Marvel's new manga-influenced Ultimate X-Men are officially here, and they're about to take on a sinister mutant cult

ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel’s new manga-influenced Ultimate X-Men are officially here, and they’re about to take on a sinister mutant cultWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel’s new manga-influenced Ultimate X-Men are officially here, and they’re about to take on a sinister mutant cultWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Marvel Comics) Ultimate X-Men has been one of the strangest and most interesting of Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe line. And with Ultimate X-Men #5, things get even more eerie, even as they also begin to hit closer to home with the group of young mutants at the book’s core officially taking on the name ‘X-Men.’ But with the familiar also comes the, let’s just say… uncanny… as the nature of mutants in the new Ultimate Universe is explored with bizarre and potentially dangerous implications. Meanwhile, we’ve finally gotten a glimpse of what may be the full Ultimate X-Men team in future solicitations, which we’ll also unpack here. Spoilers ahead for Ultimate X-Men #5 (Image credit: Marvel Comics) But before she can reveal anymore, Kageyama, in his weird Cerebro-esque closet, senses Nico’s reading and sends his shadow-self through the amulet to prevent them from learning anything else about him, saying it’s “too early.” Nico snaps into action, smashing the shadow with a book, and growing her magnifying glass, which she says she got from her grandmother, into a large staff which somewhat resembles the Staff of One she carries in the core Marvel Universe, which channels magic that banishes the shadow - all very much to her own surprise. (Image credit: Marvel Comics) Elsewhere, Surge confronts a man who wants to “pay for her company,” the implications of which are fairly clear, leading her to fry his brain with an electrical pulse and empty his wallet of cash. She passes Nico, Hisako, and Maystorm, though they don’t actually meet just yet. Comic deals, prizes and latest news Get the best comic news, insights, opinions, analysis and more! Nico explains to Hisako and Maystorm that she believes the blood magic cast on Hisako’s omamori is connected to a cult who call themselves “Homo Superior,” who have secret ritual spaces hidden in normal office buildings, and who believe themselves to be the next stage in human evolution. As Nico gives her explanation, her narration is set over a sequence of Kageyama making his way into the city to one of the very cult strongholds she’s describing, implying he’s part of the Homo Superior cult. (Image credit: Marvel Comics) Nico and Maystorm resolve to form their own counter group, with Maystorm suggesting the name “X-Team” because they’ve all received bad grades - X’s - on some of their tests. Nico says her grades are good, leading May to offer another suggestion: Secret Society X-Men. And thus, the new Ultimate X-Men team is officially formed. And what’s more, we’ve given a glimpse at several members to come - a solemn looking girl, a girl with a bunny ears hat, and a girl with a bandage on her eye. The potential identities of these characters are given some more explanation on therecently revealed cover of Ultimate X-Men #8, which seems to identify them as Gorgon, Molly Hayes (we could be wrong on this one, it might be Quicksilver, or someone else), and Cyclops. (Image credit: Marvel Comics) Those three, along with Surge, Maystorm, Hisako/Armor, and Nico as the first full roster of the new Ultimate X-Men. That also seems to be Shadow King (or someone who looks a lot like him) on the bottom left corner, so there’s a chance he could wind up being part of the team as well. Ultimate X-Men #6 goes on sale August 28. The coreX-Men line just began a full relaunchwith an all-newX-Men #1. 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Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 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