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The following contains major spoilers for Ultimate X-Men #23, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
The beginning of the end for Marvel's Ultimate X-Men takes the story back to the very beginning
Ultimate X-Men #23 (by Peach Momoko, Zack Davisson, and VC's Travis Lanham) replays the events of the past 22 issues from a whole new point of view. Specifically, that of Makoto Amano, who has been watching the entire story unfold around him and manipulating those involved to ensure his own revenge over the Children of the Atom and Shinoby Kageyama, aka the Shadow King. Of course, all of this has come at a great cost, though none seems too high for someone else to pay where Amano is concerned.
Ultimate X-Men #23
- Written by PEACH MOMOKO
- Art by PEACH MOMOKO
- Script adaptation by ZACK DAVISSON
- Letters by VC's TRAVIS LANHAM
- Design by JAY BOWEN
- Main cover art by PEACH MOMOKO
- Variant covers by PEACH MOMOKO; FRANCESCO MOBILI & MORENO DINISIO; and FEDERICO VICENTINI & NOLAN WOODARD
The official solicit synopsis for Ultimate X-Men #23 from Marvel Comics reads, "SHOCKING TRUTHS REVEALED! This issue peels back the layers of deception, revealing the truth behind key events from the previous 22 issues! Prepare yourself for shocking twists that will change how you see the Ultimate X-Men forever!"
Makoto Amano was first seen in the pages of 2024's Ultimate X-Men #4. At the time, he was under the control of the dreaded Multiversal entity known as the Shadow King, who had also preyed upon Shinobu Kageyama. After being subjected to horrific experiments by the Children of the Atom and discovering his mutant abilities, Amano set out to destroy both the cult as a whole and Kageyama in particular.
Of course, all of the anguish that Amano sought vengeance for was tied back to the death of Tsubasa at the very beginning of Peach Momoko's Ultimate X-Men. A close friend of Hisako Ichiki, better known as Armor, Tsubasa was the target of near-constant harassment and bullying courtesy of Amano and others, leading him to take his own life.
Like the rest of the Ultimate Universe as it stands today, Ultimate X-Men is quickly approaching its finale, which will take place in the pages of Ultimate X-Men #24. Currently, the line is expected to come to a close with the release of Ultimate Wolverine #16 and The Ultimates #24 in April.
The Ultimates writer Deniz Camp, who took over as architect of the Ultimate Universe for writer Jonathan Hickman, discussed the impending conclusion of the Ultimate Universe back in October, stating, "It's hard to talk about it without getting emotional. It really is the culmination of everything Jonathan [Hickman] began."
"Everything from my book and everyone else's book are all converging," Camp continued. "It's gonna be definitive, it's going to be big. It's going to be emotional, there's going to be death... It's just wild."
Head of Marvel Comics and Franchise Dan Buckley added, "You'll be able to take this journey—the beginning, middle, and end—and digest it for years to come and pass it on to others."
Ultimate X-Men #23 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
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Since their debut in 1963, Marvel's X-Men have been more than just another superhero team. While the team really hit its stride as the All New, All Different X-Men in 1975, Marvel's heroic mutants have always operated as super-outcasts, protecting a world that hates and fears them for their powers.
Key members of the X-Men include Professor X, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Wolverine, Iceman, Beast, Rogue, and Storm. Often framed as the world's second strongest superheroes, after the Avengers, they are nonetheless one of Marvel's most popular and important franchises.
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