Summary
TheX-Men’steam name has always been unique, but their newUltimate Universecounterparts take it to the next level, turning it into a perfect in-character joke. ‘X-Men’ sounds like something made up by kids, and now it really is. However, this new team might have accidentally hit on a deeper meaning with their name, as it says something about them and their world, even if they don’t realize it.
Ultimate X-Men (2024)#5–written and illustrated by Peach Momoko–depicts the novel way in which this world’s new X-Men get their name, with it starting as a joke regarding the young mutants always getting “X” marks on testsin school.
The issue features the rudimentary X-Men assembling for the first time, which prompts team member Maystorm to try to come up with a name for them. She initially suggests ‘X-Team,’ much to the disdain ofthis world’s Nico Minoru, leading them to settle on X-Men as a cooler title.
As a Teacher, I’m Convinced Ultimate X-Men Is Marvel’s Best Chance to Attract Young New Readers (NOT the Reboot)
Marvel’s main X-Men books may be entering a new era, but as a college teacher, I’m certain ULTIMATE X-MEN could actually be a sleeper hit with Gen Z.
Naming Their Team Is The New Ultimate X-Men’s First Test As Heroes
Ultimate X-Men#5 – Written & Ilustrated By Peach Momoko; Lettering by Travis Lanham
This reasoning for this new team’s name does work on a deeper level. If an X on a test means it’s been rejected, then it means something to claim that symbol of rejection.
This reveal inUltimate X-Men#5 is a funny, off-hand way to christen a major team, but its in keeping with the book’s tone so far. The childish way that Maystorm comes up with the title fits the team’s identity perfectly. This team is made up of kids who don’t have a Professor X equivalent to teach them about their powers or about what mutants really are (yet). Of course, they’d go with something random because it sounds cool. If anything, they’re just doingexactly what Stan Lee didin 1963 when he came up with the original name.
Infamously, Stan Lee didn’t have any deeper reason behind choosing it either, as the in-universe explanation for the name proves. The original explanation for the X-Men’s name in mainstream Earth-616 continuity is all the way back inX-Men vol 1 #1when it’s explained by Xavier that the name was chosen because mutants have ‘Ex-tra powers’, a piece of silver-age silliness that’s basically been forgotten.
This reasoning for this new team’s name does work on a deeper level. If an X on a test means it’s been rejected, then it means something to claim that symbol of rejection. Multiple characters on the new X-Men are already rejects of a sort.Maystorm has run away from her abusive family, while Armor’s in danger of being publicly exposed as a mutant after a video of her powers was shared online. If mutant-human relations follow the same pattern of bigotry that they do in mainstream continuity, then all mutants could find themselves as rejects before too long.
It means something significant for the X-Men, the youth of this newUltimateUniverse, to name themselves after a symbol of rejection.
By Declaring Themselves “X-Men,” Marvel’s Ultimate Mutants Embrace Rejection
And Prepare To Fight The Prevailing Social Order
The name can also symbolize a rejection of this world’s ruling order.ThisUltimateUniverseis a secret authoritarian state, andthe solicit forUltimate X-Men (2024) #8has promised to reveal how mutants have been suppressed by the forces ofthe tyrannical Maker. Just about every hero in this world is slowly coming around to fighting this regime, and this team will likely be no different. It means something significant for theX-Men, the youth of this newUltimate Universe, to name themselves after a symbol of rejection.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
