REVIEW CORNER: Ultimate X-Men Annual # 1

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Penciller: Tom Raney

Inker: Scott Hanna

Colorist: Gina Going-Raney

Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos

Published October 2005

Rating:

This week, I’ll take a look at Ultimate X-Men Annual # 1 from 2005; What I like the most about this annual is that it focuses squarely on Rogue and Gambit, who are two of met favorite X-Men characters (Okay, Okay so I’m not that much of a Wolverine fanatic) but I do feel like any X-Men fan, especially the ones who were getting into the characters via the Ultimate line will really enjoy this annual.

Rogue and Gambit find themselves in Las Vegas, Nevada where the two of them find some measure of revenge against Gambit’s former employer, Fenris but their plan gets complicated by the appearance of a very lovestruck and jealous Juggernaut who wants to know why Rogue abandoned him, soon we get a battle between Rogue & Gambit/Juggernaut which looks very stunning thanks in part to Tom Raney and the visuals that he makes come alive via his artwork which is in fact, stunning! And Brian K. Vaughan delivered a script that’s packed with action, intrigue, and a romantic love triangle that seems to end in disaster. Rogue, Gambit, and Juggernaut are perfectly fleshed-out and well written by Vaughan, no doubt maintaining the high standards that Mark Millar set when he wrote “Ultimate X-Men” and let me say that the ending (**NO SPOILERS**) will tug at your heartstrings BIG TIME!!

This annual will undoubtedly satisfy any X-Men fan as well as fans of the Ultimate line as it has many elements you would find in a 1980’s romance drama but that’s what gives this annual its charm and if you’re a Rogue and Gambit fan then this annual should be in your collection or on your radar.

Well, that’s it for me. I’ll be back with another review next week. So thanks for sticking around and I will see you all next time.