This issue is part two of the story “The Most Dangerous Game”, written by Vaughan. If you lack knowledge of the basic plot, please see the review of Ultimate X-Men #54. In this episode, the two teams of X-Men: one on an approved mission, and the other a group of rebellious youngsters with the best intentions at heart, who despite their not knowing how to even fly or navigate, land safely on a remote island which would no doubt evade searching US Navy vessels. There, team rebellious saves the day. Only, they really don’t seem to be needed by the captive Longshot who can take care of every hunter that comes his way. Of course, he would never make it back to the mansion to become an X-Man unless the X-Wing, piloted by radicals, landed on his prison-island. Therefore we accept the storyline as it comes: it’s necessary. One interesting, and possibly sinister thing does occur, but I will not reveal it. I will only say: read issue 54, and listen to Angel’s words; now observe his behavior once on the island. Fear? Maybe, but maybe something else….we’ll see.

Now, team one (the guys doing what they are told) are in for trouble. They go sleuthing around this anti-mutant country, only to run into the mutantist mutant of all. She is the Hindu-Norse-Ninja mentioned above. What is she doing in this country? Is she working for the anti-mutant government? My guess is yes. I would wager that she is the one going around murdering folks, and then planting evidence on targeted mutants. But that is just a guess, and it is a very uneducated one.

This book’s art, by Immonen, varies. Some of the pages are expertly drawn, while others seem so rushed that the characters would be unrecognizable if they weren’t all different colors. I know that UXM likes to release a book every 2-3 weeks; and while I appreciate getting rapid continuations of stories, I think the schedule is too much for the artist. I am picturing Quesada with a long whip, and every time Immonen scratches his head, sighs, or tries to get a good yawn-and-stretch, WHAAAAAAK!

Seriously, Mr. Quesada, if you want to worry about a book coming out on time, go and apply some righteous-indignation on the guys working on Secret War.

What’s that? No one is working on Secret War?