A Storm In Her Soul– Reviewing ‘Ultimate X-Men’ #3

All origin stories carry their own unique signature, informing a character or the world that grows around them. Marvel’s ultimate universes afford creators leeway in how to approach characters, world, and beginnings.

It’s hard to argue against the idea that Ultimate X-Men is, hands down, the best of the line at taking advantage of this. Peach Momoko, Travis Lanham, and Zach Davisson are showing this month after month, easily.

It’s so hard to argue this, you won’t find me ever doing that. Because I’m firmly on record about how amazing this series is, and I’m here to reaffirm that view again. If you didn’t pick up on my opinion, this book freaking rocks.

Slow burns in comics are tough. It takes not only the right amount of give and take from the creators with what is on the page, but extreme patience from the audience. Issues being dropped a month apart, can make that a tough thing at times. Especially if things get stretched too much, feel like extra issue padding, revelations take way too long to come out, and many more things.

When that balance is achieved though, it feels like something special is happening. Ultimate X-Men is that something special.

Momoko has a specific vision for how to work the X-Men into this totally new world, and it’s unique. Each of the other titles in the line has some mixed and matched things in there, but it’s this book that is really taking a left turn instead of the usual right turn. Giving spotlight to characters, new and old, that don’t usually get this type of spotlight in the normal X-Men or just Marvel in general.

Here we get the backstory of Mei, and the day that her abilities manifested. There is no huge event or build up, even the hows of her abilities are not important right now. A moment of pain and anger brings forth powers and a look similar to the freedom fighter (Storm) she was a fan of. Could there be more to her powers, perhaps mimicry or something similar, sure? But that’s not what is important to what is happening.

Mei’s situation is relatable for many, stuck in a situation where someone that should love and care for you turns out to be someone that can and will harm you. There is still more on the table, but again, Momoko knows how to balance it all and give us just enough to feel more of a draw to the characters and world but leave us a pleasant amount of hungry for more.

Writing and doing art has to be a tough combo, spoken as someone who has only really mastered one of those skills. Yet Momoko makes it seem like a breeze. Her artwork is perfect for this series as envisioned, and I can’t imagine it being any other way. While her writing is strong enough that it would have flourished with the artwork of others, so many that would make the book sing in their own way, the combo situation just works best.

It’s an art style that comes with baked in sort of whimsical energies just from the appearance. Yet, it can switch from brighter and fun to more natural to ominous or horror-filled in a split second. Without losing a bit of its powerful energy or feeling disjointed. A color palette that skews more towards neutral or toned-down appearances helps with this. It allows for a more neutral or real/grounded type of feeling while also letting breathing room for the vibrant splashes to have a great effect.

Momoko and Davisson have worked together on numerous pieces and the smooth collaboration shows. Not a bit of the intent is lost in the story with how carefully Davisson works to adapt the script, allowing it to fit smoother into the wider audience aspect of these comics.

Similarly, Lanham does just such a wonderous job when it comes to lettering. Letting it all fit onto the page, flow around, and not miss a single natural beat. Dropping in small flairs here or there to pump up the emotions or tone, so that voices are natural and realistic within our minds as we read. The way that Momoko presents stories lets the letterer have even more room to get wild and have some creative fun with their display.

Ultimate X-Men #3 is now available from Marvel Comics.