Why Does Ultimate X-Men Feel So Different?

[@CasuallyComics]

Which Ultimate Title Is Your Favorite And Why?

[@YukianesaDrive]

Definitely Spider-man but with The Ultimates proper starting, that might change. I like them all so far. As far as this series being very Japanese... I'm glad for it. In general, I'm not fond of Marvel's obsession with New York. Even as someone who likes New York, it doesn't help the variety of the stories they tell. Between Black Panther, this and the Council that was introduced and has villains from all over the globe, I feel like the Ultimate comics will have a more worldly feel.

[@TheMaster4863]

If I was gonna favourite to least favourite it would be Ultimate X-Men because it's so different Ultimate Spider-Man because it's just a really good version of Spider-Man obviously you can tell I prefer the more slice of life storytelling Ultimate Black Panther it's a little slow but the political drama is interesting and the Ultimates it's only had one issue so far but just seems kinda generic

[@YukianesaDrive]

@@TheMaster4863 I really liked the angle of Hank trying very hard not to turn out like... Hank always does.

[@TheMaster4863]

@@YukianesaDrive yeah, I liked the stuff with Hank and Janet. I just wasn’t super invested in the rest of them mostly yet

[@YukianesaDrive]

@TheMaster4863 Doom might be neat, at least too... If he's ya know, significantly different from 616 Reed, which he seems to be

[@bensneb360]

I gotta give them credit, when they said they would try something different with this new Ultimate Universe, they really swung for the fences. Weather or not it all works out, I appreciate the big creative swing.

[@brettwood1351]

Hey, you want a X-Men book with Mutants being Feared and Hated, staring the likes of Wolverine, Cyclops and the usual suspects, well they've hardly stopped doing that in the 616. But X-Men has needed a different take to give them something new to work with for a long time, and this is filling that need.

[@jfoster8624]

​@@brettwood1351I mean the karkoa era was different it completely changed everything I wish it went on longer

[@robb1914]

@@jfoster8624Unfortunately 616 is back to square one because the new leaders didn’t like Krakoa

[@GenerationWest]

Like I said earlier, this book is interesting, it's just not a X-Men book or really a mutant book for that matter. More like a supernatural/horror manga. If it was called "Ultimate Armor", or "Ultimate New Mutants", but then eyes wouldn't be on it if it was called that.

[@dippypepsi1728]

Yeah me too, I thought the book itself was alright, with interesting art etc. and as you said, it's not an X-Men book.

[@cdavid0715]

Expectations can ruin your enjoyment of any piece of media, the fact this book carries the Xmen name its a double edge sword. It will make people notice it but it will also make more people dislike or even hate it than if it had another title

[@dippypepsi1728]

@@cdavid0715 100% that's true

[@Spyderdraggon1]

The problem is that by using the X-Men title to do whatever this is supposed to be, it prevents there from being an actual Ultimate X-Men book. If they called or Ultimate Armor or someone like that, then I wouldn't be so upset, but I hate this because this keeps us from getting a real Ultimate X-Men. It's not great to pull a bait and switch to get eyes on a project by mislabeling it. We'll see how it does, but my guess is that sales are gonna crater when X-Men readers try this expecting X-Men.

[@DeliciaDamaria]

You are not the one who decides what is or not a "X-Men book"

[@willowpackerthestoryteller135]

I for one would read 100 issues of slice of life stories for every single X-Man, as a pre-teen struggling with their powers and growing up.

[@shirouemiya1650]

Did you perhaps enjoy Xmen Evolution.

[@justmindset]

If you haven't read it already, You might enjoy New X-Men / academy x (2004). It's got a similar vibe of slice-of-life / school life

[@Lili-ib2rh]

Honestly, I like the use of lesser-known x-men characters and the art is very appealing to me. I think the only thing I'd change is the fact that being a mutant doesn't seem important in this story. Mutation has always been a metaphor for difference, and in a society like Japan where uniformity is considered the norm, it seems like a missed opportunity.

[@Rixec2]

I think it's something they may be building to. I mean, they've been trying not to show off their powers to everyone. That's a subtle way of them trying not to stand out. Even Mei, who does stand out more thanks to her hair and eye color changing, is only showing her powers to those she feels are like her. And even she is afraid when footage of Hisako got out. They have been keeping to the uniformity and indulging in their differences in private, but we may soon see what happens once the lid pops off.

[@luciuswhite4502]

I think the Shadow King equivalent does seem to comment or at least portray some dark aspects of japanese society. The fact that it's a college setting at start and suicides are so relevant to the story as well. It's also been established that the Rasputin Family and Storm use their powers publicly but nobody calls them Mutants yet. Mutants seem scarce, so these cases might be considered a fluke. Armor's fight going viral might be the first public incident that makes the people realize that anyone can be a Mutant and then repercussions may occur.

[@DivertingStory]

Mutation was originally just a way to have a team of super powered people without needing an origin. That was the original motivation for it. The allegory came really only seriously into play with Claremont.

[@artist0154]

I think is important that is treated differently from the usual X-men, the X-Men are in USA, a very political, conflictive and rigid country, being there is like being in the eye of the storm, but other countries dont work or think like that, I get that X-men are a symbol for the outcast, the oppresion, and different, but even that is treated for better or worse in other countries In India they have a third gender part of their religion, law and culture to the point that they are treated equally, in Latam we are so mixed that we dont care about your race cause we all came from slaves, natives and conquistadores, in SEA they have diverse religions, beliefs and traditions and they are ok with all of them living together So is not that weird to think that mutants are treated differently in other countries too, specially in an elseworld

[@kieranholmes8086]

@@DivertingStorySo extremely early on in the X-Men’s lifespan then?

[@Lonestarz95]

Compared to the 616 Xmen comics nowadays. I actually have been enjoying Ultimate Xmen. Its different, and I commend Momoko for trying something new.

[@brettwood1351]

Yeah. Armor isn't exactly a new character. And that's a thing. It feels like every new creative team introduces a new generation of mutants, but we mostly just default back to the O5 and Claremont era characters. Sure you may get one or two return for a team in a new run, but you can bet Cyclops, Jean, Gambit, Rogue and of course Wolverine are still going to be front and center. That "Youth" element, being the new generation, it's kinda lost when it's the same old characters so much.

[@nikolap490]

​@@brettwood1351Logan is presumed deceased in this universe so I don't think we'll see him here.

[@hentaimonster]

@@brettwood1351 this is what happens when all you get are facelift carbon copy of characters from those era who are more fleshed out and feel real while still supplying those sweet wacky superhero antics. It is just sad and Marvel is just used as a loss-leader for Disney movies now.

[@mimictear6788]

@@nikolap490 Knock on wood.

[@Yippeykaymf]

​@@nikolap490is he tho?isn't this a whole new universe from the og ultimate universe

[@leephillips4402]

In 2000 the Ultimate Universe was created because someone wanted to write more Teenage Spider-Man stories, now it's been brought back so we can finally get some good adult Spider-Man stories.

[@brettwood1351]

It turns out we really do want a married to MJ Peter with kids that's a bit older. Who Knew? Oh wait, we did.

[@leephillips4402]

@@brettwood1351 next we'll find out we don't want Barry Allen, the Wolverine/Jean Grey/Cyclops love triangle, constant references to The Joker falling into acid or a new Secret Crisis every month.

[@aqwkingchampion13]

@@leephillips4402 What’s wrong with Barry? I know Wally’s more popular, but from what I’ve seen of Barry, he’s a good character.

[@Mayckon.D.Colman]

​@@aqwkingchampion13 In my buble Barry is much more popular due to the CW show and the new animations and games always been Barry since mid 2000s. For me, I'm tired of Barry just like I'm tired of Batman. It's always the same story about his mother, his father and Reverse Flash. Every Flash run since 2011 always starts good with Barry, he strugles with his parents' questions and it's revealed that it was Thawne. I'm sick of it and, I went back to read the Wally run and it was awesome. He decovered the speed force. Fought demons, aliens, had up and downs with Linda, all in a compelling way for the most part and always growing. I mean read the Jeremy Adams run on Wally. It was so refreshing to read something diferent with a not boring character. I didn't know I needed the Flash and some Hulk Hogan pastiche to fight a lot a dudes in skin tight clothes but I loved it and I never get that with Barry. Sorry for the text but it's just how it is for me. I wage it's different for other people.

[@CodeNameX001]

​@@leephillips4402 I still argue that making a Scott/Jean/Logan throuple was the greatest thing House of X ever did

[@virgilbarrios3174]

I really like how different this X-Men is. You can feel just how isolated Hisako and the other mutants are because of the absence of Xavier and Magneto. I know some people think it feels like a Junji Ito manga, but I think, especially after issue #4, it's more reminiscent of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 4: Diamond Is Unbreakable.

[@diebesgrab]

Before this video I was only vaguely aware that the Ultimate universe was being revived, was unaware of this specific title, and had zero interest in anything Marvel related that had the word Ultimate attached to it. Now I wanna read this. It sounds refreshingly subtle and willing to take its time compared to most superhero comics. Plus the art looks great. Like, basically the complete opposite of what I expect from Ultimate Marvel.

[@Dougeb7]

I enjoyed this, as well as your first vid on UXmen. The biggest draw for me is Armor. Her powers and the visual depiction of them are really cool. I'm still on the fence though. So many comic book decisions.

[@birdknight6616]

I'm a weirdo who likes the weird and unconventional so I think I may actually pick up Ultimate X-Men. I just have never read a Peach Momoko work so I have no idea what to expect.

[@yamatokira4335]

If you like Japanese manga, then this book is for you. You know Japanese manga, right? Comics with light intimate story, slice of life thing.

[@birdknight6616]

@@yamatokira4335 You're asking someone who checks Mangadex daily and owns Vinland Saga volumes. I'm absolutely the target audience for this.

[@JanArrah]

@@yamatokira4335 A) Manga is Japanese. Japanese Manga is redundant because manga is Japanese. There are other names for works that are say, Korean like Manhwa or Manhua for Chinese works. And yes while Japan may use the term Manga for all comics, in English, we don't. So again, Japanese Manga is redundant. B) idk what you think Manga is, but that's one genre. It's not even a fraction of a percentage of all Manga. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon barely has any slice of life moments as they run from one crisis to the next, dying and fighting evil. Hunter x Hunter is filled with fights and adventures as is YuYu hakusho. While there are slice of life Manga, not all Manga is slice of life.. and Peach Momoko's other work, Demon Days is way more action packed and less slice of life than this.

[@JanArrah]

@@birdknight6616 If you like Ultimate X-Men, you should ABSOLUTELY check out her Demon Days series. It's a fantastic and inventive reimagining of the Marvel Universe as distinctly Japanese and it's soooo good. It's also fun to guess at what some of the characters are and who they are for the wider Marvel..

[@kelpietales4503]

I think if it was called Ultimate (New) Mutants it be more accepted by critics but then not get much as attention a la X-Men brand along with remind the fear of the MCU X-Men becoming just The Mutants. The pacing plus the monthly release seems to get in the book's way. This book does seem to be building up to something, as well as more recognizable mutants (Psylocke) and the role mutants play in the new Ultimate universe and most likely be turned against them. The themes and elements are soemthing you would find in X-Men books before but done in a work manga-esque way. I get some of the frustrations of this book, but its also frustrating that this book is doing something new with X-Men in its own space and people are not giving it a chance because no Wolverine or hang-ups about manga or what have you. Comics already are working with balancing something new and fresh while incorporating traditional characters, stories, themes or at least not alienating them. Not to mention good old status quota. Plus the thing with ensemble books while there's always the characters that are most popular and sell the book l, there's more obscure ones who may have fans who would like to them in more or be careful not to burn out an iconic line-up. Marvel is already putting out some traditional X-Men books in 616 as well as the '97 cartoon. I also say this as a Titans fan sick and tired DC and fanbase have trouble looking past the initial NTT seven despite loving that era too. Plus, this still looks more interesting than the X-Men manga from th early 00s that was more or less Kitty Pryde in a harem manga.

[@freman007]

Maybe people don't want their beloved manga associated with the dumpster fire that is Marvel Comics?

[@alexanderticonuwu7591]

There's a Kitty Pryde harem manga? The heck?

[@kelpietales4503]

@@alexanderticonuwu7591 yep I had to track it down again but it is really called X-Men: Misfits and weirdly enough was written by Raina Telgemeier herself in 2009. There was a sequel planned but was cancelled. It's an odd relic of the 00s anime/manga boom and forced a lot of X-Men characters and elements into shoujo manga tropes some not making sense like Iceman becoming the cold loner type, with a big twist of Kitty being the first female student at Xavier's in years so all the boys are interested in her of course. Yeah, I get the criticism for Momoko 's X-Men but it still feels more "X-Men" than past examples.

[@mantanox12]

I think it’s great so far. It’s young mutants coming into their powers and finding friendships with others who share that experience. It’s essential the X-men theme. The hated and feared aspect will come as the world gets to know mutants more. I can’t wait to see more

[@incendiesproductions]

Exactly. The implication so far from the book is that the populace of Earth-6160 generally don't know about the existence of mutants yet, but the events that are happening now in UXM are likely going to lead to that change happening.

[@mantanox12]

@@incendiesproductions right! I wish people gave the series more time to find some footing for itself before judging too hard. Momoko has to essentially craft not only the X-men, but the very idea of Mutants and how they’re perceived in this new world. I’m sure we’re going to get a deeper exploration into those ideas very soon.

[@chidaluokoro9104]

same

[@tyresselittle747]

Dude, your comment is perfect. Answer why this uxm book is x-men, but a different spin concept that not many people. See, but they only care for it to be traditional x-men look.

[@tyresselittle747]

​@mantanox12 1,000,000,000, agree, bro. I can already tell this ultimate title will be a hidden gem once it get to 15 issues later down the line.

[@monkeykingw]

So honestly, I knew nothing about the new Ultimate Universe being set. But literally everything you talked about got me interested in Ultimate X-Men. Like just on a surface level, because of Marvel Snap introducing me to Armor and Peach Momo's art, I was already hooked. But then everything else just continued to pull me further into interest

[@WyattoonsComics]

I’d much rather it be weird and different and “not fit in”. There’s plenty of other X-Men media going on right now, not all of it has to fit the “classic” vibe. I love that it feels so new and personal.

[@andrewknight2918]

ALWAYS learn something new. I'm reading this and everything you said causes the book to make a whole lot more sense.

[@drewk7330]

I'm literally obsessed. it's my favorite ongoing because of how fresh and different it feels. I love the more street level, interpersonal aspects of X-Men more than the multiversal grand expanded universe aspects. I was a fan of peach from demon days (which I still hope one day will continue) and this feels like only she could tell this story. not a lot of comic book writers seem to have such a unique POV.

[@quantumsurge7250]

I watched the X-men anime as a kid, so I was already aware of Hisako as a character, which entices me to read this. I really want to give this series a go but I have yet to be able to get my hands on any issues.

[@CasuallyComics]

Yay, someone else who remembers the X-Men anime!

[@darryldavis6063]

I always wanted another season of the Anime.

[@ggt47]

X-Men EVO was *my* X-Men.

[@wolv0223]

Why does Ultimate X-Men feel so different? Well, the short answer is: It *is* different. Almost everything about it is different. The art style that is non-traditional for an American comic book. The story is set in Japan, a departure both nominally and culturally (hence the "LeXicon" that Sasha mentions). The central "X-Men conflict" of Mutants vs. "a world that hates and fears them" has not yet started (though latest issue [time of -recording- commenting] seems to be setting it up), whereas the Man vs. Mutant struggle was on display all the way back in the original _X-Men_ #1. And then, of course, tonally, there's the slice of life/horror mash-up that Sasha mentions, whereas X-Men can be... many things, but tends toward more traditional superhero tones (action and/or soap opera; some of which we are [as above, ToC] starting to get in [New] Ultimate X-Men). The very concept of mutants is being tied to magic rather than science, at least so far, another peculiarity. Even as a New Ultimate title, it somewhat flips the premise of the universe on its head- the New Ultimate books are twists on the mainstream versions, but in a way that subverts the original Ultimate Marvel books; . Ultimate Peter Parker was a high schooler, akin to the earliest days of Spider-Man, whereas New Ultimate Peter is a father in his 30s, even older than modern mainstream Peter. The "Ultimate Marvel" Ultimates were a government super-team whereas the "Ultimate Universe" Ultimates are a rebel team, more akin to the modern Avengers rather than the early post-Civil War gov't-incorporate Avengers that the Ultimates are more akin (though Ultimates predated Civil War, to be clear). But for X-Men? It keeps the school setting of early X-Men and the original Ultimate X-Men, with teenaged characters, but picks less common characters to use alongside original creations in a largely revamped mythos- it could not be farther from the mainline X-Men books. It also hasn't really touched on the wider plot surrounding the Maker, making it almost like its own AU rather than "X-Men, but in a world where heroes are only just rising from underneath the Maker's oppression". It breaks the mold of the original Ultimate Marvel series, but it also breaks the mold of the Ultimate Universe and the main line of comics.

[@TheMaster4863]

so this is my first introduction to X-Men in the comics so I love it and I'm not really bothered by the differences from what it's supposed to be, which I guess is the cartoon? I'm a fairly new Marvel fan and have mostly just read Japanese comics until this year

[@parrata]

Oddly enough, while a Ultimate (6160) Spider-Man fan, I didn't pay attention to the other titles. And this video just totally caught my attention. EDIT: 11:10 Maybe that's a good thing regarding world-building. In a twisted way, The Maker still wants to create a perfect world. If I was a Marvel character who could and was willing to warp reality to build a "perfect" world, I would either erase mutant segregation or erase mutants themselves from existence. The Maker doesn't benefit from a global and systematic prejudice against a specific type of a meta-human, even if I can totally see it emerging here and there organically. Also, it's important to remember that Japan (now unified with the Koreas in a nation called Hi No Kuni) in this world is ruled by Viper and two mutants (Silver Samurai and Sunfire). No way the later two would not punish mutant prejudice.

[@DesperadoDingo]

Great comment and points, glad someone else in the comments has cracked this title before.

[@parrata]

@@DesperadoDingo i haven't read ultimate X-Men yet (again , I didn't planed to before this video), but I did read Ultimate Invasion, where many mutants and meta-humans were the rulers of their nations. As a side effect of The Maker's design, it makes sense mutantdom is more accepted at least in said nations.

[@thewhitewolf8699]

Really interesting video and really looked into why the book feels different from the other ultimate stuff in a really informative way. It's a complex irony...Comic book readers often complain about the super hero punching stuff troupe or power fantasy's but the very second a artist steps out of that this massive discourse happens. People spoke about Daredevil Born again like this as they Did Watchmen and they are now regarded as classics...In part at least cos they do stand out.

[@Yannis1a]

I really like this approach, I think giving each artist a new sandbox they are free to take risks and make their own stories is the way to go

[@tylordeboer7610]

Honestly, the new Ultimate X-Men reads more like a manga than a comic with its Japanese sensibilities. But I love the more manga like aspects of it. It’s the different approach I like the most. It feels like a Slice-of-Life series you’d find in a manga magazine. As a manga fan, this is probably why this is my first ongoing I’ve picked up from Marvel. As for the more typical X-Men feel some want, there’s plenty of X-Books that seem to be leaning towards what you think of when it comes to X-Men. The Ultimate Book lets them do something different.

[@matthewrowlett1564]

The lack of the "Mutant opression" theme actually makes sense... given the setting. It's written in a more modern setting, and in modern times, people are a lot more accepting of these things... plus, its set In Japan, and a LOT of Japanese Manga represent the country as more accepting of things like this... I'm surprised though, that there's no reference to OTHER Japanese Mutanta yet... it's an alternate universe, Hiro Yoshida could appear as. Classmate of theirs, for example... a new Ultimate Sunfire would be cool.

[@DesperadoDingo]

Doesn't seem like you've read any Ultimate books. Yoshida is in the Ultimate books. Not this one, yet. And without further spoilers, this world has its own gimmick as to why things might be playing out the way they are.

[@isaacmartinez2359]

I agree a lot of people are under the misconception that Japan is very confirmative but that’s not true it’s has people who go against the grain just like anywhere else it’s just our perception has been shaped through the media available to us about it

[@Yippeykaymf]

​@@isaacmartinez2359Yoshida is one of the big bads

[@Baraborn]

My Hero Academia features discrimination of more "monstrous quirks" so maybe Japan is just more vain?

[@Yippeykaymf]

@@Baraborn this ain't mha

[@lnrdo]

Thanks for this overview, was just the thing I needed to decide on whether to give this version of Ultimate X-Men a look or not :) I'd been mostly paying attention to the winding down of the Krakoan Age in the main X-books and tie-ins, mini-series, etc. This title was kinda off my radar until now, but I'm intrigued by the tonal differences and cultural elements you described. I loved Peach Momoko's art from Demon Days too, so I'm eager to dive in and see what it's like

[@xavierlaster]

I like the idea of different art styles being implemented for different regions in this new ultimate universe. That way you can have the same character still feel fresh in crossover stories.

[@Kira22558]

Art style looks cool.

[@marveler8994]

As someone who hasn't read the comic my opinion doesnt really mean much, but I'd kinda expect a book titled "Ultimate X-Men" to feature a team of some kind along with the usual themes of X-Men. I'm a big fan of Momoko's art but I can very much understand the frustration. It's kinda like making a new series called "The Avengers" but 80% of it is about Jack of Hearts or something lol

[@isaacmartinez2359]

I think unlike the avengers, which has an ever changing roster, this is doublely true for the X-Men who’s main cast is always brought to the forefront of people’s minds which makes those expectations even more powerful So yeah I agree

[@Spyderdraggon1]

It's the "Ultimate" bait and switch. I'm not sure how they expect X-Men readers to like it and how they expect Japanese Manga Horror fans to find it. Even as a non X-Men manga, it's so poorly written. The characters are written as two dimensional as they're drawn. There's no character that's complex in terms of morality or art detail. They're either super innocent or pure evil with nothing in between. This is the worst X-Men book ever.

[@DeliciaDamaria]

@@isaacmartinez2359 the X-Men roster also changes a lot, some characters are way more recurring than others but none is in all formations

[@vincentbatten4686]

I am consistently mind boggled by how so many comic book readers are so formalist and conservative in their desires for story and art. And to clear the record I'm not referring to partisanship. I'm talking about the fact that they have a narrow perspective of what kind of stories they will like and the level to which they will complain about its sheer existence. Everything has to be the same but also new. It needs to be a new take on the same old story. The comments about the art are incredibly obtuse to me as well. Everyone has tastes, but you're going to tell me Andrea Sorrentino, Chris Samnee, Alex Ross, and Fiona Staples are similar enough to be seen as "comic" artists, but Peach Momoko and other artists draw "manga" art. Those words are literally just names for the same medium across two languages. Even if they were for some reason different mediums, you don't think they should or could be fused? I don't see people saying that about American animated television productions or live action movies. Why is manga the thing people can't accept? This all seems so tiring. When the big two so rarely move against the grain, I wish people would celebrate that they are doing something different. For those who don't enjoy it, I welcome critique, and I think genuine insight is interesting, but this attitude of things just being too different is bizarre to me. At the very least, I wish people could concede that enough other people are enjoying something and determining that this just must not be for them and moving on with their lives. The problem I see is that some comic fans are crushed under the weight of their own suffocating solipsism that they don't understand that everything isn't supposed to be for them. Anyway, I'm sure this sounds more venomous than I intended. I'm mostly just baffled by these ideas. I wish the criticism dealt more honestly in trying to meet the work on its own terms rather than being upset that the work isn't something it very intentionally never wanted to be. If we were stuck in that mindset I would guarantee the majority of comics fans' favorite works never would have been made. I hope people can learn to expand their horizons from time to time, but if you enjoy having your very narrow tastes, there are plenty of people catering to it and that's a good thing. You should go celebrate those artists.

[@tyresselittle747]

How the way you point out fans that heavily dislike these ultimate lineups especially uxm. Is how I feel too, these people don't know how to take a hint and accept that these books aren't for you and just move on to other titles. Instead of just complaining ever single time just because. Your favorite comic isn't following what you like 🙄

[@juansanchez209]

In trying to criticize those with narrow preconceptions and unwillingness to accept other opinions, you actually also come across like somebody unwilling to accept the opinions of those who prefer what they would consider to be a more traditional approach Personally? I really like this book, but I also completely understand the arguments of those who don’t like it. And I can’t even refute those arguments because they’re well-founded IMO, all I can do is say that I personally disagree and find enjoyment in it for the same reasons that others dislike it

[@freman007]

@@tyresselittle747 "It's not for you" is a poor argument when that's the tagline for pretty much every North American comic these days. If they're "not for you", then who are they for? Is this supposed target audience actually buying these comics in sufficient quantities to justify these books' existence? Remember, in Stan Lee's day, if book sales dropped to 20,000 a month, they'd be cancelled. These days there're very few titles that can even manage that. Manga of course exceeds it easily, but then manga exists in a meritocracy, where if you don't produce products people want, you don't stay in business. As for the named artists, yes, Andrea Sorrentino, Chris Samnee, Alex Ross, and Fiona Staples do use a particular style associated with North American comic books. I dislike Fiona's Saga story BTW. Momoko's style is closer to that of manga artists, and I read a lot of manga. Far more than I do Western comics. That you can't tell the difference rather invalidates your rant.

[@alexanderticonuwu7591]

​@@tyresselittle747 The real response isn't "It's not for you". If we keep saying that, nobody would read anything but the 6385th story of Spider-Man's life sucking. "Give it a chance" is the right words. If they like a medium, they should suck it up and give a comic a shot regardless of art or story before deciding if they like it or not. We shouldn't gatekeep people, we should ask them to try something new.

[@theodorejenkins6066]

The reason they say the art is manga art because manga typically has a very distinct look that's very different from comicbooks. In my opinion a better look but as casuallycomics always says ymmv

[@therussiancomicbookgeek]

Love your videos ❤

[@BlahNetworkBro]

I’m glad you’re covering it again! After reading ultimates I picked the book up to catch up and learn more about the ultimates universe, unfortunately I haven’t been rewarded with much more world building info yet but I am enjoying the serious and grounded emotional tone! I would like to potentially catchup on ultimate spiderman or black panther but they seem to be more popular and harder to find in stock!

[@geekprotagonist1139]

Fantastic video very good break down

[@dreamcast2k1]

I think the ultimate X-men is great! I love that it’s different from the rest of the books sometimes it’s ok to do different things every once in awhile

[@Ellthom]

I am one of those people LOVE Peach Momokos art (like seriously her style made me get out my pencils again I love her style), but the story has sadly not been for me. But I do get the appeal.

[@bennywark3103]

Yeah the art is beautiful

[@Spyderdraggon1]

It's cartoon scribble with zero detail. Half the faces are giant eyes with one line for a mouth. It's what I would expect from a 4th grader. I just don't get how anybody could get excited about it. It's the comic book equivalent to a banana nailed to plywood. It's not really advanced or nuanced art, but for some reason some people think it's great. This is the single worst X-Men book of all time.

[@bennywark3103]

@@Spyderdraggon1 I like the style, it's pretty and not everything has to have alot of detail, sometimes simple is enough

[@Spyderdraggon1]

@@bennywark3103 Obviously some people really like it. You're right, simple is clearly enough for some folks. A banana duct-taped to a wall sold for $120,000 at Miami’s Art Basel. The banana clearly is art to somebody, but it's too simple to be art to me. The villain being a cartoon shadow with a jack-o'-lantern face is just too simple to be good. Technically anything can be art, but not all art is good.

[@lulu_TheWitchBoy]

@@Spyderdraggon1it’s a anime trope

[@padrebrendon]

I really like this book. BUT… I really like Peach Momoko’s style and I’m familiar with manga and its tropes. If someone asked me for an X-Men book to start with, I wouldn’t recommend this. Not because I don’t like it, but because it’s so different from your regular X-Book. It wouldn’t really give you a feel for what X-Men books are like. Also, I can understand why some fans might be disappointed. The big selling point for the new Ultimate Universe for many was a Spider-Man book that went back before some of the things that divided fans, most especially “One More Day.” If that’s what people expected from the line, they might have expected an X-Book that jumped back before Krakoa, before the Phoenix basically turned Cyclops into a villain, before Schism, before the move to the west coast and the X-Men’s earlier attempt to make a mutant nation. A return to the school. And while there is a return to school, it’s not the return many would expect or want. But again, I really like this book. I like Peach Momoko. I like the way she’s playing with familiar X-Men tropes through the lenses of Japan and manga. But I can see why others don’t, including plenty of people whose opinions on comics I generally respect. De gustibus non est disputandum.

[@KeeKage37]

I have to admit, while not as big and bombastic as X-men titles usually are with there depiction of mutant prejudices. I can appreciate the lesser tone take in Ultimate X-men. As someone who’s consumed a tons of anime and manga. I know that Japan kinda has this “freezing out,” or ostracize process. Or just bully people that tend to try and stand out or don’t fit in. This is something that happens both at school and at home. And leaves lots of people feeling isolated and alone. It’s not as in your face as say “the friends of humanity,” or “purifiers.” But I can still feel like this fits the core theme of the X-Men.

[@adamfrey4920]

The question is how you do the X-Men without the X-Men, which is what this story is doing. I'm not foreclosed to it, but the absence has to go somewhere. JLA The Nail was a Superman story without Superman. It worked, but the absence of Superman was palpable in the story. With Ultimate X-Men, I'm in search of the Xavier shaped hole and haven't found it yet.

[@SingularityOrbit]

In terms of marketing a series so people know what they're getting, JLA: The Nail was a *JLA* Elseworlds. That works perfectly. What I want to know is why this book isn't titled ULTIMATE NEW MUTANTS, which would explain the concept a lot better. To me, any X-Men book should answer one question if nothing else: "What is the team known as the X-Men doing right now?" Or at the very least, "What does this flashback or flash-forward story tell me about the X-Men?" If they'd called the book Ultimate New Mutants then following a group of young mutants in their lives would make perfect sense; it's debatable whether "New Mutants" was ever even an actual team name in Marvel-616, or if it's just a descriptive title, like DC's Hellblazer which was never an identity for John Constantine.

[@brettwood1351]

@@SingularityOrbit Marketing I imagine.

[@brettwood1351]

I love to make a joke the secret of a good world for mutants is one where Xavier and Magneto never went into political theory. And it's a very interesting what if. What would it be like for mutants if the big names that shaped the perception of what a mutant is, your Xaviers, Magnetos, Apocalypses and X-Men and Brotherhoods weren't there? How does the mutant identity evolve then?

[@SingularityOrbit]

@@brettwood1351 That would be the correct answer, yes! Too bad marketing gets in the way of the art sometimes.

[@SingularityOrbit]

@@brettwood1351 It always does seem to wrap back around to those two, doesn't it? It's just too bad that Magneto had to be a Jewish kid in Germany in the 1940s, and that both of them lived in the United States in the 1960s. Those aren't the kinds of life experiences that a Holocaust survivor and a powerful telepath can just shrug off. Now that you brought it up, what actually brought Apocalypse back into action in the 1980s, flying into the USA on his intelligent spaceship? He was out of the picture for a seriously long time.

[@mandodiaz7647]

I just want to say thank you. I read ultimate x-men as a kid and when this series popped up again, I dismissed it as Marvel cashing in again on a popular name. This seems to be fresh new take I wouldn't have known otherwise.

[@ravenwilder4099]

I'm wondering if the plan is for Ultimate X-Men to be an anthology title. Start off with a story arc by one creator focusing on a specific character in their own corner of the world, then the next story arc is by a different creator focusing on a different character in a different corner of the world, and so on like that, with just little bits here and there connecting them. Like Season 1 of Heroes.

[@kailevil3444]

That would be interesting.

[@lulu_TheWitchBoy]

I feel like that’s what they’re doing. I don’t see peach momoko doing X-men that long.

[@Amuro1X]

A bit of history about myself: I've loved Spider-Man and X-men (to a lesser extent) since i was a kid in the 90s. I am not really what I would consider a comic book guy. Most of my knowledge of comic books comes from watching youtube videos and reading the occasional trade. I am, however, a manga guy. Jump to 2024 and the fact a new Ultimate Spider-Man is launching with Peter literally the same age as me (35) and married to MJ with kids, well, i saw that as the perfect opportunity to visit my local comic shop and start collecting. I originally had no interest in Ultimate X-men, but i knew it was being drawn by Peach Momoko, and I was already a fan of her art. Loving Ultimate Spider-Man 2024 as much as i did, i went ahead and jumped into Ultimate X-men when I found a reprint of Issue 1 and 2 at the shop. I was hooked immediately. The art, mystery/horror elements, and slice of life "anime" feel all appeal to me. It's also cool to see a Japanese author/artist tell a story about Japanese characters in a main stream American comic. It also feels very manga in the sense that, unlike American comics, Momoko is the sole creative vision on this book (besides translation and lettering.) As for the story feeling different, i think it's clear that "Mutants" aren't common knowledge in this universe, so there's not going to be the same prejudice against them. However, these young girls discovering their natural born powers in a different corner of the world (that isn't even Japan anymore since countries don't exist thanks to the Maker) is a nice contrast to what's happening with Spider-Man and the Ultimates where the reintroduction of heroes is manufactured by Tony Stark. These mutants dont have a magical science ball to tell them what their powers are or how to use them, so i appreciate that their stories are currently more personal. Anyway, issue 4 set up their powers going viral, so I see big things coming. Also, Ultimate Spider-Man took till Issue 6 to have some say "Spider-Man" outloud, so i think we can afford Ultimate X-Men some time to have a cohesive team of mutants fighting bad guys or whatever.

[@M567dk]

I have to say that I enjoy this new take on Ultimate X-men as it is good visually due to the artist take on the world and its characters. I find it interesting given how it is not focus on the main usual X-men members, but still has the whole outcast thing in a much familiar high school setting. I cannot wait to see where this series goes and how it might tie into the greater narrative of the Ultimate Universe when it does or when the writer/artist feels it should.

[@YTLawnGnome]

I have been reading all 4 titles and so far each one is very enjoybale. Spider-Man is by far my favorite. However, X-Men has so much mystery to it. Because I am dying to see how it is eventually going to fit in with this universe.

[@davidmoran2296]

I love it because it doesn't feature the regular X-Men. I like manga and this feels a lot like manga.

[@BigMoneyGripMCV]

I enjoy Peach' interiors, similar for me, to Goseki Kojima Lone Wolf and Cub.. love it

[@cecillbill]

I love Peach Momoko's art, and trust her to tell a great story, especially since I loved Demon Days and Demon Wars.

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

I think The Ultimate Universe shouldn't last more than 5 years. If the goal is for it to be a jump on point for new readers, you can't keep it going forever.

[@juansanchez209]

Given that the new Ultimate Universe was created by a preexisting character, I’d argue that the goal is NOT be a jumping on point for new readers. While that was the goal of the original Marvel Universe, I genuinely believe the new Ultimate Universe is just a vehicle for different creators to tell different stories. I think the new Ultimate Universe so far is not very new-reader friendly to begin with

[@sovietpersonman]

Out of the all the ultimate books this was the one I was actively interested in because of how different it looked to mainline X-men and so far I'm really enjoying it. Also quick correction I don't Nico is calling herself a mutant but she is talking about her two friends that are both based off mutant characters from the 616 (Cyclops and Molly Hayes)

[@BigMoneyGripMCV]

love it so far - coming from a fan of 80's X-Men as well.

[@ItsOver9000Productions]

It's taking awhile to actually get anywhere imo but it's an interesting change

[@DetectiveMaxHamm]

I love armor but i just wish they had more xmen

[@greenguy369]

Other than the fact that it feels more like an Armor solo than an X-men book...I'm sure its a lot of fun.

[@vision4860]

I haven't read them, but from what you said, I have an idea as to one of the major problems, if not *the* major problem. Yes the different art style, the different storytelling sensibilities, and the different cultural background adds to possible alienation. After all, the more personal the story, the less people may connect to it. But another point that I think you missed, is that *it isn't the X-Men.* People bought Ultimate Spider-Man, they got Spider-Man. Same with Black Panther. This one? They may be mutants, but they're not X-Men. It's not the team in any form, they're just some kid mutants. That seems like it really IS false advertising. There have been plenty of X-Men-adjacent comic books in the past. Why not call it "Ultimate Mutants" or something like that? Well, we know why, and it's brand recognition. But you get my point.

[@Tiggeralt]

I'm in the "love it" camp, especially now that we're a few issues in and we're getting a larger group of characters, it's starting to feel less like an Armor solo book and more like an ensemble piece.

[@bossbradley]

Man, this book is fantastic!

[@aquatroy]

Because of your review and recommendation, I read Ultimate X-Men 1 and enjoyed it. However, I'm waiting for the TPB. The story felt like it was meant to be read more like a graphic novel then a monthly.

[@eastvandb]

This sounds awesome. I'm waiting for a trade paperback, and I'm really looking forward to it.

[@sirelfinjedi]

You ask great questions. What makes an X-Men book and X-Men book. There are mutants in lots of comics, so it must be more. I'll be thinking about this for days!

[@indifferentsmiley]

People I think are really polarized by change because they think a change is forever. They probably feel like this is setting a precedent for some overhaul of all marvel comics, but really it's obviously its own thing. Art is absolutely beautiful.

[@daveluna7931]

I actually like it !! It feels different but very good

[@indifferentsmiley]

Peach Momoko is such a lottery win in the name department.

[@douglasphillips5870]

I like when the ultimate universe goes its own way. Marvel's canon time-line is more consistent that DC so when you play with existing characters in alternate universes it can blend in people's minds with canon

[@DJSoSadRN]

I’m really digging this series.

[@TangledLion]

Like the rest of the new Ultimate Books, this is fantastic

[@blackshard641]

Haven't read it, so all I can say is it seems like a strange branding decision to call it X-Men while having almost nothing about it be recognizably X-Men.

[@leonxdz]

An xmen book that isnt dealing with any of the usual bs of comic books in general and with unique artwork? That sounds amazing tbh

[@thepokekid01]

I feel like I would be interested in a Japanese Take on Mutant Persecution. I don't think that would mean it would take the form of something that resembles white racism, and I think that's an issue many can't understand even if they know it on a logical level. The whole white is default is so permeated in western culture that it's hard to discern. At the end of the day, "let Momoko cook" is what I say. There will always be more and other X-Men stories... especially now, lol. The idea of Mutant Persecution in a Japanese political commentary sort of way could be interesting as it starts about the issue of conforming and really traditional ideas of what it means to be Japanese in Japan, but I can quickly see that spilling out into topic of how immigrants are treated in Japan and the scare of declining birth rates, as well as what it means to be lgbtq as a Japanese person, and just the general idea of a "half" and what is considered "a Japanese person". It would be controversial, but interesting and probably the most relevant time to talk about these things as it seems like more japanese young people are moving away from those ideas. I can easily see that all coming to the surface after this core plot is resolved, but even if they don't go that direction, I'm interested in it because it's so different.

[@dandragon8595]

For me I'm enjoying the story very much. But from my perspective some not all X-Men audiences might not want to or enjoy reading this story. It probably comes down to two factors again from my understanding and view point, one is because its not using characters that both the general audience and comic book readers know, and the second reason is the style is more like a manga or Japanese type of story telling rather then traditional western or American style story telling.

[@BaithNa]

Or maybe ita just bad storytelling and a bait and switch?

[@TheMaster4863]

@@BaithNa it's not bad

[@gunfighter009]

The 3rd factor worth keeping in mind is just how slow the pacing is. Its extremely decompressed

[@TheMaster4863]

@@gunfighter009 yeah and that’s probably a bit of cultural and genre difference of like manga will draw out every little action sometimes whereas American superhero comics will often do like your in scene and then the next page it’s a different scene and location. I wouldn’t say either is bad, both work for what they’re used for, it can just seem odd if you’re not used one or the other

[@gunfighter009]

@@TheMaster4863 manga that draws out action like that is usually weekly though which makes a big difference over something being released monthly

[@Taydar]

The Momoko part is what interests me.

[@robertstryjak1973]

I personally really like this take on X-Men but I'm also really into manga and the kind of person who's happy to wait three weeks for another chapter of a slice of life story where the main character being half-dragon is mostly used to explore different themes instead of dramatic action. Long story short, this Ultimate X-Men is very much to my liking but I understand others might hold a differing opinion.

[@quantafreeze]

If they stopped the main continuity, I would be bothered, but I like the changes the Maker has meddled in.

[@smartmouth1819]

I never heard of this book... and now i HAVE TO read it

[@xHx23x]

I will always say that the great thing about being an x-fan is that there is always a book you will like cause there is always so many and they can be set in different universes and still work. The original Ultimate X-Men experimented with weird stuff too. Karent Grant's weird X-team? I love this cause is different and features underused characters in a new setting. Of the new line I am looking more forward to NYX than the others. I loved Krakoa cause it took us away from that mansion for a while. I think if people aren't vibing with it there will always be s traditional book at some point, so its fine. I like it when comics choose boldly, cause even if it doesn't work there was an attempt at new things

[@pangeasgarden8463]

This video offers some clarity into the thought processes that could be attributed to this new approach to X-men. I'm not a big fan of the work (I think this is attributed to the fact that I'man older reader than most), but based on your interpretation of this series, I am inspired to craft a narrative in which this approach could be a back end set up for a broader story where the major mutant players are not what the Maker could have predicted. Am I making sense?

[@A1ml33y]

I'm ❤ing this new version of the Ultimate X-Men

[@mathieuleader8601]

wow the thumbnail reminds me of Shamans King's artstyle

[@thamnas9790]

I bought a book with a lot of Marvel Manga style covers made by manga artists. It's super cool.

[@douglasbriel6103]

I have been reading comics for 50 years, but damn, PEACH FOREVER! Very manga.

[@magnaz888]

I LOOOOVE how much of a risk they are taking plus I was a huge fan of Demon Days/Wars so I'm into it.

[@derekgomez1951]

I mean, is not bad and is really cool that they’re trying new stuff with mutants, but is just really weak compred to Ultimate Spider-Man or The Ultimates

[@NickholasWilson-wv5rm]

I Like the ultimate universe

[@buraddorun3043]

It's working for me. I appreciate the focus on characters not widely used in 616, and also the new characters getting introduced. And i like that it's different, even tonally, than the X-Men beats in the 616. I do hope that it connects well to the rest of the new Ultimate Universe, however. It's all very interesting, where it came from and where it's leading, what with the Maker due to break free eventually. How would he have stopped the mutant heroes from riding un an entire reality, anyway? The X-gene exists there, apparently. What did he do to stop the more well-known mutants we aren't seeing? How will this younger generation of B- and C-listers step up? There's a lot of space and ideas to work with! But where it is now is fine. I enjoy seeing the characters grow and live in this different "world" of Japan, or Hi no Kuni. It has a lot of slice of life feel, but I feel like big battles and normal superhero stuff is coming. I like it.

[@apollolux]

With all the attention the new Ultimate Spider-Man's been getting recently, I'm surprised this Ultimate X-Men hasn't gotten more press as well.

[@Spyderdraggon1]

It would if it were as good as Ultimate Spider-Man. Ultimate Spider-Man wouldn't be getting the same positive press if it were focused on fringe Spider-Man characters and ignored all the main Spider-Man characters. An Ultimate Spider-Man book about a magically powered middle school MJ and her girls school friends wouldn't be getting the same attention.

[@nikolap490]

​@@Spyderdraggon1So if I understand your logic correctly, being very different from the traditional formula means being less good? Even in the case of the X-Men who never have the same team over the years?

[@russellwhisenant5554]

I haven't read it so I don't know everything that's going on much less everything that's been foreshadowed. That said from your description it doesn't sound like there's actually a team. You can debate what's most important in singling out which team of mutants are truly "the X-Men", but they are a team. The X-Men are found family bonded by a common ideology (Xavier's dream) who have internal frictions and rivalries but still trust each other with their lives in a fight. You can debate how much of that is essential, but doesn't sound like this has any of that going on. If we don't even have a team that we definitely don't have the X-Men. I realize they couldn't change the name when this project turned into something else, but as it is calling it the new mutants would be a bit of a stretch. Calling it X-Men is just a complete misnomer.

[@saidi7975]

... meh, they can do whatever at this point. I guess favoring the 80s-90s x-men makes me a dinosaur so, fuck it, I roll with it...

[@ryanfitzgerald9833]

I mean it looks good but i feel if all new all japanese were what we were going for, a revamp in the line of big hero 6 would work better... you know a little more bombastic. the xmens one defining quality... life is not quiet. that ONLY happens occasionally in one shots and side series. but i dig the art for what its worth. Maybe Ultimate new mutants would be a better name cause i think ultimate armor may have been already used.

[@oliveragag8576]

I feel like the problem is that it's advertised as Ultimate X-Men. It would be like if Ultimate Spider-man focused on Eddie Brock and Venom instead of Peter Parker.

[@TheApexLion1234]

I don't really think that's an issue, since the X-Men aren't just the popular crowd. ANY mutant can be an X-man it's just a different take.

[@nikolap490]

The X-Men stories center around a group of mutants who are part of the X-Men team. Spiderman stories center around an individual (or individuals, in some cases) who wears the mask of Spider-Man. In Ultimate X-Men, there are no X-Men, it's true... yet. But we still follow a group of mutants. It's already a little closer to the traditional idea of the X-Men. Venom is a villain who aims to kill Spiderman. It doesn't come close to the traditional idea of Spiderman at all. Your example doesn't work.

[@SpaceJawa]

That might actually make more sense than what's presented here.

[@oliveragag8576]

@@nikolap490 Armor was a minor member of the X-Men team, who wasn't really a big player. Which makes it weird that she's the focus of the Ultimate X-Men book, especially when the initial purpose of the Ultimate universe was a back to basics for characters and teams. And so far this has been reading more like an Armor spin-off series rather than an X-Men comic, especially when she's not even part of the team yet. Also Eddie Brock and Venom have been anti-heroes who work with Spider-Man with a lot of arcs with them as protagonists.

[@Venom_eddie123]

​@nikolap490 actually, you have surface level thinking of venom because he is more than that

[@ChaosMechanica]

I like it. But it feels so strange of Hickman's initial lineup. If you told me this was it's own universe, or if this was a spinoff from an Ultimate X-Men comic more closely tied to main Hickman story, I'd be okay. But as the only Ultimate X-Men title right now? I'd rather see how the Maker's machinations affected characters like Xavier, Scott, Storm, etc. What will they have done if not being the X-Men.

[@dewayneispierre4125]

It feels like this is going to be a simulation run by sinister in order to bring the X-men into the story quid pro quo vs overpowered team on behalf of The Maker.

[@wesreleases6346]

I’ve loved it so far. What would be the point in creating a new X-Men only for it to look like the normal X-Men? By allowing a Japanese creator to make comics different from what we see in America, it’s standing out in an exciting way. The art and story have been great so far and it’s awesome that Marvel is making an Ultimate universe so unlike anything before it.

[@Hooksongs]

I just dropped all the Ultimate Universe titles, but this was the only title (while not for me) that was doing something interesting. Truly changing what an X-men title is. That is what the other titles aren't getting right, too similar... to predictable and not terribly creative. Just my opinion though, if you enjoy it, read it. Rock on!

[@andrewmagracia2088]

Luv it.. ty4 ur vid 😊

[@JKevinCarrier]

I wasn't aware of this book before now, but it looks pretty interesting. I'm impressed that Marvel is going along with it being so different, both stylistically and thematically. But the cynic in me thinks that sooner or later, these characters will get folded into the larger universe, and be morphed into the "Marvel House Style", which will be a shame...

[@marcosjr583]

Well anything is better than original ultimate X-Men

[@afroscifizianzcomix7836]

Good video 👌 I love Ultimate X-Men. I wanted something different. I'm glad it is set in Japan. Peach Momoko's work is refreshing. I don't want Cyclops, Wolverine or Jean Grey. Maybe The Ultimates can shed some light on what happened to the "traditional " X-Men. Ultimate X-Men is fine as it is.

[@raymondbermudez555]

Should have been named "Ultimate Armor".

[@DeliciaDamaria]

No, it shouldn't, she is not the only character and she doesn't more of a protagonism than Wolverine in the X-Men movies

[@Yippeykaymf]

​@DeliciaDamaria professional yapper

[@darknesswithin0]

Well, I am big fan of Manga-I have read more manga than comics. Even after watching this very good video, I still haven't gotten any clarification on how it is connected to the Ultimate universe, the maker or anyone in the Marvel canon. That tells me something.

[@clippedwings0]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the comic, but calling it 'Ultimate X-Men' isn't really the right title. It should just have a different title, probably not even involving 'X-Men'. Maybe 'Mutant High', or letting it be its own thing, entirely.

[@Libertyfudge]

I'm reading all ongoing ultimate series and would rank them from most to least favorite (none of which I hate BTW, like them all) Spiderman > X-Men > Black Panther; I admire Ultimate X-Men for being different and feel (while still liking it) that so far Ultimate Black Panther didn't change enough in regards to its main character; I would have liked T'Challa being born a "peasant" (after the Maker already deposed his family) and him fighting to free Wakanda (maybe at first hoping to restore himself to the throne but later deciding to instead create a constitutional monarchy or straight-forward democracy); I did not understand why the Maker didn't change the history of Wakanda, given that he knew of Wakanda from the main universe

[@RandomManEntertainment]

Honestly the art is really I love Peaches work. My issue is it really feel like a X-Men book. I am willing to give some what of chance. But overall to me its this is better then the 616 X-Men.