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Gorgeous, oversize, and well designed, Ultimate X-Men is also perfectly titled. It's a comprehensive overview of four decades of Marvel Comics's monstrously popular mutant superheroes--from their debut, in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's X-Men #1 (1963), to the terrific X-Men movie (2000). Ultimate X-Men includes the many major mutants who have appeared in The Uncanny X-Men and its spinoffs (Alpha Flight, New Generation, Wolverine, X-Factor, and numerous other series and miniseries). Two-page spreads detail the most important characters' origins, powers, costumes, and relationships. In addition, every superhero and supervillain appearing in the movie receives a sidebar, with stills, that describes the onscreen incarnation. Also receiving detailed coverage are nonmutants important to the X-Men, including Ka-Zar, Longshot, and Dr. Moira MacTaggert; major alien groups and races, like the Starjammers and the Shi'ar; and important locations and technology, such as the Danger Room, Dr. Xavier's estate, and the Blackbird jets. The book also covers the best Uncanny X-Men story lines, the Dark Phoenix Saga, and Days of Future Past. A Summers family tree lays out clearly a tangle of relationships (between clonal and alternate-timeline versions of Cyclops/Scott Summers and Marvel Girl/Phoenix/Jean Grey) that could drive even an experienced genealogist crazy. Ultimate X-Men opens with an entertaining foreword by X-Men creator-editor Stan Lee and concludes with a two-page overview of the X-Men animated series (1992-1997); a four-page "Making the X-Men Movie" section with many great shots; and an insightful afterword by the series' best writer, Chris Claremont.
Ultimate X-Men is a book every X-Men fan will want. It's practically a necessity for the newcomer drawn to the comics by the movie, because Marvel's mutants multiplied like superpowered rabbits in the 1990s. Art-oriented fans, however, may be disappointed by Ultimate X-Men. While it contains a hefty amount of art, the original artwork (the preliminary character sketches, a lovely Dave Cockrum sketch of Nightcrawler and Ororo, etc.) is outnumbered by panel and cover reproductions. And if you're less than enamored with the nature of endless comic-book series, Ultimate X-Men will prove that the more things change, the more they stay the same. --Cynthia Ward
From Booklist
Reviewed with Tom DeFalco's Hulk.Gr. 6-12. These excellent volumes profile two of Stan Lee's most famous creations for Marvel Comics: the persecuted mutants of the X-Men and the Frankenstein monster-inspired Incredible Hulk. Various artists who have contributed to both series during their 40 years of publication fill the oversize volumes with colorful, first-rate artwork. Every major hero and villain appearing in the series is profiled in the generous, two-page spreads--complete with a breakdown of powers and gadgets and commentary on the character's origin, first appearance, and costume changes over the years. Key locations (including some rarely seen in the pages of the comics) and events are meticulously detailed. Floor plans of Professor Xavier's mansion, the Danger Room, and Magneto's Base are sure to please hardcore fans, and storyline recaps and an exhaustive time line in each book will bring browsers up to speed. Monster enthusiasts will immediately find Hulk more appealing; the costume-ball look of X-Men quickly grows tiresome (and the only new parts are the concluding spreads on the upcoming movie). But classic illustrations blend seamlessly with more recent works, some of which were specially commissioned for the books. Buy X-Men if a new edition is needed, but both titles are essential additions to any comics collection. Carlos Orellana
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