Ultimate X-Men #3

Ultimate X-Men #3 is a continued return to form for the line and medium as a whole, as melodrama and slice-of-life characteristics find their way back into the genre. Momoko dramatizes the rougher textures of Hi-Chan and Meis characters through the depiction of their powers, defining their dynamics against one another. This is primarily done through dual flashbacks that establish a moving pace culminating in an enthralling double-page splash. The panel compositions and coloring choices in this issue speak to those expanding revelations, teasing out new mysteries for both the larger plot and buried histories of the two leads. The issue is once again proof that unique perspectives that naturally evolve the core ethos of a concept or team are necessary for compelling new comics. Read Full Review

Ultimate X-Men #3is another delightful issue by Momoko as she builds upon more of the Ultimate universe and its mutant lore. With a strong focus on characters, relationships, and a distinct direction, she makesUltimate X-Mena can't-miss series among the other releases.Ultimate X-Men #3finds new ways to explore the ideas of mutants and bring in unexpected but welcome choices to significant effect. Read Full Review

Ultimate X-Men #3 continues the great world building through the reveal of Mei Igarashi's origin story of how she became Maystorm. The other plot beats aren't as successful but Momoko does enough with Mei's origin to keep your attention to want to read where the story will go next. It helps that the artwork continues to be excellent, with a lot of jaw dropping visuals throughout this issue. Read Full Review

Ultimate X-Men #3 continues the slow-boil storytelling, but by the end, it gets ever closer to a sort of team being formed. The series continues to be mysterious while developing the need for mutant powers in times of stress. It's a series that feels dreamlike as it fleshes out a new kind of X-Men. Read Full Review

There's no doubt that Ultimate X-Men has set an exceedingly high bar for itself as the single most interesting new Marvel series of 2024 to date and even a transitionary issue like Ultimate X-Men #3 delivers the goods. Read Full Review

HISAKO ICHIKI and her world continues to provide a unique take on the X-Men mythos. Momoko shifts gears to Meis story which delivers on impactful writing and images. Once things come back to the present, there is a sense of wonder as a new player enters the game. This will be one to look out for on NCBD. Read Full Review

Mei's "origin", a bit more background on the weird guy with the hat which definitely has something to do with our ghostly spirit, and our first utterance of the word mutant. It's finally an X-men book. Read Full Review

There was bound to be an underwhelming issue Ultimate X-Men, but having it be the third issue is surprising. Some late additions to this one give hope that something more interesting is on the way, but Ultimate X-Men #3 isn't going to blow anyone away. Read Full Review

Ultimate X-Men #3 continues to be one of the most baffling creative endeavors Marvel has released in recent years. A creator is tasked with creating an Ultimate X-Men comic, but instead, produces a manga with a glacially slow plot that has almost nothing to do with the Ultimates or the X-Men. There's no reason for this comic to exist. Read Full Review

axdn

May 15, 2024

This was such an outstanding issue. Mei origins are so incredible well crafted. This book is incredible. Can not wait for the next one.

Hailey

Nov 19, 2024

Loving it

Psycamorean

May 17, 2024

This is a really interesting series so far. I'm very curious how it fits within the universe.

Jawnyblaze

May 20, 2024

It's taking its sweet time getting there, but I'm confident that as long as they give this book enough room to grow then it'll be amazing. If the plan was for just 12 issues or something like that, then this is too slow. The art was beautiful of course, the flashback for Mei (Storm) is sad but believable and well executed. I can't say I'm thrilled that the next mutant revealed is Nico, she's not one I have any interest in, but maybe this version will be more interesting. Overall it's a very interesting book that's over all too quickly.

Screaming Enigma

Jan 20, 2025

The best issue so far, in my opinion. Maybe it's because a lot of what I've been reading recently hasn't been my absolute favorite, but I really enjoyed this. Mei's backstory was fairly simple, yet handled really well, in my opinion. Momoko's art definitely helps out with everything, also.

HuckEverlasting

Sep 05, 2025

This is fun

RafaM

May 18, 2024

Some origins stories, more mutants introduced, the term "mutant" itself introduced for the first time. This is still setting up, which can be a little bothersome to some singular brain-celled people, however, I have faith, it's slowly picking up and Hisako's story seems like it'll develop good.

AmericanHealthcare

May 30, 2024

A little generic but nicely done overall, although there still isn't really anything resembling a plot. "Mutant girls meeting each other and learning about their powers," is a premise, not a story.

K-23

Aug 19, 2024

I'm still really digging the art and the manga story vibe but the issue went by far too quick without enough progression for me.

Kenjamin

Aug 21, 2024

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

Maximus

May 27, 2024

I hate to write a review when I have nothing good to say about what I'm reviewing, but I just reviewed the second issue, I'll review the third one only out of inertia. Man! Did I really just read 20 pages? This issue felt like a short preview. This just keeps happening. They simply refuse to give you more bang for your buck. Why can't I get a single issue that doesn't feel empty and incomplete? Other technical issues? Well, there's no use in complaining again about the dialogue, it is what it is. Unrealistic, simplistic and uninspired. This issue is primarily about the backstory of Mei Igarashi, and I found that story very unpleasant to read. I don't want to read a "Marvel" comic book about a middle school girl living in a to xic household environment. That just sucks. But, is it a well-told story? You tell me... Apparently their powers have something to do with the "Shadow King", I don't know how that will play out. Also, the "Shadow King" was Mei's neighbor, I'm telling you, a small town. Here's where it gets funny, unintentionally funny. Mei's powers manifested a night when her family's conflicts reached a critical point, the situation depicted is really serious, the attitude of Mei's dad is really wrong, so it's very unfortunate that the expression of Mei's mom is so cartoony and laughable. Inconsistent. What happened next is really dark, Mei was slapped by her dad, and that's what triggered her. Immediately after her display of mutant power, Mei's hair and eyes turned silver, the mom was naturally shocked, but, what did her dad say? "I don't need punks like you in my house. Get out." What can I say, I cracked up. I bet Momoko didn't intend to make me laugh there, but she did, so that's a problem.   I mean... What the heck? Mister, you don't care that the girl just created a literal storm under your ceiling and that her hair and eyes just changed in an instant? Apparently, he doesn't give a damn. He doesn't care if the kid is a mutant, or a witch, or whatever, he is just fed up with her. By the way, where has Mei been living for the past months? I wish I knew. I have more questions: Why was the wound in her arm so important? I don't get it. I bet there is a reason for it and that Momoko knows what that reason is, but she failed to tell me. Also, why was the scratch literally burning? That's how it looks. After leaving behind Mei's story without answering the questions that should have never been raised (where does Mei live now? where?!), the issue is somehow just a couple of pages away from "ending", that's when Nico Minoru and a couple of weird, probably mutant, little girls make their debut. Yes, Nico Minoru. "Why is she here?", because she is japanese, I guess. "Is she a mutant?", well, she shouldn't be. "What did she do in this issue?", not much, she used her period as an awkward excuse to not play dodgeball. Holy menstruation! That's actually something I do expect from "Marvel" these days. Jeez. Also, Nico Minoru knows that Hisako and Mei are mutants and she probably knows more, so she will be the character that does exposition in the future.  Professor X? Pfff... why? We have Nico Minoru... and her psychic parents. Like, for real. That's it. To be continued... Yeah, the series will continue (at least for a while), but I don't think my reviews of it will. See you when "From the ashes" comes out. Maybe something good comes out of that mess, but I wouldn't hold my breath. PS: You know what? Maybe I'll check out the 4th issue of this X-Men series that is actually not an X-Men series, just to see what's the deal of that japanese teenage version of Rogue that shows up in the cover. more

+ Like • Comments (1)

MarVVel - May 28, 2024

For someone who claims to hate to write this review, your word count is awfully high...holy smokes.