Reviewer: William Cooling
Title: Blockbuster Pt. 6
Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencilled: by David Finch
Inked by: Art Thibert
Coloured by: Dave Stewart
Lettered by: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Brian Michael Bendis has over the past few months turned his attention to the political ramifications of the rise of the Supermen in the Ultimate Universe. He first aired this theme in Ultimate Spider-Man 44 where we see the X-Men planning to bring to the UN a case of illegal genetic testing. He then went on to develop this in the excellent Ultimate Six mini-series, which showed the efforts of the American Government to maintain a monopoly over GM-Superhumans and in the most recent issue the possible ramifications if this containment policy was to become public knowledge.
Over in Ultimate X-Men after a controversial first four issues, which many felt was more like Ultimate Team Up than Ultimate X-Men as they solely focused on Wolverine and a collection of guest stars, he has begun to politicise this title as well. This started last issue as it was revealed that the people attacking Wolverine were ex of Weapon X and could be part of a wider military conspiracy against mutants. Bendis also showed the ramifications of Millar placing the X-Men under SHIELD command as we see Fury order Xavier not to interfere with SHIELD’s investigation.
However, the problem came to the mansion as a search party for the ex-Weapon Xers were attacked by Jean Grey, who was deep in the throws of the Phoenix. We start this issue with the aftermath of this savage attack as Jean Grey is left disorientated with no control over her telepathic powers and the search party is left dead. Bendis is a wonderful writer of women and shows this again with his sensitive handling of the scenes featuring Jean. He is particularly adept at showing the father-daughter style relationship that the Professor and Jean share.
Bendis quickly moves the issue to the confrontation between the Weapon Xers and the X-Men, a confrontation which will disappoint those wanting to read some ass kicking (and if you are, then what the hell are you doing reading a Bendis comic?). However, it does develop the military conspiracy that promises to be at the heart of Bendis (and maybe Mack’s) run on the title. The way Bendis handles the confrontation is also far more realistic than there being a hum-dinger of a battle and is expertly written.
Just as important is the aftermath of the confrontation as someone who promises to be a major new supporting character, explicitly states the growing threat and its cause and also teaches the X-Men a lesson. He also proceeds to offer Wolverine a glimpse of his past.
The art is (as it has been consistently in this arc) of an excellent standard confirming the promise Finch showed in The Call. His art is reminiscent of Jim Lee as he brings to all his characters a look and feel that while superficially realistic is in fact deeply idealised, similar in many ways to a Hollywood movie. By that I don’t mean his characters are bombastic, indeed his linework has a subtlety to it, but in that even in the most dark, gritty situation the principle characters just look drop dead gorgeous (especially the men funnily enough). He is also great at conveying emotion through faces, as especially shown with reference to the women leader of ex-Weapon Xers and Wolverine. He is also great at depicting the few action scenes in this issue (well it is Bendis writing after all) with him once again showing off an ability to draw a mean double spread. Special credit must also go to the excellent colours of Dave Stewart, whose subtle palette perfectly conveys the atmosphere of the story.
This is an excellent issue as Bendis really hits his stride in developing the X-Men and fitting it into his wider politicisation of the Ultimate Universe. The writing is typical Bendis: good dialogue, excellent characterisation but not a lot happening action wise. I’m sure that’s not a surprise to anyone, so if you don’t like decompressed storytelling then for the love of God don’t buy this title. Unless of course your content to just look at Finch’s pretty pictures.
