The Ultimate Universe’s Newest Reimagined Mutants Change Everything

Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe is familiar and different, especially compared to the mainstream Marvel Universe. The Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate Black Panther books are different, yet they have similar takes on the classic heroes. On the other hand, Ultimate X-Men is a completely divergent reimagining, though it’s now introduced its own “version” of a founding member of the X-Men.

Natsu Tsukishima has become a recurring part of the Ultimate X-Men comic book, and she’s likely more important than many initially realized. Already suspected of being the new Ultimate version of a major X-Men character, the confirmation of this blows the doors open for the new universe. With the Ultimate Universe version of Wolverine confirmed, the new timeline may heavily alter other members of Marvel’s merry mutant team.

Ultimate X-Men Heavily Changes the First Member of the X-Men

The New Ultimate Universe Now Has Its Own Take On Cyclops

So far, Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men is nothing like what most fans expect from an X-Men comic book, especially compared to the otherwise minimal changes seen in the Ultimate Spider-Man comic book. Having much more in common with a Japanese horror manga, it showcases the someone what “mystical” aura surrounding mutants in the new Ultimate Universe.

Instead of the likes of Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Jean Grey, Shadowcat, Beast, or even someone such as Gambit or Jubilee, the main character is the Ultimate Universe of Hisako Ichi, a.k.a. Armor. Likewise, there are also Ultimate takes on Shadow King and the Cerebro machine, all of which are filtered through Japanese folklore and beliefs concerning psychic mediums. Maystorm is a character named Mei who’s a stand-in for the traditional Storm; the latter is now a somewhat public figure due to her actions in Wakanda in the Ultimate Black Panther book.

There’s also a character named Natsu who’s part of the series “Children of the Atom” cult, and fans had long suspected that she was based on one member of the X-Men in particular. In her case, this is now confirmed to be none other than Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops. Already, Natsu wore a blue/yellow tracksuit that resembled the similarly-colored costumes of the X-Men in most continuities.

Likewise, this specifically recalls Cyclops’ costumes, including his old X-Factor tracksuit. Another physical trait shared between the two was an eyepatch, an accessory worn by Natsu similar to Scott’s glasses and univision. Even her story evoked Scott’s, with her name translating as “born in summer” and her backstory making her an older sibling in a somewhat less-than-typical upbringing in the Children of the Atom.

This is similar to Scott, the older brother of Alex Summers, who grew up in an orphanage where they fell under Mr. Sinister’s eye. In Ultimate X-Men #8, this all comes to a head when Natsu’s mutant abilities activate due to an altercation in which she’s bullied for her ties to the Children of the Atom cult. This sees her left eye (previously covered by a white eyepatch) bursting with a powerful red laser.

It’s visually just like Cyclops’ traditional powers, albeit with the added detail that Natsu’s eye bleeds after using her powers, at least for the first time. The floodgates have been opened, and more traditional franchise elements will likely continue to appear in the series.

More Classic X-Men Will Likely Appear In Ultimate X-Men

Ultimate Cyclops Is Just the Beginning

As noted, Ultimate X-Men has avoided having many more recognizable characters in the series, which might be for the best. It allows less mainstream mutants such as Armor to finally get a little bit of spotlight, especially through the series’ more cultural lens.

One is Mori, who’s based on Molly from the series Runaways. Of course, Natsu has now been confirmed as the universe’s version of Cyclops, and the series’ 8th issue also showed a seeming infiltrator of the Children of the Atom that’s likely the Ultimate Universe version of the power-draining mutant Rogue. Cyclops and Rogue are some of the most mainstream X-Men ever, which means other equivalents may be coming.

More than likely, versions of the rest of the classic X-Men will be implemented into the Ultimate X-Men book, at least as background characters in the cult. A version of Angel seemingly inspired by the Tengu myth would be an interesting inversion of that character, the likes of whom have always been the least popular of the founding X-Men. Alternate incarnations of Jean Grey, Shadowcat, Gambit, Beast, and Iceman are also possibilities, cementing the idea that the title truly is an “X-Men” comic book.

Given the different art styles and genre shifts, some have questioned whether the book belongs to the property or if its connection to it is more of a marketing idea than anything else. As the book builds to a more recognizable status quo, there will likely be several takes on the popular mutants. The same goes for the villains, who may or may not have their roles reversed heavily in this universe. Wherever Cyclops is, a version of Mr. Sinister can’t be too far behind. This matches how Maystorm was introduced not too long after Ultimate Shadow King, with the two characters increasingly tied together in adaptations, the mainstream comics, and even the original Ultimate Universe.

Conversely, the introduction of Rogue could see a version of Mystique, Destiny, or Nightcrawler appearing in the series, not to mention Magneto being a possibility. Ironically, the most popular member of the X-Men is set to be soon introduced elsewhere in the Ultimate Universe, which speaks to the narrative potential of the new universe.

Ultimate Wolverine Will Be Much Different

Weapon X Isn’t the Same In the New Ultimate Universe

Set to show up in his own upcoming solo series, Wolverine in the new Ultimate Universe is more than just another rendition of the same character. While the new Ultimate Wolverine will still be a grisly mutant with adamantium claws, he’s also this timeline’s version of Winter Soldier.

Still, he’ll be a similarly mind-controlled assassin working for the Russian mutants Colossus, Magik and Omega Red. It’s clear from this alone that Wolverine will be fairly reimagined from past incarnations, and given how Cyclops is being handled, many of his classic relationships won’t be the same. It’s highly unlikely that Ultimate Wolverine even interacts with the Children of the Atom mutants in Ultimate X-Men, let alone Cyclops. In the mainstream universe, the original Ultimate Universe, and almost every X-Men adaptation, Wolverine rivals Cyclops in multiple ways.

Not only does his wild streak put him at odds with Cyclops’ more by-the-books leadership, but the two are also usually shown as being in a love triangle for the affections of Jean Grey. There’s no equivalent to Jean that’s even been introduced yet, and Ultimate Cyclops is a teenage girl. While Ultimate Wolverine’s age hasn’t been specified, he’s at least slightly older than Ultimate Cyclops. Thus, nothing about their usual feud will be present, leaving things wide open for the both of them.

Still honoring previous incarnations while doing something completely new, neither Cyclops nor Wolverine will be beholden to the past in the new Ultimate Universe. Thus, Ultimate Wolverine’s supporting cast may be made up of Russian mutants, potentially changing his usual Canadian nationality. The same is true for Cyclops, who is of a different ethnicity and gender compared to most iterations.

Given that this is explicitly an alternate universe that’s intentionally been radically changed by the machinations of The Maker, the Ultimate Universe is free to throw caution to the wind regarding where to go with these characters. It’s a refreshing change of pace, namely as the mainstream universes have gotten more stagnant. This is the best way to please existing fans who want something new while also attracting newcomers, and the far different version of Cyclops is just one example of that.

Ultimate X-Men #8 is available now.