kill Cyke. Cyke's just taking care of business before he takes care of Wolvie. I like the idea of Wolvie being a bit of a ****-up. I mean-- he's KILLED people for YEARS. He's got a good heart, deep down, but it's kinda VERY deep down sometimes. And he wants a shag pretty bad."

so there you have it!

[Negasonic Warhead]

I thought this issue definitely wasn't the best, but it was definitely a good issue. I can't see why people would still think that Cyclops and Wolverine have a plan going. All throughout his delusions, Cyclops cursed Wolverine for what he did. But who knows, maybe Wolverine had this planned out all along (to get him close to Magneto) and forgot to tell Cyclops :)

The whole Sabretooth scene seemed off to me too. Seemed to come out of nowhere.

However, I'm really looking forward to seeing how this turns out, and can't wait until next issue.

[spinarakboi]

Well that's good news brian.. now I'm okay and happy with everything except hopefully the Sabe thing will be cleared up... i mean.... his head looked like it was flyin.

[David Santee]

Originally posted by Sabretooth
I dunno about you guys, but I am FURIOUS over the whole Sabretooth issue! C'mon, the guy supposedly has an adamantium skeleton...with four claws on each hand too...and that happens to him? Please God don't let that be the end...it just looked down right ridiculous. Ultimate Sabretooth has been a lil' abused and misunderstood since he appeared. He shined in Weapon X, but did anyone notice he didn't have the tattoos he had in Ultimate Team Up or the Ultimate preview pics of him? I don't quite understand why that idea got thrown out of the window and forgotten...but I am, for sure, peeved over this whole issue! I love Wolverine and Sabretooth battles the most...and man, this was just plain unpleaseable.

Well, I Liked it. C'mon, Wolverine has these foot long blades that can cut through steel, why can't it cut through a little cartlige and tendons ( the stuff between the admantium verterbrae). It reminded me of the aborted sword fight in the first Indiana Jones movie. When Indy pulls the gun, it just the obvious move that nobody really expected. It made complete sense to me that Wolvie got a lucky strike in one of these fights, finally. We have seen a fight between these two, let alone all the ones that the 616 counterparts have had, why repeat it? Let Wolvie fight somebody else once in a while.

[MrHymes01]

One of the better issues. If this turns out to be an Xavier stunt then I'm gonna be pissed because that TOO far stretched. Besides Cyke was out of comission before Mags came back anyway. Other than that, I loved this issue. Especially how Logan ended the beef with Sabes. "HEAL FROM THIS!!":D

[Kevin Sutton]

I agree, there's just no way that there was some kind of plan to infiltrate the Brotherhood's headquarters; the continuity just doesn't hold up. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to see the X-Men's reactions to Cyclops' message but overall this issue was still good. Regrettably, I feel that this titles continues to be outdown by Millar's work on the Ultimates.

[Sabretooth]

Wolverine and Sabretooth fights are ALWAYS awesome though. Who can get enough of em? I thought it was just lame man. I'm pretty sure the adamantium covers everything too, so he couldn't have perfectly hit the cartilage and tendons.

[manikz]

they are awesome if they're unique and fresh but seeing yet ANOTHER battle wouldn't be too cool i dont want to see the two fight just for the sakes of it, that means that when they do its all the more cool

[Radius]

I really liked this issue! It was fast paced and had a lot of action! And scott returned! YAYYYYYY! I can't wait to read next issue! and its true I don't understand the whole Harlem thing, it doesn't seem like it meant much!

[X-Hoe]

Originally posted by phoenx
My favorite scene in this issue was the part where Scott wakes up and he has his hands around a doctor's neck and is shown mostly naked, but only in his underwear. And man, was Scott buff. I wondered if he had worked out before he left.


Tell me about it, that package was nice and tight...yum!


Originally posted by gambitX
I think I actually bought into Finch's art with this issue and Cyclops in underwear... nice


I would've preferred less, don't you agree?

[X-Hoe]

Originally posted by Spriteguy16
Cyclops looked good, and I liked how Storm fried Magneto.

Yes he did look as tasty as honey and I liked storm's frying of mags as well!


Originally posted by darkelf63
I liked when Storm fried Mags too, but as Brian said, Why didn't they try to get him off the platform? *sigh*

Anyway plus points were how good Cyclops looked, and that KICkass panel with Wolvie. It certaily got me to :O




Yes cyke is HOT, and storm did a good job and so did wolvie! but remember the most important thing..............Cyke is HOT!

[Keeyah]

Originally posted by X-Hoe
Yes cyke is HOT, and storm did a good job and so did wolvie! but remember the most important thing..............Cyke is HOT!

Yep, I agree!

[ferretnaura]

After reading this issue, I felt like I had missed something. As if an entire issue had come out between this and the previous. The story sort of "jumped" ahead a little too much.

We spend an entire issue with Scott at the bottom of his fall, then all of a sudden we have him recovering with Magneto, fully healed (well at least nourished from his "very healthy" physique we are shown, considering he was down over a month eating barely anything.. I won't go into that being an anatomy/bio teacher). Then his communicator is on him, although he's only in his underwear (where did he hide that communicator?). Then the rest of the X-Crew arrive out of nowhere....???????????!!!!!!!!!!!! No amount of 4 leaf clovers and horseshoes can give that much coincidental luck (unless Longshot was hiding where the communicator was as well)

I do like this series, and its one of the first I read the week it comes out, but this issue just didn't do anything for me. It read kinda rushed. I think one more issue of set-up could've been given instead of throwing too much in at once. My opinion.

Hopefully the conclusion to this story (of which Ultimate War and the previous issues have been very good to read) is well thought out and paced better.:rolleyes:

[X-Hoe]

I hope so too

[Brytanica1]

Then his communicator is on him, although he's only in his underwear (where did he hide that communicator?




Well you did say you were an anatomy teacher, take a wild guess.

[steve2275]

Originally posted by Brian E. Wilkinson
The cover this month by Adam Kubert is absolutely stunning. Though he’ll be moving on with Mark Millar after issue #33
REALLY? DAMN
AND FINCH HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER

[ferretnaura]

Originally posted by Brytanica1





Well you did say you were an anatomy teacher, take a wild guess.

Which is what scares me... now had the communicator been smaller, maybe.... but........ OUCH!

[Benjamin Ong]

Originally posted by MrHymes01
I loved this issue. Especially how Logan ended the beef with Sabes. &quot;HEAL FROM THIS!!&quot;:D

I loved this issue too. That scene got my eyes wide open! Is Sabes dead?!

[DasVedanya!]

Originally posted by ferretnaura
Then his communicator is on him, although he's only in his underwear (where did he hide that communicator?).

Maybe Scotty-boy has been hanging around Christopher Walken too long.

:colossus: -Das Vedanya!

[Strike]

Originally posted by Benjamin Ong


I loved this issue too. That scene got my eyes wide open! Is Sabes dead?!

He might be, but I think Millar left that open. Because if you remember Sabertooth, said something to the effect of, " I can heal from anything your claws can do to me." So maybe Ultimate Sabes can heal from that. :?