Being such a big X-Men fan, I felt both a warm wave of nostalgia and a spark of excitement when I read the 24th and final issue of Marvel’s Ultimate X-Men. When the ending finally came out in June 2025, it left a mix of emotions. It wrapped up the story with a tender goodbye while completely turning the X-Men world on its head.
It felt like letting go of an old friend you’ve grown up with, only to see them return wiser, stronger, and with a few new companions in tow. When Marvel decided to relaunch Ultimate X-Men in 2024, it wasn’t just about starting over. It felt like they were waking up something powerful from a long sleep.
With Peach Momoko’s magical artwork and Zack Davisson’s storytelling, the series brought to life four fresh faces: Hisako Ichiki, Nico Minoru, Maystorm, and Natsuki. Instead of sticking with our usual team, we took a chance on the mutants, entering a world that didn’t exactly roll out a welcome mat but stared with suspicion and fear. What struck me most was how honest it felt. Being a mutant wasn’t some superhero fantasy. It was about being looked at differently, even when you didn’t ask for it.
The Shocking End of “World War X”
The World War X arc, one of the most gripping parts of the series, ended with a surprising and powerful battle in Tian, a place that was supposed to protect mutants. Kitty Pryde, who once believed the world could be changed with hope alone, now found herself standing firm, protecting Tian from being torn apart by politics.
Just when things felt like they couldn’t get any more intense, Kitty stepped into her full strength and changed everything about how the mutant world would go on. That issue had me so hooked, I was literally sitting forward like something big was about to happen and then Kitty actually did it.
There was a moment when I sat there, staring into nothing, realizing that hope had slipped away, dreams were crushed, and the truth hit hard; mutants and humans were never meant to live in peace. We might’ve wanted a more satisfying finish, but that wasn’t the goal. It was always about survival, not applause.
Was 24 Issues the Plan All Along?
For months, fans were tossing around the idea that the series would end at 24 issues. Then, out of the blue in January 2025, Zack Davisson dropped a vague message on X (you might remember it as Twitter): “Only six more to go,” he wrote.
Like many fans out there, I found myself thinking — is Marvel planning to try something new with all its Ultimate titles? Maybe Spider-Man and Black Panther are stepping into real-time stories that actually end? It’s quite a daring step, and even though Marvel hasn’t said anything officially, I feel this real-time format might just shift the way we experience Marvel stories from now on.
A New Type of X-Men Storytelling
When I first saw Momoko’s artwork, it felt clear right away, this was not the regular X-Men story I was used to. Everything mattered in that world, even the little things. Armor was torn, not knowing if she fit in as a human or as a mutant. She often asked herself who she really was.
Nico Minoru’s story stirred something in me, as if she and I had faced the same kind of storms. There was something deeply moving about how her magic made it clear that the X-gene was no longer something we understood but was turning into something more mysterious. They felt like someone you might bump into on the street, not just another group of oddball mutants.
I think a lot of us fans, including myself, started wondering what it really means to fit in, to stand out, and to stand up for something beyond just us. The new take brought in a wave of excitement, but not everyone was thrilled. Long-time X-Men fans found it hard to connect with the changes. Looking back, I think what made it so special was just how fresh and fearless it felt.
What’s Next for Marvel’s Ultimate Universe?
It seems that Marvel has big plans for what comes next. The Maker, who is like the darker version of Reed Richards, is all set to make a comeback. If you’ve read Ultimate Invasion, you already know how terrifyingly powerful he really is.
There’s something really exciting about this big Ultimate Crisis that brings Spider-Man, Black Panther, and the X-Men into one storyline. I’m honestly curious to see how it all unfolds. The new spinoff, Ultimate Wolverine (2025), which is about Logan’s clone-daughter, is already catching on pretty fast.
It looks like Marvel still has plans for the Ultimate universe, just in smaller, more to-the-point chapters.
Fan Reactions: Praise, Theories, and Confusion
People can’t stop talking, and if Reddit is anything to go by, it’s been a real rollercoaster of opinions. One fan said it best: “The ending was like poetry. It stayed with me. It wasn’t just an ending, it felt like someone handing down a piece of wisdom.” I completely agree. That ending stayed with me, even after I closed the book.
One fan shared a hopeful thought for what’s ahead. “Maybe when The Maker storyline finishes,” they said, “they’ll bring it back. There’s still something alive in that world. It hasn’t said its final word yet.” Even though the spotlight on lesser-known characters turned out well, many fans secretly wished Maystorm and Bishop got more screen time.
Somehow, it’s the quiet side characters who leave the deepest mark on you, isn’t it?
Final Thoughts: A Soft Echo of Change
I truly loved the series, and even though Ultimate X-Men came to an end, its final moments stayed with me for a long time after I shut the book. That trip changed how we saw the X-Men and quietly opened the door to what’s coming next.
On Earth 6160, the mutants are no longer living in the dark. Still, their real fight has only just begun. It’s one of those endings that tugs at your heart, yet I can’t shake the feeling that the Ultimate universe is far from done.
