Ultimate X-Men #2 continues Momokos masterpiece. Momokos influences are all surfacing within this series to a phenomenal effect. The Studio Ghibli comparisons are easy to make, but the horror elements are just as important and noticeable. Read Full Review

As the Ultimate universe slowly expands, Peach MomokosUltimate X-Menis one of the boldest and most visually gorgeous comics distributed by one of the big two publishers. I am highly invested in the series and need to know how she will translate beloved stories, characters, and story elements through her distinct lens. I cannot wait to see in what new directions she goes next. Read Full Review

Pacing aside, Ultimate X-Men #2 is another solid entry into the new Ultimate universe as Hisake continues to impress as the lead of the new worlds mutants. The use of supernatural horror as an extended metaphor gives an edge of specificity to the mutant allegory that many have felt is lacking in more recent years. Momokos illustrations bring an absolute sense of harrowing emotional terror to shadows and the fluidity to movement. These combinations lend themself to the non-euclidean terrors that Momoko seems interested in exploring. In contrast, the fun, light bonding between Mei and Hisako makes for a compelling dimension to the emotional side of the story. Ultimate X-Men #2 continues the strong streak of issues in the new Ultimate universe, making the case for this interpretation of the line. Read Full Review

Peach Momoko does a phenomenal job at continuing the momentum of this series with Ultimate X-Men #2. Hisako Ichiki continues to be developed as a strong lead with the addition of Maystorm making Hisako's character and this story even better. The character focus approach is elevated by the continued horror storytelling that is being utilized to put over the first Ultimate X-Men villain. It all comes together to make Ultimate X-Men #2 drive home how quickly this title has become one of Marvel's best comic books. Read Full Review

I found this comic to be relatable when dealing with the emotions of being close to someone who died by suicide. It authentically portrays the feelings of guilt, the instinct to avoid confronting emotions, and the tendency to withdraw inwardly while coping with loss. The narrative beautifully delves into the shadows of Hisako's life, offering insights that anyone who has experienced the mental anguish resulting from bullying can understand. Read Full Review

If you have the patience, Ultimate X-Men #2 continues to draw you into a unique world of mutants who may be recruiting. The slow plot makes you wish you had the entire first story arc in hand, but there's no denying this tale draws you into a unique and specific world. Blending horror and themes of bullying and dark thoughts, Ultimate X-Men feels as relevant as ever. Read Full Review

Final Thoughts Well, we finally have our second mutant. With the introduction of Mei Storm, the world has gotten a whole lot bigger in just one issue. The incredibly strange reveal of the shadows origins opens up SO many questions. I guess Im in it for the long hall. Bring in even more mutants and look what happens! Its starting to feel like an X-men book. A very weird X-men book, but an X-men book regardless. Read Full Review

Ultimate X-Men #2 continues the creepy, atmospheric Manga horror tale about a schoolgirl confronted by a dangerous shadow figure connected to a schoolmate's death. Fans of Manga Horror may find this extreme take on the X-Men a refreshing change, but readers looking to make the connection between this title and the greater Ultimate universe or anything remotely resembling an X-Men comic (in story and art) will be left wanting. Read Full Review

I'm really liking the story as well as the art and tone but we really need to get some answers next issue or the story will feel rudderless.

It's a by-the-numbers manga with great facial expressions; the light horror bits help to give it some personality.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. I'm enjoying the story and the art, but it's really not X-Men related. Shouldn't we be seeing what happened to the notable mutants and mutant leaders of this new Ultimate timeline?

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Mout - May 15, 2024

Just enjoy the ride

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Following up on the jaw-dropping first issue by Peach Momoko, Ultimate X-Men #2 delivers another dose of creepy horror with Momoko's signature artistic brilliance. The unsettling environment and twisted vibes are still there, holding your attention with each panel. Momoko's art remains absolutely sublime in this extended setting.

However, there's a change in pace from the first issue, with Mei's introduction feeling a little rushed. Mei seems to have an interest in & understand Hiroki's mutant struggles. While their team-up against the shadowy menace is intriguing, the development of their connection feels unearned. We get little explanation for how Mei knew about Hiroki, why she's so readily on board to follow her into a spooky abandoned building, or how/why they both ended up at the same school in the first place. Momoko seems to be implying that there's more than meets the eye here, so hopefully these unanswered questions get resolved in the long run.

Despite these pacing issues Ultimate X-Men #2 is still a decent follow-up issue. The core concept remains fascinating, and I'm enthralled with the world Momoko is building. Here's hoping that future issues can delve deeper into the characters' motivations, relationships, & mutant powers while maintaining the chilling horror vibes that make this series so unique. more

Art: 3.5/5
Story: 3.5/5
Total: 7/10

A little rushed

I’m glad that others are enjoying it. It’s just not for me. It’s not what I’m looking for in an X-Men book.

Last time I said this was a well-crafted comic book, a good story that deserves a bad rate rate because it is called "Ultimate X-Men" while not presenting anything that resembles the X-Men in the least. I said that if the book wasn't called "Ultimate X-Men" it would be good.

Are we on the same page? The first issue was a bad X-Men comic book, but not a bad comic book technically speaking.

This second issue is not good in any sense.

So uninspired and lackluster that I thought it didn't deserve a review. But I still think about this thing so I'll review it just to get my thoughts of it out of my system for good.

The pacing is really bad. This feels more like an interlude than a full chapter. Nothing intrinsically wrong with interludes, it's acceptable to slow down sometimes, but the SECOND issue is way too early in the series to run out of gas. It's a turn-off for the readers. It's no good.

After reading it I felt like I didn't read anything. The decompression here is so bad that even though a couple of things did happen, it feels like nothing really happenened.

The dialogue is also deficient, the interactions between Hisako and Mei are very unrealistic, more on that later.

Turns out he bad guy of the series is not a ghost nor a demon, it's the Shadow King... well, at least it's supposed to be the Shadow King, yes, that fat japanese high school kid is supposed to be the Shadow King... and that notion pisses me off.

Whatever. The plot is that the Shadow King gave Hisako a note with the address of an abandoned building, before going there Hisako met Mei for the first time and they decided to go explore the place together.

Before encountering one of the shadows there, nothing happened, nothing other than bad dialogue. Those pages should have been used to flesh out the characters, but it seems like Peach Momoko doesn't know how to do that. Mei telling Hisako she is like a super hero is so out of place.

"A super hero fighting a mysterious shadow..."

Nope. That's not dialogue. That's a conversation you were having with yourself, Momoko, at the time of writng the scene, you didn't have the wit to put anything else on that panel so you put your exact thoughts with no filter.

I just hate that. I really hate when the characters don't have a voice, when it's actually the writer talking directly to the audience through the characters with no type of filter.
It's just lazy and wrong if you, as a writer, disguise as dialogue between characters (that are not narrators) the conversations you have with yourself.

What happened after the evil shadow faded? Did Mei accompany Hisako to her house or did they go their separate ways immediately afterward? Did they say goodbye without knowing if they would see each other again? What happened? NOBODY KNOWS.

A mystery! But they found each other again the next day in high school, I see it's a small town. Oh, waht a coincidence! They were assigned to the same classroom.

But wait a second... Are you telling me that they hadn't really introduced each other until that meeting at school... even though they spent hours together the previous afternoon and shared a moment of great emotional tension when fighting the evil shadow? Sorry, I don't believe it.

Also, something feels off about Mei, I don't like the vibes I'm getting from her... I mean she doesn't have any natural human reaction to anything...

"Did you see the morning news?" (3 d*ad kids) "That's crazy!"

Sorry, girl, are you excited?!

I don't know, man. Hisako didn't find Mei, Mei found her, twice, like if she was looking for her... and Mei knows about her accident, I know that was in the news but she identified her too easily, isn't that weird? And she was very impetuous when it came to asking Hisako for her number at school... too impetuous... It feels like Mei is obsessed with Hisako. Mei certainly wants something from her and we don't really know what that really is... is it just friendship?

We also have to remember that Hisako is going through the trauma of losing her best friend, she doesn't have any other friends, she is emotionally vulnerable.
Mei has given her attention, Mei has validated her by calling her a super hero, and Mei gave her a short, affectionate nickname (Hi-chan) immediately after knowing her full name.

You know what this looks like? It doesn't look like friendship, you know what I'm saying? I'd say Hisako is in danger.

To end the review, there's one other thing I have to say. Friendship is not the only thing Peach Momoko apparently doesn't know how it looks like, she also had a hard time picturing introspective dialogue:

"I wonder if I'm cursed and going to die too."

My goodness! That fell so flat!

In good faith, Ms. Momoko, do yourself a favor and read old Frank Miller stuff, that's how introspective dialogue is supposed to look like.


Conclusion: This series is a waste of time.

Not only it doesn't even intend to meet any expectations of X-Men fans, it is objectively deficient and inconsistent. more