Ultimate X-Men #72

Ultimate X-Men #72, published in 2006, serves as a pivotal installment in the 'Magnetic North' story arc. This series was conceived by Marvel Comics as a modernized, grounded reimagining of the X-Men mythology, designed to be accessible to a new generation of readers without the weight of decades of continuity. The story reflects the series' signature tone, which often leaned into darker, more consequence-driven narratives compared to traditional mainstream comic books of the era.

The issue features the creative work of writer Mike Carey and artist Salvador Larroca. Larroca’s distinctively clean, detailed aesthetic was instrumental in defining the visual language of the Ultimate universe, aiming for a cinematic feel that bridged the gap between traditional comic illustration and modern graphic storytelling. The issue was generally well-received for its character-focused development, as Carey balanced the complex political tensions surrounding Magneto’s incarceration with the internal strife of the X-Men team.