Ultimate X-Men #70
	Story Title: 'Phoenix' (Part 1 of 3) Writer: Robert Kirkman Penciller: Ben Oliver Inker: Jonathan Glapion with Jay Leisten Colorist: Jason Keith Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna Production: Kate Levin Editor: Ralph Macchio Publisher: Dan Buckley Published by: Marvel Comics
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

Why is Marvel hell bent on making me completely give up on reading anything with the Marvel logo on it.

Having completely washed my hands off anything mainline/616 Marvel, even the Ultimate universe is also looking to go the same route. If its not the rather unexciting Fantastic Four, or the ‘is it Spidey’s or is it the X-Men’s title?’ Ultimate Spider-Man or this....the ultimate farce of my utimate favorite Ultimate title. (Too many ultimates in one sentence)

Not only is the whole story rather forgettable, right from Kurt’s ‘creepy going on stalker’ crush on a comatose Alison (Dazzler), to Cyclops’ ‘I want my Jeannie’ bumbling, to the fight scene that is not quite there, to the downright levels below average artwork (Just check out the last page. Jean looks more like a zombie than the all powerful Phoenix), to the last and definitely the least interesting part, the most one dimensional and boring character this side of …well, plain boiled rice. Elliot Boggs, instead of capturing the reader’s interest comes across as a character a newbie fanfiction writer might come up with. He can seemingly do anything else, turn anything into whatever he wants, do…well, like I said, even a passing fanfiction writer invest more in his/her OC (Original Character).

The only way he will retain some standing in the reader’s (mine) memory is if the Phoenix goes ‘Dark’ and just does away with him….*poof*, instant notoriety.

Conclusion: Can’t Kirkman write one issue in which the whole team appears.

RATING: 6/10 (Art SUCKS)