REVIEW: Ultimate X-Men #14 - A New Generation of Mutants Faces a Shadowy Threat

Ultimate X-Men #14 stands out as one of the best entries in the mutant saga within the Ultimate Universe. Peach Momoko’s portrayal of young Japanese girls discovering their powers offers a refreshing take, though it’s also presented a unique challenge for me as a long-time X-Men reader.

I’ve lived through several relaunches and eras of X-Men, but none quite like what Momoko is crafting here. Unlike previous arcs, Ultimate X-Men focuses primarily on Hisako Ichiki (Armor) and the other students around her, as Japan faces a growing threat from evil mutants emerging from the shadows. Hisako has been burdened by numerous emotional scars, including the loss of a classmate and the rise of a malevolent psychic — this universe’s version of the formidable Shadow King. The previous issue took a sharp turn, as Hisako’s internal struggle led to devastating consequences, marking a significant and dark shift in her journey.

What makes this issue stand out for me, much like the one before, is the action taken by the X-Men. Whereas earlier issues saw the characters in more passive roles, observing as events unfolded around them, we finally see the team taking matters into their own hands. Hisako’s fall into despair is a catalyst that pushes her friends — Mei, Nico, and Mori — to confront the villainous Children of the Atom, who have cast a shadow of mutant fear over Japan. Mei, or Maystorm, in particular, shows how much she’s grown as a character as she takes a more commanding position, leading and uniting her fellow mutants against their enemy.

Ultimate X-Men #14 © Marvel — *Ultimate X-Men* #14 © Marvel

To be candid, my interest in this story had started to wane, particularly due to pacing issues. The lack of traditional X-Men action was replaced by a more character-driven narrative, which, at times, made it harder to fully invest in the young girls playing detective. However, what pulled me back in was the slowly expanding story that began to touch on the broader world of the Ultimate Universe, particularly the looming confrontation with the Shadow King, which started to unfold in issue #13. There’s a clear sense that a reckoning is coming, as devious mutants tighten their grip on Japan and the characters find themselves cornered in the larger mutant conflict.

Beneath the overarching Ultimate Universe plot — the return of the Maker — Ultimate X-Men holds the potential to become a classic. It takes risks by focusing on a primarily female cast, giving the spotlight to lesser-known mutants while reinterpreting them in ways that aren’t typically seen in mainline X-titles. Despite some pacing challenges, I can’t deny the art and creativity behind the story, and I’m eager to see where Momoko leads us next.