Do yourselves a favor people...

[taintedlunch]

...pick up the latest issue of Ultimate X-Men, written by Brian K Vaughn (quickly becoming my favorite writer) and guest-artist Steve Dillon. In this issue, a routine trip to the bank for Professor X becomes anything but when a crazed mutant takes over the bank and holds everyone hostage. Unable to affect the mutant's mind directly, he's forced to use his powers to help his fellow hostages help themselves. The ending is unexpected and effective, showing us why Ultimate Xavier is one of the more sinister characters in all the Marvel Universe. It's a stand-alone issue, and one of the best X-Men comics to come out in years. Get going!

[JeffreyWKramer]

I have disliked every story I've read with the Ultimate X-Men to date, but its pretty hard to pass up a combo like Vaughan + Dillon, so on that strength I'll pick it up.

Thanks for the mention of this, as otherwise I probably wouldn't have heard of it.

[taintedlunch]

I have disliked every story I've read with the Ultimate X-Men to date, but its pretty hard to pass up a combo like Vaughan + Dillon, so on that strength I'll pick it up.

Thanks for the mention of this, as otherwise I probably wouldn't have heard of it.

I think that Ultimate X-Men is superfluous, but it has produced two of the best X-Men stories published in recent years, both one-shots. One is the issue I mentioned above, and the other was a story by Bendis and Fitch about a mutant kid whose powers are so dangerous that he can't be allowed to live, and Wolverine takes him into a cave where they talk for awhile before Wolverine does what he knows he must do... I can't remember what issue that was so if anyone has that info please post it.

All of Brian K Vaughn's issues have been excellent. The last arc involving Longshot and a "Most Dangerous Game" plot isn't as tired as it might sound. He has an ear for great dialogue and the characters play well off of each other.

UXM has had a great list of writers, Millar, Bendis, and now Vaughn, but it makes me wonder how good they could have been on X-Men proper.

[Kyuubi]

The Ultimate X-Men issue with Wolverine and the dangerous mutant is #41, one of my favorite one-shot issues in comics.

[ssurly]

but that issue with wolverine and the kid was the MAIN reason I dropped the title.

Not the kind of theme I look for in my superhero book......

[west3man]

I think that Ultimate X-Men is superfluous, but it has produced two of the best X-Men stories published in recent years, both one-shots. One is the issue I mentioned above, and the other was a story by Bendis and Fitch about a mutant kid whose powers are so dangerous that he can't be allowed to live, and Wolverine takes him into a cave where they talk for awhile before Wolverine does what he knows he must do... I can't remember what issue that was so if anyone has that info please post it. Why? It's spoiled. Then again, there are folks who don't mind spoilers, like Ed.

I had a problem with that issue for what are probably obvious reasons.

[Gaz]

Why? It's spoiled. Then again, there are folks who don't mind spoilers, like Ed.

I had a problem with that issue for what are probably obvious reasons.
Yes, and I understand why you feel that way. But I feel the same about the Punisher ever being created, however, I know a lot of folks that enjoy that series, and so I forbear.

[west3man]

Yes, and I understand why you feel that way. But I feel the same about the Punisher ever being created, however, I know a lot of folks that enjoy that series, and so I forbear.
I wasn't going to push the point, but I would like to mention that those two things aren't equivalent.

One involved a "hero" killing a child who inadvertently killed others. Perhaps he could've been helped, instead of "put down."

The other involvs a "hero" killing adults who purposefully killed others. Perhaps they could've been helped.

There's a significant difference between the two, in my opinion.

[Gaz]

I wasn't going to push the point, but I would like to mention that those two things aren't equivalent.

One involved a "hero" killing a child who inadvertently killed others. Perhaps he could've been helped, instead of "put down."

The other involvs a "hero" killing adults who purposefully killed others. Perhaps they could've been helped.

There's a significant difference between the two, in my opinion.
Unfortuantely, that kid couldn't get within 500 feet of anyone that WANTED to help without killing them. Besides, it's been established that Ultimate Xavier and Emma are pretty much inverted from their 616 counterparts. Emma wants a peaceful solution to the conflict and would never interfere with someone's mind without permission except in dire circumstances. Xavier is a bit more agressive and proactive with his plans and powers. So that method of dealing with the kid is in keeping with his character.

And I was just pointing out that there are comics I abhor for similar reasons (cold-blooded killers shouldn't be heroes), not making a direct link.

[west3man]

Unfortuantely, that kid couldn't get within 500 feet of anyone that WANTED to help without killing them. Besides, it's been established that Ultimate Xavier and Emma are pretty much inverted from their 616 counterparts. Emma wants a peaceful solution to the conflict and would never interfere with someone's mind without permission except in dire circumstances. Xavier is a bit more agressive and proactive with his plans and powers. So that method of dealing with the kid is in keeping with his character.

And I was just pointing out that there are comics I abhor for similar reasons (cold-blooded killers shouldn't be heroes), not making a direct link.
*sticks out tongue*

[Gaz]

*sticks out tongue*
:p
See, it's easier this way. :D

[west3man]

:p
See, it's easier this way. :D
If this thread doesn't take off in the intended direction, soon, I'm going to respond to your assertions with more than my tongue.

Wait, that didn't come out right.

[Gaz]

If this thread doesn't take off in the intended direction, soon, I'm going to respond to your assertions with more than my tongue.

Wait, that didn't come out right.
Sorry, man. We both have strong opinions on this stuff, as we've seen before. But I DO respect your position, and even share it to an extent, but I just wanted to point out that there's enough room in the industry for all kinds of stories, not to insult you... cool? :)

[stealthwise]

Until Whedon on Astonishing and BKV on Ultimate, I've never been a big fan of the X-Men, but right now Vaughan's run is too good to pass up. He's got a stunning sense for dialogue, pacing and intriguing twists. His cliffhangers (obviously not evidenced in this latest one-shot) are fantastic as well.

[Gaz]

Until Whedon on Astonishing and BKV on Ultimate, I've never been a big fan of the X-Men, but right now Vaughan's run is too good to pass up. He's got a stunning sense for dialogue, pacing and intriguing twists. His cliffhangers (obviously not evidenced in this latest one-shot) are fantastic as well.
Is Brian writing anything that's less than great? :)

[stealthwise]

Is Brian writing anything that's less than great? :)

:) Not in my opinion, I'm buying it all. I hope he doesn't get involved in stuff like House of M that I have no interest in at all.

[Gaz]

:) Not in my opinion, I'm buying it all. I hope he doesn't get involved in stuff like House of M that I have no interest in at all.
I doubt it, the only 616 title he does is set as far away from Manhatten as possible without leaving the US.

[stealthwise]

I doubt it, the only 616 title he does is set as far away from Manhatten as possible without leaving the US.

That's true. My great hope is that BKV is able to escape being sucked into mainstream hell (that pays well, though). The hope is for purely selfish reasons, of course. ;)

[Gaz]

That's true. My great hope is that BKV is able to escape being sucked into mainstream hell (that pays well, though). The hope is for purely selfish reasons, of course. ;)
I want him to do a European set Marvel or DC title, just so I can read about places I recognize.
But Runaways is good too, wish he'd just have Karolina come out though, I don't buy that she's "just confused" even if BKV says it. One of those "the character writes the plot despite the writer's intent" things, like Ultimate Gwen Stacy.