ULTIMATE X-MEN #32 REVIEW

[Brian Wilkinson]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultxmen32.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultxmen32t.jpg" align=left alt="Ultimate X-Men #32"></a>Reviewer: Brian E. Wilkinson, bewilkinson@xfan.cjb.net
Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: Return of the King, part 6 of 7

Ending with a touch of Mystique...

Written by: Mark Millar
Pencilled by: Adam Kubert
Inked by: Danny Miki
Colors by: Dave Stewart
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Assistant Editors: Dolly Setton, Stephanie Moore, Nick Lowe
Associate Editor: C.B. Cebulski
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

I had to hold off on doing this review until I gave it a much closer second read. The reason I had to was because it wasn't what I was expecting, but it was still a good read. In the time in between my last read and this review I've had to seriously think about whether or not I was disappointed because it wasn't what I was expecting, or whether it's a really good issue in its own right.

Truth be told, I'm still not sure where I stand.

Leaving off where we did, with the mightly reemergence of the Phoenix force, I suppose I was expecting some major, shocking, and powerful confrontation this issue. After all, for an arc titled 'Return of the King' one rightly should expect a major epic that shapes lives, has major suprises, and huge battles. Adding in the build up that Ultimate War dealt in, and the amount of time the X-Men spent trying to redeem themselves, it felt like a logical conclusion that the battle would go on in some form or another for at LEAST this issue, and possibly next (which is the last for writer Mark Millar and artist Adam Kubert).

And yet it doesn't. Instead, the damage that Magneto tried to inflict on Florida is contained by a disturbingly in-control Jean Grey. That's it. The crowd is happy, and quickly we move on to television stories, press conferences, and a resolution that sees our heroes once again regarded as heroes. Then Fury & co. make a deal (one that actually surprises me, and I'm not sure if it's in a good way or not) with the X-Men, and all seems to be forgiven.

What the bulk of the issue deals with is the party welcoming Rogue and Nightcrawler to the team, fantastic scenes with Beast and his parents, and a few fun moments with Iceman, Shadowcat, Storm, Iron Man, and the rest. Gone is Wolverine (Cyclops took care of THAT pretty quickly), while Colossus gets a minute with his family.

Short, simple, effective.

I guess I'm not too surprised, really, just that I would have expected this at the LAST issue of the series. After all, Jean and Thor have a great talk about the Phoenix force, Wolverine is thrust out of the team, and the status quo seems to be maintained. If anything, it looks like a bow-out issue for Millar, yet with one more, what has he got up his sleeve?

So, I suppose that's my main complaint. This was NOT what I was expecting to such a degree that I found it a little jarring. It's still well-written, and has staple Millar dialogue, great Kubert visuals, and all the rest I've come to expect. Like I said, though, where's the action? Magneto? Phoenix? I wanted something that would really make me wet my pants, not just a party.

With re-reads, and letting go of my expectations, it IS a well-written story, and DOES serve as a fitting end (despite one more issue to come). So as a reviewer, I'm actually torn as to what to rate it. I settled on 'good' as it WOULD have been great if it was what I thought I was getting. Petty? Maybe, but it's all I have. ;)

Adam Kubert does a very good job with this issue, but there are a few places where you can tell that he held back a little. My hope is that next issue sees a return to the brilliant promise held in issue #1 of this series and that he steals the show from Millar. Considering how great of an artist he is, I don't think this will be a problem.

My main complaint from Kubert this issue deals with his cover. Though I see where he was going, compared to some of his more recent covers featuring Magneto and Cyclops, this one is a little below par. Also, is it just me, or was Cyclops just in his undies last issue, and now he has his uniform on? Continuity error? Or did I miss something?

Okay, okay, I've waited off long enough as I'm sure many of you are waiting out there with your little cat/Mystique theories (which, I'm ashamed to say, I started pointing out in these reviews when I took them over around issue #8).

At the end, Xavier calls his cat Mystique. Sure, his cat has had that little 'M' on its collar, and has shown up in many a shot, but it's probably NOT the shape-shifter, right? Of course it isn't.

Probably is.

Still, I'm wondering what kind of an effect she's had on Xavier, or if he's even aware of who and what his cat really is. With 'Return of the King' seemingly over in so many ways, what can fans expect to see next issue? How will the coming of Mystique affect Millar's last issue of the series? Where will Nightcrawler and Rogue fit into this equation?

So many questions prompted by ONE last panel in this issue. That's the mark of a truly good writer, you know, to bait his audience so perfectly with a few choice words. Those of you figuring that this was a good place to leave as any will surely miss out if you don't stick around.

After Millar and Kubert leave, Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man) and Dave Finch (The Call) will be on board as they take the reigns and offer a fitting epilogue (I'm guessing) to Millar's fine series. After that... well, who knows what the future holds?

Be here to find out!

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

[UMichWolverine]

Great Review Brian.

Jarring.

That is my one word summary. I got done with this and much like Brian I had to go through it again just to fully appreciate it.

Some thoughts:

Jean: Way to even keel and Thor's comments throw a lot into the proveribal Phoenix mix.

Scott: Damn.... I mean he took down the most lethal mutant in any universe in one fell swoop...Damn

Beast: There is something more to his parents than meets the eye and its not just the sudden wealth because of him.

Colossus: So is he gay? Does he have feelings for Wolverine? If so he's taking Logan's betrayal REALLY WELL.

Donald Rumsfeld: As a Republican who does not like Rumsfeld, he was portrayed dead on IMO and Nick Fury shutting him up was a great laugh.

Sabertooth: We never did find out if he is dead or not did we?

Chuck: Hmm... he still gives me the creeps... and the ending only solidified that and not just the Mystique thing, the conversation with Nick Fury was weird.

Mystique: Gotta be her. No other explanation. The only thing I hope is that we don't see is a repeat of Magneto all over again where she breaks free of his mental conditioning and wreaks 20 kinds of hell forcing the X-men to clean it up.

This issue really makes me wonder whats on tap for the official conclusion next issue.

[Dark Prince]

this issue was good, i think somewere deep down that, xavior is up to something very fishy, dont you guys think that this went a little TOO smothly???

i dont trust xavior.

[Ultimate Marvel]

Great issue, great review. Lots of questions answered, but still some left.

When's the next issue coming out? 2 weeks?

[Alex Guillen]

well great review, Brian.I also found that the Return of the King was good but not the great opus expected from Millar. it does have its moemnts overall and it was a preety good issue especially with the cat being named Mystique (not sure if it's really her or just that the cat's name is Mystique) and especially now that Rogue and Nightcralwer are here, how if ever will their relationship be in the Marvel U with their mother in the 616? I can't wait how this ends.

[The_One]

Well, the review didn't do the issue justice, in my opinion. Sure, there were a few unexplained things here and there throughout the arc... Such as Iceman's family and what did they feel like, how old Nightcrawler really was (If he is fourteen, driving, and handling champagne, he is the luckiest eighth grader I have seen), whether or not Sabertooth, Forge, or Mastermind were taken care of, etc. but there is certainly a fair share of things going on in this one issue that makes up for that...

I would say that my biggest surprise in this issue, was the return of Psylocke and the mentioning of her brother, Brian... Her returning was an interesting twist, and the only reason I thought this was bigger than the cat being revealed to be Mystique, is because there were countless rumors about that outcome, that it didn't surprise me Millar decided to do that.

Also, where was the damn "fastball special" Colossus talked about two issues back? I want to see some characterization next issue about Colossus and how he feels about Wolverine... It should be very interesting...

[gambitX]

Originally posted by UMichWolverine
Colossus: So is he gay? Does he have feelings for Wolverine? If so he's taking Logan's betrayal REALLY WELL.


Millar better clear this one up next issue... cause if he leaves it open, then Bendis could do whatever he wants and throw everything away.

I dunno... but even when Colossus was talking to Betsy, he had his hand open on his chest, with an OH MY DAHLING kinda expression...
I dunno if nobody else noticed... but these things are so obvious that I will be mad if he isn't..

and Rogue's parents? im intrigued.

and Im kinda mad about these covers... at least this one doesn't mean waht I had thought it meant... sure... it's a cool cover... but Colossus didnt do anything in the issue.

[Kevin Sutton]

My main complaint from Kubert this issue deals with his cover. Though I see where he was going, compared to some of his more recent covers featuring Magneto and Cyclops, this one is a little below par. Also, is it just me, or was Cyclops just in his undies last issue, and now he has his uniform on? Continuity error? Or did I miss something?

Wasn't he just given a coat after the fight in the last issue? He didn't look to be wearing his unifrom.

I thought this issue was okay but also filled with a whole lot of fail promise. Everything seemed so rushed and all neat packaged. The dialogue at the party was good...but a party? I suppose Millar could still stun us all with the next issue but it seems as if this arc has not been able to live up to its promise. I mean, with the War, the prologue, and seven issues you'd have thought that we could have gotten a more polished delivery and a more bountiful ending; instead it seems as if the threat has been dispatched so quickly and now everything's okay. Then there were also the little things; quibbles about dialogue, Ak's deteriorating work, and Besty coming back? That I don't really have a problem with, but the handling was silly. Something as momentous as that being handled in such a way; first she appears only to be killed, and now she appears only to confirm her continued existence. (Why always with the body-switching I ask?) Still, it wasn't a bad issue.

[spinarakboi]

this issue was split in half, i though the first part was just plain boring but then once the party started it i liked it a lot.... oh well we'll see what is in store for the final issue.

[NicholasRogue]

I really liked this issue, although I agree with Brian that the ending wasn't the blowout ending I expected either. My favorite part was Rogue officially joining the X-Men and Millar actually letting us see her parents, something never done before. I was really taken a back by the return of Psylocke, not that I'm not happy, I felt it was a little rushed, I was hoping since Colossus was on the cover, his whole opening up on his sexuality would have been mentioned, but I guess not hopefully next issue, Mystique's the cat, who didn't see that coming, hopefully she's a good kitty and not a bad kitty. Anyone else scared by Hank's parents? I know I was! Glad the Phoenix force isn't completely forgotten, I'd like it to be explored a little. All in all a good issue.

[RocketNumberNine]

It seems to me that everything is wrapping up way too hunky-dorey as lots of fanciful developments occurred during this issue. Since there is one more issue to go, I'm sort of expecting some sort of mind-warping conclusion to distort and churn up the team. Some strange results of the Phoenix effect or an unforseen trick from Magneto (or Forge). That sort of payoff would really validate the entire epic storyline and with a bit of good storytelling, successfully blow some minds. Otherwise, I'm going to go away a bit dissapointed.

[Zachary J. Morrison]

Great review, Brian. And I agree. This should have had a major confrontation with the whole Phoenix entity stuff, but throughout the book, it didn't have much action. It was cool seeing the fire surrounding Jean's body, and having the ability to fly, but I thought we would get to see Jean go crazy or something. I was bummed to see Wolverine get booted off the team, but I hope he plans to come back. It seems that every X-Man comes back after something happens. First, Bobby gets injured while fighting Proteus, then Logan leaves Scott in the Savage Land, and now Logan gets booted. What's next? We'll have to wait and see.

[darkelf63]

Good Review, I found the lack of explanation about Magneto and moreso about Sabertooth (is he headless? is he dead? Was it just his throat?) a little annoying..it was just in the back of my mind..What HAppened!!?!!?

Moving on Wolvie was in and out pretty quickly..everyone handled it pretty well, the re-emergence of the Phoenix and the return of Betsy, especially the latter were dealt with a little too quickly..

but that was the feel of the whole issue..

I did like Nightcrawler's opening scene, the art was pretty good, and the Thor, Jean talk aded some nice touches.

Finally Beast's parents were my favourite part..they are scary. the fact that they had issues with Storm was kinda scary but funny too.

Speaking of Scary, that talk that Charles had is very frightening...did he do all of this "just" to be in the "machine"?? Frightening undertones there...

[Kevin Sutton]

Originally posted by phoenx
It seems that every X-Man comes back after something happens. First, Bobby gets injured while fighting Proteus, then Logan leaves Scott in the Savage Land, and now Logan gets booted. What's next? We'll have to wait and see.

This was actually starting to bother me a little. How can you feel any impact of a character leaving when it happens so much? Scott, Piotr, Bobby, Logan, Beast was on death's door for an issue, Chuck was going to resign, Betsy was supposed to be dead...there's just no stability.

[Dragon]

Over all it was great, I don't think Logan's really off the team, being Bendis has big Plans for him. Betsy's return and Rogue and Crawler was a nice touch. Storm meeting Beasts parents was funny. I can't wait to see what Miller has for his last issue.

[Anthony Cordova]

Ultimate Betsy! Ultimate Brian! Ultimate Exaclibur!!

[Airhead]

I wanna get this comic sooooooo bad!
:D
Hope its good!

[The_One]

Well, Dragon, I think you are wrong on the Logan part of your reply... Remember, Xavier himself told Barbara Walters that Wolverine had no link to the X-Men any longer. I am thinking that, since this is what is probably going to be until AFTER the Bendis arc, Wolverine goes to the Web Slinger for a little R and R with the Ultimates on his ta--... Wait! I am thinking that Mystique is ordered to kill him for trying to kill one of Xavier's students, he flees to find Spidey, and the Ultimates will be on his trail because Mystique has been a criminal for as long as they can remember... Hey, another mindless idea, but I think it is a pretty interesting one.

[NicholasRogue]

I hope Nightcrawler and Rogue get uniforms and give Kitty one too, she's been a member of the team long enough and she's still been in civilian ware.

[n8grey]

i thought kitty had a uniform. At the very least padded leather pants and a hoodies not much but it works for an ulitmate costume. I cant wait to see ultimate excalibur (prob havta wait at least a year or two). Sounds like this issue is turning towards Miler's origanal plan for Ultimate X-men, the school being funded by the government. I seriously hope we get to see Mystique in Ultimate X-men grab (since we have all seen it in preview art, Hell i even have a tee-shirt w.ultimate Mystique on it). Overall a good issue. I just hope the X-men dont end up on the run again at the end of next issue. I hope this stays the status que for awhile at least.

[Black mamba]

IS IT OFFICIAL that there will be an ultimate excalibur. and what is the problem there having with the ultimates?

[Justin Braddock]

Originally posted by Dragonspawn01
Ultimate Betsy! Ultimate Brian! Ultimate Exaclibur!!



YES! YES! YES!

[MrHymes01]

This was a good issue, but what's left for part 7?

Mystique the cat? LOL!!

[Fetsur]

No Ultimate Excalibur. I believe they were talking about what will be known as the Defenders.

[Kevin Sutton]

Originally posted by Fetsur
No Ultimate Excalibur. I believe they were talking about what will be known as the Defenders.

A Europe based super group with Brian Braddock? This sounds like Ultimate Excalibur not Ultimate Defenders. In fact, Millar has said that he has decided not to go ahead with his plans for any Defenders in Ultimate.

[MrHymes01]

Originally posted by SuperMutant


A Europe based super group with Brian Braddock? This sounds like Ultimate Excalibur not Ultimate Defenders. In fact, Millar has said that he has decided not to go ahead with his plans for any Defenders in Ultimate. It's been reported the last UU title will be Ultimate FF sometime this year. We'll see though.

[Fetsur]

Yeah sorry I got mixed up there. Millar is making this something huge for Ultimates year two (or even three by the time it's out). But it's NOT Defenders. But Defenders WILL be in Ultimates year two. Whew. :)

And I'm betting Millar won't be calling it Excalibur...

[w&gfan]

i think its more likely we'll see Ultimate Excalibur in the Ultimates while the 4th Ultimate book will be FF just b4 when and the movie goes ahead shooting. however why isnt DiD invoked in the Ultimateverse.

[Padan Fain]

I have to say, I personally was REALLY happy with this issue. Just Scott dropping Wolvie with one, big ZAKT!! Good stuff!!

I don't get what everyone's so upset with Beast's parents about. Sure, they're bigots, and RICH bigots at that, but not an archvillian (or villianess) does this make.

I'm with Darkelf...Charles is definately freaking me out. That conversation with Fury at the end of the issue makes me wonder...and I'm NOT from the camp that's suspected Charles as being more malevolent than he seems from the beginning!! The cat, the underhanded implications in that speech...yeeehsh! Just sent chills up my spine.

[ronin_jw]

It was a great issue, but like the review said I didn't expect this book to go the way it did.

[Wolverine]

What happened to Wolverine, Is he off the team or what

[MrHymes01]

Originally posted by Wolverine
What happened to Wolverine, Is he off the team or what "Suppossedly" he's officially off the team. We'll see what that's all about in about 10 issues or so. He's probably more COVERT now.

[jhferry]

Maybe that wasnt the real Wolverine...

The Mystique thing was thrown in their for some reason and I believe mastermind is still unaccounted for.

Maybe that wasnt even Charlie X.

Something is fishy about all this, especially with the sudden apparent calming of the Phoenix.

[Patrick Star]

u know what was weird to me , was that if Collosus was so eager to defend Wol against mags why didnt he do it when Cy blasted him?

[n8grey]

I am betting ultimate excalibur (or defenders but i hope excalibur) will exist in the U Universe but not get there own title...inless they nix the 616 universe (which is seeming like a better idea all the time)

[Codym]

Originally posted by Patrick Star
u know what was weird to me , was that if Collosus was so eager to defend Wol against mags why didnt he do it when Cy blasted him?

Because Millar has no idea what he is doing. This issue offically makes him Marvel's worst writer.

[UMichWolverine]

Originally posted by Codym


Because Millar has no idea what he is doing. This issue offically makes him Marvel's worst writer.

I hope you are kidding. Have you read a single issue of Ultimates? Have you been keeping up with Ultimate X-Men lately? Mark Millar is the reason I have come back to comic books after a long time away.

The Ultimates, while painfully slow in getting to print, is easily one of the best written comics in a long time and was the hook that brought me back. Ultimate X-men is fantastic lately.

There was a lot left unfinished in the last issue, including the questions about Colossus and how he took Wolverine's betrayal. However, there is still one issue left in this arc, something many people seem to be forgetting.

I had questions following this issue as I brought up some time ago on this thread, but using this issue as basis to call Mark Millar the worst writer ever seems a bit harsh and hasty.

I say, if the arc ends and we get no real explanation of what is going on with Colossus then we can question Millar's writing.

(However even if he doesn't give an explanation I still wouldn't call him "Marvel's worst writer")

[Codym]

I have read six painful issues of the Ultimates, 4 agonizing issues of Ultimate War, and 32 issues of Ultimate X-Men that have ranged from average to down right pathetic. His inability to develop character or write even basic plots have killed the series from day one, and as usual he totally cops out in the end.

If his writing gets you going, good for you, but if you're after intelligence, well developed characters, competent plotting and satisfying resolutions, seek life elsewhere. Millar's Ultimate books are a wasteland.

Thank god Bendis will be on board soon to save the series.

[UMichWolverine]

Originally posted by Codym
I have read six painful issues of the Ultimates, 4 agonizing issues of Ultimate War, and 32 issues of Ultimate X-Men that have ranged from average to down right pathetic. His inability to develop character or write even basic plots have killed the series from day one, and as usual he totally cops out in the end.

If his writing gets you going, good for you, but if you're after intelligence, well developed characters, competent plotting and satisfying resolutions, seek life elsewhere. Millar's Ultimate books are a wasteland.

Thank god Bendis will be on board soon to save the series.

Wow. I guess everyone has different tastes. Just a quick question: Whose writing do you prefer to Millar's?

[Codym]

Claremont, Bendis, Jenkins, Morrison, Tieri, Rucka, Austen, Jones, Vaughn, Simone, Winik ... the list goes on.

[Arachne]

I bow down to all who claimed Mystique was the cat. :D That last panel had my jaw drop.

I LOVE what they did with Betsy. It makes more sense than what they did in 616- and Brian was there! Excalibur is still the greatest X-title in my book, so I'm so happy they showed him.

Showing Rogue with a family was odd, but funny. Bobby and Kitty seem to be hitting it off- good thing as I hope they really make Peter gay. To do so would break so much ground in comics. As much as I love Northstar in Uncanny, he is based on too many sterotypes. As for the Peter not being pissed at Scott for hurting Logan- Logan tried to KILL Scott. Peter knew Scott wouldn't kill Logan. Actually that's what's leaving the biggest questions in my mind. Logan tried to KILL Scott. How do you get past that?

[Yogan]

i just love how Millar somehow incorporate the whole Psylocke/Kwannon thing into Ultimate X-Men. and i agree with some of you, that while this might seem like an epilogue, i'm sure this isn't.

which brings me to the subject.. i really hate how Millar ends a storyarc with another cliffhanger. i mean, if you're gonna end a storyarc, just end it, dammit! i really really hope he'll wrap up most of his own dangling plotlines on the next issue. i don't wanna see my favorite book turn into Uncanny X-Men in the 90s with its loose plotlines everywhere..