Review by Tim Sheridan
“Magnetic North” Chapter Four
Story: Brian K Vaughn
Pencils: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Production: Jacob Chabot
Assistant Editor: Nicole Wiley
Assistant Editor: John Barber
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Published by Marvel Comics
Brian K Vaughn was just on a roll last week. He wrote three books that were released last Wednesday, and they were all pretty good. The book that will probably get to the most readers is Ultimate X-Men. Last month when I reviewed this comic, I expressed my enjoyment of the title, and the Ultimate line in general. Once again, I reiterate: for those of you not interested in 40 years of X-Men continuity, but who still enjoy mutant stories, this is the place to get your fill.
Honestly, I’m sort of tired of extolling the virtues of this title. I really can’t say anything new about it. Every aspect of the book is solid. So much happens this month, much of it action. But like any Vaughn-penned comic, the characterization/action balance is achieved, so while people are fighting and blowing up and scheming, we care about all of them. Take the character of Polaris for example. We met her what, three or four issues ago? And when she gets beat up (for lack of a better term) by Magneto, we are upset about it. If that little girl over in House of M got punched, we wouldn’t care. But because of Vaughn, we already know enough about Lorna Dane to feel just enough for her. And with a cast as big as Ultimate X-Men, I still feel that Vaughn gives equal time to everyone who deserves it. We may not see everyone in this issue, but he does a great job giving page time to the people who matter to the story.
Stuart Immonen and Wade Von Grawbadger’s art will be missed after next month. Every issue they do here gives the story a great kinetic feel that keeps it rushing ahead. I do hope this art team gets an even higher profile gig next, because I enjoy most everything they do, together or separately.
The only caveat I have with the issue is a little one. It’s The Ultimates. Now, I love this team, but I don’t really know if they needed to show up here. It’s almost like they were in the issue just because Vaughn wanted to write them. But they are used fine, and it’s always fun to see them, so I can’t complain too much.
Only one more issue to this story, and with this team, and they are putting all they have into their last tale. Enjoy.
