Marvel has promised that the long showdown comes to an end in Ultimate X-Men #22, with Shadowking facing off against Armor. It’s a complicated relationship, as Armor has been dealing with rage issues and isn’t a stereotypical hero, and Shadow King recently saved Armor and her friends. When it comes to loose ends, this issue feels like the closure of something big, with only two issues left to go.
Ultimate X-Men #22 can be split into two sections. The first is the big fight between Shadow King and the X-Men, while the rest of the issue acts more like an epilogue than anything else. Peach Momoko delivers big time on the visual front while establishing a yin and a yang relationship between Armor and Shadow King. It makes their showdown feel fated, with huge ramifications for the victor.
The issue opens with Armor and her friends facing off against Shadow King. He’s just subdued the Children of the Atom from hurting the protagonists, but he’s not done yet. Maystorm is angry and wants a piece of Shadow King, but before she can get it, he’s striking out at her. Thankfully, Armor has a good handle on her powers, protecting her friends. Momoko does a great job showing his powers wrapping around and trying to penetrate Armor’s pink bubble, adding a glassy finish to convey its translucency. Once he breaks through, the stringy shadows have an elasticity that’s hard to miss.
Cool effects.
Credit: Marvel
To increase the blockbuster nature of the fight, Momoko will blow you away with full and double-page splashes. They’re partly scary and horrific, but also incredibly dramatic. The sound effect “POP” may even linger with you; it’s just that shocking.
As far as the writing, there are some good, subtle details thrown in from Shadow King. One gets the impression that his power really is the opposite of Amor’s. Props to Zack Davisson for capturing the slight nuance.
Delivering a big action scene is one thing, but the rest of the issue does a good job setting up the road ahead. There’s a peacefulness that juxtaposes well with the fight, which then evolves into Maystorm’s continued rage and desire for justice. A key hint about Armor is thrown in, but mostly the final few pages are a quiet before another storm entirely.
Ultimate X-Men #22 delivers the long-promised showdown with style and resonance, pairing Peach Momoko’s breathtaking visuals with a thematically rich clash between Armor and Shadow King. While the tone shift in the back half may feel subdued, the issue lands its emotional beats and sets the stage for a powerful endgame.
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