Mutants are more mysterious than ever inMarvel’s newUltimateUniverse, andUltimate X-Menhas just revealed a small part of mutant history pre-X-Men. In this authoritarian world, mutants are even more underground than ever, so even rumors and conjecture are useful info, especially when they help draw parallels to classicX-Menconcepts. Whether any of these rumors are true, or whether they’re just propaganda, however, remains to be seen.
InUltimate X-Men (2024) #5– written and illustrated by Peach Momoko –UltimateNico Minoru shares mysterious rumors, whichpaint mutants as a cult who believe themselves to be the successors to humanity.
Nico only knows what her grandmother has told her. According to her, mutants, self-labeled‘homo superior’, are a cult who use the symbol of a crossed-out spiral. Nico’s narration is intercut with a scene of Shinobu Kagayama, akathe series' villain the Shadow King, going to a cult meeting with his family. His casual conversation with Surge earlier also suggests that she too might be a member.
Mutants Are Labled A “Cult” In Marvel’s New Ultimate Universe
Ultimate X-Men (Vol. 2)#5 – Written & Illustrated By Peach Momoko; Lettering By Travis Lanham
InUltimate X-Men#5, Nico speculates that mutants could be connected to blood magic somehow. This world’s Armor catalyzed her power after the Shadow King regifted her an omamori charm that Armor originally got from her friend Tsubasa. Nico notices blood in the charm and suggests that the villain used it to make a blood oath with Armor, giving her powers.Maystorm, another hero, got her powersafter being accidentally scratched by the villain’s cat, which could have linked her to the pact. This could be something all mutants can do, or something unique to the Shadow King.
If mutants are similar to their mainstream Earth-616 counterparts, however, then their powers are based in their DNA, which could explain why blood is important. In mainstream Earth-616 continuity, ‘homo superior’ is the scientific name for mutants, though it too has a dark origin. The term wasfirst used by Magneto inX-Men (Vol. 1)#1which, in context, makes it sound like a supremacist term, which was obviously the original intention. Over time, though, the name has stuck as a neutral term. WhatUltimate X-Mencreator Peach Momoko is doing, then, is bringing the term back to its roots.
The History Of Mutants In The Ultimate Universe Remains Shrouded In Mystery
The Ultimates (2024)#2 – Written By Deniz Camp; Illustrated By Juan Frigeri; Color By Federico Blee; Lettering By VC’s Travis Lanham
The mutant cult might also parallel classic mutant supremacist villains like theBrotherhood of Evil Mutants. One interesting question is how this revelation ties into this broader new Ultimate Universe, Earth-6160. This world is an authoritarian Earth ruled over by the agents of the evil Maker, and his council of supervillains includes traditional mutants like Colossus, Magik and Sunfire. In addition, the recently releasedUltimates #2featured a flashback to what appears to be a mutant rights rally in the indeterminate past.
It’s also possible that the rumor of mutants being a cult is actually propaganda by the Maker. Just becauseUltimate X-Men’svillain is a member, it doesn’t mean that all these mutants are. If mutants have been driven underground, then they would look like a cult. Luckily, readers won’t have to wait too long to learn the full truth. Marvel’s solicit forUltimate X-Men#8promises that the full origins and history of mutants in this world will be revealed. Both readers and this new team ofX-Menwill soon know what mutants really are.
