Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artists: Yanick Paquette (p), Serge LaPointe (i)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Charles Xavier is dead. General Nick “Samuel Jackson” Fury confirms to President Bush that DNA and dental records prove that Xavier has taken a dirt nap. What does this mean for the Ultimate Universe? Potentially nothing. While many of those who have died in the Ultimate Universe have stayed dead (until the Ultimate Clone Saga), I don’t think it will be too long before we see the return of Xavier. But enough of my conspiracy theories and thoughts and onward with the here and now.
This issue really doesn’t do a whole lot for me. I am a bit disturbed by this because the rest of Robert Kirkman’s work has been pretty solid; Invincible, Waking Dead, and Irredeemable Ant-Man are three great titles, and while Kirkman’s Ultimate X-Men run started strong, the debut of Ultimate Cable has led to a rapidly growing loss of interest for me in the title. The Ultimate books in my opinion have taken a turn for the worse, and if Xavier truly is dead and not coming back at some point, then the Ultimate universe may continue to wane.
This issue really zeroes in on how Xavier’s death affects the major players of the Ultimate X-Men universe and ultimately the Ultimate U. One thing that really convinces me that this is a small part in the inevitable Shi’ar and Phoenix arcs is the fact that I really do not feel the impact of Xavier’s death. Kirkman shows us how his death affects those around him, but uncharacteristically of Kirkman’s writing, I don’t find myself drawn into the emotion of the story. Maybe it’s because of my theories, but ultimately because Xavier’s death is really downplayed in this issue.
Aside from the obvious turn of events, there isn’t much character development amongst the X-Men. Mutants and heroes alike come together to honor Xavier and while some decide to leave the mansion, others will carry on his legacy. Kirkman does offer glimpses of future things to come in this issue: new romance, uncertainties of the future of America, Wolverine and Sabretooth. There is quite a bit touched on but nothing really develops. This is necessary for two reasons: (1) to actually create some character drama and tension in the coming months, and (2) it’s really hard to tell where Ultimate X-Men is going and all options need to be put out on the table.
Most of the focus comes in the form of Wolverine who feels responsible for Xavier’s untimely death. He feels responsible because he was originally hired by Magneto in the beginning of the series to off Xavier and it was his future self that finally did it. It’s trite, but it ultimately works. I don’t get the sense that Wolverine is really all that affected by Xavier’s death however, because I think he knows that Xavier is still alive. Questions like these really keep this story interesting. It may not be my favorite story, but it definitely has its moments.
One of those moments comes during a debriefing between Nick Fury, President Bush and an indistinct General. While neither the President nor the General’s faces are actually shown, Paquette shows off some real talent in his General Fury. Paquette’s art suddenly goes from “ehh” to “wow” with his almost spot on representation of the Sam Jackson Nick Fury. The ink work done by Serge LaPointe is also fantastic in this scene, teasing George Dubya’s face in the shadows.
While the art is the first thing that really captured my senses in this scene, there was a moment of pure liberal bliss from Robert Kirkman during the conversation between these three men. With Xavier dead, President Bush worries that mutants will go crazy and follow in the footsteps of Magneto. Fury assures the President that it won’t happen, and Sam Jackson/Nick Fury gives George W. Bush his word that Xavier’s death will not lead to World War Three. This scene is priceless; George Bush basically asks Samuel Jackson to make sure World War Three doesn’t happen. Just funny. But Fury also mentions something else to Bush, a secret project that Xavier was working on, something involving the world “Legacy.”
While this issue doesn’t do much for the non-regulars to the series, Ultimate X-Men fans will want this title to get an idea of where this title is going. It is also interesting to see how each X-Man is affected by the loss of Xavier even though you may not shed a tear.
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