“…I want to believe I can be more.”
In the realm of comics, especially experimental comics, stories such as Ultimate X-Men lasting this long is quite refreshing. Now, in the grand scheme of things, this mostly comes down to Peach Momoko, the largest comic artist in the game besides DC’s Dan Mora.
There is much to be said about how Momoko and Zack Davisson are doing a lot to evolve superheroes, even if Marvel as a company tends to go backwards in their own creative decisions and management. Momoko is able to do whatever she wants because everyone in the industry knows that creators like her, Hayden Sherman, and Javier Rodriguez are the future of comics. They bring a flair that is only seen in the underground.
I can say genuinely that I have no issues with this installment of Ultimate X-Men.
Seriously.
Marvel
Davisson’s dialogue is great and carries a lot of emotional weight especially with Mori and Natsu as we see their sister-like bond at its strongest. Mori being a tragic character is something that was hinted at long ago but the way the dialogue and overall storytelling flows into Momoko’s messaging and dark yet beautiful art, it’s fantastic.
Not to mention, both Momoko and Davisson handle the overarching drama between Hisako and Mei well as we get a brand new setup for the arc to come. The two creators make it clear that their story is predominantly standalone and in controversial belief, I feel like the rest of the Ultimate titles should’ve followed suit. The overarching connection between the main core books is admirable, but this level of storytelling comes from the immediate power of telling a story that’s strictly your own to tell.
Over at DC, the Absolute Universe understands this. I think the story of fictionalized teenage punks fighting against the complicated struggles of Japanese society, Happy Science, and identity is personal and you need that personal touch in order to revamp superheroes.
This is all because superheroes are a societal mythology – every culture and belief bleeds into them. Following that, Momoko’s art continues to perfectly shape the story with each and every scene. Mori’s design work and the showcase of her regenerative abilities are a gruesome nod back to Momoko’s days as an indie creator and it’s pleasant to see.
Not to mention, it is quite funny how this book manages to push the limits of how far it can use its rating limitations in terms of gore and subject matter. Especially since Momoko has been recognized more as a horror creator than anything.
Marvel
Additionally, Momoko’s backdrops to this issue are gorgeous particularly with the reunion of Natsu and the team. There is a warmness to the environment that makes the whole sequence feel welcoming and safe, which is the same feeling that Natsu herself has with the rest of the core X-Men. This is brilliantly followed up with the cold and tense scenery as they venture into the death place of Tsubasa to try and find Hisako.
As we conclude, I just want to say that I really do love Ultimate X-Men. As a longtime X-Men fan it checks all the metaphorical boxes, and as a critic and comic writer, I find that it has some of the strongest storytelling on the shelves right now. I’m excited for what’s to come with this series and its cast of characters.
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