James Groves
Mar 19, 2006, 06:50 am
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/ultxmen68.jpg"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/ultxmen68t.jpg" align=left hspace=10 alt="Ultimate X-Men #68"></a> Reviewer: Zachary Ayotte, zachzealand@gmail.com
Story Title: Date Night: Part Three
Creation Myth
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler: Tom Raney
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colours: Gina Going
Letters: VC’s Rus Wooten
Production: Kate Levin
Assistant Editor: Nicole Boose
Associate Editor:John Barber
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Published by: Marvel Comics (http://www.marvel.com)
Most hormonally charged teenagers hope to end a date by getting a hug, a kiss or a little something more. As this date night draws to a close, it would seem the X-Men certainly managed to get some. Professor X got some answers; Wolverine and Storm got some fight-time; Kitty got a very expensive cab ride; Nick Fury got his man; Elliot Boggs got a new home; Scott got a little spontaneity; and Bobby and Rogue got… a little something more.
With his first arc in the bag, Robert Kirkman has established a number of things, not the least of which is that he's got talent. Fortunately, he also has a grasp on these characters. More than anything, though, I think he has established the fact that he is heading somewhere. The reader spends the largest portion of this issue with Professor X and Lilandra, both in the restaurant and in their minds. Over the course of their discussion we watch as Charles progresses from downright scary back to the idealist that we are used to. The darker side of Charles Xavier has been making cameos over the course of this title and Kirkman clearly demonstrates that he has no intention of letting it fall by the wayside. When parents get a free night away from their children they often take the opportunity to relax a little harder. When Xavier gets a night away from his children, he does not hesitate to play a little rougher. In the absence of his X-Men and the presence of a potential threat, Kirkman gives us an Xavier that threatens Lilandra with something that borders on torture. Readers who are not fans of Xavier’s darker side might not like this threat, but I thought it was well written and convincing. Xavier is clearly willing to do almost anything to protect both his X-men and his dream (which, one could argue, is personified through his students) and in a world that is so much more grey than it is black and white, the Charles Xavier that we are getting in this title is far more convincing and complex than a Charles Xavier that is true blue and always stays on the right side of his moral line.
Charlie’s threats lead to the planting of one of the many plot seeds that are sewn in this issue, the myth of the Phoenix. As a reader, I have been waiting for more about the Phoenix since Hellfire and Brimstone and in this issue I definitely got it. Facing the threats of Professor Xavier, Lilandra decides to spill the beans and tells us what the Phoenix actually is. I, again, really enjoyed the path that Kirkman has chosen in regards to the Phoenix. I was hesitant when I first read the words “Church of the Shi’ar” two issues ago, but my potential fears have been quelled. The original Phoenix Saga and proceeding Dark Phoenix Saga are classic stories. No matter how well it was written, an Ultimate Phoenix story that followed that same vein as the original would likely just end up being a lesser echo of the original sound. Fortunately, Kirkman has taken what Millar started (and Bendis and Vaughan continued) and has pointed Phoenix in a whole new direction. Hopefully she doesn’t curve, though, and end up driving the same highway as the original Phoenix.
Not only does Kirkman formally introduce us to the Phoenix in this issue, he also formally introduces us to Elliot Boggs…at gunpoint. Readers have been speculating about the identity of the young blonde/red haired underwear man since his appearance two issues ago (I myself was convinced that it was going to be Franklin Richards…even though this isn’t Ultimate Fantastic Four) and in this issue we finally get an answer. The solicitations for the next few issues mention a new mutant named The Magician. I think it is safe to assume that Elliot Boggs is the Magician. I had never heard of Elliot Boggs or the Magician so I tried to track down some record of him. I even googled him. Nothing. Well, nothing X-Men related. Of course, it didn’t occur to me that he could be a new character. Not right away anyway. But the introduction of a character that, as far as I can tell, was not borrowed from the pages of the 616 universe is one of the reasons that I am getting so exited about Kirkman’s run. It means that he is attempting to continue pushing the Ultimate universe farther away from the 616 universe. And even though introducing a new character to the X-fold that actually sticks around is about as hard as introducing a new staple condiment, I am still looking forward to the Magician and the role that he will play in upcoming events, especially since he seems to have some seemingly limitless powers.
Of course, one of these upcoming events is set in motion on the last page of this title. I don’t want to spoil the surprise for anyone who has not read this issue yet so I won’t go into too much detail here. We do get an answer to the Wolverine/Sabertooth question though, and I love that Kirkman had me. As for the impending Wolverine story line, I think it could go either way. I think it will either be excellent or very poor. For this one, we will really have to just wait and see.
The rest of this issue generally focuses on less dramatic equally important moments in the lives of the X-Men. Bobby and Rogue are…well they’re a couple again. Scott and Jean are also getting closer but in a more clothed sort of way. The contrast of these two bedroom scenes was great. It was such a defining moment for the two relationships and the characters involved.
Kitty and Piotr had a brief chat on the front steps of the mansion and I have to say that Kirkman really is keeping me guessing with these two. While I feel like Peter Parker and Mary Janewill end up together in the end, no matter how much I don’t want it to happen, I don’t necessarily think that Kitty and Piotr share that fate. Any writer could get them together with five simple words “It was just a phase” but I don’t think that is where Kirkman is headed. This being the case, I can’t tell what he was doing with Kitty and Piotr’s little discourse. Was it a big fake out? Is he trying to turn Kitty into the Grace to Piotr’s Will? Is he going to get them together? Does it simply mean that they live in the same house and are bound to run into each other? I have no idea. To me, this demonstrates that Kirkman has recognized an advantage that he has. While this title has attracted many new readers, there are many fans (myself included) who are all too aware of the original 616 stories. Even though we know this is a different universe, and some of us want it to stay different, it is hard not to bring what we know to the table. Kirkman can give us a scene between Kitty and Piotr that means very little to the two characters, but we project all this meaning onto the moment. This gives Kirkman more of a chance to surprise us, to distract us with one hand and then catch us off guard with the other. I look forward to seeing what he can do with this.
My problem with this issue is minor. Very minor. In essence it isn’t even a problem. It is about Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. Does S.H.I.E.L.D. have the ability to detect mutants? I was unsure but it sure seemed like they did based on how quickly their agents moved in on Elliot. If he does, it sure does take some of the shine off Cerebro. I also found it convenient that he was “in the area” but I don’t know Nick Fury personally. Who knows what he was doing there. Plus, for him, with all his gadgets and gizmos, Antarctica could be in the area.
Robert Kirkman is really taking to these characters, and I would say that Tom Raney is starting to do the same. I was impressed with the consistency in this issue as well as detail. The art in the past couple of issues was decent, but I wasn’t falling out of my chair over it. After this issue I was still in my chair but I was impressed. Lilandra’s face in the last issue kept changing to the point that I thought Xavier was out to dinner with Cher. In this issue, Cher was gone. Lilandra’s face was consistent, and more importantly, it conveyed emotion. The look on her face in the first panel of page two communicated a sense of subdued helplessness that, in my opinion, helped make the scene work so well. There was only one panel of Kitty’s face that looked off to me, and his full page Phoenix more than made up for that. I know we are in for a guest artist next arc, but when Raney returns, I hope to see his work continue to climb towards the heights that I have seen from him in the past.
All in all, I enjoyed this issue. I think Kirkman has established his own voice and direction for the X-Men. The characters are all recognizable and believable. He’s even giving them his own trimmings (I loved that Kitty was the comic relief in the scene with Xavier and Fury…Spidey must be rubbing off on her). He has planted his garden and I will be here to see how his stories grow. The X-Men all got a little something in this arc, but now that our first date with Robert Kirkman is over it’s safe to say that we did too.
ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xhalf.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xnone.jpg
STORY:
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OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xnone.jpg
Buy Ultimate X-Men #68 online now from X-World and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=50&cat=ULTIMATE+X%2DMEN
)
Story Title: Date Night: Part Three
Creation Myth
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler: Tom Raney
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colours: Gina Going
Letters: VC’s Rus Wooten
Production: Kate Levin
Assistant Editor: Nicole Boose
Associate Editor:John Barber
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Published by: Marvel Comics (http://www.marvel.com)
Most hormonally charged teenagers hope to end a date by getting a hug, a kiss or a little something more. As this date night draws to a close, it would seem the X-Men certainly managed to get some. Professor X got some answers; Wolverine and Storm got some fight-time; Kitty got a very expensive cab ride; Nick Fury got his man; Elliot Boggs got a new home; Scott got a little spontaneity; and Bobby and Rogue got… a little something more.
With his first arc in the bag, Robert Kirkman has established a number of things, not the least of which is that he's got talent. Fortunately, he also has a grasp on these characters. More than anything, though, I think he has established the fact that he is heading somewhere. The reader spends the largest portion of this issue with Professor X and Lilandra, both in the restaurant and in their minds. Over the course of their discussion we watch as Charles progresses from downright scary back to the idealist that we are used to. The darker side of Charles Xavier has been making cameos over the course of this title and Kirkman clearly demonstrates that he has no intention of letting it fall by the wayside. When parents get a free night away from their children they often take the opportunity to relax a little harder. When Xavier gets a night away from his children, he does not hesitate to play a little rougher. In the absence of his X-Men and the presence of a potential threat, Kirkman gives us an Xavier that threatens Lilandra with something that borders on torture. Readers who are not fans of Xavier’s darker side might not like this threat, but I thought it was well written and convincing. Xavier is clearly willing to do almost anything to protect both his X-men and his dream (which, one could argue, is personified through his students) and in a world that is so much more grey than it is black and white, the Charles Xavier that we are getting in this title is far more convincing and complex than a Charles Xavier that is true blue and always stays on the right side of his moral line.
Charlie’s threats lead to the planting of one of the many plot seeds that are sewn in this issue, the myth of the Phoenix. As a reader, I have been waiting for more about the Phoenix since Hellfire and Brimstone and in this issue I definitely got it. Facing the threats of Professor Xavier, Lilandra decides to spill the beans and tells us what the Phoenix actually is. I, again, really enjoyed the path that Kirkman has chosen in regards to the Phoenix. I was hesitant when I first read the words “Church of the Shi’ar” two issues ago, but my potential fears have been quelled. The original Phoenix Saga and proceeding Dark Phoenix Saga are classic stories. No matter how well it was written, an Ultimate Phoenix story that followed that same vein as the original would likely just end up being a lesser echo of the original sound. Fortunately, Kirkman has taken what Millar started (and Bendis and Vaughan continued) and has pointed Phoenix in a whole new direction. Hopefully she doesn’t curve, though, and end up driving the same highway as the original Phoenix.
Not only does Kirkman formally introduce us to the Phoenix in this issue, he also formally introduces us to Elliot Boggs…at gunpoint. Readers have been speculating about the identity of the young blonde/red haired underwear man since his appearance two issues ago (I myself was convinced that it was going to be Franklin Richards…even though this isn’t Ultimate Fantastic Four) and in this issue we finally get an answer. The solicitations for the next few issues mention a new mutant named The Magician. I think it is safe to assume that Elliot Boggs is the Magician. I had never heard of Elliot Boggs or the Magician so I tried to track down some record of him. I even googled him. Nothing. Well, nothing X-Men related. Of course, it didn’t occur to me that he could be a new character. Not right away anyway. But the introduction of a character that, as far as I can tell, was not borrowed from the pages of the 616 universe is one of the reasons that I am getting so exited about Kirkman’s run. It means that he is attempting to continue pushing the Ultimate universe farther away from the 616 universe. And even though introducing a new character to the X-fold that actually sticks around is about as hard as introducing a new staple condiment, I am still looking forward to the Magician and the role that he will play in upcoming events, especially since he seems to have some seemingly limitless powers.
Of course, one of these upcoming events is set in motion on the last page of this title. I don’t want to spoil the surprise for anyone who has not read this issue yet so I won’t go into too much detail here. We do get an answer to the Wolverine/Sabertooth question though, and I love that Kirkman had me. As for the impending Wolverine story line, I think it could go either way. I think it will either be excellent or very poor. For this one, we will really have to just wait and see.
The rest of this issue generally focuses on less dramatic equally important moments in the lives of the X-Men. Bobby and Rogue are…well they’re a couple again. Scott and Jean are also getting closer but in a more clothed sort of way. The contrast of these two bedroom scenes was great. It was such a defining moment for the two relationships and the characters involved.
Kitty and Piotr had a brief chat on the front steps of the mansion and I have to say that Kirkman really is keeping me guessing with these two. While I feel like Peter Parker and Mary Janewill end up together in the end, no matter how much I don’t want it to happen, I don’t necessarily think that Kitty and Piotr share that fate. Any writer could get them together with five simple words “It was just a phase” but I don’t think that is where Kirkman is headed. This being the case, I can’t tell what he was doing with Kitty and Piotr’s little discourse. Was it a big fake out? Is he trying to turn Kitty into the Grace to Piotr’s Will? Is he going to get them together? Does it simply mean that they live in the same house and are bound to run into each other? I have no idea. To me, this demonstrates that Kirkman has recognized an advantage that he has. While this title has attracted many new readers, there are many fans (myself included) who are all too aware of the original 616 stories. Even though we know this is a different universe, and some of us want it to stay different, it is hard not to bring what we know to the table. Kirkman can give us a scene between Kitty and Piotr that means very little to the two characters, but we project all this meaning onto the moment. This gives Kirkman more of a chance to surprise us, to distract us with one hand and then catch us off guard with the other. I look forward to seeing what he can do with this.
My problem with this issue is minor. Very minor. In essence it isn’t even a problem. It is about Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. Does S.H.I.E.L.D. have the ability to detect mutants? I was unsure but it sure seemed like they did based on how quickly their agents moved in on Elliot. If he does, it sure does take some of the shine off Cerebro. I also found it convenient that he was “in the area” but I don’t know Nick Fury personally. Who knows what he was doing there. Plus, for him, with all his gadgets and gizmos, Antarctica could be in the area.
Robert Kirkman is really taking to these characters, and I would say that Tom Raney is starting to do the same. I was impressed with the consistency in this issue as well as detail. The art in the past couple of issues was decent, but I wasn’t falling out of my chair over it. After this issue I was still in my chair but I was impressed. Lilandra’s face in the last issue kept changing to the point that I thought Xavier was out to dinner with Cher. In this issue, Cher was gone. Lilandra’s face was consistent, and more importantly, it conveyed emotion. The look on her face in the first panel of page two communicated a sense of subdued helplessness that, in my opinion, helped make the scene work so well. There was only one panel of Kitty’s face that looked off to me, and his full page Phoenix more than made up for that. I know we are in for a guest artist next arc, but when Raney returns, I hope to see his work continue to climb towards the heights that I have seen from him in the past.
All in all, I enjoyed this issue. I think Kirkman has established his own voice and direction for the X-Men. The characters are all recognizable and believable. He’s even giving them his own trimmings (I loved that Kitty was the comic relief in the scene with Xavier and Fury…Spidey must be rubbing off on her). He has planted his garden and I will be here to see how his stories grow. The X-Men all got a little something in this arc, but now that our first date with Robert Kirkman is over it’s safe to say that we did too.
ART:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xhalf.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xnone.jpg
STORY:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xnone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xfull.jpghttp://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/xnone.jpg
Buy Ultimate X-Men #68 online now from X-World and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=50&cat=ULTIMATE+X%2DMEN
)