Ultimate Comics X: Origins
In Marvel’s Ultimatum event, Magneto hit New York with a tidal wave, killing millions of people. Not only does this devastate the mutant population, but it also brings the U.S. government down on mutants like never before. Hiding throughout the country are a number of scared, uncertain mutants like Wolverine’s son, James; the former X-Man Jean Grey; and the superstrong Hulk. Plucked from various states of happiness or disaster, they come together to form a new team and a new hope for their kind. Superhero veteran Loeb wisely steps back from spectacle and humanizes the proceedings considerably by focusing on single characters through the eyes of their adult guardians. Adams’ visuals are lavished with gorgeously detailed figures and backgrounds, but show off an awful lot of skin, which, considering the high-school age of many characters, can come off with a high ick factor. While a scene with a gun-toting teen in a school classroom may press some unfortunate buttons, as superhero stories go, this is an enjoyably humble and personal tale. Grades 10-12. --Jesse Karp--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.