What do you think?
Rate this book
Ultimate X-Men Omnibus vol. 2
Four of the 21st century's most celebrated writers propel the Ultimate X-Men to ever greater heights! First, the team must ally with Spider-Man and Daredevil to help Wolverine fight a secret from his mysterious past. Then, the U.S. government enters the mutant-training business - and Emma Frost is in charge of the new class! But the shocking death of one of their own leaves the remaining X-Men struggling to deal with the loss - and when Mister Sinister arrives, he plans to give them even more to mourn! Gambit returns, Longshot is the lucky survivor of a murderous mutant reality show and Storm searches for Wolverine! Is Ultimate Juggernaut ultimately unstoppable? Who is Magician? And is Jean Grey really the cosmic entity called Phoenix?! Collecting ULTIMATE X-MEN #34-74 and ANNUAL #1-2, ULTIMATE X-MEN/FANTASTIC FOUR #1 and ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR/X-MEN #1.
1160 pages, Hardcover
Published February 27, 2024
33 people want to read
About the author
Brian Michael Bendis
4,130 books2,569 followersA comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim (including five Eisner Awards) and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics. For over eight years Bendis’s books have consistently sat in the top five best sellers on the nationwide comic and graphic novel sales charts.
Though he started as a writer and artist of independent noir fiction series, he shot to stardom as a writer of Marvel Comics' superhero books, particularly Ultimate Spider-Man.
Bendis first entered the comic world with the "Jinx" line of crime comics in 1995. This line has spawned the graphic novels Goldfish, Fire, Jinx, Torso (with Marc Andreyko), and Total Sell Out. Bendis is writing the film version of Jinx for Universal Pictures with Oscar-winner Charlize Theron attached to star and produce.
Bendis’s other projects include the Harvey, Eisner, and Eagle Award-nominated Powers (with Michael Avon Oeming) originally from Image Comics, now published by Marvel's new creator-owned imprint Icon Comics, and the Hollywood tell-all Fortune and Glory from Oni Press, both of which received an "A" from Entertainment Weekly.
Bendis is one of the premiere architects of Marvel's "Ultimate" line: comics specifically created for the new generation of comic readers. He has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best-selling launch, and has also written for Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, as well as every issue of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Ultimate Origin and Ultimate Six.
Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s AVENGERS franchise by writing both New Avengers and Mighty Avengers along with the successful ‘event’ projects House Of M, Secret War, and this summer’s Secret Invasion.
He has also previously done work on Daredevil, Alias, and The Pulse.
Though he started as a writer and artist of independent noir fiction series, he shot to stardom as a writer of Marvel Comics' superhero books, particularly Ultimate Spider-Man.
Bendis first entered the comic world with the "Jinx" line of crime comics in 1995. This line has spawned the graphic novels Goldfish, Fire, Jinx, Torso (with Marc Andreyko), and Total Sell Out. Bendis is writing the film version of Jinx for Universal Pictures with Oscar-winner Charlize Theron attached to star and produce.
Bendis’s other projects include the Harvey, Eisner, and Eagle Award-nominated Powers (with Michael Avon Oeming) originally from Image Comics, now published by Marvel's new creator-owned imprint Icon Comics, and the Hollywood tell-all Fortune and Glory from Oni Press, both of which received an "A" from Entertainment Weekly.
Bendis is one of the premiere architects of Marvel's "Ultimate" line: comics specifically created for the new generation of comic readers. He has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best-selling launch, and has also written for Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, as well as every issue of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Ultimate Origin and Ultimate Six.
Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s AVENGERS franchise by writing both New Avengers and Mighty Avengers along with the successful ‘event’ projects House Of M, Secret War, and this summer’s Secret Invasion.
He has also previously done work on Daredevil, Alias, and The Pulse.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 17, 2024
Definitely a weaker volume than its predecessor, in part because of the rotating cast of writers in Bendis, Vaughan, and Kirkman. They're all good writers, but this isn't their best work, and they mostly don't have the opportunity to set up the longer storylines that benefitted the first volume of UXM. (Vaughan does, but does it in such a hidden way that you don't realize until the end.)
Blockbuster (34-39). Bendis takes over and offers a really weird, unbalanced story. It reads like the first issues were written for either USM or UMT, and then suddenly it becomes a UXM comic. Maybe it was intended as a crossover? I dunno, but the results don't fit together well.
As for the story itself? Not a bad story about Weapon X coming back after Wolverine. Again. And then suddenly it's about coups and the presidency? I guess we'll see where this goes. [3/5]
New Mutants (40-45). Bendis makes up for his uneven first volume by really diving into the politics that led to the Weapon X attack in the previous story and playing them out on the largest stage possible. One of the most shocking events in the Ultimate X run combined with several interesting new mutants (just like it says on the tin) all around make this a solid volume ... just in time for Bendis to head off into the sunset after his year-long run [4+/5].
The Tempest (#46-49). Vaughan enters UXM with a very traditional feeling story: the X-Men versus a mutant serial killer. Except the serial killer is Sinister who is "crazy as a bag of ferrets", and not in a good way like Krakoa-era Sinister. Overall, the comic feels slow and the depiction of Sinister (and Apocalypse) like one of the bigger flops of the Ultimate era, like Vaughan is just trying way too hard to be edgy [3+/5].
Cry Wolf (50-53). Vaughan's UXM continues to drag more than it should. But this second arc does have a pile of nice character moments in it, focused on Rogue's relationships with Wolverine and Bobby ... and yes Gambit, who's finally back years after his first appearance. Vaughan also does a nice job of reinventing Fenris (and Gambit too for that matter), much better than his sideways reinvention of Sinister in the previous volume [3+/5].
The Most Dangerous Game (54-57). I think the biggest problem with Vaughan's UXM is that it's very monster-of-the-week. We get a Sinister arc, then a Fenris arc, now a Mojo arc. There's character continuity, but not the bigger plot arcs that defined the earlier runs of this comic. Which leaves it shallower. Certainly, Vaughan's reinventions in this arc are strong. The new Longshot, Spiral, Mojo, and Arcade are all interesting variations (unlike the new Sinister). There's even a fun twist at the end. But despite that, the comic ultimately (ha!) ends up being forgettable as Vaughan moves on to the next thing [3+/5].
A Hard Lesson (58). A nice spotlight on Xavier (and that's one of the things that's been missing since Millar left) and a nice bottle storyline [4/5].
Shock and Awe (59-60). Finally! Some continuity from Vaughan! Yes, it's just Weapon X attacking yet again, but it nicely ties into the histories of both Ororo and Logan and is a good, tight story [4/5].
Ultimate Sacrifice (A1). Good to get back to Rogue's story, and Vaughan offers a shocking twist here, but this Annual is too long by half for the amount of story within [3+/5]
Magnetic North (61-65). Well, it's unfortunate that it took until the very end of his run, but Vaughan neatly dovetails everyone of his stories together into a truly epic conclusion that mixes the new heroes and villains alike that we've met into a truly amazing Magneto story. Mind you, I think setting up this epic conclusion is part of why Vaughan's first year was weak, but so it goes. Definitely a terrific end for the second major sequence in the comic [5/5].
UX4. A dull crossover between 3 X-Men and the Fantastic Four. Is the villain from UFF or just a one-off? Hard to tell, but she's not that interesting, nor is this fight-then-team-up story. Some interesting meetups between the two teams is about all we get [2+/5].
Date Night (66-68). Kirkman comes aboard and not only does he offer a fun story that manages to highlight most of the Ultimate X-Men in a rather frenetic fashion, but he also begins plotting on more complex, overarcing plots of the sort Millar offered, these ones focused on Project X and the Phoenix. A welcome change! [4+/5].
Phoenix (69-71). A story in two parts. On the one hand, we have an intriguing advance of the Jean/Phoenix storyline with multiple surprising twists. On the other hand, we have a dull fight against the Brotherhood that apparently is intended to advance the dull storyline with the dull Magician character [3+/5].
Magical (72-74). Oh hey, the Magician is exactly what I thought. This second volume isn't quite as bad as the Magician parts of the "Phoenix" story because Kirkman isn't treating the readers like idiots. And, the very ending is nice. But, it's even nicer to have this storyline done with [3+/5].
Breaking Point (UXMA2). Hard to know what to make of this total character assassination of ultimate Kurt. It seems to be passed off as PTSD from this time with Weapon X, but his sexual harassment and gaslighting of Ali is just next-level. Maybe it didn't seem as bad at the time, prior to #MeToo. Ick! [3/5]
Blockbuster (34-39). Bendis takes over and offers a really weird, unbalanced story. It reads like the first issues were written for either USM or UMT, and then suddenly it becomes a UXM comic. Maybe it was intended as a crossover? I dunno, but the results don't fit together well.
As for the story itself? Not a bad story about Weapon X coming back after Wolverine. Again. And then suddenly it's about coups and the presidency? I guess we'll see where this goes. [3/5]
New Mutants (40-45). Bendis makes up for his uneven first volume by really diving into the politics that led to the Weapon X attack in the previous story and playing them out on the largest stage possible. One of the most shocking events in the Ultimate X run combined with several interesting new mutants (just like it says on the tin) all around make this a solid volume ... just in time for Bendis to head off into the sunset after his year-long run [4+/5].
The Tempest (#46-49). Vaughan enters UXM with a very traditional feeling story: the X-Men versus a mutant serial killer. Except the serial killer is Sinister who is "crazy as a bag of ferrets", and not in a good way like Krakoa-era Sinister. Overall, the comic feels slow and the depiction of Sinister (and Apocalypse) like one of the bigger flops of the Ultimate era, like Vaughan is just trying way too hard to be edgy [3+/5].
Cry Wolf (50-53). Vaughan's UXM continues to drag more than it should. But this second arc does have a pile of nice character moments in it, focused on Rogue's relationships with Wolverine and Bobby ... and yes Gambit, who's finally back years after his first appearance. Vaughan also does a nice job of reinventing Fenris (and Gambit too for that matter), much better than his sideways reinvention of Sinister in the previous volume [3+/5].
The Most Dangerous Game (54-57). I think the biggest problem with Vaughan's UXM is that it's very monster-of-the-week. We get a Sinister arc, then a Fenris arc, now a Mojo arc. There's character continuity, but not the bigger plot arcs that defined the earlier runs of this comic. Which leaves it shallower. Certainly, Vaughan's reinventions in this arc are strong. The new Longshot, Spiral, Mojo, and Arcade are all interesting variations (unlike the new Sinister). There's even a fun twist at the end. But despite that, the comic ultimately (ha!) ends up being forgettable as Vaughan moves on to the next thing [3+/5].
A Hard Lesson (58). A nice spotlight on Xavier (and that's one of the things that's been missing since Millar left) and a nice bottle storyline [4/5].
Shock and Awe (59-60). Finally! Some continuity from Vaughan! Yes, it's just Weapon X attacking yet again, but it nicely ties into the histories of both Ororo and Logan and is a good, tight story [4/5].
Ultimate Sacrifice (A1). Good to get back to Rogue's story, and Vaughan offers a shocking twist here, but this Annual is too long by half for the amount of story within [3+/5]
Magnetic North (61-65). Well, it's unfortunate that it took until the very end of his run, but Vaughan neatly dovetails everyone of his stories together into a truly epic conclusion that mixes the new heroes and villains alike that we've met into a truly amazing Magneto story. Mind you, I think setting up this epic conclusion is part of why Vaughan's first year was weak, but so it goes. Definitely a terrific end for the second major sequence in the comic [5/5].
UX4. A dull crossover between 3 X-Men and the Fantastic Four. Is the villain from UFF or just a one-off? Hard to tell, but she's not that interesting, nor is this fight-then-team-up story. Some interesting meetups between the two teams is about all we get [2+/5].
Date Night (66-68). Kirkman comes aboard and not only does he offer a fun story that manages to highlight most of the Ultimate X-Men in a rather frenetic fashion, but he also begins plotting on more complex, overarcing plots of the sort Millar offered, these ones focused on Project X and the Phoenix. A welcome change! [4+/5].
Phoenix (69-71). A story in two parts. On the one hand, we have an intriguing advance of the Jean/Phoenix storyline with multiple surprising twists. On the other hand, we have a dull fight against the Brotherhood that apparently is intended to advance the dull storyline with the dull Magician character [3+/5].
Magical (72-74). Oh hey, the Magician is exactly what I thought. This second volume isn't quite as bad as the Magician parts of the "Phoenix" story because Kirkman isn't treating the readers like idiots. And, the very ending is nice. But, it's even nicer to have this storyline done with [3+/5].
Breaking Point (UXMA2). Hard to know what to make of this total character assassination of ultimate Kurt. It seems to be passed off as PTSD from this time with Weapon X, but his sexual harassment and gaslighting of Ali is just next-level. Maybe it didn't seem as bad at the time, prior to #MeToo. Ick! [3/5]
December 14, 2024
(Zero spoiler review) 2.5/5
Before commencing omnibus number 2, I noticed that the first instalment's score was somewhat higher. Given that volume one was a significant disappointment, that didn't exactly fill me optimism going into this one. Though the opening dozen or so issues by Bendis with the masterful David Finch on art were outstanding. Ok, maybe not outstanding, but pretty bloody good. If only said bloody goodness had continued...
Next up was Brian K. Vaughn, who proceeded to forge a path for the all new, all new different (all shit) era of Marvel years before it's 'official' beginning. Within a couple of issues we get racism, sexism, yadda yadda yadda. Every progressive theme endemic to comics these days sprinkled across what was, regardless of said nonsense, some painfully average storytelling. And not the intelligent and creative way in which X-Men has played with themes of racial tension between mutants and humans. This is horrifically on the nose and oh so intentional.
Only Andy Kubert's artwork made it somewhat bearable, though Kubert is no Finch, that's for sure. Somehow BKV'S writing got worse in conjunction with the artistic switch to Stuart Immomen, whose digital linework and highly stylised leanings bordered on the cartoonish and absurd. It was unreadable as well as an eyesore.
Kirkman's issues were up and down, as was the art, but by this point, I was well and truly beyond caring and more or less wanted it to be over.
A sad, flaccid middle and end to what had been a rollickingly good opening. I'll keep these for the second half of Millar's run and Bendis' issues, though I would advise significant caution should you have not already invested in either of these two books. If there is a third omnibus released, I will be utilising similar caution indeed. 2.5/5
OmniBen.
Before commencing omnibus number 2, I noticed that the first instalment's score was somewhat higher. Given that volume one was a significant disappointment, that didn't exactly fill me optimism going into this one. Though the opening dozen or so issues by Bendis with the masterful David Finch on art were outstanding. Ok, maybe not outstanding, but pretty bloody good. If only said bloody goodness had continued...
Next up was Brian K. Vaughn, who proceeded to forge a path for the all new, all new different (all shit) era of Marvel years before it's 'official' beginning. Within a couple of issues we get racism, sexism, yadda yadda yadda. Every progressive theme endemic to comics these days sprinkled across what was, regardless of said nonsense, some painfully average storytelling. And not the intelligent and creative way in which X-Men has played with themes of racial tension between mutants and humans. This is horrifically on the nose and oh so intentional.
Only Andy Kubert's artwork made it somewhat bearable, though Kubert is no Finch, that's for sure. Somehow BKV'S writing got worse in conjunction with the artistic switch to Stuart Immomen, whose digital linework and highly stylised leanings bordered on the cartoonish and absurd. It was unreadable as well as an eyesore.
Kirkman's issues were up and down, as was the art, but by this point, I was well and truly beyond caring and more or less wanted it to be over.
A sad, flaccid middle and end to what had been a rollickingly good opening. I'll keep these for the second half of Millar's run and Bendis' issues, though I would advise significant caution should you have not already invested in either of these two books. If there is a third omnibus released, I will be utilising similar caution indeed. 2.5/5
OmniBen.
July 11, 2024
This review may contain minor spoilers.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ultimate X-Men Omnibus, Vol. 1.
Vol. 2, however, was a grind to finish.
This may be due to the fact that the first book was written entirely by Mark Millar - the tone was coherent through the whole story, both in rythm and character representation. This one is written by 3 authors, and it shows.
The first part, by Brian Michael Bendis, follows Millar's style while keeping the characters interesting, mainly by having the plot focused on a smaller cast. The introduction of Angel was my favorite part. However, he apparently decided to leave the book with a "bang," but "big events," in my opinion, have never, never, worked well for Bendis; his last two issues are a mess of situations that were clearly intended to shock but only succeed in ruining a perfectly paced story.
This is followed by Brian K. Vaughan arcs. In the end of the book we can read how he presented the idea for his first arc- how he wanted to revitalize some villains, and make the book about the life of teens. I would say he succeeds in presenting a compelling Sinister, but the rest of his endeavors in the following arcs are completely lackluster. Plots are shallow; characters are cartoons who act only as plot devices. There is a confrontation with the Ultimates which is, sadly, just cover bait and little else. I enjoyed his portrayal of Longshot, though.
By the time I got to Robert Kirkman's part, the quality set by the first book, or even the first arcs of this volume, was already lost completely.
In trying to revamp the series, these following authors simply repeat the same problems from the original universe they were trying to avoid. Characters dying for shock value; members leaving the team and returning one after the other, to the point you don't care anymore. By trying to make the X-Men "nuanced," they are just made into despicable, unlikable little monsters; the writers don't seem to grasp the concept of a person having weaknesses, secrets or defects that don't involve actual crimes.
Now I'm waiting for the final volume to be announced, expecting it vindicates the X-Men's legacy, and returns to the quality set by Millar in Vol 1.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ultimate X-Men Omnibus, Vol. 1.
Vol. 2, however, was a grind to finish.
This may be due to the fact that the first book was written entirely by Mark Millar - the tone was coherent through the whole story, both in rythm and character representation. This one is written by 3 authors, and it shows.
The first part, by Brian Michael Bendis, follows Millar's style while keeping the characters interesting, mainly by having the plot focused on a smaller cast. The introduction of Angel was my favorite part. However, he apparently decided to leave the book with a "bang," but "big events," in my opinion, have never, never, worked well for Bendis; his last two issues are a mess of situations that were clearly intended to shock but only succeed in ruining a perfectly paced story.
This is followed by Brian K. Vaughan arcs. In the end of the book we can read how he presented the idea for his first arc- how he wanted to revitalize some villains, and make the book about the life of teens. I would say he succeeds in presenting a compelling Sinister, but the rest of his endeavors in the following arcs are completely lackluster. Plots are shallow; characters are cartoons who act only as plot devices. There is a confrontation with the Ultimates which is, sadly, just cover bait and little else. I enjoyed his portrayal of Longshot, though.
By the time I got to Robert Kirkman's part, the quality set by the first book, or even the first arcs of this volume, was already lost completely.
In trying to revamp the series, these following authors simply repeat the same problems from the original universe they were trying to avoid. Characters dying for shock value; members leaving the team and returning one after the other, to the point you don't care anymore. By trying to make the X-Men "nuanced," they are just made into despicable, unlikable little monsters; the writers don't seem to grasp the concept of a person having weaknesses, secrets or defects that don't involve actual crimes.
Now I'm waiting for the final volume to be announced, expecting it vindicates the X-Men's legacy, and returns to the quality set by Millar in Vol 1.
February 15, 2025
I genuinely enjoyed this. After dragging my feet through the beginning stages of the Claremont run, this was a refreshing introduction for me with the X-Men. Makes me want to go back and continue dragging my feet with the Claremont run in its entirety. Nevertheless, Bendis started this volume off with precise. BKV fumbled a bit with his lefty driven bullshit but Kirkman kind of got it together. I just can’t see the whole Colossus being gay thing…whose idea was this?
Anyway, I look forward to the final few issues to complete this entire 100 issue run in volume 3. Hope it’s announced soon. But overall, I really enjoy the ultimate universe starting with the X-Men.
Anyway, I look forward to the final few issues to complete this entire 100 issue run in volume 3. Hope it’s announced soon. But overall, I really enjoy the ultimate universe starting with the X-Men.
December 23, 2025
I'm really surprised how much I enjoyed this. I know the Ultimate series get a bad rap but I still have had a lot of fun with the X-Men run. I like the reimagining of 616 into a more "down to earth" manner if that makes sense, and how death matters. Of course saying all that, I enjoy it because it's not the main canon.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews