View source for Ultimate X-Men

{{short description|Comic book series}}
{{Distinguish|Ultimate X-Men (2024){{!}}Ultimate X-Men (2024 comic book)}}
{{Infobox comic book title| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|image=X-Men (Ultimate Marvel characters).jpg
|caption=Cover art for Ultimate X-Men #65, by [[Stuart Immonen]].
|schedule=Monthly
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=February 2001 – February 2009
|issues=101
|main_char_team={{Collapsible list  |framestyle=border:none; padding:0; <!--Hides borders and improves row spacing-->
| [[Warren Worthington III#Ultimate Marvel|Angel]]
| [[Beast (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Beast]]
| [[Colossus (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Colossus]]
| [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Cyclops]]
| [[Dazzler (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Dazzler]]
| [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Iceman]]
| [[Jean Grey#Ultimate Marvel|Jean Grey]]
| [[Nightcrawler (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Nightcrawler]]
| [[Professor X#Ultimate Marvel|Professor X]]
| [[Betsy Braddock#Ultimate Marvel|Betsy Braddock]]
| [[Rogue (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Rogue]]
| [[Kitty Pryde#Ultimate Marvel|Kitty Pryde]]
| [[Storm (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Storm]]
| [[Wolverine (Ultimate Marvel character)|Wolverine]]
}}|writers={{collapsible list| 
[[Mark Millar]] (#1–12, 15–33, ''Ultimate War'' #1–4)<br/>[[Chuck Austen]] (#13–14)<br/>[[Geoff Johns]] (#1/2)<br/>[[Brian Michael Bendis]] (#34–45)<br/>[[Brian K. Vaughan]] (#46–65, Annual #1)<br/>[[Mike Carey (writer)|Mike Carey]] (''Ultimate X4 #1–2'')<br/>[[Robert Kirkman]] (#66–93, Annual #2)<br/>Aron Eli Coleite (#94–100, ''X-Men/FF'' Annual #1–2, ''Ultimate Requiem'')}}
|artists=
|pencillers={{collapsible list|
[[Adam Kubert]] (#1–4, 7–8, 10–12, 15–17, 20–22, 25, 29, 31–33)<br/>[[Andy Kubert]] (#5–6, 50–53)<br/>[[Tom Raney]] (#9, 66–68, 72–74, Annual #1)<br/>Tom Derenick (#12)<br/>[[Esad Ribić]] (#13–14)<br/>[[Aaron Lopresti]] (#1/2)<br/>[[Chris Bachalo]] (#18–19, ''Ultimate War'' #1–4)<br/>[[Kaare Andrews]] (#23–24)<br/>[[Ben Lai|Ben]] and Ray Lai (#26)<br/>[[David Finch (comics)|David Finch]] (#27–28, 30, 34–45)<br/>[[Brandon Peterson]] (#46–49, ''X-Men/FF'' Annual #2)<br/>[[Stuart Immonen]] (#54–57, 59–65)<br/>[[Steve Dillon]] (#58)<br/>[[Pasqual Ferry]] (''Ultimate X4 #1–2'')<br/>[[Leinil Francis Yu]] (''Ultimate X4'' #2)<br />[[Ben Oliver]] (#69–71, 75–76, 78, 81, ''Ultimate Requiem'')<br/>[[Salvador Larroca]] (Annual #2, 88–92)<br/>[[Yanick Paquette]] (#77, 79–80, 84–88)<br/>Pascal Alixe (#82–83)<br/>Harvey Tolibao (#93)<br/>[[Mark Brooks (comics)|Mark Brooks]] (#94–100, ''X-Men/FF'' Annual #1)}}
|inkers=
|colorists=
|creative_team_month=
|creative_team_year=
|creators={{collapsible list|
[[Bill Jemas]]<br/>[[Joe Quesada]]<br/>[[Mark Millar]]<br/>[[Adam Kubert]]<br>[[Andy Kubert]]<br>(based upon the original characters by [[Stan Lee]], [[Chris Claremont]] and [[Jack Kirby]])}}
}}
'''''Ultimate X-Men''''' is a [[superhero]] [[comic book]] series, which was published by [[Marvel Comics]], from 2001 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running [[X-Men]] comic book franchise as part of the [[Ultimate Marvel]] imprint.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brevoort |first1=Tom |last2=DeFalco |first2=Tom |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=Sanderson |first4=Peter |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |title=Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History |date=2017 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1465455505 |page=304}}</ref> The Ultimate X-Men exist alongside other revamped Marvel characters in Ultimate Marvel titles including ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man]]'', ''[[Ultimate Fantastic Four]]'' and ''[[Ultimates|The Ultimates]]''.

The protagonists are the X-Men, a group of teen-aged [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutants]]: a subspecies of the human race, who possess latent super-human abilities from birth, due to the presence of the mysterious "X-Gene" within their genetic codes. It sets them apart from the rest of humanity and despite being feared and distrusted by the general public and authorities, they use their super-powers to prevent and stop unnatural threats to both the human and mutant race, while being mentored by [[Professor X#Ultimate Marvel|Professor Charles Xavier]], the X-Men's founder and a world-renowned expert on genetics and the world's most powerful [[Telepathy|telepath]]. The series features many characters and storylines similar to those of the original X-Men series. ''Ultimate X-Men'' almost completely ignores supernatural or mystical elements as plot devices, and the X-Men have no secret identities, and mutants are distrusted and hunted down. 

The series began in 2001 under writer [[Mark Millar]] and artists [[Adam Kubert]] and [[Andy Kubert]], while the final issues of the series were written by Aron Coleite and penciled by [[Mark Brooks (comics)|Mark Brooks]]. ''Ultimate X-Men'' was met with considerable commercial success, even outselling most of the other X-Men comic titles and received a generally positive response from critics and readers, who praised the art-work by various artists, the writing runs of Millar, Bendis, Vaughan, Kirkman and Coleite, the character development and progression of the titular superheroes throughout the series and the unique and interesting twists on conventional X-Men themes and concepts, along with the fresh and distinctively modernized re-imagining of the classic X-Men mythos, while the uneven quality of the writing, the somewhat edgy and unnecessarily adult-oriented tone and direction of the comics and some of the changes and deviations from the original X-Men comics were singled out for criticism.

A quasi-sequel/spinoff titled ''[[Ultimate Comics: X]]'' began in February 2010, but only lasted for 5 issues. The series focused on Wolverine's secret son Jimmy Hudson, Jean Grey, and several other mutants dealing with the aftermath of ''[[Ultimatum (Ultimate Marvel)|Ultimatum]]''.

Ultimate X-Men was later relaunched by [[Nick Spencer]] and Paco Medina, with the title now called ''[[Ultimate Comics: X-Men]]''.

==Publishing history==
{{Main|List of Ultimate X-Men story arcs}}
[[File:Ultimate X-Men 1-vol.1 (Feb. 2001).jpg|thumb|upright|left|First issue of ''Ultimate X-Men''. Cover by [[Adam Kubert]].]]
Upon its debut in February 2001, ''Ultimate X-Men'' was the second comic of the [[Ultimate Marvel]] line, preceded a few months by its sister title ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man]]''. The heads of the Ultimate Universe line, [[Bill Jemas]] and [[Joe Quesada]], originally tried to hire [[Brian Michael Bendis]] to write the title, but he declined.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bendis_UXM |url=http://www.newsarama.com/Bendis_UXM.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101013607/http://www.newsarama.com/Bendis_UXM.htm |archive-date=2005-11-01 |website=Newsarama}}</ref> Marvel hired Scottish writer [[Mark Millar]], who was best known at the time for his run on ''[[The Authority (comics)|The Authority]]'' and was largely ignorant of the X-Men franchise. With the 2000 ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'' film as his only reference, Millar reinvented the X-Men.<ref name="millar2.shtml">{{Cite web |url=http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/mar02/millar2.shtml |title=Sequential Tart: Mark Millar – Ultimate Writer (vol V/iss 3/March 2002) |access-date=2004-12-24 |archive-date=2004-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040218004409/http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/mar02/millar2.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, Millar's original X-Men consisted of telepath Professor X, Cyclops, whose eyes shoot concussive beams, telepathic and telekinetic Jean Grey, weather-manipulating Storm, simian genius Beast, metal-skinned Colossus, and cryokinetic Iceman. Millar's roster soon expanded to include teleporting Nightcrawler, intangible Kitty Pryde and power absorbing Rogue.

Common to the Millar period was an edgy tone, featuring quick action-driven plots and less moral X-Men. For instance, Wolverine tries to kill Cyclops in "Return of the King" because he is envious of Jean's love. In an interview with ''Sequential Tart'', Millar commented, "You're not competing with [[Cartoon Network]] on these books; you're competing with '[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy]]'...Superhero comics aren't adult, but they shouldn't be written for five-year-olds either."<ref name="millar2.shtml"/> Millar shaped ''Ultimate X-Men'' into a commercial hit, consistently outselling its sister titles, ''[[X-Treme X-Men]]'' and ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/1850.html |title=ICv2News: ICv2's Top 300 Comics & Top 100 GN's Index |access-date=2006-01-18 |archive-date=2014-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703085114/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/1850.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

After Mark Millar's run, ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' writer Brian Michael Bendis took over for a year. Bendis stated that his run on the book would be more character-driven, especially concerning Wolverine, who had previously tried to kill his teammate Cyclops.<ref name="bendis1">[http://www.newsarama.com/Bendis_UXM.htm Untitled Document] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101013607/http://www.newsarama.com/Bendis_UXM.htm|date=November 1, 2005}}</ref> Bendis' run was marked by the introductions of Angel and Dazzler to the team, relative absence of major villains and was also notorious for killing Beast, who was killed when a Sentinel attacked the White House. This made Beast the first dead Ultimate X-Man. As a side note, ''Ultimate X-Men'' #40 features what Marvel claims to be the first marriage proposal in a comic book letters column, which is answered in ''Ultimate X-Men'' #44 with a positive response.

The third ''Ultimate X-Men'' writer was [[Brian K. Vaughan]], best known at the time for his work on ''[[Y: The Last Man]]'', and, subsequently, ''[[Saga (comics)|Saga]]''. His run was marked by the relative absence of Wolverine as the main character and the re-imagining of second-string ''X-Men'' characters. He introduced [[Mister Sinister#Ultimate Marvel|Mr. Sinister]] as a mutant-killing scientist with hypnosis and stealth powers in "The Tempest" (#46–49), German twins [[Fenris (comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Fenris]] as mutant corporate criminals in "Cry Wolf" (#50–53), as well as [[Mojo (comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Mojo]] and [[Longshot (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Longshot]] as a corrupt TV producer and a mutant felon, respectively in "The Most Dangerous Game" (#54–57). Both are of non-alien origin in this world and have the civilian names "Arthur Centino" and "Mojo Adams", a play on the names of their creators, writer [[Ann Nocenti]] and artist [[Art Adams]]. Further arcs were centered on Professor X (#58) and [[Lady Deathstrike#Ultimate Lady Deathstrike|Deathstrike]] in "Shock and Awe" (#59–60). Lady Deathstrike possesses adamantium claws and regenerative powers. Vaughan also reintroduced Magneto,<ref name=MN>"Magnetic North" (''Ultimate X-Men'' #61–65)</ref> and established Ultimate Colossus to be homosexual.<ref name=MN/>

On working within the Ultimate Universe, Vaughan wrote: "In my mind, the X-Men shouldn't be teachers or celebrities or even traditional superheroes. They're students, confused, sometimes reckless teenagers who are feared and hated because their bodies are undergoing frightening changes... The Ultimate Universe restores that small but crucial element."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Vaughan |first1=Brian K |title=Ultimate X-Men Hardcover Volume 5 |date=4 January 2006 |publisher=Marvel |isbn=978-0785121039 |page=3 }}</ref>

Vaughan's run was followed by [[Robert Kirkman]], author of ''[[The Walking Dead (comics)|The Walking Dead]]'' and ''[[Invincible (comic series)|Invincible]]'' comic books. Kirkman's run was noted for adapting several major storyarcs from the regular X-Men series. These included Jean Grey's transformation into Phoenix, the arrival of Cable and Bishop, and the appearance of Apocalypse. Kirkman reintroduced Wolverine as an important character, and played with issues of team loyalty. Under his authorship, major characters such as Nightcrawler and Colossus left the team. His tenure also featured Cyclops' decision to turn Xavier's into a more traditional school and consequently disband the X-Men. When this was done an alternate team of X-Men was formed by Bishop as part of the upcoming fight against Apocalypse. After the ''[[Ultimatum (Ultimate Marvel)|Ultimatum]]'' storyline, nearly all of the X-Men were killed, and the team disbanded.

After the events in ''Ultimatum'' the book, along with ''[[Ultimate Fantastic Four]]'', was canceled after its 100th issue.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/908/908687p1.html |title=Mark Millar Summons The Ultimate Avengers |access-date=2008-11-06 |archive-date=2012-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309194628/http://comics.ign.com/articles/908/908687p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A follow-up one-shot, called ''[[Ultimate Requiem|Requiem]]'', was released and concluded the series' story. A new series, ''[[Ultimate Comics: X]]'', debuted in early 2010 and featured Kitty Pryde, Wolverine's son, Jimmy Hudson and Jean Grey.

''Ultimate X-Men'' was then relaunched as ''Ultimate Comics: X-Men'' with writer [[Nick Spencer]] and artist [[Paco Medina]]. The series stars Jimmy Hudson, Kitty Pryde, Johnny Storm, Bobby Drake and Rogue.<ref>[http://www.hypergeek.ca/2011/05/marvel-announces-jonathan-hickman-on-ultimate-comics-ultimates-in-august.html "Marvel Announces Jonathan Hickman on Ultimate Comics: Ultimates in August!"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724124522/http://www.hypergeek.ca/2011/05/marvel-announces-jonathan-hickman-on-ultimate-comics-ultimates-in-august.html |date=2011-07-24 }}, Hypergeek, May 2, 2011</ref><ref>Manning, Shaun. [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32146 "Marvel's '-Men'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526141539/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32146 |date=2011-05-26 }}, [[Comic Book Resources]], May 3, 2011</ref>

===Commercial success===
''Ultimate X-Men'' quickly established itself as a hit comic, lauded by critics and popular with the fans. The following table shows the development of comic sales in comparison to the mainstream titles.<ref>[http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/1850.html "ICv2's Top 300 Comics & Top 300 GN's Index"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703085114/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/1850.html |date=2014-07-03 }}, ICv2, November 18, 2008</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Date
! Ultimate X-Men
! Uncanny X-Men
! New X-Men
! X-Treme X-Men
|-
|-
||March 2001||97,985||96,271||n/a||n/a
|-
||November 2001||100,688||125,044 ''(400th issue)''||116,782||84,326
|-
||March 2002||96,150||95,386||104,138||72,892
|-
||November 2002||89,390||83,581||97,023||55,043
|-
||March 2003||86,795||83,626||92,618||58,322
|-
||November 2003||105,737||90,764||102,591||61,574
|-
||March 2004||97,002||86,431||117,253||53,207
|-
||November 2004||92,133||92,051||(ended)||(ended)
|-
||March 2005||83,835||86,365||(ended)||(ended)
|-
||November 2005||74,264||82,825||(ended)||(ended)
|-
||March 2006||72,765||79,789||(ended)||(ended)
|}

==Characters==
{{Main|List of Ultimate X-Men characters}}

===X-Men===
* '''[[Professor X#Ultimate Marvel|Professor Charles Xavier]]''', [[telepathy|telepath]] and [[psychokinesis|telekinetic]], is the founder and patron of the X-Men. He is an idealist and a pacifist, but less saintly than his mainstream counterpart. The Professor possesses vast knowledge and acquires advanced surgical skills he gleans from reading surgeons' minds (''The Tomorrow People''). He is the ex-husband of [[Moira MacTaggert#Ultimate Marvel|Moira MacTaggert]] with whom he worked to help mutants, devising new therapies and surgical techniques for their unique patients, and had a [[Legion (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|son]] named [[Proteus (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|David]]. He suffered a spinal injury at the hands of his old friend, [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Magneto]] during an escape from his increasingly militaristic island society, the [[Savage Land#Ultimate Marvel|Savage Land]], an injury that left him a [[paraplegia|paraplegic]] and ultimately a wheelchair user. He has a business relationship with the mysterious [[Lilandra Neramani#Ultimate Marvel|Lilandra]], the majestrix of the pagan [[Shi'ar]] cult. After [[Jean Grey#Ultimate Marvel|Jean Grey]] is kidnapped by the time-traveling [[Cable (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Cable]], Professor Xavier reveals to Cyclops that he is in love with her. Professor X is seemingly killed when he dives to protect Cyclops from a bomb that Cable detonates. It is subsequently revealed that he did not die, but was transported to Cable's future. He is however murdered by Magneto during the ''[[Ultimatum (comics)|Ultimatum]]'' miniseries.
* '''[[Warren Worthington III#Ultimate Marvel|Angel]]''', Warren Worthington III, is a handsome, shy, and winged mutant. He is Dazzler's boyfriend before she is put into a coma. He has been "expelled" from the X-Men; in reality, he is spying for Xavier. Without Bishop's consent, Dazzler has recruited him to be a part of the new X-Men. Angel is later killed by Sinister as part of Apocalypse's resurrection, but is restored to life by the Phoenix. He is later killed again by Sabretooth during the ''Ultimatum'' storyline.
* '''[[Beast (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Beast]]''', simian mutant and genius Henry "Hank" McCoy, is turned into a blue, furry beast by the insidious [[Weapon X#Ultimate Weapon X|Weapon X]] project. He serves as the team's elite [[engineer]], upgrading the [[Blackbird (comics)|Blackbird]] and [[Danger Room]] sequences. When chatting online to the Blob (pretending to be an interested girl), he accidentally reveals Magneto survived Xavier's earlier attack. He has a troubled romance with Storm, until he is killed in a Sentinel attack. It is revealed that Hank has been alive all this time, secretly working for [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] on the [[Legacy Virus]], until he escapes to return to the X-Men and Storm. Beast eventually dies in the ''Ultimatum'' wave.
* '''[[Colossus (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Colossus]]''', Piotr "Peter" Rasputin, can turn into organic steel and reluctantly works as an arms smuggler before joining the X-Men. Recently, Colossus has made peace with his former friend Nightcrawler. Colossus in ''Ultimate X-Men'' can transmute his entire body into organic steel, a form which gives him seeming invulnerability and superhuman strength.
* '''[[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Cyclops]]''', Scott Summers, whose eyes emit concussive blasts, is the boy scout-like X-Men field leader. Initially shy and aloof, he learns to be an unrivaled leader and pursue his interests, notably the love of Jean Grey, an interest that has often puts him at odds with his teammate Wolverine. He revisits his dead parents in a dream world he calls "[[Corsair (character)|Corsair]]". After the "death" of Xavier, Cyclops disbands the X-Men to utilize the school as a safe haven and educational center for mutants. He is assassinated by Quicksilver at the end of the ''Ultimatum'' event.
* '''[[Dazzler (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Dazzler]]''', Allison "Ali" Blaire, is a tough-as-nails rock singer with [[photovoltaics|photovoltaic]] powers who is heavily pierced and tattooed and wears slashed clothing. She becomes Angel's girlfriend after he takes the blame for something she does. She is stabbed and put into a [[coma]] by Storm's old mentor [[Lady Deathstrike#Ultimate Marvel|Lady Deathstrike]]. During her recovery, Nightcrawler develops an obsessive crush on her, eventually culminating in him kidnapping her when she awakes. She leaves the team in disgust when Xavier tries to rehabilitate him. Bishop later recruits Dazzler as a member of his new X-Men team. She dies in the ''Ultimatum'' wave.
* '''[[Iceman (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Iceman]]''', Robert "Bobby" Drake, is a hot-headed youth with cold-based powers, who is in the throes of puberty but loyal to the X-Men's cause. He is very fickle, pursuing girls then losing interest and back to being interested again. He has a fear of Magneto and is often seen eating or playing video games. Recently, he rekindled his relationship with Rogue when her absorbing powers were halted after she absorbed Gambit's powers for an extended period of time.
* '''[[Jean Grey#Ultimate Marvel|Marvel Girl]]''', or Jean Grey has telepathic and [[psychokinesis|telekinetic]] powers. She is outgoing, witty and scathingly sarcastic, but can also be a very responsible young woman and is the unofficial second-in-command behind Cyclops. After an affair with Wolverine, she begins a steady relationship with Cyclops. The Shi'ar religion believes Jean to be the host of the [[Phoenix Force]], their supposed god. Jean becomes the headmistress of the school, alongside Scott, after Xavier supposedly dies. When the X-Men battle Apocalypse, she merges with the Phoenix and destroys him with her god-like abilities and restarts time so this event will not happen. She leaves the team but returns promptly, to the surprise of the others.
* '''[[Nightcrawler (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Nightcrawler]]''', the [[Bavaria]]n mutant teleporter Kurt Wagner, is a former [[Weapon X#Ultimate Weapon X|Weapon X]] prisoner. He has a crush on Dazzler and is resentful that she chose Angel instead of him. Despite his own struggles with being rejected for being different, he is uncomfortable with Colossus' homosexuality and shuns him as a friend. He was being kept sedated after a failed attempt to kidnap Dazzler, but eventually escaped after Xavier's "death". Nightcrawler would go on to not only join the Morlocks, but become their chosen leader. He is later killed in the ''Ultimatum'' wave.
* '''[[Betsy Braddock#Ultimate Marvel|Psylocke]]''', or Betsy Braddock is a telepath who started off as a corporal for [[S.T.R.I.K.E.]], the British division of S.H.I.E.L.D.. She worked alongside her partner, Agent Dai Thomas, but during an encounter with Xavier's reality-warping son David, her body was possessed and destroyed. Betsy transferred her mind into the body of a comatose Japanese girl named [[Kwannon (character)|Kwannon]]. As this girl was a minor, Betsy was too young to serve as a government agent so she brought her formidable psychic abilities to the X-Men, reuniting with them for the first time since the destruction of her original body. Taking the codename Psylocke, she not only retained her telepathy but also learned to channel it into a psychic knife capable of cutting through any material.
* '''[[Rogue (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Rogue]]''', or Marian, originally drains life-force and memories on skin contact. She is abducted into the [[Weapon X#Ultimate Weapon X|Weapon X]] program under unknown circumstances. Like her mainstream counterpart, she can absorb mutant powers. When she is liberated, she first joins the Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy, then defects to the X-Men, then leaves the team in the company of [[Gambit (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Gambit]] after her boyfriend Bobby Drake cheats on her with Kitty Pryde. After absorbing his powers, which last for an extended period of time, during a battle with Juggernaut (in which Gambit dies), she inherits his energy-charging powers. This negates her absorbing power and she becomes able to touch people without draining their abilities or memories as shown when she and her ex-boyfriend, Iceman, have sex in the "Date Night" arc. These powers have since faded, leaving her with her previous absorbing powers.
* '''[[Kitty Pryde#Ultimate Marvel|Shadowcat]]''', Kitty Pryde, can walk through walls. She is a young, but dedicated girl. Like her mainstream counterpart, her devotion to her Jewish faith is evidenced by her ever-present [[Star of David]]. In ''Ultimate Spider-Man Annual'' #1 she begins dating Peter Parker, better known as [[Spider-Man (Ultimate Marvel character)|Spider-Man]]. She left the team to live with her mother in Queens, where she is now enrolled in Peter Parker's high school. Her relationship with Peter has ended, however, and she has shown an interest in dating Peter's classmate [[Kenny McFarlane|Kenny "Kong" McFarlane]].
* '''[[Storm (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Storm]]''', Ororo Munroe, like the phenomena from which she takes her name, has a unique mutant ability which allows her to harness and manipulate forces of nature. Calling upon the elements she can manifest violent storms, summon [[lightning]] from a benign sky, create blizzards instantly and even whip up winds to bear herself aloft. A streetwise car thief who hails from [[Morocco]], Ororo's sharp wit and cynicism can make her come off as arrogant, but, with that arrogance comes a near-unparalleled sense of level-headedness that allows her to temper as the voice of reason among the X-Men. Between the purported death of her boyfriend Beast, her fleeting relationships with Wolverine, and her role as second-in-command of Bishop's X-Men, Ororo's confidence has continued to grow, as has her skill with her mutant abilities.
* '''[[Wolverine (Ultimate Marvel character)|Wolverine]]''', James "Logan" Howlett, has animal instincts and extreme regeneration powers. He is turned into an amnesiac, emotionless killer by [[Weapon X#Ultimate Weapon X|Weapon X]]. Wolverine resurfaces as the cold-blooded elite assassin of Magneto and infiltrates the X-Men to kill Professor X. He betrays Magneto, however, and joins the X-Men after coming to understand and believe in Xavier's cause. Over the course of the series in between attacks by former members of Weapon X, Wolverine has searched for answers regarding his long-forgotten past. He is killed by Magneto near the end of the ''Ultimatum'' series.

===Villains and supporting cast===
[[File:4.25.13MarkMillarByLuigiNovi50.jpg|thumb|left|Writer [[Mark Millar]] signing a copy of the first issue during an appearance at [[Midtown Comics]] in Manhattan.]]
''Ultimate X-Men'' introduced revised versions of classic X-Men villains, such as mutant supremacist, would-be world conqueror, and evil genius mastermind [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Magneto]]. He heads the anti-human and genetic terrorist group [[Brotherhood of Mutants#Ultimate Marvel|Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy]]. The series also features the amoral, [[Josef Mengele|Mengele]]-like mutant super-weapon project [[Weapon X#Ultimate Marvel|Weapon X]], the shady [[Hellfire Club (comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Hellfire Club]] and many more.

In addition, the Academy of Tomorrow is the Ultimate Marvel version of a spin-off X-Men team called the [[New Mutants#New Mutants vol. 1|New Mutants]]. In this world, the group consists of: headmistress [[Emma Frost#Ultimate Marvel|Emma Frost]], who can turn her skin into organic diamond; Cyclops' older brother [[Havok (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Havok]] (Alex Summers), who shoots concussive blasts from his hands; airborne Sam Guthrie, or [[Cannonball (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Cannonball]]; mutant genius Doug Ramsey, also known as [[Cypher (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Cypher]]; Canadian speedster Jean-Paul Beaubier, or [[Northstar (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Northstar]]; Havok's girlfriend, Lorna Dane, the magnekinetic [[Polaris (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Polaris]]; Roberto da Costa, the Brazilian solar-powered [[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Sunspot]]; and recently Angel. The [[Shi'ar]] are a religious movement, led by "Majestrix [[Lilandra Neramani|Lilandra]]". They worship the "[[Phoenix Force#Ultimate Marvel|Phoenix God]]", which they think is reincarnated in the X-Man [https://web.archive.org/web/20171209043925/https://www.iwatchflix.com/tag/marvel/ Marvel] Girl (Jean Grey).

The Ultimate version of [[Cable (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Cable]] is revealed to be a future version of Wolverine, who kidnaps Charles Xavier in an attempt to prevent the coming of [[Apocalypse (character)#Ultimate Marvel|Apocalypse]].

"Syndicate" is the name of two mutants, psi-resistant [[conjoined twins]] named Luke and Matthew. They try to rob a bank to help their terminally ill sister, but are stopped by Professor X. Realizing their plight, he gives them a chance to redeem themselves by working as his private agents. Created by [[Brian K. Vaughan]] and [[Steve Dillon]], they first appeared in ''Ultimate X-Men'' #58. The characters have an unusual heart which pumps out electromagnetic pulses with each beat; this disables almost any electrical system. Their interlinked brain matter also makes them immune to telepathic control, although they are still susceptible to mind readings.

In the shared universe of [[Ultimate Marvel]], the X-Men have more than once crossed the paths of other superheroes: [[Spider-Man (Ultimate Marvel character)|Peter Parker]] is a good friend of the X-Men and is Shadowcat's ex-boyfriend. The X-Men share a wary truce with [[Nick Fury (Ultimate Marvel character)|Nick Fury]] and the [[Ultimates]], who have been both their best benefactors ("New Mutants" arc) and as adversaries (''[[Ultimate War]]'') in the past. The [[Ultimate Fantastic Four]] have met the X-Men in ''[[Ultimate X4]]'' and the teams are generally on positive terms.

===Settings===
* The X-Men live in the [[X-Mansion]] in [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester]], New York. Its location was a secret at first, but is now known to the world. It contains the [[Danger Room]], a [[virtual reality]] dome in which the X-Men can fight against hard-light holographic enemies. It has been used several times for in-jokes and [[popular culture]] references. Once, the junior X-Men fought the [[Brood (comics)|Brood]], and for recreation, Nightcrawler simulated scenes similar to ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.
* [[Genosha]] is an [[crime of apartheid|apartheid]] state in which mutants are discriminated against. [[Krakoa]] is an island not far off Genosha, where [[Mojo (comics)|Mojo Adams]]' ''Hunt for Justice'' reality show is held.
* [[Muir Island]] is an island in the north of [[Scotland]] and the location of [[Moira MacTaggert|Dr. Moira MacTaggert]]'s lab.

==In other media==
[[Image:Wolverinevo.PNG|150px|The two incarnations of Wolverine, from ''X-Men: Evolution''. On the left his look in seasons 1 and 2, inspired by his look at the beginning of the traditional X-Men comics, on the right his look in seasons 3 and 4, inspired by his later look in the ''Ultimate X-Men'' comic.|thumb|right]]
* In the video games ''[[X-Men Legends]]'' and ''[[X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse]]'', the characteristic tight black-and-golden costumes of ''Ultimate X-Men'' are the default outfits of the X-Men. The traditional costumes can be unlocked as [[throwback uniform|throwbacks]] after the player has unlocked them by completing acts within the game. Additionally, many of the other characters (such as the Brotherhood) have their Ultimate costumes as their default outfit. Characters in these games who had not yet appeared in ''Ultimate X-Men'' at the time that the games were released either appear wearing their Earth-616 ('classic') costumes or appear in a new costume that is in the same black-and-gold style as the ''Ultimate X-Men'' suits.
* In the ''[[X-Men: Evolution]]'' animated series, Wolverine wears his ''Ultimate X-Men'' look from season 3 onwards. In the final episode ''Ascension'', future adult versions of the teenage X-Men can be seen. Their normally bright, colorful costumes have changed into the dark ''Ultimate X-Men'' outfits.
* In the final arc of ''[[Wolverine and the X-Men (TV series)|Wolverine and the X-Men]]'', a fleet of [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinels]] are sent to [[Genosha]] to attack [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]] and the mutants living there. However, like in ''The Tomorrow People'',<ref>''Ultimate X-Men'' #5</ref> Magneto disassembles all of the Sentinels, reprogramming them to attack humans. He then launches an attack upon New York.
* ''Ultimate X-Men Vol. 1: The Tomorrow People'' appears in nine parts as an unlockable in ''[[Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects]]''. Each part is unlocked after completing a specific bonus level.
* Wolverine and Bolivar Trask appear as the bosses in the video game ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (video game)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]''.
* Ultimate costumes of Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Magneto and Sabretooth appear in the video game ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]''.

==Collected editions==
===Trade Paperbacks===
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=98%
! width="4px" | #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Released
! class="unsortable" style="width: 10em;" | ISBN
|-
|1
|'''''The Tomorrow People'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #1–6
|160
|{{dts|30 Jul 2001}}
|{{nowrap|{{ISBNT|978-0785107880}}}}
|-
|2
|'''''Return To Weapon X'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #7–12
|144
|{{dts|1 Apr 2002}}
|{{nowrap|{{ISBNT|978-0785108689}}}}
|-
|3
|'''''World Tour'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #13–20
|192
|{{dts|9 Dec 2002}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785109617}}
|-
|4
|'''''Hellfire & Brimstone'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #21–25
|144
|{{dts|3 Mar 2003}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785110897}}
|-
|5
|'''''Ultimate War'''''
|''[[Ultimate War]]'' #1–4
|112
|{{dts|14 Apr 2003}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785111290}}
|-
|6
|'''''Return Of The King'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #26–33
|192
|{{dts|1 Sep 2003}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785110910}}
|-
|7
|'''''Blockbuster'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #34–39
|144
|{{dts|22 Mar 2004}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785112198}}
|-
|8 
|'''''New Mutants'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #40–45
|144
|{{dts|7 Sep 2004}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785111610}}
|-
|9
|'''''The Tempest'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #46–49
|112
|{{dts|26 Nov 2004}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785114048}}
|-
|10
|'''''Cry Wolf'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #50–53
|96
|{{dts|9 Feb 2005}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785114055}}
|-
|11
|'''''The Most Dangerous Game'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #54–57
|104
|{{dts|27 Jul 2005}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785116592}}
|-
|12
|'''''Hard Lessons'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #58–60; ''Ultimate X-Men Annual'' #1
|120
|{{dts|30 Nov 2005}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785118015}}
|-
|13
|'''''Magnetic North'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #61–65
|128
|{{dts|1 Mar 2006}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785119067}}
|-
|14: 
|'''''Phoenix?'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #66–71
|144
|{{dts|18 Oct 2006}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785120193}}
|-
|15
|'''''Magical'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #72–74; ''Ultimate X-Men Annual'' #2
|112
|{{dts|17 Jan 2007}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785120209}}
|-
|16
|'''''Cable'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #75–80
|160
|{{dts|30 May 2007}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785125488}}
|-
|17
|'''''Sentinels'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #81–88
|192
|{{dts|23 Jan 2008}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785125495}}
|-
|18
|'''''Apocalypse'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #89–93
|120
|{{dts|30 Jul 2008}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785125501}}
|-
|19
|'''''Absolute Power'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #94–97
|112
|{{dts|5 Nov 2008}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785129448}}
|-
! style="background-color: light grey;"|
|'''''Ultimatum: X-Men/Fantastic Four'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #98–100; ''Ultimate Fantastic Four'' #58–60
|152
|{{dts|23 Dec 2009}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785134336}}
|}

===Ultimate Collections===
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=98%
! width="4px" | #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Released
! class="unsortable" style="width: 10em;" | ISBN
|-
|1
|'''''Ultimate X-Men: Ultimate Collection Book 1'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #1–12, ½
|336
|{{dts|29 Mar 2006}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785121879}}
|-
|2
|'''''Ultimate X-Men: Ultimate Collection Book 2'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #13–25
|336
|{{dts|1 Aug 2007}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785128564}}
|-
|3
|'''''Ultimate X-Men: Ultimate Collection Book 3'''''
|''Ultimate War'' #1–4; ''Ultimate X-Men'' #26–33
|304
|{{dts|2 Sep 2009}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785141877}}
|-
|4
|'''''Ultimate X-Men: Ultimate Collection Book 4'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #34–45
|304
|{{dts|13 Oct 2010}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785149231}}
|-
|5
|'''''Ultimate X-Men: Ultimate Collection Book 5'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #46–57
|312
|{{dts|3 Mar 2015}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785192923}}
|}

===Ultimate Epic Collections===
{{Main| Marvel Epic Collections}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=98%
! width="4px" | #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Released
! class="unsortable" style="width: 10em;" | ISBN
|-
|1
|'''''The Tomorrow People'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #1-12, ½
|336
|{{dts|15 Apr 2025}}
|{{nowrap|{{ISBNT|978-1302963019}}}}
|}

===Oversized hardcovers===
{{Main| Marvel oversized hardcover}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=98%
! width="4px" | #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Released
! class="unsortable" style="width: 10em;" | ISBN
|-
|1
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Volume 1 HC'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #1–12, Giant-Size X-Men #1
|352
|{{dts|7 Aug 2002}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785110088}}
|-
|2
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Volume 2 HC'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #13–25
|336
|{{dts|24 Mar 2003}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785111306}}
|-
|3
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Volume 3 HC'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #26–33; ''Ultimate War'' #1–4
|312
|{{dts|10 Dec 2003}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785111313}}
|-
|4
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Volume 4 HC'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #34–45
|304
|{{dts|23 Feb 200}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785112518}}
|-
|5
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Volume 5 HC'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #46–57
|296
|{{dts|4 Jan 2006}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785121039}}
|-
|6
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Volume 6 HC'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #58–65, ½; ''Ultimate X-Men Annual'' #1
|256
|{{dts|30 Aug 2006}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785121046}}
|-
|7
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Volume 7 HC'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #66–74; ''Ultimate X-Men Annual'' #2
|256
|{{dts|8 Aug 2007}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785126058}}
|-
|8
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Volume 8 HC'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #75–88
|352
|{{dts|25 June 2008}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785130802}}
|-
|9
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Volume 9 HC'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #89–97
|232
|{{dts|26 Aug 2009}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785137795}}
|-
! colspan="8" style="background-color: silver;" | Premiere Hardcover
|-
! style="background-color: light grey;"|
|'''''Ultimatum: X-Men/Fantastic Four'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #98–100; ''Ultimate Fantastic Four'' #58–60
|152
|{{dts|20 May 2009}}
|{{ISBNT|978-0785134329}}
|}

===Omnibuses===
{{Main| Marvel omnibus}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=98%
! width="4px" | #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Released
! class="unsortable" style="width: 10em;" | ISBN
|-
|1
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Omnibus Volume 1'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #1–33, ½, ''Ultimate War'' #1–4
|1,024
|{{nowrap|25 Oct 2022}}
|{{nowrap|{{ISBNT|978-1302946357}}}}
|-
|2
|'''''Ultimate X-Men Omnibus Volume 2'''''
|''Ultimate X-Men'' #34–74, ''Ultimate X-Men Annual'' #1–2, ''Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four'', ''Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men''
|1,160
|{{dts|13 Feb 2024}}
|{{nowrap|{{ISBNT|978-1302950118}}}}
|}

==See also==
* [[List of Ultimate X-Men story arcs|List of ''Ultimate X-Men'' story arcs]]
* [[Ultimate X-Men (2024)|''Ultimate X-Men'' (2024 comic book)]], written and illustrated by [[Peach Momoko]] and set in the new continuity of [[Earth-6160]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NYCC 2023: Marvel Comics Reveals a New Ultimate Universe |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/nycc-2023-marvels-new-ultimate-universe-line-first-look-trailer-covers |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.marvel.com |archive-date=2023-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022045035/https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/nycc-2023-marvels-new-ultimate-universe-line-first-look-trailer-covers |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090526012544/http://marvel.com/catalog/?book_title=Ultimate+X-Men Ultimate X-Men on Marvel.com]

===Interviews===
*[http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/mar02/millar2.shtml Mark Millar on ''Ultimate X-Men'']
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051101013607/http://www.newsarama.com/Bendis_UXM.htm Brian Michael Bendis on ''Ultimate X-Men''], [[Newsarama]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051124054319/http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/UltWeek/images/UXM/UXMBKV.html Brian K. Vaughan on ''Ultimate X-Men''], [[Newsarama]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061210044700/http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/ultx_men/kirkman.htm Robert Kirkman on ''Ultimate X-Men''], [[Newsarama]]

{{Ultimate X-Men}}
{{X-Comics}}
{{Ultimate Marvel}}
{{Brian Michael Bendis}}
{{Mark Millar}}

[[Category:2001 comics debuts]]
[[Category:2009 comics endings]]
[[Category:Characters created by Adam Kubert]]
[[Category:Characters created by Mark Millar]]
[[Category:Comics by Robert Kirkman]]
[[Category:Ultimate Marvel characters]]
[[Category:Ultimate Marvel teams|X-Men (Ultimate)]]
[[Category:Ultimate Marvel titles|X-Men]]
[[Category:Widescreen comics]]
[[Category:X-Men titles]]