Ultimate X-Men #89
“Shadow King”
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Salvador Larroca

Upon my first reading, I was sure I had missed an issue somewhere along the line. I mean, it starts in the middle of a battle and reads like the final issue of a five-part series.

After a quick check, I confirmed that I had not, in fact, missed an issue.

I was perplexed.

Robert Kirkman isn’t the sort of writer to do something like this.

Then it occurred to me.

Isn’t there a big Ultimate Ultimatum event coming up soon?

It makes me wonder if Kirkman had to speed up his story arcs and condense a traditional 5-part series into one to make time for an Ultimate media event in 2008.