Reviewer: Tim Stevens
Story Title: The Most Dangerous Game Chapter 1
Written by: Brian K. Vaughan
Penciled by: Stuart Immonen
Inked by: Wade von Grawbadger with Scott Koblish
Colored by: Justin Ponsor
Lettered by: Virtual Calligraphy’s Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Publisher: Marvel Comics
This is the Ultimate title that I take for granted. It’s sad, but it’s true. I don’t know why exactly. It could be because (until Astonishing) the mutants of the Marvel Universe proper only interested me in concept, rarely in delivery. It could be because Ultimate Spider-Man has just always resonated more with me. It could be any number of things. As a result, Ultimate X-Men almost always takes me by surprise. I’m surprised to find it in my folder, I’m surprised when I remember that one of my favorite writers in the business (BKV) is on the title, and I’m surprised to find that, after reading it, I really, really enjoy it. Apparently, I have a very short memory.
Even with an elephant’s memory, however, Longshot means nothing to me. I know he has luck powers (sort of, right?), likes knives, dislikes Mojo, and had one sweet hairstyle, but that is about the sum total of my knowledge. I don’t know why he likes knives, but not Mojo. I don’t know how his powers work really. And I certainly don’t know who is hairstylist is. Frankly, I was pretty okay with this arrangement.
Unfortunately, it was not a situation that was meant to last. This month, BKV and Co. introduces Ultimate Longshot to the world. Gone is the hairstyle, but everything seems to have made the transition: three fingers and a thumb on each hand (wha?), leather jacket, and nebulous luck powers, and all those turn-ons and turn-offs. In the Ultimate U. he is a contestant on a sort of Series 7/ Running Man reality show (points to Dazzler for name dropping the author and his alter ego of that story, all without mentioning the Arnie movie), run by Mojo (who remains enormous, but now has actual legs and takes the time to put on a shirt rather than let those sloppy pancakes flap in the breeze), that features mutant “criminals” being hunted and executed by (presumably) good, law abiding folk. It is everything you love about the Amazing Race and capital punishment, combined. Two great tastes that taste great together and all that.
So do I like Longshot? Eh, too early to tell. I can tell you that this is another strong script and plot from Vaughan. Although Longshot’s participation in the reality show is the main event of this book, it is the little things that really make it work. Cyclops and Jean’s relationship is much more interesting (and playfully sexual) then I can recall their 616 counterparts ever being. The repercussions of the Kitty Pride/Iceman kiss, which, at the time seemed a rather undercooked occurrence, continue to unfold. Professor X has converted to all business teacher/mentor role and has grown quite cold towards the students. Most interestingly is Colossus’s ever increasing frustration and Dazzler’s utilization of that frustration to get him and a few other mutants in on a little unsanctioned extracurricular activity.
Sadly, Adam Kubert has left again, this time for good I believe. However, I am thrilled with the replacement. Immonen has a great line style in everything I have seen him illustrate so it will be good to see him grow into this book. His first effort is not bad. There are few panels that look uncharacteristically empty of detail or rushed, but they are rare and I expect that in an issue or two, Immonen will have settled down and those blips in quality will disappear.
