Marvel Comics has revealed a first look at Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men — which promises to reimagine the mutant hero known as Hisako Ichiki/Armor for Earth-6160.
Written and illustrated by Momoko, Ultimate X-Men #1 hits comic shops early next year. At this time, Marvel has shared Momoko and letterer Joe Caramagna‘s two-page prelude story from the newly-published one-shot Ultimate Universe #1. The first page shows a body horror-esque nightmare in which Hisako pulls a figurine (which depicts her psionic exoskeleton armor) out of her head. In the second page, Hisako is woken up by her classmate Maystorm. On that note, Marvel has also revealed Momoko’s design sheets for both characters.
Check out the first look at Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men below:
Created by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, Hisako Ichiki/Armor joined Marvel’s main Earth-616 continuity in 2004’s Astonishing X-Men #4. The character is notable for partially inspiring the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s depiction of fellow mutant Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel.
Meanwhile, Momoko introduced Maystorm last month via her New Champions Variant Cover for X-Men #27. “I was very surprised, excited, and happy that Marvel allowed me to introduce Maystorm in ULTIMATE X-MEN,” Momoko said. “She was made only for the New Champions variant cover program. I really liked her design and wanted to tell her story … but didn’t think I would get the opportunity this fast!”
What to X-pect from Ultimate X-Men
According to Marvel, Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men will “see the visionary writer and artist introduce a new generation of X-Men for the bold universe [Jonathan] Hickman created.” Hickman penned the recent four-part limited series Ultimate Invasion, which saw the birth of Earth-6160 — a new Ultimate Universe distinct from the original, Earth-1610.
Alongside artist Stefano Caselli, Hickman ushered in Marvel’s new Ultimate era in the aforementioned Ultimate Universe #1 — which released today, November 1. Marvel’s new Ultimate line kicks off proper in January 2024 with Hickman and Marco Checchetto’s Ultimate Spider-Man. Things continue in February with Bryan Hill and Caselli’s Ultimate Black Panther. Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men follows suit in March.
An official synopsis for Ultimate X-Men #1 reads as follows: “Hisako Ichiki is a teenage girl who just wants to live a normal life — go to school, hang out with her friends, ignore the political strife broiling over after the events of ULTIMATE INVASION — but life has other plans for her. In Japan, urban legends have sprung to life and brought some unusual new powers with them … Meet Armor, Maystorm, and a group of new Ultimate X-Men the likes of which you’ve never seen before!”
Ultimate X-Men #1 goes on sale March 6, 2024 from Marvel comics.
