Eric J. Moreels
Feb 13, 2002, 09:56 am
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultxmen-half.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ultxmen-halft.jpg" align=left alt="Ultimate X-Men #½"></a>Reviewer: Eric J. Moreels, xfan@ihug.com.au
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: Burial Service
Professor X sends the X-Men to recruit Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch in this epilogue to "Return To Weapon X".
Written by: Geoff Johns
Pencilled by: Aaron Lopresti
Inked by: Danny Miki
Lettered by: Comicraft
Colored by: Hi-Fi Design
Assistant Editor: Pete Franco
Editor: Mark Powers
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
In recent times, the Wizard #½ issues have become more and more linked to the series' that they promote, and this issue is no exception. Whilst not essential for fans of the regular series, Ultimate X-Men #½ offers a fantastic story with great art that is well worth the asking price.
As is evidenced by the costumes the characters are wearing, this story appears to take place at some point after the conclusion of the "Return To Weapon X" story arc in Ultimate X-Men #12. The X-Men have been dispatched by Professor X to attempt to recruit ex-Brotherhood members Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch into their ranks. Catching up with the mutant siblings, the X-Men find them attacking an army convoy and, after a brief skirmish, they learn why. It seems that the convoy were transporting the remains of their father, Magneto, and Pietro and Wanda merely want to ensure he gets a proper burial.
However, the cargo truck's contents aren't quite what anyone was expecting. After Quicksilver threatens the commanding officer with undoubtedly the best line of the issue, Cyclops makes the Professor's offer to the former Brotherhood members. Just as the pair are about to accept, human intolerance rears its ugly head and puts an end to seeing Pietro and Wanda joining the X-Men, possibly forever. Sigh. Stupid humans...
Wanda plants a kiss goodbye on Scott and leaves with Pietro, but after an argument she ends up leaving her brother who vows to never turn his back on his father again! Ominous stuff, for sure, and hopefully a portent for things to come in the regular monthly book.
Quicksilver has always been a favourite character of mine, and it's great to see that his Ultimate universe counterpart is basically the same brash and arrogant speedster that he is in the regular Marvel universe, just with a whole lot more attitude! He truly steals the show in this issue thanks to the talented writing of Geoff Johns, who shows that he has a good grip on who all these characters are and what makes them tick. I have no doubt that Johns will be turning a lot of heads with his upcoming work on Morlocks and Avengers if this issue is anything to go by. Here's hoping Pietro and Wanda remain members of Earth's Mightiest Heroes during Johns' tenure, as I'd love to see what he'd do with them on a monthly basis.
Lopresti's art is equally as impressive. After a rather tame result on the recent Rogue X-Men Icons mini-series, Lopresti cranks it up a notch for this issue. He shows he's easily capable of rendering frenetic action scenes as well as tender character moments, with a fantastic range of facial expressions. The last page with Pietro putting on his father's helmet in remembrance was both foreboding and heart-wrenching. Here's hoping Marvel sees what a talent they've got with Lopresti and that they give him a regular monthly gig.
If you haven't ordered yourself a copy, don't delay else you'll be passing up a fantastic story that no X-Men fan, Ultimate or otherwise, should miss.
ART:
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STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: Burial Service
Professor X sends the X-Men to recruit Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch in this epilogue to "Return To Weapon X".
Written by: Geoff Johns
Pencilled by: Aaron Lopresti
Inked by: Danny Miki
Lettered by: Comicraft
Colored by: Hi-Fi Design
Assistant Editor: Pete Franco
Editor: Mark Powers
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
In recent times, the Wizard #½ issues have become more and more linked to the series' that they promote, and this issue is no exception. Whilst not essential for fans of the regular series, Ultimate X-Men #½ offers a fantastic story with great art that is well worth the asking price.
As is evidenced by the costumes the characters are wearing, this story appears to take place at some point after the conclusion of the "Return To Weapon X" story arc in Ultimate X-Men #12. The X-Men have been dispatched by Professor X to attempt to recruit ex-Brotherhood members Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch into their ranks. Catching up with the mutant siblings, the X-Men find them attacking an army convoy and, after a brief skirmish, they learn why. It seems that the convoy were transporting the remains of their father, Magneto, and Pietro and Wanda merely want to ensure he gets a proper burial.
However, the cargo truck's contents aren't quite what anyone was expecting. After Quicksilver threatens the commanding officer with undoubtedly the best line of the issue, Cyclops makes the Professor's offer to the former Brotherhood members. Just as the pair are about to accept, human intolerance rears its ugly head and puts an end to seeing Pietro and Wanda joining the X-Men, possibly forever. Sigh. Stupid humans...
Wanda plants a kiss goodbye on Scott and leaves with Pietro, but after an argument she ends up leaving her brother who vows to never turn his back on his father again! Ominous stuff, for sure, and hopefully a portent for things to come in the regular monthly book.
Quicksilver has always been a favourite character of mine, and it's great to see that his Ultimate universe counterpart is basically the same brash and arrogant speedster that he is in the regular Marvel universe, just with a whole lot more attitude! He truly steals the show in this issue thanks to the talented writing of Geoff Johns, who shows that he has a good grip on who all these characters are and what makes them tick. I have no doubt that Johns will be turning a lot of heads with his upcoming work on Morlocks and Avengers if this issue is anything to go by. Here's hoping Pietro and Wanda remain members of Earth's Mightiest Heroes during Johns' tenure, as I'd love to see what he'd do with them on a monthly basis.
Lopresti's art is equally as impressive. After a rather tame result on the recent Rogue X-Men Icons mini-series, Lopresti cranks it up a notch for this issue. He shows he's easily capable of rendering frenetic action scenes as well as tender character moments, with a fantastic range of facial expressions. The last page with Pietro putting on his father's helmet in remembrance was both foreboding and heart-wrenching. Here's hoping Marvel sees what a talent they've got with Lopresti and that they give him a regular monthly gig.
If you haven't ordered yourself a copy, don't delay else you'll be passing up a fantastic story that no X-Men fan, Ultimate or otherwise, should miss.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xhalf.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg