Ultimate X-Men, Volume 1: The Tomorrow People

I can appreciate the impulse to push the reset button on long time superhero comic books like "X-Men" and "Spider-Man." After all, we are talking about almost four decades worth of stories, repeated encounters with Magneto and the Green Goblin, each one diluting the potency of the character. Plus, if you go back and read the first dozen episodes of either the original comic book "The Uncanny X-Men" of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby or the new and improved "X-Men" concocted by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum (and then John Byrne), it takes a while for both of those series to hit stride. Writer Mark Millar was given a free reign with this project, but clearly "Ultimate X-Men: The Tomorrow People" was constructed to work whether you came in with issue #1 of Volume 1, Giant-Size X-Men, or Volume 2.I was here for all three, so part of my appreciation for this six-issue story arc from Millar, pencillers Adam & Andy Kubert, and inker Art Thibert (w/Danny Miki) is how they have reconstituted elements from both of the origins. So I remember Quicksilver and the Silver Witch being part of the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants as well as Storm and Colossus being recruited for the international version of the X-Men. Anyhow, here is a list of things I liked about "The Tomorrow People" without spoiling the actual story:I liked the idea that in the beginning the X-Men were just Professor Xavier, Cyclops and Marvel Girl. This reconstitutes the idea that there were always the core of the group. Actually, they would be the heart (Jean Grey), mind (Professor X), and soul (Scott Summers) of the X-Men. Having the Beast and Iceman be part of the second wave is fine with me, as is jettisoning Angel (and Banshee from wave two). You have to have limitations on how many merry mutants are running around in the group. On the other side of the equation Wolverine is now the world's best assassin and is working for Magneto. That is obviously a nice little twist on the tale. The mutant hysteria is in full swing, so that the necessity of all the world's mutants having to pick which side of the coming war they want to be on makes a whole lot of sense. This just underscores the idea that "X-Men" was never just a standard superhero battles supervillain type of comic book. I really appreciate the way the ante has been upped both in terms of the Sentinnels and Magneto. This time around the big purple robots are going around and not just picking up mutants, they are executing them on the spot. But the chief attraction of this sotry arc is Magneto. The original X-Men was one of the few times in the history of Marvel Comics that the first issue of a comic book actually came up with the greatest villain in the history of the entire series. What I liked most about what Millar et al. came up with is the idea that given the powers Magneto has, there can only be one big battle between him and humanity. I mean, with his powers, taking over the world should be relatively easy.

For anyone who grew up with the new X-Men in the 80's and 90's I don't have to tell you how dear these characters are to us. For those who don't know the X-Men, this is a great place to start. Here you get an all new take on our favorite mutants, modernized for the new Millenium. Ever wonder why they wear costumes? You get an explanation! Ever wonder how Wolverine would end up with a button-down group like the X-Men? Here's a reason! Wanna know who would win in the fight for Jean Grey's love: Logan or Scott? The answer is as complicated as it is satisfyingly realistic. And this was one book that built the suspense up to a crescendo that left me breathless. But on top of the great writing is the lush artwork of Kubert, which is at times minimalistic and other times a canvas but always fresh and bold. If you love the X-Men BUY THIS BOOK. If you want to know who the X-Men are, this is a great place to start! I will cherish the Ultimate X-Men books.

Ultimate X-Men is a breath-taking, action-packed comic that takes you into a world of powerful mutants unlike the original X-Men. In this lasting comic, the X-Men are younger, hipper and different. Professor X is a younger, cooler and more stylish leader lacking the black suit and boring attitude like the first Professor X. Cyclops is the youger and leader-like X-Men. Marvel Girl is a hip young beautiful teenager with short red hair. Wolverine is a ruthless yet beautiful assassin with the carving for blood. Storm is a young teenage mutant (not a goddess unlike the first Storm). Beast is a big mutant who has his brain in his large feet unlike the original Beast who has an I.Q over 80. Iceman is the young mutant who is always ready for action. And finally Colossus is a massive and likeable mutant with a cool attitude. The Ultimate X-Men are a bunch of active mutants ready for action. Magneto is a dark leader who would even kill his only friend, Professor X. Toad is a green, mean, little punk with the cuban hair-style and tattoos everywhere on his body. Quiksilver is a silk, devilish mutant who all he wants to do is prove to his father Magneto that he is the best. Scarlet Witch is the more protective big sister to her brother and a sexier one too. Mastermind is a cool, quiet and strong-thinking mutant who could easily be the leader of the X-Men. Blob is the extra fat mutant who always has a sandwitch in his hand. The Ultimate X-Men is a new breed of mutants that are different and way better than the original X-Men.

This book is a MUST BUY for anyone interested in the X-men. I like the fact that this series (like ultimate spider-man), is set in a world thats just like our own, the only exception being that their are super-beings. This gives the book that extra bit of realism that I've never found in other X-men books, and it works, cause I'm hooked. If they can keep up this level of story telling and art ill probably end up liking this better than the orignal continuity. I just hope they keep it up.....(crossing fingers) I can't wait for the next book....its really that good.

The Ultimate line of comics was produced to introduce new readers to classic characters. First there was Ultimate Spidey, and now Ultimate X-Men. You have to admit, though, the the latter is much much more exciting than the former. Spidey has all the teen angst and they truly do succeed in making him a teen. The X-Men sure are younger than the real deal, but their actions are not all that teeny. There actually was a scene where Wolvie was in bed with Jean. What can a person say? These guy are young, reckless and much much more sassy than the originals. They're the X-Men! What did you expect?With the release of the X-Men movie and the difference between the origin of those characters to the real Marvel Universe heroes, X-fans are very accepting when it comes to change and that's exactly what Ultimate X-Men was all about. The premise is this world, although somewhat a darker image of it. It really works. It works so good that you can actually might gulp and think that these guys are as good as the real deal.The story is told by Mark Millar, a writer extraordinaire, that really knows how to deal with the X-Men as a group. They're more of a paramilitary unit than a group of teens as you might think they are. The same treatment is later introduced to the mainstream comics and that works even better with them because of the age difference and the much realistic approach to it. The art is mindblowing. The Kuberts are BOTH amazing. Though I'm a big Andy fan, but Adam truly does shine out with this one from his days as the Hulk's artist. The brothers' art leaves you wanting more.The Tomorrow People is the X-Men for the new millenium. The action and story not only works for new readers, but us old geezers as well.