Written by Jeph Loeb.
Art by Arthur Adams; Aspen MLT’s Peter Steigerwald; Aspen’s MLT’s Mark Roslan; Richard Starkings; & Comicraft’s Albert Deschesne.
Cover Art by Arthur Adams; Peter Steigerwald; & Mark Roslan.
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics for August 2011, this issue concludes a mini-series set months after the game-changing Ultimate X-Men series finale. With this alternate-reality Earth having declared open season on mutants, the few surviving X-Men are believed to be incarcerated.
Hiding out in New York/New Jersey, an undercover Jean Grey (now a dark brunette calling herself ‘Karen Grant’) holds together her small group of young mutants: the winged Derek; Liz Allan; and young Jimmy Hudson – the son of Wolverine. An unsuspecting Jimmy is badly injured by an attacking Sabretooth. ‘Karen,’ as a result, recruits Bruce Banner’s also-fugitive Hulk to deliver a retaliatory message.
Appearing as rival opposition, Quicksilver has Mystique and Blob amongst his makeshift Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. As ‘Karen’ contemplates her inexperienced squad’s next move, she calls upon the presence of an unexpected ace-in-the-hole.
REVIEW:
Jeph Loeb’s plotting effectively sets up an edgy future for Marvel’s Ultimate X-Men franchise. Further enhanced by the art team’s stellar visuals (i.e. the cover image), Ultimate X # 5 proves a welcome read for fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The first page teases readers of which five characters are pivotal in this mini-series. Along with hyping the release of a complete hardcover edition, there’s an epilogue entitled “What is Ultimate X?” from Marvel Senior Editor Mark Paniccia.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
